YSK that your vet bill is likely higher because of who owns the clinic, not just because vet care got more expensive.
Why YSK: Vet prices have gone up ~60% in the last decade, and a big reason is corporate buyouts ..some clinics have hiked prices by up to 100% after being acquired. https://www.economicliberties.us/press-release/private-equitys-stealthy-vet-takeover-leaves-pet-owners-paying-the-price/ . Corporations & PE now own ~50% of US veterinary practices.
You will likely pay way less for the same (if not better) care at an independent local clinic.
Price increases tend to happen immediately after a practice gets bought out https://www.pets.care/news/2024/05/whats-behind-the-high-cost-of-vet-care/ , and it’s not just the sticker price…vets at corporate practices report more pressure to recommend extra procedures per visit.  https://www.pets.care/soaring-costs-of-veterinary-care/
The easiest way to check: look at their website.
Independent clinics usually have an About page that tells you something real like who founded it, their background, maybe their own pets.
Corporate and PE-owned clinics tend to have polished websites that are weirdly vague about who actually owns the place. Lots of “compassionate care” language, nothing about ownership.
It’s not strictly independent vs. PE either. There’s a spectrum…solo vet ownership, vet-owned groups, corporate chains like Banfield or VCA (both owned by Mars Inc., the candy company) , and full private equity buyouts where a firm plans to flip the practice for profit in a few years.
If the website doesn’t make it obvious, just call and ask. “Is this practice independently owned?” The answer, and the reaction, will tell you what you need to know.
TLDR: Corporate and PE-owned vet clinics charge more and push more procedures. Check the About page on their website. If it’s vague and corporate, that’s your answer.
Edit: u/Melanies420 & u/trashbagok kindly added that there is also a website that can help you identify if your vet is PE: