More vets across New Zealand are reporting a surge in poor behaviour from customers, particularly over billing.

New reports claim staff in customer facing roles are experiencing pet owners trying to emotionally blackmail vets over rising costs.

NZ Veterinary Association CEO Kevin Bryant says costs are going up everywhere, and customers are taking this out on staff

"There's a huge amount of confusion in the public arena between the fact that we have a heavily subsidised human health system and a totally unsubsidised animal health system, and I think that's definitely part of it."

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