By admin on April 15, 2011
I need 00 to get a lump removed to be tested for malignancy, but can’t afford it, we are living paycheck to paycheck, and can barely pay our bills. Already in a lot of debt because salary isn’t enough to support a family. Can I get pet insurance if my dog has already been to a vet and she suggested the lump be removed to be tested? She went for her annual vaccination when the vet found the lump. She is 10 yrs old, not spayed or microchipped.
I live in Toronto, if that helps…. are vet services more expensive in Toronto?
Posted in Older Pet Insurance | Tagged debt, living paycheck to paycheck, lump, malignancy, paycheck to paycheck, vet services |
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Having dealt with biopsies in the recent past, I can assure you that the price you were quoted was not even in the ball park. Most biopsy surgeries are a few hundred dollars or less.
Even having a complete canine mass removal from a dog’s breast tissue was still under six hundred dollars. I would seek a different vet.
My heart goes out to you. Have you called the humane society or some shelters fand ask for numbers that they may have to places that can help?maybe the aspca can help. Best of luck to you
I had this probem recently. My pitbull needed a stone removed from his urinary tract. My vet set up a payment plan with me, which made it much easier. You might want to ask if they will do that for you.
…and 2k sounds awfully expenisve.
Ask your veterinarian if they’re willing to do a fine-needle aspirate (FNA). The doctor will take a needle with a syringe for some back pressure – poke around in the mass (for lack of better terms), and eject the contents onto a slide for lab analysis. It does sometimes come up inconclusive, but it’s drastically less costly than surgery to have the mass removed.
Another option is to go price-shopping. $2000 is alright for othopedic surgery, but in my area, that’s horrendous for a mass removal.
Whatever you choose to do, I wish you and your dog the best of luck for a positive outcome!
I feel for you. $2000.00 is a lot of money even if you could afford it. Does your dog seem uncomfortable. Is this something that can wait a while. You say your dog is 10 years old. What kind of dog is he? What is his life expectancy? Would it be most kind to put him down. Sorry that I don’t have any clear answers for you. A couple of years ago my Beautiful Chow Chow got hip displasia and the Vet recommended putting her down. She was 14 but it was still one of the hardest things I have had to do. Good Luck.
I would take Ko Aussie’s advice about checking out some other vet prices. If you still can’t afford it, it sounds like your only real option is just to watch her, and if her health starts to deteriorate, put her to sleep. Unfortunately, pet insurance will not cover any pre-existing conditions, and since your vet already suggested this procedure, it would not cover it. I am sorry to hear about your dog. I hope all goes well and she does not become ill!
Goo answers already. If you have a specific breed look up the breed rescue in your area and call them for advice. Often the breed rescues know veterinarians that have strong knowledge of specific breeds.
Also, I know any vet worth his salt will work out a payment program with you. Get a second or third opinion as the price seems high and then work out a payment plan with the vet.
I used to work at an animal hospital for years.
$2,000 is ridiculous.
It depends on where the lump is and how big as to how much the surgery costs. Also pre anesthetic blood work, catheter, pain medication, etc. All added up I would estimate it to be around $300 – $600.
Find another vet.
I would check with a different vet and let them know what needs to be done and that the quote you were given was just too much for you. See if they can work out a payment plan with you.
You can contact a pet insurance carrier anonymously and ask them (via email would be best).
try calling around local vets and asking how much it may cost…then ask if they can help you pay or ask for a care card, it’s a credit card type payment plan. As far as pet insurance they don’t ask for proof of health I don’t think
Look for charitable organisations for pets. Some dog lovers may help.
No you won’t get insurance for a pre existing illness and I doubt any insurance company would insure a 10 year old dog.
If insurance companies gave out policies after the event no one would take out insurance for anything, they would wait until something happened and then try for insurance. There would be no insurance available in such case as all insurance companies would go broke.
To get an idea if this lump is malignant your vet can do a fine needle aspirate. Many old dogs get limpomas and these are just benign fatty tissue.
$2,000.00 seems high for a biopsy or lumpectomy.
In any event ask the vet for monthly payments.
My vet of close to 20 years does payments for any “biggie” and doesn’t charge interest for the first 90 days and after it’s very, very low only to about 12% APR plus a two dollar a month administrative fee on top for the paper work, time and postage.
If you can’t get payments and you can’t get a credit card then call every animal rescue and shelter and ask them.
As a very last resort euthanasia.