Liver Biopsy, Umbilical Repair, and Spay...$1000+? I just received an estimate from my vet's office (whom I've always found fair and reasonable) for Kiwi to be spayed, have a liver biopsy done, and to repair an umbilical hernia. The estimate was for $1071!:eek: or the board certified surgeon would do it all for $1441! Here is the breakdown: Catheterization IV: $49.00 Fluids, IV: $60.50 IV Pump: $28.00 Sterile Surg Prep $35.00 Surgical Supplies $22.00 Anesthesia (IV) $105.00 Anesthesia (additional): $60.00 Anesthesia monitoring: $30.00 Antibiotic injection: $21.00 Injection $21.00 Hospitalization: $45.00 Histopathology: $105.00 C/S Fentanyl 25mcg: $44.48 Ovariohysterectomy $136.00 Elizabethan Collar: $10.00 Surgery Charge (for the umbilical hernia and liver biopsy) $300.00 Total: $1071.98 The board certified surgeon is $300 more plus I guess he wants a jugular catheter for $70 more. I was kinda shocked when I saw this estimate. I knew it was going to be a couple hundred dollars for the spay and when the vet said we could add on the liver biopsy and umbilical hernia repair I thought it would be a little more, but $1000+ seems like a lot of money. I want to know what others might think. Thanks! P.S. She does have insurance, but it doesn't pay for preventative care. So I think they would pay for some of these charges relating to the liver biopsy or hernia repair. But they wouldn't cover the whole thing. |
Maybe you should get a second opinion. |
Wow, that is expensive, but honestly I think that $150 cheaper would be very fair. I just think that the price of the fluids/catheter and the price of anesthesia (I think the monitoring should be in the price already) are what is making it so expensive. Ellie needs to be spayed and if her bile acids don't come down they will probably want to do a biopsy. I think it is entirely to invasive if we rule out a shunt through scintography. That is just my thinking though. Could I ask why you have decided to do a biopsy if there is no shunt? Is it just a precaution? I want to decide if I will go for the biopsy if or when someone suggests it. I just like to hear different people's views on it. I would expect to pay that price though. Sorry I can't tell you that they are way out of line.:( |
wow. that all seems like a lot. Abby just went in to get spayed and it was only $75. But then again is is a very small local veterinary practice. I guess I'm really no help. I hope you get your questions answered. |
Cali was spayed at the animal emergency hosp by a board cerrtified surgeon. She was spayed during her heat cycle due to a possible intestinal blockage (there wasn't one) and she had her liver biopsy done which showed mild MVD. She spent 36 hours in the hospital and hemmoraged after surgery so they had to do more services and it cost me a whopping 2800.00!! VPI covered about 800.00 due to some genetics and the spay not being covered. But I had to have it done there cuz my regular vet doesn't do Liver biopsies. If you trust your vet then I would go with them |
Quote:
|
Quote:
|
Vet fees can add up really quickly with these little ones. If you are unsure then get a second opinion, keep in mind cheaper does not neccessarily mean better. |
Was a liver shunt already ruled out? Did her bile acids come back high? |
Kiwiglaze, I agree that if they're already going to be in there, it's best to do the liver biopsy to check for MVD/HMD. Did they rule out an extrahepatic shunt already by biopsy or another test like scintigraphy? If they haven't ruled out an extrahepatic shunt, then I would have the board certified surgeon do it if he/she has experience with liver shunts. Because if they find a liver shunt, the board certified surgeon may be able to correct it while they're in there. |
Quote:
|
That sounds great!! It's good to have a vet that you completely trust. I think you're making the right choice by having all those things done at once. Since they're going to be in there already and liver issues are suspected, I would have the liver biopsy done right then and there instead of having to put Kiwi under twice. If it were Miko, I would do the same thing :) Good luck, and let us know the results!! |
fees California can be very high for vet care...New York also.. Make sure all her puppy teeth are out or you will have another bill later on...why was the liver biopsy needed? |
Quote:
Thanks for the tip about the teeth, I thought the vet said they were all out, but I will double check that! |
Quote:
|
All times are GMT -8. The time now is 07:03 AM. |
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright ©2003 - 2018 YorkieTalk.com
Privacy Policy - Terms of Use