My yorkie liver is in bad shape

[danieloneil01]

I'd rather stick with cash and get it over with. And I misread your post, lol. I thought you meant it's half the cost. Gulf Coast tried to get me to come in earlier but I was told by my vet they charge 100 more at that time as they call it an "emergency". They also said if I came in at 11 over 4pm that they would be able to get everything done. So far I'm not impressed. I'll see what my wife tells me when she leaves and calls me.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by danieloneil01

I'd rather stick with cash and get it over with. And I misread your post, lol. I thought you meant it's half the cost. Gulf Coast tried to get me to come in earlier but I was told by my vet they charge 100 more at that time as they call it an "emergency". They also said if I came in at 11 over 4pm that they would be able to get everything done. So far I'm not impressed. I'll see what my wife tells me when she leaves and calls me.

I have never been charged an emergency fee at Gulf Coast. They wanted you in early so they could get the testing done! They are amazing over there..I spend a lot of time at vets and can tell you they are awesome. They have two board certified criticalists on staff that are there at all times....you cannot get better than that!
The only other place I have heard good things about is the place in Sugarland. I have never been there but have friends who have that were very happy with them.

[ladyjane]

Well, I just called and was told that they do charge a fee if you come in before your scheduled time. I don't recall ever paying that but maybe they had openings at the time I was going.
They are worth whatever they charge imho. They don't mess around and know just what tests to do. We just had a pup over there that was referred for an irregular heart rate. I don't know HOW they managed to pick up on the cause quickly but they did...the pup has Chagas disease...not a common thing. I was amazed that they knew it so quickly.

[danieloneil01]

My wife is almost there and will make it in time. Traffic is a mess on 45.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by danieloneil01

My wife is almost there and will make it in time. Traffic is a mess on 45.

I am sure it is at this time of day especially with this weather. People around here drive weird at the sign of a little moisture.

Keep us posted! Hope all goes well.

[danieloneil01]

No good news to report. They aren't positive what it is but they have 3 "educated guesses" what it might be. Tumor, cyst (mass) or pancreatitis. We were told to stop giving her the medication as it isn't going to help and once the 2 antibiotics we've been giving her are out of her system her appetite will come back. The exploratory surgery will be a minimum of 5,400 which doesn't count the 490 we spent today. So that makes it 3k we've spent trying to figure out what is wrong with her. They also said her vitamin K is low and we can get her shots for this. So I will go back to my vet next week and see what other options we have medication wise and get her a vitamin K shot.

I love my dog but I'm not going to do surgery.

I know some would do anything possible to save their dog but please don't berate me for not.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by danieloneil01

No good news to report. They aren't positive what it is but they have 3 "educated guesses" what it might be. Tumor, cyst (mass) or pancreatitis. We were told to stop giving her the medication as it isn't going to help and once the 2 antibiotics we've been giving her are out of her system her appetite will come back. The exploratory surgery will be a minimum of 5,400 which doesn't count the 490 we spent today. So that makes it 3k we've spent trying to figure out what is wrong with her. They also said her vitamin K is low and we can get her shots for this. So I will go back to my vet next week and see what other options we have medication wise and get her a vitamin K shot.

I love my dog but I'm not going to do surgery.

I know some would do anything possible to save their dog but please don't berate me for not.

Wow! Your regular vet has charged you that much money? That sounds like a lot for a dog without getting a diagnosis. I don't know who you use, but it sounds like he/she is very high priced.

I am so sorry that you did not get better news. Did they say that exploratory surgery is the only option?? I mean, they can diagnose pancreatitis without that...makes no sense to me. I have had a couple of very sick dogs at GCVS and they were diagnosed without surgery.

[danieloneil01]

They have to go in to find out for sure. A CT scan alone is over $800.

The 3k is from the first vet to the 2nd vet and includes IV, meds, ultrasounds, blah blah and tests and what we paid today.

Today

Exam - 132
PT/PTT - 56
Ultrasound - 290

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by danieloneil01

They have to go in to find out for sure. A CT scan alone is over $800.

The 3k is from the first vet to the 2nd vet and includes IV and tests.

That is a lot of money without having seen a specialist! For future reference, often it is best to high tail it to them if there is an issue with a really sick pup.

The CT scan may tell what it is and then you would not need surgery. So....your quote of 5,400 is the top amount IF surgery is needed? Surely the surgery alone is not that much.

I will keep your pup in my thoughts and prayers.

[dottiesyrky]

I am so sorry that there was no definite diagnosis, you must be so disappointed and upset. If it were me I would wait for the effects of the antibiotics to go away and see if she will eat again. Then talk with your regular vet about the info you now have. $5400 to do exploratory surgery with the poor dog in this weakened state seemed excessive and even possibly dangerous. There must be other ways of differentiating between the educated guesses rather than invasive surgery??
You must be exhausted with all this and I so feel for you all.
Try and be positive and pray that the illness can be diagnosed and cured without surgery. See how you feel after a talk with your vet.
Do not feel bad about the money side of this, no one has any right to judge you on this awful situation and decisions you may need to make. You could do the surgery and still not have your girl well again.
Praying for you.

[ladyjane]

The reason she needs Vitamin K is because she is having a clotting problem. I would not put that off too long.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by dottiesyrky

I am so sorry that there was no definite diagnosis, you must be so disappointed and upset. If it were me I would wait for the effects of the antibiotics to go away and see if she will eat again. Then talk with your regular vet about the info you now have. $5400 to do exploratory surgery with the poor dog in this weakened state seemed excessive and even possibly dangerous. There must be other ways of differentiating between the educated guesses rather than invasive surgery??
You must be exhausted with all this and I so feel for you all.
Try and be positive and pray that the illness can be diagnosed and cured without surgery. See how you feel after a talk with your vet.
Do not feel bad about the money side of this, no one has any right to judge you on this awful situation and decisions you may need to make. You could do the surgery and still not have your girl well again.
Praying for you.

I have been to GCVS many, many times and there is no way the surgery alone is that much! I believe it is the high end IF surgery is needed. The OP just said that a CT scan was suggested but said it was $800 and that is part of the estimate that was given. When they write estimates, they include everything that MIGHT have to be done to come up with a diagnosis. They don't just jump in at GCVS and do exploratory surgery...I am sure they said we can do this, and then if no diagnosis, then do this...and so on. I am sure that exploratory surgery is the last option if nothing else would show something. I am getting the impression that this is indeed a very serious issue with this pup. Very sad.

[dottiesyrky]

Having read the intervening posts and your later ones, perhaps I have it all wrong. Sorry! I thought the visit today was to a specialist and the large cost, the cost of surgery.

[danieloneil01]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

I have been to GCVS many, many times and there is no way the surgery alone is that much! I believe it is the high end IF surgery is needed. The OP just said that a CT scan was suggested but said it was $800 and that is part of the estimate that was given. When they write estimates, they include everything that MIGHT have to be done to come up with a diagnosis. They don't just jump in at GCVS and do exploratory surgery...I am sure they said we can do this, and then if no diagnosis, then do this...and so on. I am sure that exploratory surgery is the last option if nothing else would show something. I am getting the impression that this is indeed a very serious issue with this pup. Very sad.

I'm lumping what is was included in the estimate. The surgery by itself is between 1900-2500. Everything else is caring for her after surgery, tests, medication, professional services and everything else. I know you want to believe something else but this is what they told my wife.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by danieloneil01

I'm lumping what is was included in the estimate. The surgery by itself is between 1900-2500. Everything else is caring for her after surgery, tests and everything else.

Exactly! But did they not say that they might be able to diagnose without surgery?
I mean, they CAN diagnose pancreatitis without surgery or anything really expensive....but of course, I think they are thinking it is something else.
You cannot do the CT scan? That might give you the answer.