|
cost of liver shunt surgery A friend's 6 month old Yorkie has been diagnosed with liver shunt and cost estimate for surgery in $4000-$5000. This included spaying, but not the diagnostics leading up to this point. Does anyone have recent experience with this who can say whether this estimate is reasonable? I've tried phoning veterinary hospitals in the area and they're very secretive with this information. Thanks very much. |
The cost probably depends on the area of the country you're in. I personally haven't had that expense, but have read others who paid about $4,000. I'd venture to say the vet's offices aren't being so much secretive...as they hesitate to quote a price on an animal they haven't examined and unknown variables. Has your friend contacted her breeder? Good luck to her...I know she must be worried sick. |
If there is any way your friend can go to University of Tennessee, that is the best. LS surgery with spay should be less than $2000 depending on what has to be done. They should give you an estimate over the phone. $5000 and even $4000 is probably way too much. |
I've known several people who have traveled to the University of Tennessee from all over the country that have paid between $1600-$1800 including spay/neuter, diagnostic tests, pre-op care, post-op care, etc. If traveling is not a possibility, has your friend checked vet schools in her area? |
The puppy does have a health guarantee that breeder said he'd honor--refund my friend's money, but that's still going to leave a huge vet bill and she's very upset. I do think they're secretive--a couple so far have been forthcoming with info, albeit qualified because they haven't seen the puppy, but willing to give a range the average case would fall into. So far I've come up with two, one a major university veterinary hospital and another a small, local surgical practice. They came in close to each other in the $2000-3000 range. This is for a Northeast US region. |
Quote:
|
We are possibly facing the same thing. Logan will be retested June 4rd. I went to the breeder today, who is a vet, and gave him a copy of the blood work and bile acid test results. He seemed irritated that so many vets are worrying people about liver shunts and doubts Logan has one. He said he wouldn't pay for the surgery but would "replace" Logan with another puppy. I don't want another puppy. I want a healthy Logan. |
I can tell you from experience my yorkie had Liver shunt surgery it will be two years next Sept. If you go back and read my posts you can follow her history. Yes I paid over $4,000 just for the liver shunt surgery and she had the Ameroid constrictor placed. I have an excellent vet hospital nearby and two surgeons who do this operation. So I didn't have to travel to Tenn. Is it worth it .. Yes I spent a lot of money but she is doing well. Thank God :) My advice to you is to to tell your friend not wait to long to have it done. You will not get anyone to give you estimates over the phone. So find a vet that your friend feels comfortable with who does this surgery. My suggestion is to call and ask if they deal with liver shunt disease, and yes Tenn. is a number one place to go if there is no one closer to do this surgery.. Good luck! |
Quote:
Personally if I were you...I would schedule Logan for a protein C test. This will determine whether it's a liver shunt or MVD. |
[QUOTE=puppy_Love08;1944268]We are possibly facing the same thing. Logan will be retested June 4rd. I went to the breeder today, who is a vet, and gave him a copy of the blood work and bile acid test results. He seemed irritated that so many vets are worrying people about liver shunts and doubts Logan has one. He said he wouldn't pay for the surgery but would "replace" Logan with another puppy. I don't want another puppy. I want a healthy Logan.[/QUOTE I must admit I also have wondered if some vets are needlessly worrying people and rushing prematurely into surgery---I've read too many accounts of false positive tests followed by more inconclusive or marginal tests followed ultimately by surgery, at great risk to the dog and strain to the owner's finances. And, are they going to come back after surgery and say "oops, it wasn't liver shunt after all?"The vets seem to be making out real well with it though. Also, why are they not quoting prices over the phone? They should know if the "average" price is around $3000 or closer to $5000, you know, a ballpark figure. |
[quote=belindaY;1944671] Quote:
That is exactly why Dr. Center recommends all Yorkie puppies have a bile acids test before going to their new home. This is from page 22 of the handout from her seminars: 2: The best approach to avoid "over diagnosis" is to test bile acids in young dogs of highly affected breeds (at 4 mths of age) while they are clinically healthy and before they are adopted into pet homes. Highly affected breeds include: Yorkshire Terrier, Cairn Terrier, Maltese, Tibetan Spaniels as well as many other "terrier" type breeds (Miniature Schnauzer, Lhasa Apso, Shih Tzu, Dachshund, Bichon Frise, Pekingese, Toy and Miniature Poodles, and Havanese and others). Proactive assessment of serum bile acids will limit the awkward circumstance imposed when an MVD dog, with minor health issues, is suddenly recognized to have abnormal bile acids by a pet owner's veterinarian. This circumstance can lead to unnecessary diagnostic confusion and unwarranted invasive tests such as liver biopsy and portovenography. Surgery should be the last step, after a bile acids test, then a Protein C test, and finally scintigraphy. (Don't waste your money on ultrasounds as they are at best only 80% accurate according the the U of Tennessee, as low as 60% according to Dr. Center.) This is also from Dr. Center and explains the various tests: Hepatic Vascular Disorders - WSAVA 2006 Congress |
I've actually found that most regular vets are not that knowledgable about liver shunt and don't even know that it could be a real possibility. When my yorkie was a pup, he had all the signs pointing to liver shunt and we took him to the emergency vet and told her our concerns because he was doing so terribly. She literally told us that it was "not possible because he's too young"...Can you believe that?!? They're born with it... Anyway, it's better to be safe than sorry when it comes to liver shunt. The earlier you catch it, the better off the dog will be. If it takes a long time to diagnose, the liver gets damaged with each and every day that goes by that it's not receiving liver support. Also, keep in mind that although a dog may not have an extrahepatic liver shunt, many dogs with elevated bile acids do have MVD... |
belindaY are you in Redmond Oregon? If so NW vet specialists has awesome surgeons that do the shunt surgeries. Ive got 2 babies that are going in May 6th for the surgery and I was quoted $3000-$3900 per dog. I can let you know what I think once its over if that will help further. |
Teddi had her surgery at University of Tennessee and it was $1,245 in December 2007. It was going to be between $4,000 and $5,000 here in California. |
Quote:
|
| All times are GMT -8. The time now is 03:04 PM. |
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2026, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright ©2003 - 2018 YorkieTalk.com
Privacy Policy - Terms of Use