I just got the estimate from the surgeon for Xanadu’s amputation, which is scheduled on Wednesday. $4,000!!! Is this accurate? I was expecting maybe half of that. I sure hope Veterinary Pet Insurance comes through!
A Dog's Battle With Bone Cancer
I just got the estimate from the surgeon for Xanadu’s amputation, which is scheduled on Wednesday. $4,000!!! Is this accurate? I was expecting maybe half of that. I sure hope Veterinary Pet Insurance comes through!
We paid $3400 at http://www.vmccny.com we feel the care Ted received was well worth it. He was under 24 hour care. As I looked over the bill and was able to compare to a human surgery, I noticed that the amount of equipment and material was very much the same.
I found the following site on the vet hospital site.
I do know that I was able to go to https://www.citicards.com/cards/portal/healthcard/nsc/content.do?screenID=5010
and found that the veterinarian doing the surgery was a provider. I was able to apply for a card and put the cost on the card immediately. I will be able to pay for the surgery over 18 months with no interest. Might be worth checking out.
I hope this information is helpful.
Ted E. Bear
For answers to that question, you may want to check out the discussion forum topic with members reporting what they paid for amputation and chemotherapy. Jerry also posted a video interview describing why not to shop around for the best price when choosing a veterinary amputation surgeon in the Tripawds news blog.
I am sorry that the cost is so high, but depending on where you live and the decisions of each Vet, cost surely do vary.
I believe we have a link to a brief survey of what the surgery and chemo costs were for some of us here on Tripawds.
You can always call for second opinions and cost estimates, but if this is a Vet you trust and have faith in than my opinion is to stick with them. I did not need to use the pet credit card, but a friend whose dog was hit by a car and had extensive and expensive injuries was able to save her dogs life by being able to make the payments that way.
I am glad you are able to be comfortable with your chioce to amputate. Once you make that decision and know in your heart it is the best one, you can focus on getting the house and yourself ready to bring home a post-op tri-pawd ! Get some rest!
Sending good wishes to you and Xanadu!
Deborah
Mom to Spirit JD and the quadpaws Serena and Maya
Thanks for your comments. I just talked to our pet insurance company and thank goodness for my cancer rider! They will reimburse us for close to $3,000.
I would never change vets. I trust Drs. Staatz and Fineman completely and they are the specialists who have treated him for osteosarcoma since August 2010. I was just surprised at the cost and wondered if this was what other people experienced. Here I thought radiation was expensive!
We are so glad that you will such a big reimbursement. We paid right around $4,000 as well – but out of pocket. If we ever get another dog, we will definitely look into pet insurance.
Wow, we only paid $1000 out of pocket. I thought that was high! What pet insurance do you have? I’ve heard some mixed reviews on that industry.