Two Lumps Under Skin - Possible Mammary Cancer

[spac]

Question: I'm trying to decide which clinic to get the operation done at. I'm still waiting for an estimate from the first clinic, it's been over a week and I've already called twice about this. I was supposed to have it by Wednesday the 13th. The verbal, unofficial estimate from the doctor was $1100 plus $300 or so for the histopathology of the tumor.

The second clinic gave me a detailed estimate of $1650 - $1750 +/- 10%. This is for a 30 minute mass removal (lumpectomy) of 2-3 tumors in a 11 y/o cat.

In 2017, one of my cat's had a tumor on the paw removed along with the dew claw amputated since that's where the tumor was. She also had a premolar tooth extracted, plus a free dental cleaning (she hardly had any teeth). The total was around $1256 at a totally different clinic.

In both cases, there was/will be a lumpectomy, blood work, x-rays, and histopathology. I know the vet clinic in 2017 gave me a good deal.

Have surgical prices really gone up that much in 6 years? In the estimate I have from the second clinic, there are nursing charges which I never paid in 2017. I was given a range of $65 to $130 for the pain medication. In 2017 I paid $26.58 for Buprenex. I'm not sure what would be $130 now. They weren't able to tell me what medication they were gonna send me home with.

I would love opinions on this. I still feel like I should probably go with the second clinic since the first one couldn't be bothered to send an estimate yet. It seems like it's a red flag.

Considering how much human food, pet food, and cat litter has gone up. Maybe the price difference is inflation and this is a good price. To be honest, I have money related OCD. I'm a total miser because I don't have that much money. I fear debt. So it's hard to make these decisions. That's why I like to ask here. You all are great at giving opinions from a "normal" perspective. I know my way of thinking is not necessarily correct and is often flawed and clouded by severe anxiety.

 

[fionasmom]

IMO, the short answer is "yes." I just had one emergency cat visit to a specialty hospital which I have used before, and two non-wellness visits for two other cats with only xrays and bloodwork so far. In all three cases, involving two locations, the prices have definitely gone up. One boy has two ongoing conditions, and the other girl has a repeating problem, so I know what the prices were in the past. In the case of the not quite two year old emergency boy, I should have been given anesthesia as well before they showed me the estimate.

I am always very squirmy when someone, anyone for that matter, will not put a very precise estimate in writing. In the case of a vet, it should be itemized and possibly even a high/low estimate included.

Do you trust the doctors/surgeon more at one place over the other? That is a very important question to ask yourself. If, for some reason, you prefer the first clinic, insist on the estimate first.

 

[spac]

Another UPDATE:
I finally got the estimate from the first clinic and it's $1000 to $2100. The doctor/owner verbally quoted me $900-$1100 plus about $300 or so for the histopathology.

If the surgery is on the low end, it's nearly $1500. This is not even counting the x-rays. It's the most unhelpful estimate I have EVER been given. HORRIBLE!

Decision was made for me by this clinic. I am officially going with the second clinic. I'll schedule in the morning.
Also worth noting is that I believe the doctor at the second clinic has more experience with surgeries. That's good.

 

[fionasmom]

This all makes sense then to go with the clinic in which you have more confidence and which is above board with the estimate. The first clinic played a little too fast and loose with that quote which they were not willing to put in writing when the time came.

 

[silent meowlook]

Yeah, second clinic for sure. I mean I love the estimate from the first one. It takes them over a week and then there is a high/low range of $1,000.00 That is crazy. I have made clients estimates before when I worked for the specialist. We would always put a $100 to $300 "buffer" "miscellaneous" charge in case a medication needed to be given and we couldn't get a hold of the owner. But $1,000.00 is obscene.

Prices have gone up allot. I just paid around $80.00 for Buprenorphine with a leaky top. 5mls total. Probably 3 by the time I found the leak, with 2 mls. going all over my hands. Not really happy about that and now I think my hands are wanting more. LOL

If you want or need to cut back on charges, you can always ask them to wait on the biopsy. They can hold the sample for you and send it in at a later date.

 

[spac]

SURGERY SCHEDULED UPDATE:

Surgery is scheduled for next week (week of the 17th) at the second clinic.

Although, I must admit that their one receptionist does not inspire confidence. I had to tell her that blood work was supposed to be scheduled 3-7 days prior to the surgery. If I hadn't done that, there would've been a problem.

Then she tried to schedule it as a mastecomy with an overnight stay. I had to tell her it's a lumpectomy and the cat goes home the same day.

Isn't it their job to look in the records and know what should be done? Why should that be my responsibility? But this seems like it's a growing problem everywhere in the USA. I had this problem years ago with my grandma's doctors. Sad.

Also found out that they lump the pain meds, antibiotics, and e-collar under "medications" on the estimate and that's why there was a huge range given for that ($60 -$170 or something like that). I'm not happy about that because I don't want to use their e-collar. I have three here. The one I prefer is best for this cat. The one they recommend is not suitable for an intelligent cat, IMO. I know this little devil better than they do. I've been testing the e-collars on her so she's used to them and it isn't a huge shock. The traditional e-collar that's got the loops that's held on with a regular cat collar is the best, IMO. Impossible for her to get them off.

 

[fionasmom]

If you have concerns, you are well within your rights to speak to the vet about the procedure to "confirm" everything. I have found that sometimes the receptionists do have incorrect information or, in reality, are making an assumption based on past clients. You might discuss the e collar situation as well so the vet understands where you are coming from. I only mention this as I had a veterinary ophthalmologist get a little shirty with me when I refused to take her e collar for a dog I owned.