How much does rat surgery cost?

Question

just yesterday i noticed my little dumbo lucy has some sort of tumor/growth on her neck :((and i was wondering how much it usually costs to get it removed.

i have had rats for eight years and had to have tumors removed before... but back then i went to a less expensive (less qualified vet .. for exotics that is.:( i didn't know at the time) and my mom was paying. but now i am going to pay at a normal exotics vet and i was just curious how much it might be

so if anyone has ever had rat tumors removed before how much is it?!!?!

Answer 1

I agree with you, Elllen. When you love a pet, it doesn't matter how much you paid for it. Also, Damocles, rats are prone to tumors, but they are usually treatable and the rat's life can still proceed well if they're removed.

I'm not sure about the costs, although I know that they're pretty steep lately. At least $100-$150, maybe more. Anesthesia prices have gone up, from what I've been told.

Try going here: http://www.ratforum.com

There are a lot of people with tons of rat experience, and I know that plenty of them have had to have surgery on their ratties.

Good luck, & I hope Lucy gets better. <3

Answer 2

Aawww...Probably like $10 or $20

Answer 3

Its creepy that I have a dumbo named Lucy but anways :) it could be from 20-50$. Not that much

Answer 4

I have owned rats while living in a number of different places. The price for removing a tumor ranged from $75 to $215 depending on the vet. The average has been around $125. It is worth doing however. Most tumors in rats are benign mammary tumors and can be successfully removed. I always have tumors removed as soon as possible because the larger the tumor, the more risky the surgery because of a greater blood supply to the tumor. If you speak with the vet, you can almost certainly work out a payment plan.

Call around and see what kind of price you can get. Ask to speak with the vet and then ask them how long your rat needs to fast before the surgery. If they tell you 12 hours, move on. Some vets think rats are little dogs or cats and are unscrupulous in claiming to be "rat experts." If they know that rats do not need to fast, you have someone who knows something about rats. One of the best rat vets I ever had was a vet who did not advertise an expertise in exotics, but who not only knew a lot, she was willing to research what she did not know. She cared for my rats for many years and she had very reasonable prices. There is not a standard price so check around, but be sure to assess their competancy.

Just an idea for the future - mammary tumors are estrogen dependent. If you have your rats spayed, you can reduce the risk of tumors dramatically - by about 70%. Spaying is no more expensive than removing a tumor and in many cases less because they do not need to be under anesthetic for as long. You can really extend their lives this way.

Ignore comments that removing tumors is not worth it. I understand absolutely why it upset you but you can invest your energy so much more wisely. It is disturbing to think that someone purposely seeks vets who they know will not want to treat their pet. Some people have a very proprietary view of animals, assessing them in dollar terms. No one can put the price on the love you feel for your rat, nor on the value of their love for you. Many of us share your view. Rats are really special companions and worth every bit as much as other pets. Pets are family members. Good luck to you and your rattie.

Answer 5

The person who said $75 - $125 is correct.

And Damocles, you really shouldn't try and speak with authority on subjects you know nothing about. Each vet student picks a branch of veterinary medicine that they wish to pursue, and "track" those species throughout their education. Large animal, small animal, exotics and zoo animals are just a few of the different tracks that a vet student can follow.

Answer 6

A whole lot more than the cost of buying a new rat.

Sorry, I grew up on a farm and as much as you love your animals, you're going to love the next one as much as you love this one.  Besides, rodents were something that we got pets to get rid of.  :-)

Seriously, I've had dogs, and I've always sought out vets who work on livestock (cows, pigs, horses, etc.) because they are a whole lot more practical.  You don't put more money into a cow than the cow is worth.  These "country vets" aren't going to suggest you put your gerbil on chemotherapy.  I had a dog who had tumors and the vet took one off and he asked me if I wanted it sent into the lab.  He said it was $30.  I asked him if he thought I should.  He said, "well, if it is cancer, it will probably come back, and soon, and if not, it probably won't.  I personally wouldn't bother spending the $30, but it is up to you."

It's not like they have 2 vet schools - one for exotic animals and one for common animals.  All these vets get the same training.  This notion that some vet specializes in exotic animals is non-sense that the vet is trying to get you to swallow so that you will go to him.  Frankly he knows he can get away with charging you more money if you have an exotic pet and think that somehow you are getting better service from him.  If he bills himself as an exotic pet vet, he may have a little more experience in dealing with exotic animals, but I rather doubt it is all that significant.  And frankly, rats aren't exotic.  They are pretty common.  A chinchilla is perhaps exotic.  A spider monkey maybe.  Rats are common.