How much should it cost for surgical removal of bladder stones in a cat?

Question

Hi, I went to the vet this morning and it turns out my cat has a large stone in her bladder. I'm new to the city (thus also to the vet) and they quoted me $1500 for everthing (lab work, anesthesia, surgery, and boarding overnight)! I feel akward calling around to see what the competitive rate would be, does anyone else have experience with this or know about what it should cost. (I do realize rates might be a bit higher for me because I live in Chicago) Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

Hi!

You shouldn't feel awkward at all about getting pricing quotes. If you feel that the price is too high, you can bring your cat for a second opinion and see what other vet prices are. When it comes to getting medical help for your cat, you shouldn't feel guilty about asking around. As the surgery is an invasive surgery, I would think that the price would reflects it.

Answer 2

The quote is a good one.  And of course the quote is for the foreseeable needs - and this being a major surgery, there may be additional costs.  Hopefully the quote includes sending a portion of the 'stone' off to a lab to find out the composition because that will really make a difference in the follow-up care.

The other part of your question: should you call around for quotes.... well, the hard part is that it is not like buying something that is 'Standard' like a spay or a neuter.  When we go for a price quote for ourselves, we usually have to see the doctor and it would be called 'getting a second opinion'.  The size of the incision, the amount if time under the anesthesia (and even what kind is used), the difficulties of the surgery all play a part... so I doubt that if you called another vet's office that they could give you an actual quote... and if they do, without seeing your kitty, what does THAT say about them?  Are they careful enough?

You might check to see if the follow up visit is possibly included.

Suture (or staple) removal is usually at no charge but the actual visit will like cost a reduced office visit fee.  And at that time, your kitty's doctor will tell you more about what the composition of the 'stone' is and it may turn out that your kitty will have medications and/or a new diet to be on.

Isn't it a great thing that we have the internet and Yahoo Answers to ask about this kind of question?

Answer 3

I would definitely call around for a general quote for this surgery.  You don't have to give your name, so you are just an anonymous voice on the phone.  If this were a procedure for you or a family member, you would want the best service at the best price.  Since you are new to this area and this vet office, you want to feel secure in their skills and patient care, along with their pricing.

If they are in the same range as the other quotes, I would let them do the surgery.  

The only experience I have close to this is when my Bonnie had an unidentified blockage a couple of years ago.  I go to a multi-vet 24-hour veterinary hospital..the most expensive, but the most advanced, in this area.  The quote for exploratory and removal of this blockage was $800-1100.  Thankfully, the blockage moved and we did not have to go the surgical route.

Also, not to pry in your financial business, there is a credit card just for medical expenses, including veterinary, called Care Credit.  My Care Credit has saved me several times for emergency expenses like this.  If I am not too badly mistaken, the first three months are interest free, so you have a chance to reduce or pay off the debt before interest is added.  The link is below, you can see if this vet office or the others in your area of Chicago accept this card and apply online.

Purrs to you and kitty.

Answer 4

I am in georgia and my cat had this done about 3 years ago and the cost was around $550.00. the price difference could be where u are located but I do know it was a must that my cat have it done and I'm so glad we did because my cat is now 12 and I could'nt imagine our lives without him.