Is the vet trying to scam us?

Question

Ok, so we took our dog to the vet today and they examined a large lump on the side of his mouth, practically in it. The vet said she hadn't seen anything like this in the mouth before. It's a little larger than a marble, round, as big as a canadian dollar. It's black, and has 2 lumps on it itself, gray and a red stringy thing.

Anyways, she examined him, and said to remove it would cost $380. $40 for pain meds for him. She didn't seem concerned that it was cancerous, but said another doctor will look at it tomorrow before the surgery for clarification.

His surgery is in a few hours. I know that it'll go well, but nevertheless, will they pull this over my head and say it's cancerous at the last minute, or charge us for something else?

Thanks,
Mark

Money doesn't matter, but it does when you're cut short of it. I'd paid thousands for my dog, but I don't have it at the moment. I'm a student and I have exactly what it costs, so I'm hoping I'm not charged extras for the dog's sake.

Answer 1

Money would be the last thing on my mind if it were my dog. And why are you using this vet if there is any doubt in your mind they are trying to scam you? The vet you pick for your dog is the second most important thing after choosing a responsible breeder.

Answer 2

If you are that untrusting of your vet , you should probably get a second opinion. If the second vet examines the dog and wants to do the same thing , then go ahead and do it. There really is no way for them to tell if its cancerous unless they remove it anyway. A cancerous tumor is sandy and gritty looking inside. They'll be able to tell as soon as they remove it and then can tell you if its cancerous or not. Then they may have to remove surrounding lymphnodes if it is cancerous. But, $380 seems like a reasonable price to me considering the anesthesia and the detail this surgery may include. Its not an outrageous price by any means. But, its always the safe way to go with a second opinion.

Answer 3

At this point, I'd just be worried about the comfort of the dog. Yes, you should have asked about cancer-but now, you're committed to having your dog have this operation.

Even if it is cancer, removing it can make the rest of your dog's life a lot more comfortable.

You could call tomorrow before the surgery, but I doubt that he'd live long, with the growth in his mouth like that. Another vet is going to look him over, anyway.

You've already committed yourself to spending $420. I doubt that the vet would try to capitalize on your grief, so, it probably won't cost much more than what you've already decided upon.
Yes, vets have to make money-but most look at the big picture. If they treat one pet well,and charge reasonable rates, if/when you get another pet, you're less likely to go 'vet shopping.' Plus, you're more likely to recommend him to your friens who have pets.

I think you're more worried about your dog, than anything else. You'll feel differently when he's out of surgery.
I wish him, and you, the best.

Answer 4

It is important first of all that you have taken your dog to a vet that you can trust. Every vet I have ever been to loves animals as much as I do and only will do what is in the animals best interest. There is no way of knowing whether or not the growth is cancerous without surgical removal and a biopsy. From the amount that you are being charged I believe this is what the vet is going to do; remove the growth and send it to a lab for biopsy. Also anesthesia is expensive. I can relate to you as far as finances being an issue. I am on disability. When my dog became ill I didn't have much money but for the love of my pet I took her to the vet. Thank God it wasn't serious but she had become dehydrated and needed shots and medication. Though other expenses had to be delayed to pay for her vet bill I didn't hesitate because Esperanza is my child. I would never deny her vet treatment or go against the advice of her vet no matter what I had to do to get the money. When you own a dog you are responsible for them and always need to do what is in their best interest. They are dependent on us for everything. I really don't think the vet is trying to scam you. I think he is as concerned as you are about this unexplained growth. In your position I would not hesitate to follow the vets advice about treatment.

Answer 5

You should have your vet call you as soon as the second one gives his opinion to "inform you of his 2nd opinion." Even if you are leaving the dog there, you still need to know what the 2nd vet thinks it is, right?

Sounds as though you have decided to have your dog have the surgery either way to remove the lump whether it is cancerous or not, right? So this means that the first vet believes that the lump should be surgically removed.

I would definitely be informed "before" my dog went to surgery. Have you considered that the 2nd opinion itself may have a seperate charge, like peoples doctor's 2nd opinion, it has a seperate cost.

You did not say whether your dog was having any pain, or obvious discomfort, or difficulty eating, or whether he was running a temperature?

I know that the costs of a Vet are astronomical, and just nearly as expensive as our own medical care. It doesn't seem right, but what are we to do for our animals that we love like a family member.

One thing comes to mind. Be sure that you have some pain meds to take home to give your dog for a few days. My Vet draws up prefilled syringes of pain meds, so it is easy to give, and the right calculated dose for the specific wt of your dog.

Good Luck, and get the information before your pet goes to surgery. cokoko

Answer 6

Unfortunately surgery on our pets is just as outrageous as surgery for us. Your vet probably has no real reason to lie about the charges. $380 to remove the lump sounds reasonable. It recently cost me about $280 just to have my dog's burst anal gland cleaned and repaired.

If the vet comes back and says it's cancer then you have to decide if you are going to pay the costs of treatment which I'm sure is rather expensive. In that case, You'll want to know what your dog's chances of full recovery are and if you can/want to shoulder the expense. For me, I'd have a really hard time coming up with the extra money even though my little dog is my baby and my life.

Get through the surgery first. See what pathology comes back with on the growth.

Hugs to you.

Answer 7

How well do you trust the Vet?? It is expensive when something goes wrong with a pet. It cost me $120 to get my dog's teeth cleaned (almost $200 at another vet). A yearly visit can cost $80-100 (for shots, etc. ). You might want to think about investing in pet insurance for your dog. This will help reduce costs.

My mom spent $500 on a pet rat to remove a tumor. So, $380 does not sound to bad.

Answer 8

Get a second opinion somewhere else if you are not sure. Vets that work in the same practice sometimes will not go against the wishes of what the first vet. told you unless it is a vet that is doing it just because they really aren't sure what to do and really do need someone with more experience to check it out. Another thing my animal hospital used to do was put quotes in writing so that there were no suprise costs when you go to pay.

Answer 9

I know this can be a scary time, with your pup going into surgery and all. I know the vet said it would cost nearly $400 to remove it, but did that estimate include the cost of what it would be to send it into the lab for a biopsy?

The fact is, most reputable vets do not actively try to Scam people, but things do happen. They may notice something about the lump while your pet is under anesthesia that they couldn't see while she was awake. Or simply during or after removal. It's hard to say.

Remember if your vet is a good one, they'll be happy to go over a thorough rundown of the costs with you if you ask for them to do so.

Either way, I understand your frustration with the cost -- even as a veterinary assistant (employee discounts and all), my pets have racked up quite a bit of expenses!

And please let us know how she does after surgery. :)

Answer 10

You are the customer. It is your dog and your money and you should feel comfortable before anything is done. Talk to the vet tomorrow, explain your discomfort especially as she does not appear to know what it is. Ask for more information and get as much detail as you wish to make yourself comfortable.

If you do not know this vet and do not have a history with her, I would look for a second opinion. Vets vary quite a bit in their diagnostic skills as do human doctors.

You can also tell her not to do anything beyond what you agreed to (you should have a written quotation) until she has spoken to you and explained your options including the costs of each option.

A veterinarian does not get a blank check just because you love your dog and are willing to do everything you can for him. It really is your decision and you need to have enough information at hand to make the right one for you and for your dog.

Answer 11

I just paid $300 to have 2 lumps removed from my dog. It may seem expensive but once you get the paperwork it explains that so much was for anesthesia, meds, actual surgery, etc. My vet removed them and didn't bother to check for cancer, as he said they did not look like they would be. Best of Luck !