Couple Vet-related Questions..?

Question

I've never had to go to the vet before, so I was hoping I could get some answers on a few questions I have..

1) In general, do I need to pay a bill immediately or is there some sort of payment plan I can do? Is there a deadline or something I need to pay by?

2) I have a seven month old cat that I believe has a cyst growing. She hasn't had any shots, so would I be able to get her shots and her condition taken care of in one visit?

3) How much would shots cost?
How much might it cost to take care of a large cyst?

4) What might happen if her condition isn't taken care of?
Is it lethal/guaranteed to be lethal?

5) Is there something else this might be instead of a cyst growing on her stomach? It appears to be growing under her fur.


I'm very worried about her and hope that I can work something out with my parents financially to get her taken care of. She doesn't seem to be in any sort of pain or hindered in any way, but I don't want to have to put this off any longer.

Thank you. <3

Answer 1

Vet prices vary widely over the US - say $25-50 for an office visit. Most vets expect to be paid for services when you leave the premises with your cat.

At least you can start with a visit and exam and get the vet's opinion if you need to pursue things further. If they give basic vaccinations - FVRP and rabies that will be extra cost onto the vet visit.

Answer 2

1: Most vets require payment right away before you leave the office especially from people they don;t know. Once you have become established some will let you do a payment plan for emergencies. It's unlikely you will be able to walk into a vet you have never been to before and make payments.

2: The shots should have been started between 6-8 weeks. There is a course of 3 kitten shots. If she has never had shots before whatever her age this is where you will have to start. Because the shots are given 4 weeks apart you would not be able to get it all done at once.

3: Costs will vary from vet to vet.

4: Are you sure it's just a cyst? You can;t be without seeing a vet. It could be anything from uncomfortable if it is to dying if it's cancerous.

5: It could be one of several things. Only a vet can truly advise you.

I think the best bet is to ask your parents to take care of the vet bills and pay back something from each allowance (or paycheque if you get one) so as it's paid off as soon as possible.

Good Luck

Answer 3

Well, I pay $35 for a checkup for ours and $15 for the rabies shot, $18 for the other vaccination (Rhino-calci-something or other). The cyst can wait if the vet says it's non-life threatening. I have one on my male cat's foot which they're waiting on to see if it will continue to grow.

A lump under the skin, not attached to muscle (it slides with the skin) is usually a fat deposit and isn't going to need to be taken out. They can do a needle aspirate - stick a large bore needle in to get a small sample and look under the microscope at it--runs around $13.

Usually payment is due after the exam is done and you're ready to go home. Some will take payments--call and arrange in advance if you want to try it that way. Usually I just bring a credit card, as I can pay THAT in payments.

The cyst, if it is a cyst, would require anesthetic so it would be done probably in the morning when they schedule operations--you can ask the vet when you get the checkup and vaccinations. Cysts aren't lethal, they're pockets of stuff that stay contained for the most part. Usually they don't interfere with anything unless they're on a joint or ear or near the eye.

A tumor is something else, but would need to have an exam to have the vet know which one your cat has.

Answer 4

1 Typically I pay after service, just like a human Dr. A payment plan is something you would need to talk to your specific vet about.

2 Sure, it's probably a rather common thing that cats get. She probably got a scratch and it's like that because of their fast immune system. The vet will know what it is the moment he/she looks at it.

3 I'm sorry I forgot the cost.

4 Yes, it could be lethal. It can after time get infected and this infection will destroy the cats kidneys. How long depends on your cat's over all health. To be honest whenever one of my cat has one of these swelling it's off to the vet within a few days.

5 It's not a cyst, for some reason my brain has gone blank on the actual name but odds are it's an extremely common occurrence in cats.

Good luck.

Answer 5

When your parents agreed to having a cat in the house they also were responsible for it's care that you couldn't handle until you are out and on your own. It is the same as with having you, they committed themselves to see that you had the medical attention you needed. You also in wanting and asking for a cat have promised to take the best care of your cat for it's entire lifetime. That can be a commitment for up to 25 years. So start talking nicely to Mom and Dad and get something set up. Calling around first so they have options would be a good idea.
Anything not normal in a cat needs to be checked by the vet.
Google what shots are required by law in your state. Many very fine vets are saying that if the cat is an indoor cat they do not need to have all the shots. Many vets give only the state required ones. Google for groups who discuss this in yahoo. Or start a new question here on what shots are needed etc. I don't give any shots to my indoor cat.
If you have any say in what your kitty is fed please read this
www.catinfo.org
read this article for all the healthy choices
in food for your cat.

www.geocities.com/jmpeerson/canfood.html
Janet and Binky's Cat food chart

It will save LOTS of money in vet bills if you feed her the right food and by feeding the correct food they eat less and save money.
If I can help you please email me.

Answer 6

The vets would prefer that you pay for everything up front. But they understand that sometimes that just can't happen- especially if it's an emergency.

I honestly don't know about the cyst at all. But I do know that the vet will at least try to start treatment immediately.

The shots can be expensive: For the pair my husband and I have now, it ran over $100 per kitten for the kitten series. But it's a whole lot less than trying to treat the diseases.

Tell the vet about your concerns when you take your kitten in and see what you can come up with.

Good luck!

Answer 7

Some vets will allow you to set up a payment plan. But you'll want to find that out ahead of time - pull out the yellow pages and start dialing!

One other possibility - if your parents have a credit card perhaps they could use that, and you could make payments to them....assuming they want you to pay for it.