Expensive surgery for almost 15 yr old cat

I'm trying to get some advice. My almost 15 yr old cat (he turns 15 in Oct) - Salem. He has a sore on his upper left side of lip/mouth and it is growing. We had a biopsy done a couple of mths ago & it came back benign. At the time, the vet said we could leave it alone if its not seeming to bother him, and not interfering with eating...which its not. however, its growing and looking a little different, I want to have it removed. TOday I spoke to the same vet who told me 2 mths ago it would cost either $600 if she did it; or $1300 if a specialty surgeon had to come in and create a flap if the margins are too big for the first vet to do. Well today, she upped the price to $800 or $1800. I'm ok with $800 but I think $1800 is a little excessive. I'm wondering if I should go to Boston (MSPCA Angel Memorial) since its a larger hospital and probably has more experienced surgeons there, and may be less expensive. Please give me some advice, of course I want to do whatever it takes to get Salem's lip close to back to normal but I don't appreciate when a doctor quotes me a price then just adds on hundreds of dollars and installment payments are not possible, they want it all up front. I hope to hear from some people, maybe with some ideas...do I contact vet surgeons on my own and bypass the vet?

Sheila33 said:

 
I'm wondering if I should go to Boston (MSPCA Angel Memorial) since its a larger hospital and probably has more experienced surgeons there, and may be less expensive

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Quite coincidently, I 'discovered' the MSPCA Angell Animal Medical Center a few days ago while researching a rare feline health issue...I was amazed by the range of specialties and the quality of their practitioners. If I were in your position - and taking him there is an option for you - I'd already be on my way there !

I suspect that, considering the confined space surrounding this growth, they'd be using the latest laser technology to remove it - whereas the local Vet would employ standard techniques. I'd be asking about that for sure.

Yes they are just going to surgically remove it. I will set up an apptmt with Angell in Boston. Were there fees reasonable?

I have no idea whatsoever about their fee structure.....I was just stating that, if I had the option of going there, I'd take it over any regular clinic.

Angell is not cheap but well worth the cost for the expertise your pet will get. They do offer financial assistance, from payment plans to CareCredit to using one of their funds set up to help pets in need. They usually do take a deposit up front for surgeries and the rest of the bill can be paid when you pick up your pet or you can talk to one of the financial aid people for payment options.

http://www.mspca.org/vet-services/

The full bill may include things such as ward fee, hazardous waste fee, anesthesia, pain medicine, blood work, etc. Talk to the vet about what you might expect to see on the full bill and how much each may costand a rough estimate of total cost.

You'll want to make an initial appointment (primary care unless you feel the need for internal medicine) and discuss with the vet about your cat's lip and how to treat it. If you opt to have one of the Angell surgeons fix the lip, the vet will handle the arrangements. It would help if you could bring copies of your cat's medical records from the current vet to the Angell appointment.