How much does tumor removal for dogs cost? (2023 Guide) – Forbes Advisor

Just like people, it’s not uncommon for dogs to develop bumps, lumps, and bumps on their bodies as they age.

While many of these lumps and bumps are harmless growths, others can be more serious, such as cancer.

The term tumor is an umbrella term for cancer, which means uncontrolled cell proliferation or growth, says Dr. Joseph Tang, DVM and senior veterinarian at Little Door Veterinary Medicine.

“Tumors can be benign, meaning they are localized and have not spread to other parts of the body,” Tsang wrote in an email to Forbes Advisor. “They can also be malignant, meaning they can spread through the bloodstream to other parts of the body.”

Lumps can appear anywhere on a dog’s body, including inside or on the skin. They can look like a small lump or they can appear as a large mass, protruding from your dog’s body.

Tsang explains that the only way to know what type of tumor your dog has is to submit it for a biopsy.

How much does tumor removal for dogs cost?

Removing a dog tumor can cost anywhere from hundreds of dollars to tens of thousands of dollars, says Dr. Gary Richter, DVM, founder of Ultimate Pet Nutrition and Holistic Veterinary Medicine in Oakland.

“(The cost) largely depends on the size, location and specific characteristics of the tumor,” Richter wrote in an email to Forbes Advisor.

Factors affecting the cost of tumor removal

There are various factors that affect the cost of removing a tumor in a dog, including:

• The size of the tumor: How big the tumor is depends on the type of procedure required and whether it can be done in the office or require an operating room.
• Tumor type: Whether the tumor is benign or malignant will affect the value of the tumor, because there are different approaches depending on the type.
• Location of the tumor: A collection placed on the skin will be less complex than a collection on the adjacent or internal body. Large and internal masses require preoperative imaging such as X-rays and CT scans.
• Who performs the surgery; Prices vary depending on whether a general veterinarian performs the surgery in their clinic or a board-certified veterinary surgeon in a surgical facility.

“Depending on the type of mass and how much is involved, not all masses can be routinely removed in a general practice facility,” says Tsang. “Some may want board-certified veterinarians.”

What is included in the cost of tumor removal for dogs?

It’s always a good idea to ask for a breakdown of the bill before the procedure, says Dr. Amy Athas, VMD, founder of New York City Veterinary Home Call Services and Urban Pets.

Dog owners should ensure that the following items are included in the final price:

• Anesthesia with appropriate monitoring
• Operating room and materials
• Biopsy
• Treatments related to the procedure

Richter surgery estimates usually include the cost of anesthesia, the surgery, and immediate care.

Each hospital has its own policy on charging for consultation and follow-up visits, and it’s up to you to ask if it’s included in the consideration for surgery.

What is not included?

“Hospitalization, home medications, and re-examinations are usually not included in the surgery, but it’s important to ask that they don’t appreciate the additional costs,” says Atas.

Most pre-operative consultation and post-operative follow-up care are not included in the total estimated cost of the procedure.

“Before considering surgical removal, routine examinations should be done to confirm that a patient is a candidate for surgery and that removal is necessary,” says Tsang. “These include routine blood work and X-rays of the lungs to make sure the cancer has not spread.”

Is surgery necessary for dogs with tumors?

Whether or not the lump needs to be removed depends entirely on the type of lump, Richter says.

“Some benign tumors can be left alone and have no impact on quality or quantity of life. Others are a matter of life and death,” he says.

Tsang says that in addition to the type of mass, it’s important to investigate whether the tumor is causing the dog discomfort.

“If there is a mass in the palm of the hand and the pet is uncomfortable with every step he takes, surgery is recommended to relieve the discomfort, regardless of whether it is safe or dangerous,” says Tsang. A benign tumor such as a lipoma on the side or back does not require surgical removal.

He adds that some of the masses can rupture and cause infection, bleeding, and foul odor — all good reasons to remove the tumor.

Some cancers can be successfully treated with radiation and chemotherapy, Atas says. Again, this depends on the type of tumor.

What is recovery like for dogs after tumor removal?

It is important to follow all care instructions carefully to ensure your dog recovers properly from tumor removal surgery.

Recovery time depends on the size of the surgery to remove the tumor. Some dogs may have a short recovery time for a minor procedure, while others may require hospitalization and recovery that can take weeks, Richter says.

Most dogs will have stitches after the mass is removed.

“Dogs should have an e-collar lock on at all times,” Conrad wrote in an email to Forbes Advisor. “They should also be given pain medication to make them feel comfortable while they heal.”

The skin will heal within 10 to 14 days after surgery, Tsang explains. He said surgical dressings or a mild sedative to prevent the dog from reaching the incision site can help keep the pet calm during recovery.

Does pet insurance cover my dog’s tumor removal?

Whether your pet insurance will cover the cost of removing a tumor for your dog will depend entirely on your specific policy coverage and if it covers illnesses and, most importantly, whether the tumor was discovered before you got the insurance policy.

As the owner, you should always check your policy to see if a procedure is covered before assuming that the cost of the surgery will be covered.

If you find that your pet’s insurance does not cover the cost of removing the tumor or only covers part of the procedure, there are options to help cover the entire cost of the surgery.

Many veterinary clinics offer flexible payment plans that allow you to break the bill down into organized monthly payments over a period of time. This is a great option if you don’t have the cash upfront to pay the full cost of the process.

If your veterinary clinic does not offer a payment plan, there is also a CareCredit credit card that can be used for medical expenses, including veterinary expenses.

If you choose to use CareCredit, you should double check that your veterinarian accepts the card before applying. The card offers short-term financing options ($200 or more) with six, 12, 18, or 24 months with no interest—but only if you pay off the full amount at the end of the promotional period. This warning is important to note; If you do not pay the amount in full when the zero interest period expires, you will be charged interest from the first day of purchase. The interest rate at the time the card is printed is 26.99%, which means your balance will balloon if you don’t pay it off in full when the zero interest period ends.

Another increasingly popular way to fund vet bills is to fundraise on sites like GoFundMe and Waggle. If you choose to turn to crowdsourcing, be aware of the service fees that the platform charges. GoFundMe also has a list. 12 charity sites It helps pet parents pay their pet bills.

Can tumors be prevented?

Most owners can’t do anything to prevent tumors because many of them develop because of a dog’s genetics, Attas says.

Scientific evidence suggests that female dogs play a role in preventing breast cancer at a young age, and spaying male dogs at a young age may also prevent testicular cancer.

According to Richter, owners can help ensure a happy and healthy life for their dog by:

• Feed your dog a balanced, fresh, whole food diet
• Give your dog plenty of regular exercise
• Helping their dog live a low-stress lifestyle
• Take your dog to the vet regularly

Symptoms of tumors in dogs

“One of the best ways to detect tumors is to regularly touch your pet,” says Tsang. “Massing all and identifying possible lumps or bumps.”

Tsang recommends keeping notes on the size and color of any lumps you notice. He adds that it’s always best to notify your vet when a lot or swelling occurs to make sure it’s nothing serious or serious.

Cancer is the number 1 cause of illness and death The number of old dogs. According to the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine, approximately one in three dogs are affected and 6 million new cancer diagnoses are made in dogs each year.

“Making sure that we regularly take our pets in for annual and semi-annual wellness exams for blood work once a year can help catch things before they become a problem,” Tsang says. Being proactive can be very beneficial.