Back from the Vets, Bailey has lipoma (small cyst full of fat) on his belly. I guess it is fairly common, they don't hurt, they can get larger, and he can develop more than one.
Sounds pretty simple right? This information was not explained to me so simply I had to pry for it.
When the doctor came in the examing room she touched the cyst on his belly said that she should aspirate it and check the fluid under the microscope but most likely it is lipoma. Then she said, "Let me check Bailey's teeth while we have him under to remove the cyst we can clean his teeth also."
My response: "Hold on, one I have already had a quote to clean his teeth and it is $300, he will never be getting his teeth cleaned. Two we don't even know what the cyst is I am not about to discuss removing it until you are able to identify what it is."
Vet: "Okay, let's aspirate it, if it is just clear, oily fluid, I don't even need to put it under the microscope it is most certainly lipoma."
-Vet took a sample and put it on the slide it was clear, oily liquid.
Vet: Definitely, lipoma you may want to get it removed.
My Response: "Why does it need to come out is it hurting him? If I have it taken out could he still get more?"
Vet: It is not hurting him and I have seen dogs with ten to twenty of these things, in fact my dog has one about the size of a baseball.
My Response: "Okay, it is not hurting him and your own dog has one yet you want me to pay to get it taken out."
Vet: "Well it is something to think about. If it is because you are worried about paying for it we could set up a finance plan for you."
My Response: "It is not that I can't pay for it, but it sounds very impractical to even consider taking it out at this point. The six years that I have owned this dog things have seemed to get progressively worse in the "Vet World" seems like you guys prey on people's love for their pets and encourage things that are just plain not necessary.
Vet: "I can understand why you would feel that way but if you decide you want it out here is a quote for the surgery."
Cost of surgery: $618.36
Is that not insane!
Part II of Hard Day
August 1st, 2006 at 03:15 pm
August 1st, 2006 at 03:21 pm 1154445703
August 1st, 2006 at 03:32 pm 1154446353
August 1st, 2006 at 04:54 pm 1154451246
August 1st, 2006 at 05:02 pm 1154451723
August 1st, 2006 at 06:59 pm 1154458765
Good for you standing up to the vet like that…you are my hero!
August 1st, 2006 at 07:39 pm 1154461180
If they have to anestetize the animal for something else, then it is a good time to d a routine teeth cleaning as a preventative measure. I think it's $$ well spent.
Vaccinations, on the other hand, for a cat that is indoors only, is not, and i have fought many vets over that matter. Many will refuse to see your animal if it is not up to date on vaccinations.
August 3rd, 2006 at 05:21 am 1154582481
I have a beagle with a cyst. Just common. She did the same thing and just checked the fluid... no biggie, leave it alone.
Time for a new vet, eh????