Is this an expensive quote for an op?

[EauRouge]

Hello all,

One of my cats has a large cyst on his leg. It doesn't seem to be causing him pain but it gets in his way so the vet and I agreed that it's best to get rid of it.

The vet just phoned with a quote for treatment. It includes blood analysis to check his kidneys etc, all post-op medication and the operation itself. It comes to £315. I was quite relieved, thinking it's affordable enough and we have insurance so can claim back after a couple of weeks anyway.

My friend seems to think it's very high. It's been ages since any of my pets needed an op so I don't know what the going rate is- can anyone enlighten me? Thanks :)

[thecatneuterer]

I would say that's about par for the course. All vets charge a fortune. Although there is one in Hampstead that charges in the thousands for operations that, anywhere else, would cost no more than £400. And people still go there! It's a mystery.

[cozietoesie]

I think it depends hugely on the vet practice and the part of the country they're in. Also on factors such the length and nature of the op (clearly) and, I think, the age and health of the cat. (I know that when Seniorboy had a GA procedure a few years back, he had to have a slightly bigger team of people, longer post op care and some (costly) IV fluids throughout the whole thing because he was and older cat even then. And his op didn't include the cost of previously required blood work which, if I recall, had been about £80 back then.)

If that's an all inclusive quote, it sounds OK to me I have to say.

[cozietoesie]

They probably give the owners a cup of coffee, thecatneuterer.

[out2lunch]

Sounds reasonable to me.

[EauRouge]

Thanks :) Last time any of my cats needed an op, it was about 15 years ago when my dearly departed ginger boy broke his leg. I think that was about £200!

The cat that needs the op is 8, so middle-aged in cat terms I suppose, but very healthy. He's quite big so needs more drugs than the average cat.

There's a new vet practice opening in my village soon so I don't know if the current one will change its prices. It's part of a chain so probably not.

[thecatneuterer]

If you have a Pets at Home anywhere near you it might be worth getting a quote from them - they seem to be fairly competitive.

[cozietoesie]

Maybe, maybe not. I have to say that always like to have my own vet (ie the one that knows the cat) do the op if it's a fairly general one. I like continuity of treatment.