How much should I expect to pay for having my dog’s leg amputated?
Posted by: Alan in bone cancer in dogs treatment, tags: amputated, dogs, expect, having, much, should
I got the bad news this morning that my Labrador has bone cancer in his rear leg. It came from nowhere. Just a little bump 3 months ago and today, it’s this big whelp on his rear knee. The xrays show massive erosion in the bone. I say cancer, but the vet won’t know for sure until the biopsy returns on Monday. He’s pretty sure it’s cancer, though.
I have a decision to make. If I had all the money in the world, I’d nurse him along to a merry old age. But I don’t, so I cannot. I can have his leg amputated and hope the cancer didn’t spread. And in that, could hope he lives a reasonably healthy existence, otherwise, or I could have him put to sleep. It’s really a tough call for me. I could be throwing money at the problem when the dog would be better off just having been put down.
I hate to think dollars would control this decision, but it just may very well.
Thanks.
Forgot to mention his age and I know how relevant that is.
10 years. 100 lbs.
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April 29th, 2010 at 2:35 pm
Aw I’m so so so sorry. I know I’m not answering your question but I hope that everything turns out well. Poor dog. Aw.
April 29th, 2010 at 2:37 pm
well i say first go to an animal shelter that has a clinic. talk to them. my dog needed surgery a while ago and the vet gave me an estimate of $2500. i went to the shelter and they gave me an estimate of $550. it was well worth it and they answered all my questions.
i guess i’d ask, how is his health otherwise? only because having a 100 lb dog have to hop around on 3 legs for the rest of his life COULD be strenuous for him. if he’s otherwise healthy and has a good prognosis, i’d try to find a cheaper (but still reliable) doctor and go for it.
p.s. my lab is 12 and going strong. she had a tumor in her chest.
April 29th, 2010 at 2:38 pm
Sorry to hear it. Your vet can give you a useful estimate of the cost of the amputation; we can’t really because prices vary from clinic to clinic so much. It’s not just the cost of the actual op either, they will also factor in prices of pain relief, antibiotics, pre-meds, fluids etc. At my clinic I would expect a bill of £300-$500, but your clinic might be significantly more or less; they will provide you with an estimate.
Chalice
April 29th, 2010 at 3:07 pm
An amputation for a 100lb dog should be in the $700 range, give or take some. If it’s significantly less.. I would be weary of the quality of medicine they practice. An amputation is no minor surgery. Your dog could die on the table. There are lots of major blood vessels in the leg. Proper monitoring, and the way medicine is practiced is critical. As for him being 10 years old, you should also get bloodwork done. It’s not necessary, but your dog will be under for a least an hour, and that takes a toll on the liver. If the liver already has issues, you possibly wouldn’t know it. And that would make ansethsia very risky. But if you don’t have the money too I understand. Just be sure that you’re going to a good well known vet.
April 29th, 2010 at 3:28 pm
My Dobermann Boris was four years old when he was diagnosed with aggressive skin cancer. Initially the oncologist thought amputation may be necessary to remove the cancer as it spread from the base of hi neck to the bottom of his shoulder.
As it was a front leg I was torn because he was a young dog, but weighed that against his quality of life post amputation. Because of his age I would have opted for surgery.
In my Dobermanns case it wasn’t necessary & he had major surgery & four sessions of carboplatin {chemotherapy} With treatment he lived an additional 3.5 years {& he lived life to the full).
I would guess the cost would be in the region of $1,200 if the leg is amputated by a local vet or in excess of that if your dog is referred to a canine oncologist.
Whatever decision you make, I’m sure you are guided by what is in your dog’s best interest. Treatment isn’t always the best option for a dog diagnosed with cancer, but if you can prolong life in a way that’s in the dog’s best interest, as was the case with Boris, it can be very rewarding.