Vet Costs My beloved boy has stones 😢

[Badams2021]

Hi everyone and Happy Holidays. I just took my piggie Spike to the Vet yesterday and the x-ray showed he has 3 little bladder stones. I have tried so hard to avoid this his whole life but unfortunately I was unsuccessful The Vet said I could have them removed or have him put down. I know all Vets are different but could anyone who has been through this before give me a idea of how much surgery would cost to have them removed? The Animal Hospital my Vet referred me to was not able to give me a roundabout price and I need to know if this is something I can afford. I don't wanna let my baby go

 

[Guinea Pig Papa]

I am so sorry you have to go through this. I lost one of my boys last year to a stone. I didn't even know he had one, despite recent x-rays.

Vet prices can widely vary even in the same city. I know there are members here who can at least give you an idea of what they had paid, and some of them have been recent. Hopefully they can chime in and at least give you an idea. I posted a similar question to yours years ago, although mine was about dental work. I was told the same thing and in the end, mine ended up being much less than some others had paid.

Your vet is correct. They MUST either be removed, or you should do the kindest thing and euthanize him. If one of the stones lodges in his urethra, it is not treatable nor is it survivable.

Take my word for it, you don't want to watch your baby slip away in your arms knowing there is nothing you can do at that point.

There is a thread here about a little guy named Colonel Mustard. I believe his mom is @barbaramudge . He successfully had stones removed at least twice that I know of, so it's definitely doable. The trick is getting the surgery done in time and sooner is definitely better.

 

[Guinea Pig Papa]

Here is the thread for Colonel Mustard. I hope you find a little help in here.

https://www.guineapigcages.com/forum/threads/108791-Colonel-is-squeaking-when-he-pees?highlight=

 

[barbaramudge]

I’m so sorry you’re going through this. Stones in boys is so difficult. @%1; is correct, there is a thread for my boy Colonel Mustard. Colonel did have 2 surgeries but he also had stones that he somehow managed to pass on his own. I know this because between the 2 surgeries he had, there was also a surgery he had scheduled but was cancelled because X-rays the day of surgery confirmed he had passed the stone. Please understand that that is a rarity and surgery is the only real option.

In the end, Colonel was just genetically prone to developing stones and while the surgeries bought us years with him, and I would do it all again, we did have to let him go.

As to prices…they vary wildly. Colonels first surgery, including the pre & post visits and all the meds etc, cost me over $1000. That was several years ago and that’s in Michigan. His second surgery was less, $600ish all told, but that was because I am fortunate enough to have a “non-exotic” vet who actually spent years and years with an exotics specialist before buying our local vets place. He invested a great deal of money getting the proper equipment and vet assistants to be able to help exotics.

If you have any questions that I can answer feel free to send me a message. Best of luck

 

[bpatters]

Ask the vet what he'll charge. That's the only way you're going to know the costs.

 

[Badams2021]

Thank you for your reply. I'm sorry you had to go thru that with Colonel Mustard but I'm glad you were able to get some extra time with him. It sucks that piggies have this issue, especially when you try to do everything right and they still end up getting stones. Your response helps alot. I had no clue how much surgery cost for this and I thought it was weird that the Vet couldn't tell me at least a ball park figure. I will have to apply for the Care Credit card and hope I get approved. Just spend a nice chunk at the Vet yesterday plus Christmas in a few days, money is tight right now

I’m so sorry you’re going through this. Stones in boys is so difficult. @%1; is correct, there is a thread for my boy Colonel Mustard. Colonel did have 2 surgeries but he also had stones that he somehow managed to pass on his own. I know this because between the 2 surgeries he had, there was also a surgery he had scheduled but was cancelled because X-rays the day of surgery confirmed he had passed the stone. Please understand that that is a rarity and surgery is the only real option.

In the end, Colonel was just genetically prone to developing stones and while the surgeries bought us years with him, and I would do it all again, we did have to let him go.

As to prices…they vary wildly. Colonels first surgery, including the pre & post visits and all the meds etc, cost me over $1000. That was several years ago and that’s in Michigan. His second surgery was less, $600ish all told, but that was because I am fortunate enough to have a “non-exotic” vet who actually spent years and years with an exotics specialist before buying our local vets place. He invested a great deal of money getting the proper equipment and vet assistants to be able to help exotics.

If you have any questions that I can answer feel free to send me a message. Best of luck

 

[barbaramudge]

Thank you for your reply. I'm sorry you had to go thru that with Colonel Mustard but I'm glad you were able to get some extra time with him. It sucks that piggies have this issue, especially when you try to do everything right and they still end up getting stones. Your response helps alot. I had no clue how much surgery cost for this and I thought it was weird that the Vet couldn't tell me at least a ball park figure. [emoji2368] I will have to apply for the Care Credit card and hope I get approved. Just spend a nice chunk at the Vet yesterday plus Christmas in a few days, money is tight right now [emoji31]

I just want to be super clear here…prices really do vary a great deal when it comes to guinea pig surgeries. My prices were for my area and several years ago. I have seen a wide variety of charges so please do go see the new vet. I will admit I am surprised they wouldn’t give you a range but it’s not unheard of for a vet to want to examine the animal themselves first. Believe me when I say, I understand how hard it is when money is tight, but you can not make a decision, free from regret, without all the information. Time is not your friend when it comes to stones so at least book an appointment for the initial visit so you can make a choice you can live with.

 

[Badams2021]

I asked for a roundabout cost and they wouldn't tell me. (This was the Animal Hospital that my Vet referred me to.) They said I would have to bring him in to be seen, which I just spent hundreds for him to be seen at my Vet.

 

[Badams2021]

Thanks so much for your advice.

 

[bpatters]

Then I'd either ask for a range of the costs or find another vet.

What city (or cities) are you close to?

 

[barbaramudge]

I asked for a roundabout cost and they wouldn't tell me. (This was the Animal Hospital that my Vet referred me to.) They said I would have to bring him in to be seen, which I just spent hundreds for him to be seen at my Vet.

You could ask them if your vet sent records over for them to review could they send you a quote with a range of possibles, acknowledging that this is just a range of possibilities. Or if your vet gave/gives you the X-rays you could send them yourself. I have had vets willing to do this on multiple occasions, and especially with the pandemic. Just a thought

 

[Badams2021]

I called back and asked more questions. The most I could get out of them was it COULD BE around $1,000

You could ask them if your vet sent records over for them to review could they send you a quote with a range of possibles, acknowledging that this is just a range of possibilities. Or if your vet gave/gives you the X-rays you could send them yourself. I have had vets willing to do this on multiple occasions, and especially with the pandemic. Just a thought

 

[Guinea Pig Papa]

That sucks, but at least you have a better idea. I hate that people are in situations like this.

I'm hoping for the best for little Spike. Let us know how you make out with him.

 

[Badams2021]

Update: So I've been keeping a close eye on Spike the last couple of days. I actually had an appointment today to have him looked at by an animal hospital close to me and it fell through because the receptionist that I spoke to gave me the wrong information and told me an exotic veterinarian would be there today and they are not. They also gave me a wrong price for the appointment so needless to say I won't be using them. I am taking him to the Animal Hospital my vet referred me to tomorrow to get a price on the surgery. He actually just passed one of the stones today so I'm pretty excited about that. I'm thinking if he can pass that one maybe he can pass the other two because they're all pretty tiny. But I'm definitely still taking him in to be seen, so I know for sure how much the surgery is. He's still eating fine, his energy levels are great, he's taking his antibiotics so it seems like they're helping him to not get an infection. I will keep you guys updated, Merry Christmas

 

[barbaramudge]

I’m glad he was able to pass one! Keeping him very well hydrated will help with that as long as you’re keeping an eye on him for blockages. Keep us posted [emoji3590]

 

[Badams2021]

I will be keeping a close eye on him for sure. I just can't believe he passed one! I will keep you posted TY and Merry Christmas

 

[Badams2021]

Update on Spike: I made an appointment at the Animal Hospital my Vet referred me to. They put him on pain meds and an anti-inflammatory to try to help him pass the stones. They quoted his surgery at $2500-3500 which I don't have. I was denied for all of the financing options and now all I can do is hope he passes the 2 remaining stones. I was thinking maybe $1500 tops but unfortunately that wasn't the case. Pray for Spike please

 

[Guinea Pig Papa]

My thoughts are with Spike and with you. I am so sorry you have to go through this.

 

[ItsaZoo]

I hope Spike can pass those stones. I’m thinking of you both and wishing you well.

 

[barbaramudge]

Just thought I’d check in on you and Spike. Hope all is well [emoji3590]