My 10 year old black lab has developed three cysts on her body over the past couple of years or so. The one on her under-belly and back have been there longer than a year but don't appear to be growing. She has another one RIGHT under her tail but above her rectum that continues to grow and definitely needs to be removed. So here are my thoughts and questions... We moved here from out of state less than a year ago and our previous vet of 17 years was aware of the "barnacles" and only seemed concerned with removing the one off of her rear at the cost of $175. The vet here seems to think that it's important to have all three removed at the tune of $750.00. Even if I opted not to have the other two removed, it would drop the cost to $475.00 for just the one. I like the vet that we chose here, but I'm thinking that I want to get a second opinion. Can anyone recommend another vet, or two or three, in the HV/FM area? Any thoughts on this whole subject altogether? I don't mean any offense at all by what I'm about to say, but since I've moved here I've noticed that this may be kind of a cosmetically perfect area and I can't help but think that it may be applying even to my dog. In typing that, I realize just how stupid that sounds, but I can't help but think of that possibility.
Hi J.-
We use Dr. William D. Wood, North TX Mobile Vet, 140 Lake Trail Drive, Double Oak, TX and p# ###-###-####. He is wonderful. He is very gentle and loving with the animals. He is very reasonable and will work with people financially. He has a mobile vet service and also has an office. But, I can not say enough good things about him.
I too had a dog with cysts and the Dr. told me they were OK unless they were in a place to make the dog uncomfortable. We did have one of the cysts removed under her arm and my vet is very reasonable. It has been several years, but I think about $135 or so. I have been using the same vet for years and all of my friends do too. We all love it there and he is very reasonable.
Animal Clinic of Farmers Branch
14021 Denton Dr.
Farmers Branch, TX 75234
###-###-####
Vet care in this area is VERY expensive and you are not at all stupid for saying what you said. I've worked at various vet hospitals in the area over the past 10 years and even I'm shocked at how much money it costs just to have a pet these days. Having said that... I LOVE Dr. Unger at Angel Vet Center. I can't say I care for the practice in general, but she's a great doctor and very honest. She would never do anything that didn't need to be done. I would consider a 2nd opinion from her. I can see that the cyst near your dog's rear end may end up being a problem, but if the others haven't grown in years it may be a judgement call on your part. I would trust Dr. Unger to give an honest opinion about that.
My sister went to a vet in The Colony and loved them and from what I saw they were great and reasonable!! It may be called The Colony Animal Hospital and I think the Dr. was Dr. Wild. She's a female vet and I would drive that far to see her and save a bit of money.
Hope this helps!
J. -
We also have a 10-year-old black lab and changed vets because of high prices. Ironically, we just had a cyst removed from under his tale as well. We live in Colleyville and now use a very ordinary, sit-on-the-floor-with-your-dog vet in Bedford. She's nowhere near you, but I have to believe you can find the same in your area.
-S.
I use Dr. Trisha Ballard at Old Denton and Frankford in Carrollton. She is an alternative vet. She is great and works with your budget. She doesn't believe in doing unnecessary procedures. I know she is not close to you but look her up. She may know someone in your area that will work with you.
I have a great vet in Farmers Branch - a little bit of a drive for you - but very much worth it. His business model is ALL ABOUT THE ANIMAL and they are very affordable. It is a casual place, clean and the vets are wonderful and very experienced. I have had my Border Collie there twice to have kidney stones removed and it was less than $300 and that included a stay over.
14021 Denton Dr
Farmers Branch, TX 75234
###-###-####
I am in the NRH/Watauga area and I use Family Pet Clinic at the corner of Rufe Snow and Mid-Cities, their number is ###-###-####. Dr. Donna Bell.... she is an awesome lady. She help my new puppy survive distemper last spring... He is so big and strong now, she is amazed at how he pulled through. All of the doctors in the office are wonderful.
In Keller there is Creekside Pet Care, Dr. Georgia McClure's group. They are also very good doctors, but I have found them to be a little more expensive than Family Pet Clinic.
I don't know who your current vet is but I would recommend Dr. Doolittle in Highland Village or Dr. Unger at Angel Vet in Flower Mound.
Yes, HV/FM vets seem expensive to me too. We go to Argyle Veterinary Hospital on FM 407 near FM 377. They are a little more country, but I really don't know if they are cheaper. Another place to check is the Bartonville Vet office on FM 407, my friend takes his dogs there.
Try Alternative Veterinary Office at Frankford & Old Denton - she is very good and not Knife-happy
J. in Carrollton
I, too, moved here from out of state less than a year ago, and my dog has a fatty cyst on her back. I've only been there once, but at Highland Village Vet Hospital on 407, the doc was very candid and said he didn't think I should take it off "just for cosmetic" reasons. I really appreciated that! Our dog had three "bumps" at one point and I had them tested to make sure they weren't cancerous. Being that they are just fat pockets, it is really up to you and if you want to pay the money and put your dog through the surgery. I said no and feel great about it and I still get compliments all the time on how wonderful my dog is! You know what is best for your pup!
You are somewhat correct on your last point about the HV/FM area and there being some pricey vets and services for animals, but there are some basic, old-fashioned, if you will, vets around. We have used Dr. Gus Kirby at Old Orchard Animal Clinic in Lewisville (at the SW corner of Main and Old Orchard) for 24 years: ###-###-####.
He is very reasonable in price and very cost conscious. He will not do anything that he doesn't think is really necessary. He is also a very skilled surgeon and very meticulous. He did a very intricate intestinal surgery on one of my cats and an eye surgery on my dog that saved her eye. There is nothing at all fancy or cosmetically perfect about his office - but the staff are all caring and competent.
Dr Shaffer at Flower Mound Veterinary Hospital. ###-###-#### I have found that his prices are much more reasonable than many other vets around there. Just be aware that his office building is pretty run down and doesn't look very "pretty" like other offices around. If you don't mind that, his level of experience and quality care are excellent!!!! He is also quick to let you know if something isn't necessary and gives you all options. He has send us home with home remedies before when other vets have wanted to sell us expensive prescriptions. Tell him David and J. from Canine Courtyard referred you.
I have used Lewisville North Animal Clinic - ###-###-#### - Drs. Aycock & Johnson.
I also have a lab and he has 3 times busted the blood vessel in his ear from getting ear infections and shaking his head. Each time they had to knock him out and put in a tube to drain the blood. The cost each time was around $350 - $400. I don't know what the cost for your surgery would be, but just the other day my neighbor said she took her dog to Dr. Doolittle in Highland Village for the same ear problem and they didn't do the surgery but rather gave her medicines for the problem and it was over $700.
They have always been real pleasant and easy to work with they and have always been quick to fit me in the schedule.
You didn't say which vet you went to but I had a cyst on my dogs foreleg removed (to make sure it wasn't cancer) and it was about $225 at Dr. Cattor's office a few years ago (So. Flower Mound Vet Hospital).
I've heard Angel Vet is wonderful and reasonable, but I have not used them. I'd get a second oppinion (which'll cost some $) from the suggestions you got below and go for the one that really needs to be removed and forget the others.
I did some research online awhile back because my dog had a wierd lump. Unless it is bothering you or getting in your dogs way, it doesn't even need removed. Of course, having said that, there is always the possibility of it being a health issure...Have your previous vets said that the lump on his bottom is a health issue?
Take Care,
~K.
They are probably lipomas - which although are not cancerous, can obviously be space occupying. Typically all of the lipomas, warts, etc are recommended to be removed at one time on a dog or cat while under anesthesia. Although the other two are not growing, they might, and then you could end up a with second bill and anesthetic procedure that would be more expensive than if you just got them all removed at once. Your vet is just doing what is typical, not trying to gouge you - it has nothing to do with a cosmetic ideal. The price quoted by your other vet seems pretty inexpensive -just an fyi. I'd be surprised if you could find a vet in the area who would do one for under $300.00.
You could definatley get a second opinion, but make sure you know why the price is different. What type of anesthesia are they using, do they use a trach tube, is an ivc placed, does that include preanesthetic bloodwork, and is histopathology included to make sure the tumor is benign. Just ask for an itemized estimate and have one of the staff members explain it to you. I will say to watch trying to get the lowest possible price (on anything really) - you typically get what you pay for. If it's dirt cheap, there's a reason. Good luck!
Hi J.,
We LOVE our vet and fully trust them too--if I were you, I would definitely get a second opinion. Here is their info: Valley Ranch Pet Clinic and Diagnostic Hospital(Dr. Rouchon & Dr. Kapps) 455 Cimarron Trail Irving ###-###-####
My 7 year old choc lab has the same issues. He has a rather large one on his knee that bothers me more than him I think. I was told it is fatty tissue and the vet and I are monitoring them. I was quoted $200 and he was going to do the others at the same time as well, without too much extra costs. However, my dog has been a patient his whole life, and my cat previously, so maybe we got a better rate. I am not sure if it is the same condition either. My dog also had a mole on his eyelid removed that I felt obstructed his vision, and it cost $200 too. The thing is that the anestetics costs about that much for a hundred pound dog, so that's just the min. We absolutely love our vet and our dog and always want to make sure he is healthy. It bugs me that he has this lump on his leg because he is so hansome otherwise, but I try not to be too vain, especially when it comes to my dog. If I had the extra money, I would do it I think, but I don't right now. So unless the vet says it is necessary, it will wait. It sound like maybe the one under his tail sould be removed in your case. We are in N Fort Worth/Keller, so probably too far, but our vet is Dr Arend ###-###-####
-T.
*mother of 2 year old beautiful little girl and 7 year old furry baby, Zeus, and wife of 6 years.
J.,
We LOVE our vet! We use ABC Vet in Lewisville (we lived in Lewisville about 3 years ago and now live in Highland Village). Their number is ###-###-####. It is Dr. Adam Poppelwell (I know I didn't spell that right :) ). We have three dogs (one is a lab) and have used them since we moved here in '99. They are really friendly and VERY reasonably priced. My lab is 10 years old and has numerous fatty tissues. I have had them tested and we are currently mointoring them. I really think you'd get an honest second opinion if you tried them. I also think that some of the vets in HV are a bit pricey.
Good luck!
D.
