Anyone Has Their Cats Tail Removed?

[Deactivated] on 19/08/2021 - 16:08

Just wondering on the costs?

One of my cats has a few mm of bones popping out, brought him to the Vet and went through options.

Basically $1500-2000, this is a Vet hospital and not my local Vet.

I paid for anti-inflammatory, pain killers and a clean up $240. She told me what to look out for, it doesn't look infected and he may recover fine.
She gave me options, didn't really push me towards any. I don't really like that, I prefer a Vet to really know what to do and what's best for my Cat but I think it comes down to money.

You can do x-rays $900, but I'm going to email my 2 local Vets for quotes on the surgery incase I notice anything.

He's not in pain, doesn't seem concerned by it or paying anymore attention than usual. However, will follow up with another Vet visit to my local next week to get a 2nd opinion.

I just think $2000 seems excessive to cut his tail off! I know their Vet is an emergency Vet Clinic and very expensive, but I could only find a Whirlpool post complaining about paying $450.

Thank you

Pets

Comments

  • Marrk on 19/08/2021 - 16:45
    +1

    All you can really do is request quotes elsewhere to compare - vets and bargains unfortunately don't go together. My vet is a bit similar in terms of "you can do A to be safe or we can go straight to B", and I think this comes down to them letting you know what the best option is, though that it will add expense. I usually opt into whatever test it is for my dogs.

  • Clear on 19/08/2021 - 16:45
    +18

    He's not in pain, doesn't seem concerned by it or paying anymore attention than usual.

    Then leave it as is?

    • Quantumcat on 19/08/2021 - 17:18
      +7

      The new cat will still require vet care

    • thrillhouse on 20/08/2021 - 08:11

      Now let's change cat to human baby that requires an expensive operation. You can literally make a new one for free!
      Some people …

      • FireRunner on 20/08/2021 - 09:09
        -5

        A human child is far more important than a cat

        • mapax on 20/08/2021 - 09:35
          +1

          Try telling that to a crazy cat lady…

        • MrBear on 20/08/2021 - 10:03
          +5

          Not to the cat

          • FireRunner on 20/08/2021 - 10:09
            -1

            @MrBear: Are you for real arguing a human life is equal to that of a cat?

            • ziggy1312 on 20/08/2021 - 18:03
              +2

              @FireRunner: Depends on the child and the cat.

              • FireRunner on 20/08/2021 - 18:20
                -3

                @ziggy1312: I give up, if people would sincerely hesitate in choosing between the life of a cat and a human child then I've lost hope in humanity

                • [Deactivated] on 21/08/2021 - 07:16

                  @FireRunner: Meh, theres 7.9 billion of us. People love to put human lives on a pedestal in these situations but then complain when they're stuck in traffic for 5 minutes.

                • cameldownunder on 21/08/2021 - 12:11

                  @FireRunner: Weird enough we let the cat have dignity and put them down when their life's no longer worth living. While people have to endure horrific pains and ordeals, and still are not allowed to terminate their life.

            • MrBear on 22/08/2021 - 12:55
              +1

              @FireRunner: Did I say that? I said the cat would think it is more important than a human.

              As to your question, yes, actually, I think my cat is way more important than some humans on this planet. Quite a lot actually.

      • p1 ama on 20/08/2021 - 11:39
        +4

        Now let's change cat to human baby that requires an expensive operation.

        Human medical care is free in Australia - the point was to have a dig at how expensive veterinary care is, but that point seems lost on people.

      • Aureus on 21/08/2021 - 15:41
        +1

        https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joke

    • capslock janitor on 21/08/2021 - 13:34
      -1

      DIY

  • TheBean on 19/08/2021 - 16:57
    +8

    I think $1,500 would be about right for an after hours vet, assuming since you went to a vet hospital not your local first.
    From my perspective (not a veterinarian) it probably seems high because it's not subsidised like human medicine. It's still a surgery… I mean if a human c-section was not subsidised it would be like $15k-20k, but we don't see/pay that.

    • [Deactivated] on 19/08/2021 - 17:18

      It was during normal hours tho, but I expect them to be 20-30% higher.

      I'm more worried about cutting it off, if I don't have too.

      I'll get a 2nd opinion and quotes.

      • SydStrand on 19/08/2021 - 20:03
        +1

        It was during normal hours tho, but I expect them to be 20-30% higher.

        You think an emergency hospital is empty during business hours? They still have all their inpatients to manage. It's not a GP, where you can make a scheduled 8AM drop-off, they can block off time for a surgery, and organise discharge that day. Any procedure under general anaesthetic in emergency = admission = admit fee + hospitalisation + everything else, with no guarantee it can even be done. The operating costs are also much higher. That's also how your local hospital operates, you just don't see the cost, because the government and your health insurance cover it.

        If it's not critical or time-sensitive (e.g. spinal, septic peritonitis), and you're comfortable with the risk, then schedule it with a GP, will be about half.

      • Scrooge McDuck on 20/08/2021 - 15:48
        +4

        I'm more worried about cutting it off, if I don't have too.

        I'll get a 2nd opinion and quotes.

        I think your decisions are quite sensible. I hope he gets better soon!

    • [Deactivated] on 20/08/2021 - 01:14

      Reminds me of a weird situation. I went to the dentist (with my own dental infection) shortly after our vet quoted $750 to treat our cat's dental infection (which another vet fixed with antibiotics, but that's another story). The dentist charged me about $250 (IIRC) for the consultation, cleanup and yes prescription for antibiotics. I told the dentist of our cat's quote and joked he was in the wrong line of work. He told me I'd be amazed how many people asked him if he could treat a pet.

      • Frostysaurus on 20/08/2021 - 09:19
        +1

        Actually with animal dentistry the actual dental work is probably about the same/cheaper than human stuff. The majority of the cost is from the anesthetic, the quote from the vet would've broken down the cost and you can see that the anesthetic is usually at least half the cost. And for animals generally a dental infection is going to be caused by the teeth being in poor condition, so doing a proper clean along with antibiotics will give a better outcome long term.

        • cameldownunder on 21/08/2021 - 12:13

          If you find a cat or dog, what is happily "sitting down" and opening the mouth to the dentist / doctor let me know, I want that breed.

          • WhyAmICommenting on 21/08/2021 - 19:33
            +1

            @cameldownunder: I've heard of well-trained German Shepherds putting up with a lot without going under, but the vet would have to be game!

  • Quantumcat on 19/08/2021 - 17:17
    +7

    The way you can get a vet to tell you what is the right thing to do, is to ask, "what would you do if this was your cat?"

    • pharkurnell on 19/08/2021 - 17:26
      +2

      The vet we used to go to when we asked that his eyes would light up and he saw $$$$ signs only.

  • pharkurnell on 19/08/2021 - 17:24
    +11

    My cat had his removed due to a tumour on the base.
    From memory it was 1500-2000 range (was few years ago)

    They removed it and he was fine after, lived 4+yrs more to the age of 16

    But when his health went down hill it went quickly and I had no choice but to do what was best for him..
    There were options but meant more suffering before being happy.. Couldnt do that to him.

  • freefall101 on 19/08/2021 - 18:44
    +3

    I'm not a vet, but how exactly does a cat recover when bone is sticking out? Either needs a skin graft or stitches to close it, it would presumably be at risk of infection forever otherwise.

    I'd definitely see another vet before paying $900 for an x-ray too, seems very pricey. Been a few years but I remember the last one I had done for a cat being around $300-400.

    • cfuse on 20/08/2021 - 10:10
      +1

      Have a look at some of the vet channels on youtube. Plenty of pets cope with enormous wounds without much in the way of surgical intervention.

      Clean wounds will often heal without any treatment, but the scarring and other cosmetic issues will be way worse. Even if it does heal, it will take so much longer without care. Treatment vastly improves outcomes but animals don't just die the second something happens to them.

      One of my own cats used to have an exceptionally long tail but lost the tip a while ago. I just kept my eye on it and the cat's fine (years later), he just has a shorter tail that doesn't come to a neat, paintbrush like point like it used to.

      When it comes to pets I find that how robust the animal is to begin with makes a huge difference. My last cat was an ex-cruelty case and came to me after starvation. She had the sort of weakened health you'd expect from an animal that is raised without appropriate feeding. She was probably the sickest cat I've ever had.

      • [Deactivated] on 20/08/2021 - 12:10

        Yeah, that's why I'll take him to my local early next week.

        I'm cleaning it once a day as I was told.

  • ihbh on 19/08/2021 - 18:55
    +2

    Anyone Has Their Cats Tail Removed?

    Do it for nine of them and you can join the British Navy!

    • Switchblade88 on 19/08/2021 - 19:45
      -2

      Endorsed by Jesus Himself

  • lordezekiel on 19/08/2021 - 21:13
    +5

    If cat seems happy and is behaving as he always would (ie. not super quiet or something out of the ordinary) i would leave it.
    I imagine cat's are pretty attached to their tails like we would be to any of our limbs so surely removing it must be a real last resort.

  • [Deactivated] on 19/08/2021 - 21:56
    +1

    Is that extreme a response really necessary?.

    My wife and I went off vet "hospitals" years ago, in favour of our local sole practitioner. At the vet hospital, the advice was always (4 times for similar injuries) surgery at a cost of $750. I don't know why $750 was a magical number, but can guess. Paid once, treated ourselves another, went to the local vet for the next two, who said "why don't we try antibiotics before going to surgery? $80 & problem solved. My brother just had a situation where the vet hospital wanted to put his cat with lump on tongue on chemo at huge cost. The local guy said, why don't we try a cortisone injection first. Guess what, full recovery.

    Seems clear to me.

    • SydStrand on 19/08/2021 - 22:28
      +2

      At the vet hospital, the advice was always (4 times for similar injuries) surgery at a cost of $750. I don't know why $750 was a magical number, but can guess.

      It's not a conspiracy, it's called standardised cost structure. It's why a clinic will charge $250 for small dog castrations +$100/10-20kg. They probably had a $750 billing item for routine small stitch up under anaesthetic.

      Paid once, treated ourselves another, went to the local vet for the next two, who said "why don't we try antibiotics before going to surgery? $80 & problem solved.

      Yes, and if that didn't work, you'd be complaining about why the GP didn't push for surgery.

      My brother just had a situation where the vet hospital wanted to put his cat with lump on tongue on chemo at huge cost. The local guy said, why don't we try a cortisone injection first. Guess what, full recovery.

      Cortisone doesn't cure cancer, or every oncologist would be dispensing it. It's used palliatively to improve comfort while shrinking some tumours, but it's not curative. It also has a lot of side effects, but is used indiscriminately by bronze standard vets because it's cheap and cheerful. Ditto with poor antibiotic stewardship.

      • [Deactivated] on 20/08/2021 - 00:31
        +2

        "They probably had a $750 billing item for routine small stitch up under anaesthetic"

        I suppose they did, but that's the point. The other guy realised a cleanup and antibiotic tablet would suffice and he was right.

        "if that didn't work, you'd be complaining about why the GP didn't push for surgery"

        But it did work, because it was the correct advice. In any case, I wouldn't, because that would be stupid. However, interesting that you refer to GP instead of vet. I'm trying to imagine what I would say if I went to my GP for an infected cut and was advised surgery under general as the first option.

        "Cortisone doesn't cure cancer, or every oncologist would be dispensing it"

        You're missing the point. It wasn't cancer. It was something the so called "bronze standard vet" realised might respond to cortisone. Actually, the vet advised that cortisone can help inflamations, which in the mouth area can put a cat off its food and water and cause a downward spiral. The cat was fine in a few days and remains so nearly a year later. Who's the more competent vet; that guy or the one advising radical expensive procedures at the first consultation?

  • Logical on 19/08/2021 - 22:00
    -7

    Place a tight rubber band on the tail where you want to have it cut. After a week place another tighter rubber band on top of the first. On the second week repeat step 2. On 3rd week repeat step 2… On 4th week the end of the tail will drop off and job done. Cost is for 3 x rubber bands only. I am not a vet.

    • ihbh on 19/08/2021 - 22:04

      … and if you want to desex male cats?

      • KSMLJ on 19/08/2021 - 22:57
        -1

        Apparently you can do the same thing, but around the pee-pee.

        • ihbh on 20/08/2021 - 07:30
          +1

          NO, that's cruel and incorrect. The word you're looking for is nutsack.

  • elgrande on 19/08/2021 - 22:58
    +5

    I think they are charging you an arm and a leg, confirm its for the tail.

  • [Deactivated] on 19/08/2021 - 23:55

    Always difficult to keep on track on here for alot of people 👀😂

    Once I receive more quotes, I'll post. I'll try get a photo, but I think the main issue with exposed bone is if it gets infected. It can take a very long time to heal, but in that case you'd go ahead with surgery.
    Surgery basically just skips ahead, but I am finding it difficult to find people who've been through a similar issue

    I will monitor, clean and bring for a follow up next week but be prepared for surgery if need be from 2nd opinion.

    :)

    • [Deactivated] on 20/08/2021 - 00:58
      +3

      No vet advice, but I have learned this:

      • Find a vet you trust to provide the care you want. I say vet, not clinic. As with all professional relationships, an ongoing personal relationship is best.

      • Avoid vets who over service. Apart from the cost, its not good for a pet to go under general, the more so the older and sicker they are, so only do this if it is necessary and other options have been explored.

      • A lot of things do resolve without surgery and you still have that option if they don't.

      • Cats need to be kept indoors.

      • [Deactivated] on 20/08/2021 - 02:29

        Yeah, he wasn't mine to begin with. So he's always been a roamer, it's very difficult to retrain a 10 year old.

        He's walking around the house atm like a Zombie, but I'm going to try keep him indoors overnight. I feel less chance of any Possums or whatever else he may get up to.

        • [Deactivated] on 22/08/2021 - 10:51

          always been a roamer

          We all were and then … lockdown 🙁

  • akyeeeahdude on 20/08/2021 - 08:08
    +2

    I think vet hospitals and surgeons just cost a lot. In 2009, we could see a dark 'spot' developing within the coloured part of the eye of our cat but our cat appeared happy and healthy, without any problems with his vision. Took him to a vet who referred him to a kitty ophthalmologist at a vet hospital. The ophthalmologist said it could be benign or malignant and there was no way to know without taking the eye out, stitching the eye socket closed and getting the eye tested. We agreed and when the results eventually, it was benign (not cancerous). The cost back then was $1500 which seemed like a lot considering the ease of the operation, time taken, not after hours etc. Our cat wasn't impressed at all though and must have felt a lot of pain - he went on a hunger strike when he got home and immediately hid under our bed and refused to come out. A couple of times, I managed to drag him out to try to get him to drink or eat which he refused to and kept running back under the bed. 5 days later he emerged and had a big drink of water. Lived for another 2 years before passing away at the ripe old age of 20 unfortunately due to a tick. We got the tick off but the vet said we could only hope he survived and to bring him home and make him comfortable. Unfortunately he passed away during the night - I think he knew it was coming as he would constantly meow and only stop if either my wife or I came to see and pat him.

  • Boogerman on 20/08/2021 - 08:26
    +1

    Years of inbreeding for the selfish vanity of humans.
    Ugh

  • OzHunterNSW on 20/08/2021 - 10:07
    -6

    Why do people spend ridiculous amounts on their pets. Speak to a boxer dog owner/breader.

    You will be surprised in how they dock their tails - and for free!

    • lordezekiel on 20/08/2021 - 13:55
      +3

      Removing your dog's tail for purely cosmetic reasons is straight up animal cruelty.

  • Tassie lass on 20/08/2021 - 10:50
    +1

    I would get another opinion but if it is not infected and not causing pain or irritation l would wait. If it doesn’t heal then do what is best. Surgery always has risks.

  • AGirlWithNoName on 20/08/2021 - 11:05
    +9

    My 4 year old male cat went missing for 5 months and was found with a broken tail hanging out with a colony of street cats. The bone was sticking out so we had to take him to the vet for an emergency check-up. They said 3/4 of the skin/fur was detached from his tail & mummified so had to inject him with anti-inflammatory & antibiotics which would last in his body for 2 weeks. We booked him in for the next available appointment to get his tail amputated (8 days later). It had to be done otherwise he would’ve been walking around with a zombie tail, half hanging in an L shape, and it could’ve got infected. The good news was that his tail wasn't pulled from where his bladder is (that would have been the worst case scenario) because he wouldn't have been able to pee if that was the case. And they said he probably wasn’t in too much pain since the wound seemed to be at least a couple of weeks old. They only had to amputate half his tail (up to where the wound was).

    Charges for the initial emergency check-up on 22 Feb 2021 (Total: $175.56):
    Consultation:
    - Standard Examination $79.00
    Medication:
    - Convenia – Qty: 0.50 - $77.69
    - Metacam Injection – Qty: 0.20 - $18.87

    Charges to get his tail amputated on 2 Mar 2021 (Total: $854.00)
    Medication:
    - Analgesia – Qty: 0.60 - $0
    Theatre Fee $115
    Inpatient Veterinary Care per Half Day $115
    General Anaesthesia $215
    Fluid Therapy (Surgical) $99
    Amputate Tail $350

    Charges for check-up on 7 Mar 2021 (Total: $75)
    Revisit consultation $45
    Sunday consultation $30

    We wouldn’t have had to pay for the follow-up if we had been organised and taken him in earlier but the vet said we had to go into after-hours emergency (no later than the 5th day) in case of any infections to the wound which they could’ve only known by taking the bandages off. Luckily his tail was healing up nicely so they didn’t have to re-bandage him as there would’ve been additional charges.

    We had to take him to the vet again 1-2 weeks later to get his stitches out – no charge.

    So total cost for everything was $1,104.56

    Patient discharge notes:
    The end of his tail was damaged beyond repair and needed to be amputated. There is a bump in his tail closer to his body which is probably a healed fracture / luxation which may have happened at the same time as the damage to the rest of his tail. It is non painful so has been left, the only alternative would be to amputate his tail much shorter. The surgery site is protected with a dressing, he had a long acting antibiotic injection on 22 February so does not need any further medications. Please keep him strictly quiet and confined and the dressing clean and dry. Please ensure he does not lick or rub at the dressing or wound, use the supplied Elizabethan collar as needed. Please return him for reassessment in 3-5 days, we will remove the dressing then, we may need to apply another. The sutures will be due for removal in 10-14 days. Call or return at any time if you are worried about him.

    Hope this helps! :)

    • [Deactivated] on 20/08/2021 - 12:14
      +1

      Thank you!

      Basically all I've wanted.

      My check up was $249 - including pain killers + anti-inflammatory.

      $1000 sounds reasonable for surgery, but when I heard up to $2,000 it just sounded excessive. I didn't want to be rude, or shit on a Vet because what do I know about the costs involved.

      Im in SA too, I mean I would half expect Sydney(Elsewhere) to be more expensive.

      I'm emailing out photos for quotes today, just to get a rough idea but I think my local will be priced much better.

      I appreciate the information.

      • AGirlWithNoName on 20/08/2021 - 20:43

        I’m in the northern suburbs of Melbourne and went to a 24/7 vet hospital, so assume it’d be cheaper in SA. Good luck! :)

        • [Deactivated] on 20/08/2021 - 22:17

          You'd think 😂

    • p1 ama on 21/08/2021 - 03:49

      hanging out with a colony of street cats

      sounds like he was enjoying himself

      • AGirlWithNoName on 22/08/2021 - 15:38

        Yep, that’s what the (crazy cat) lady said - “colony of cats”. I was like “You mean like a gang of street cats?”. She said yeah pretty much. The volunteer who found him goes there to feed the cats at 2am every night and noticed he was
        different (as in friendly) compared to the other feral cats, then scanned his microchip & found me.

    • slipperypete on 21/08/2021 - 10:48

      Hey I'm just curious….my initial reaction was well if he decided to leave you for a gang why would you want him back?
      However I am sure there is more to this story?
      Did something happen to cause him to be separated from you and when he saw you again was he super happy or aloof?

      • AGirlWithNoName on 22/08/2021 - 15:52
        +1

        Long story short, me & my ex split up back in August. One month later, my ex moved into a new place but didn’t keep our cat in for the first few weeks to adjust & spread his scent around, so I think that’s why he got lost on day one.

        At the previous place (where we lived for 4 years), our cat was always adventurous & liked being out all day especially during the warmer months. I think he had a large territory as he would pop up out of nowhere (a few streets away from home) to say hi, whenever I was walking my dog around the neighbourhood. Every time we locked him in, he would cry and make a huge fuss, so we gave up & let him have his freedom.

        After going missing for 5 months, I think he came to realise how tough 'gang' life is out there. He came home pretty beat up & scrawny. This wasn’t the first injury he’s had. He came home once with a ripped jaw & it cost $500 to stitch him up. He also came home another time with a huge abscess (must've been in a fight) which left a gaping hole in his back once the pus came out, then eventually healed up. That didn’t stop him roaming around like a pirate. But after going missing for so long, I think he finally learnt his lesson and just stays at home now, hanging out in the back garden now & then. Luckily he didn’t become feral and is still super friendly & chill (and still doesn't mind being picked up for a long cuddle). He’s pretty needy these days though (follows my ex around the house) and likes to talk now. I think he’s happy to be home - I never used to see his tail quiver the way it does now when I visit… 😆

        Sorry, that was a long story, but the moral of the story is - cats are expensive! Keep them indoors if you can.

        • slipperypete on 22/08/2021 - 17:53

          Great story…also sounds like you have made an effort to keep friends with your ex which is awesome!!

          I'm gonna assume he had his nuts removed?

          I was away for a couple of months and my girlfriend bought 2 orientals!! I was a bit bummed as I wanted a dog. My neighbour has a big boofy tabby still with his nuts intact. He looks like some feral thug, All 3 are now around 3 months old. I joke how ours are like two little private school girls eying out the tough boy who smokes behind the shed and has tatts!!

          Sooner they all get desexed the happier I will feel!!

          These are definitely indoor cats and will never be allowed to roam at night.

          • AGirlWithNoName on 25/08/2021 - 22:51
            +1

            @slipperypete: Yep, nuts removed. There’s no way he could’ve been up to no good in that sense!

            Yes, keep those girls indoors and away from that thug! Get a dog too for extra security. 😹

  • cashless on 20/08/2021 - 18:25
    -1

    No, last time I looked I didn’t have a cat tail.
    Maybe it was already removed at birth?

  • CPU2 on 20/08/2021 - 20:54
    +2

    I work in dental, but thought I'd share my perspective on your situation, as there are numerous parallels. Hope it makes understanding and helping your cat easier!

    "She gave me options, didn't really push me towards any. I don't really like that, I prefer a Vet to really know what to do and what's best for my Cat but I think it comes down to money."
    This is how moden medical consent works. We give you all the options we think are relevant, and you decide on what you think is best. Everything has various success rates and risks. After educating you on the choices, pros and cons, it's up to you to weigh them and decide what's best for your situation. It leaves us in a bit of a rut if we suggest something, you consent, then shit hits the fan. Patients can come back and claim "He/She pressured me into doing it", then point the finger at you. Most medicos go into the field to help, but these events are super stressful, and really contribute to the high suicide rates among Vets.

    "I just think $2000 seems excessive to cut his tail off! I know their Vet is an emergency Vet Clinic and very expensive, but I could only find a Whirlpool post complaining about paying $450."
    $2000 sounds like an understandable expense in this situation. You're not paying for them to take your cat behind the counter and chop it off with a cleaver. You're paying for the surgeon's time, expertise, (minimum 5+yrs) training, the surgery hire, anesthetic fees, etc. There's a lot more behind the scenes that unfortunately drive up the prices of private medical procedures.

    If the price is a bit high, shopping around seems like a good move. I wouldn't necessarily make a decision purely on price either, although it's probably a big consideration for lots of people on this forum. If the price justifies your trust in your Vet, go for it! If it's my family's, pet, or my own health, I wouldn't necessarily go with the cheapest bloke on the search engine either.

    Good luck!

    • lordezekiel on 20/08/2021 - 21:15
      -1

      So, as a medical professional, you think that it's best that the layperson decides what's best as opposed to the person who's professional job it is to know all about the options and their benefits/disadvantages?
      I would think part of the job is to help people make the best choice, not just "a" choice.
      When i go to the mechanics with problems with my car, they don't mince words if you need to do something they will make it abundantly clear, they don't shy away from doing this, and your safety and often a large amount of money is also at stake.

      • CPU2 on 20/08/2021 - 22:01

        Yes. That's exactly what I think. Because if the layperson can decide what's best for them, then we've done our job as a professional in conveying all the relevant information to them. Our job isn't only to know all the options and their benefits/disadvantages, but to make you aware of them too. That's the only surefire way somebody can consent. If they understand all the options, theirs pros and cons, and the risk of doing nothing at all.
        We can suggest certain options, but the best option for us may not always be the best option for you, your circumstances, or your finances.

        Consent is a huge topic, and many people study it for years, but I hope what I said helps you understand our world.

      • drfuzzy on 20/08/2021 - 23:53

        Modern medicine is not about being paternalistic and dictating what patients do.
        We doctors are expected to engage in participatory medicine where the patient is in the driver seat.
        Some patients are good drivers of their own healthcare…. and others … not so much.

      • p1 ama on 21/08/2021 - 03:55
        -1

        I would think part of the job is to help people make the best choice, not just "a" choice.

        Strong disagree, the role of an expert is to give you the information you need to make your own decisions, not to make the decisions for you.

        Only you know what is the best choice based on what sort of life you want to live. Plenty of people will smoke, eat unhealthy, whatever the case is because they value the happiness they get out of those activities more than the risks of the negative outcomes. Plenty of people also choose to refuse the most aggressive treatments if that will bring them more discomfort for minimal gain.

        The role of experts is to help people make informed decisions, know the benefits and tradeoffs of the different choices.

        • sarahlump on 22/08/2021 - 14:17
          -1

          super extreme example, probably pointless to make. You could stop your ingrown toenails by amputating your leg. You could also try wearing wide shoes. ngl, I think amputated legs look cool, maybe you would too? lets go with the amputation!!!

  • mrdevil on 20/08/2021 - 22:32

    "Emergency" vet = $$$$$, even if it's not an emergency and you book an appointment later on / when their doctors are available. My poor girl (dog) wasn't well - took her to the vet I'd previously trusted, but which had changed ownership… they didn't explain what was wrong with her that well, said I could be referred to the vet hospital they use for a CT scan to better determine what was wrong, but the "best" (aka easiest) thing to do would be to put her down due to her age.

    Rang the vet they recommended - it was an "emergency vet"… just the consult alone was quoted something ridiculous like $1000 … then for the CT scan etc was going to be something atrocious like $3000 … and all this was just to see what was wrong with her. Discovered a local vet I'd avoided using for a decade because they once overcharged significantly had CT facilities on site, rang them and was able to get an appointment within days, and was quoted a fraction of the price.

    Unfortunately when I went there for the initial consult prior to the CT scan appointment, the vet looked at all the records sent over from the previous vet, did her own diagnosis, and explained what was wrong in a LOT more detail than the original vet did … all of which made perfect sense … and sadly I had to make the decision I was trying to avoid.

    If your boy isn't in obvious pain, and it's not life-or-death, and you feel something isn't quite right (e.g. the cost, even the x-ray cost sounds steep), I'd recommend looking for another vet for a second opinion. It might cost you a bit upfront, but it could save you $$$ in the long run … plus it'll give you the peace of mind. If another vet quotes the same, then at least you'll know it wasn't just one trying to either fob you off with a high cost or trying to take advantage (plus you can ask additional questions you might not have thought to ask the first time, to try and justify the cost).

  • whatgift on 21/08/2021 - 00:46
    +1

    I think we sometimes forget how subsidised our health system is (for people) and without it (because animals) everything is going to be full cost.

  • LenaSaturn on 21/08/2021 - 01:31

    I had a cat when I was a teen who when he was around 5yrs he got bit on his tail. Unfortunately the bite hit a nerve so he constantly felt like he was being bitten & attacked his own tail & mutilated the tip pretty bad that the only thing the vet could do was remove 2 vertebrae so he had enough skin to close it. Unfortunately he still felts the pain so he attacked it again & cut off blood supply half way along the tail so the decision was made to remove the tail down to the last vertebrae as a last ditch effort. This was finally successful & he lived till a ripe old age of 16yrs old & was very happy without a tail. He didn't jump as high after that but his balance was fine.

  • Kiro on 21/08/2021 - 09:56
    +1

    Cats can hide pain very very well. Get it sorted out asap.

    If you have a break in a bone and a in tissue then the chances for infection is very high.

    Also the cat uses the tail for balance, intimidation and to show feeling.

  • Binchicken22 on 21/08/2021 - 11:54

    I don't know where you are located, but if in Brisbane I'd highly recommend brisbane pet surgery.

    They basically specialise in operations for owners who don't have pet insurance.

    I got my labrador an ACL surgery there last year for $1900. My local vet quoted 5k. They are really highly reviewed and the vet who owns and runs it is very experienced.

    https://www.brisbanepetsurgery.com.au/

    • [Deactivated] on 21/08/2021 - 14:55

      SA, appreciate the recommendation tho. Hopefully it benefits someone local.

  • baskinghobo on 21/08/2021 - 12:09
    +2

    My cat came with it's tail pre-removed - https://i.imgur.com/RYtRgQ1.jpg

    • FireRunner on 21/08/2021 - 17:21

      Manx cat?

    • cute as duck on 22/08/2021 - 10:01
      +1

      Looks to be a blue Russian. I brought one with me from Mexico of all places. Couldn't bear to leave him behind when I returned to Oz

  • psylence on 21/08/2021 - 18:12
    -1

    Just get the x-rays and do surgery yourself

  • trapper on 21/08/2021 - 19:30
    -2

    Just do it with a meat cleaver.

  • gearboxtech on 21/08/2021 - 20:11
    +1

    My cat had 6cm of tail removed following a degloving incident in the wee hours of christmas day. I shit you not. After hours vet charged ~$950 for the surgery, meds and 36 hours of vet nursing. This was a major regional city in Vic.

    I would be questioning why the $900 xray is needed. It seems a pointless aside from generating revenue, however my opinion is that any vet that cannot find the tail bone joints with their fingers on a cat should not be using a knife. If the amputation is going to occur, then i'll bet they will be looking to do so at the closest joint to the wound, given there is enough healthy skin above that joint to stretch over the stump and the wound area is healthy. If there isn't, next joint down.

    • [Deactivated] on 23/08/2021 - 00:29

      Thank you

      X-ray is to see if bone is infected.

      Honestly, it's always a different Vet at the Emergency Clinic/Vet and it feels like they're reading a script.

      She told me my cats at an age he needs teeth polished aswell, he had a check up recently and my local Vet said he has great teeth.

      I'm hoping it's under $1,000, that would be great news. $1,500-$2,000 just seemed extreme to me.vits good hearing this from others, just annoyed I wasted $240 giving them my money over my local Vet.

      It's literally 1cm bone, that's all. I can't understand why half his tail, or the whole tail would need to go.

      • gearboxtech on 23/08/2021 - 09:53

        I checked the bill on an old statement.. it was $878.24. We dropped off the cat at around 2330 christmas eve, he was operated on a couple of hours later christmas day and we picked him up boxing day early arvo. Again, that's the total.. consult, meds, vet nursing, surgery. I thought that price was very reasonable all things considered!

        You haven't mentioned exactly where they exposed bone is.. if it's the tip it's really not a big issue at all overall. Base of the tail would be more complicated. In any case, lop it off! The cat will look a bit funny but will be much happier with a healthy tail not sapping their energy and stressing them out.

        As for cats teeth, the issue is plaque buildup over the teeth and around the gums. It's generally the rear teeth that are the issue and it's really obvious when you look for it. If it's a polish to remove stains.. well, stains do not equal unhealthy teeth, it's normal, which your previous vet suggested

        The below you can skip if TLDR;

        They'll shave a fair amount of the tail to expose any wounds and older scar tissue and confirm healthy tissues and to prep for surgery. Bone infections are nasty as it kills off the marrow, does not regenerate but scars (in humans anyway, not sure about cats). The result is reduced or nil blood and local nutrient supply to the bone area, which will effects every layer of the tissue, muscle to skin supplied by that bone. If not treated quicky, plenty of necrosis incoming and can kill off entire chunks of tissues. I'd guess this is exactly why there is exposed bone to begin with.. The good news is that due to the segmented nature of the tail bones, a bone infection is more likely to be localised to that bone unless there is widespread tissue infection..

        They should not attempt to save the exposed bone as removing it gives the best chance of a positive outcome and outweighs the potential complications. Thus, they will amputate at the affected bones closest joint towards the tail base or the after the next bone and joint entirely to be safe. This IMHO would be especially the case towards the tip of the tail, as these bones are quite small so overall ampuation length is negligible. When they cut into it, they'll be able to tell immediately what is generally healthy tissue and what is not as they cut into it. If the affected bones joint is surrounded by enough healthy tissue to create island skin flap/s for the stump, then they'll amputate there. If there is any reason to suggest unhealthy tissue or not enough tissue for a stump or again, simply to play it safe, to the next joint we go.

        I hope you can appreciate then why an xray is pointless in this regard. It's a diagnostic tool and a guide. There is so very little musculature and tissues to the point it would be useless as ultimately the knife, eyeball and clinical judgement will be the decider. It would be entirely different if this was a deep leg wound or very close to the base of the tail.

  • sarahlump on 22/08/2021 - 14:20
    -1

    idk about yall but i dont think vets are expensive, I think pets are expensive. maybe get a firby? they're cheep, they're furry, and if they break you can fix them cheaply.

  • Mdjz76 on 22/08/2021 - 14:58
    -3

    Just get a new cat

  • Djiordje on 22/08/2021 - 18:11

    Had the exact same situation with my cat a few years ago, injured tail - could see the bone at the end. Local vet wanted about $1500. Was about to just go ahead with it when a friend recommended another small local vet. Was charged $300 for the exact same procedure including all meds and aftercare. He cut off about 5cm of tail, stitched it up and two years on you would hardly notice bar the fact her tail is a few inches shorter than the average cat.

    I would definitely shop around.

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