Cost of anal gland removal for a Labrador sized dog

peter021072

It appears that my Labrador-GS will need an anal sacculectomy ( removal of a canine’s anal glands).  He recently had a more limited operation which involved disinfecting the infected gland which we hoped would last for 6 months+  but the gland is starting to smell and stain again after 2 months. I've been given a ballpoint figure of 3k, but I suspect this is a base figure and there will be lots of additions. 

Has anyone else submitted their dog for this procedure in the last few years?  This Vet in London quotes £2200.  Here's another price list which is rather confusing. I suspect the cost is Mentoring and Procedural then some extras and VAT in addition which would come to a similar price. This is from £1200 but it is possibly for small dogs.  I live in the South East of England, outside London.

sheramber

Have you checked with other vets in your area?

Vet fees are specific to each veterinary practice so what it cost elsewhere in the last few years is not really relevant.

As you have seen  costs vary between practices.

You are free to choose which vet you use , so if you have no particular loyalty to your current vet, shop around.

But make sure you are aware if it is a fixed price or what extras are not included on the estimate. Things like extra medication, follow up consultations. 

peter021072

I was intending to do that, but I'm waiting until the admin are fully back after the new year. Getting quotes from local vets is difficult at the best of times. It isn't straightforward because I need to make sure the surgeon is experienced enough. They may just say we need to see him first, which means familiarising themselves with what my vet already knows having performed an operation on these glands already.

peter021072

The figures I'm getting from other vets in my local area are £4000+aftercare costs. This is from a vet with in-house experience of carrying out the operation. I'm not sure if this is better or worse than using my current vet who needs to get a specialist surgeon in.  In either case, if I do go ahead then there's the risk of incontinence and a difficult recovery period.

I still wonder if these costs have escalated recently or they are exceptionally expensive in my area, because they are totally at odds with those in other countries and even UK vets who provide a listed price in this country.  Alas none within range of me.

sheramber

Depending on the cost difference would it be an option to travel to  one of these other vets?
 

I travelled  over 200 miles, admittedly to a specialist for a cruciate repair for my dog. 

That involved  a 2 night stay  locally. However I do not know what monitoring / aftercare your dog would need. 

peter021072

sheramber said:

Depending on the cost difference would it be an option to travel to  one of these other vets?
 

I travelled  over 200 miles, admittedly to a specialist for a cruciate repair for my dog. 

That involved  a 2 night stay  locally. However I do not know what monitoring / aftercare your dog would need. 

That's quite a journey, you must be a great owner to go to such lengths.

He would need some aftercare for this, especially if it didn't go to plan.  One vet suggested I repeat this operation with an immune suppressant for AD such as Apoquel, but the last time the drug was used for his ear inflammation he started to get lumps!  

peter021072

I'm afraid my dog was put to sleep yesterday after the vet found widespread and sizeable tumours around the spleen.  It came as a shock since he was only in the vets for ear cleaning and re-sampling of the anal gland. However, he was 10 years old, and had several other health problems including a long term complex gastric issue which remains something of a mystery, but might have been related to his atopic dermatitis. I suppose in the back of my mind I suspected his life was going to be of limited duration.

Since he's my only companion, and am socially isolated, I am devastated because the house feels so empty.  I've often dreaded this day coming.

sheramber

So sorry for your loss. 

It is the day all pet owners dread.

I hope, in time, you can consider opening your heart and your home to another companion. 

KxMx

I'm so sorry for your loss.

Perhaps in time fostering might be good way forward for you, if you are missing a canine companion but are not ready to adopt? 

Murphybear

I’m so so sorry for your loss.  I’ve not had dogs but had cats for much of my 72 years.  Unfortunately losing them doesn’t get any easier but the love and joy you get from them is much greater than the pain of losing them.  I’ve always got another cat after a suitable time of mourning but I never forget the ones I’ve had in the past.