Trusted Vet for Rat Tumors

Question
I have had pet rats for over 10 years and my latest girl (18 mos old) has developed what may be a mammary tumor. I cannot find a vet in Salem who is able and willing to remove the tumor for a reasonable fee.  The one vet I've been referred to wants nearly $700 for the surgery.  (Our California vet charged $150). Whom do you recommend and trust in the Willamette Valley to remove these tumors and what is a typical charge to expect.  Thank you!

Answer


Not sure of the prices here, could even be the same place that quoted you $700 which is highway robbery, no ifs, ands or buts. I dont care if the vet uses golden sutures to sew the rat shut, it should not cost $700 to remove a mammary tumor. The high side would be $350 to $450, the low side would be $50 to $75 and the normal range would be anywhere from, say, $125 to $300 dollars. The high side would probably have things factored in such as covering expenses for an emergency, possibly if the rat needs to stay over night a few nights (I prefer that they stay at least one night if the rat is older, has had any complications during surgery such as blood loss or accelerated heart rate or a decrease in respiration or any of that stuff vets dread during surgery. If the rat has a hard time adjusting body temperature too, he or she needs to stay overnight for sure.  If the rat has a history of illness, he or she should be observed at least one night. When a female is spayed, the little girl should stay at least one night regardless. If the vet is far away and not just a stones throw from your house to the facility, I would also prefer the rat stay rather than having to race her back should she have complications.
Anyhow, isoflurane or sevoflurane is the ONLY anesthesia that should be used on small mammals, and sevo is a little bit better to use on an older rat or a rat with a history of either cardiac or respiratory problems, but iso is also good. Iso is a bit less expensive than sevo, but not by much. Its not always used by general vets, but is probably used by at least 3/4 of avian/exotic vets if not more since small mammals do so well with it.  More about surgery on my website, sandyscrittercity.com. Scroll the index to find the page about surgery and also a separate page about complications from surgery etc...  this is vital for any rat owner to read and absorb in order to be able to know if your vet is doing the right thing for your rat.

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Here is what I have as far as exotic vets go. The others listed are NOT certified exotic vets, but have a special interest in them, which, once you read my site about vets etc...you will know the difference, which is also important to know since it can be very misleading.

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Dr. Katrina Resell
Northwest Exotic Pet Vet LLC  
11876 SW Beaverton hillsdale Hwy.
Beaverton OR 97005
Phone:  503-646-6101


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Dr. Ross Weinstein
North Portland Veterinary Hospital
3000 N. Lombard
 Portland OR 97217
Phone:  503-285-0462
Website: www.northportlandvet.com