No one likes to think about it, but dogs are susceptible to developing tumors. Understanding why they develop, what they look like, and what can be done about them might make dog owners a little more comfortable — knowing experts are out there and help exists if and when their pup needs care.
At Dr. Kelly’s Surgical Unit, we always advocate for preventative care and responsive care when a diagnosis is received, with an understanding that it is not only in the animal’s best health interest but it is also beneficial to the pet owner’s finances. Waiting to pursue treatment runs the risk of a more advanced condition and a most costly treatment plan.
As a veterinary clinic that’s dedicated to providing affordable surgical care, we’re always acutely aware of the costs associated with pet care and with that in mind, we do our best to make sure cost-conscious care is accessible to every budget.
Common Dog Tumors
Dogs may experience several different tumors. Malignant tumors indicate cancer and can spread to other tissues and organs. Benign tumors can’t spread and are not cancerous, but they still may need to be removed or treated.
The five most common dog tumors include:
- Mast cell tumors — malignant tumors in the dog’s skin.
- Lymphoma — malignant cancer of white blood cells.
- Lipoma — benign tumors from fat cells.
- Osteosarcoma — malignant cancer that begins with bone cells.
- Histiocytoma — benign tumors referred to as “button tumors” in the skin.
Since tumors in dogs can be benign, there’s no reason to immediately panic if you notice a lump or bump on your dog’s skin or body. Instead, reach out to your veterinarian to get a diagnosis, and if mass removal for your dog is necessary, contact us at Dr. Kelly’s Surgical Unit for affordable dog surgery.
It is important to note that tumors can grow, and malignant ones can spread and affect other areas of the body, which means a timely response to finding a lump or bump is best. When tumors grow, they can become more complex, making them more difficult to remove. The more challenging a removal is, the more costly the procedure can be — generally speaking.
For the health and comfort of the dog and the comfort of an owner’s checkbook, we at Dr. Kelly’s advise that tumors be removed sooner rather than later.
The Cost of Care
The cost of dog tumor removal surgery can vary from one veterinary clinic to the next. Each type of tumor comes with a range of costs, depending on how progressed the tumor is, where it is located, and the health of the dog — among other factors.
The surgeries can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand, even $10,000, depending on the unique diagnosis.
At Dr. Kelly’s Surgical Unit, we understand that the cost of surgical procedures has the potential to influence treatment decisions for pet owners. It is with that in mind that we developed our services, and operate our clinic, the way we do. We provide free estimates as a commitment to provide transparency and quality service to pet parents.
We put pets, pet owners, and their budgets first, making sure care is affordable when it is needed.
And because we specialize in surgical procedures, instead of diagnostic care, we’re able to keep our costs lower than most other traditional veterinary clinics. At Dr. Kelly’s, we have performed more than 150,000 surgeries since opening our doors in 2016. On average, we perform more than a dozen surgeries a day.
As a point of comparison, our mass removal surgeries range in price from $500 to less than $1,100 or so, with some exceptions.
Dr. Kelly’s Surgical Unit is a trusted veterinary team serving the Phoenix, Peoria, East Mesa and Tucson metro areas, with accessible locations in each market, offering highly specialized surgery, quality spay and neuter procedures, and accessible dental care for pets. Contact us to learn more about our specialized services or to schedule an appointment.
