Hematoma treatment/cost?

[sgeise]

Hi folks,
New user. Name is Steve. I found the site through a Google search.

After doing a lot of reading tonight, it seems obvious that my Lab has a Hematoma in her right ear flap. She has no pain what so ever, and is happy as a clam. I can find no indication of injury, bug bite, or infection. So I assume she smacked her ear on something while shaking.

Anyway, the web is a great source for getting information, with one exception. If anyone has had their dog treated for this recently, what was the cost? It's Sunday night, so there isn't much I can do until we try calling the vet tomorrow. I know vets love animals, and their hearts are in the right place, still vet costs have gone through the roof the past 10 or 15 years.

If anyone has some info to share, I'd love to hear (no pun intended) it. Tomorrow is New Years' eve. Not sure if the vet will even be open.

Thanks.

[sgeise]

Well,
We called our vet. Without even seeing the Dog, they decided surgery with an overnight stay was what she needed. $650.00.

I'm so disappointed in vets in general, but this one in particular. I know they are professionals and deserve to be paid as such. But prices are getting insane.

I'll be dipped in Doggie-do before I agree to that without them even examining the Dog for pities' sake.
:mad:

[sgeise]

I started this thread, so I figured I should close it in case anyone else was wondering. Through word of mouth, we found another vet. They examined our dog, and made a very good impression. We had the surgery done today for the Hematoma.

1st vet said it had to be surgery, and she had to stay overnight. All this was done on the phone. They never even looked at her. $650.00

The new vet examined her and recommended surgery. She went in at 8am, and came home the same day at 5pm. Surgery, blood work, and all medicine including pain and antibiotics to take home came to $360.00.

I probably never would have checked around, except it really torqued me that the receptionist of the first vet made the diagnosis over the phone.

Anyway, Dog is giving me that "how could you do this to me???" look from within a huge cone around her head. :(