Cat Cancer Treatment Cost

• Costs vary widely, depending on the type and stage of cancer, the number of treatments needed and the age of the cat.
• The initial visit, including diagnosis, discussion of prognosis and a treatment plan likely will cost $200 and up, depending on the location of the cancer.
• Major surgery to remove a tumor usually starts at about $500 and goes up for hard-to-reach tumors.
• Chemotherapy can range from $200 or more for palliative treatment to $2,000 or more for three to six months of treatment.
• Radiation therapy usually starts at about $1,000 and can go up to $4,000 or more.
• The treatment regimen depends on the type of cancer. One common cancer in cats, fibrosarcoma, is usually treated with only surgery. The average claim amount submitted to Veterinary Pet Insurance[1] for fibrosarcoma is $525. Lymphosarcoma is almost always treated with chemotherapy, which is sometimes supplemented with surgery and radiation. The average claim submitted for lymphosarcoma is $435.

• After a diagnosis, a veterinarian will refer the cat to a veterinary oncologist or will draw up a treatment plan specific to the cat and the type and stage of cancer.
• The University of Missouri-Columbia's veterinary oncology program provides overviews of chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery.

• Healthypet.com[2] has an article on pain management. Pain medications can cost $25 to $50 a month.
• Pets with cancer sometimes require antibiotics or other medications, which usually cost $30 to $50.
• Some owners of cats with cancer choose to add complementary and alternative medicine -- which might include diet changes, herbal supplements or acupuncture -- to the treatment regimen. The American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association[3] allows a search for holistic veterinarians by state.

• Before committing to an expensive treatment, you may want to get a second opinion.
• Tip: In some cases, it is possible to get free or discounted care by enrolling your dog in a clinical trial. The Veterinary Cancer Society[4] provides links to institutions currently holding clinical trials.

• HealthyPet.com[5] has a primer on handling a cancer diagnosis and finding the best treatment.
• To find a veterinary oncologist, use the by-state search offered by The American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.

1.  www.petinsurance.com/
2.  www.healthypet.com/PetCare/PetCareArticle.aspx?title=Pain_Management_for_Pets
3.  www.holisticvetlist.com/#search
4.  www.vetcancersociety.org/?c=1
5.  www.healthypet.com/PetCare/PetCareArticle.aspx?title=Cancer

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