Cost of an MRI for dogs?

[bright.ton42]

Does anyone know roughly what an MRI costs for a dog in Victoria?  My little Chi is suspected to have a tumour

behind the eye and is to have an MRI shortly.  I'm just trying to get an idea of what costs i might be up for -  of course

there will be the MRI then it has to be taken from there.

I've heard they can cost roughly from $1000 to $2000, when I know humans pay a lot less, why I don't know. . Money I can hardly t afford but

I love my Danny  so will find it one way or the other.    . 

Anyway, it has to be done, so any info would be very welcome just so I can get an idea of what I'm up for. .    

[lyndal1838]

Our cat was sent to the specialist Vet Hospital here in Sydney and after a cursory examination we were given a written quote for all the tests that they considered necessary to give a full diagnosis.   It was astronomical and I hesitated....we had Pet Insurance but had to pay the bill upfront....it was a few weeks before Christmas and I knew it would take a week or so to make the insurance claim

We were told that there was a credit option that we could apply for on the spot....we applied for the G E Money Creditline account which came with 3 months interest free but a very high interest at the end of the 3 months.  We paid the astronomical bill on the spot and claimed on the pet insurance which almost covered the bill....the balance was paid out before the interest free period expired.  And the card is still available for future use.

If you are referred to a specialist vet hospital for the MRI you will probably find that they have the same option available as G E Money is a Victorian based company.

[i-need-a-martini]

We had an MRI for our dog about 3 years ago and I recall it cost us $1500.

This was in Sydney and admittedly she was with one of the best specialists in Sydney so this was probably top dollar.

Sadly when it comes to your pets, you just have to pay whatever you have to to get them well. For us, that $1500 was just a drop in the ocean compared to all the other health related bills.

Good luck with your pooch.

[***super_nova***]

I would also seek second opinion.  And of-course, the MRI is only the 1st step, if the diagnosis is confirmed there will most likely be further considerable costs for surgery.  You have to get all that info from your vet before you make any decisions;and you need to consider the dog's age and the prognosis.  You do not want to put a dog through all that, and then find that he has to be PTS.

I have met vets who misdiagnose, order all sort of expensive tests, and when I went for second opinion the problem was sorted with course of antibiotics.  And I remember people who spent some $3000 on various scans and X-rays of shoulder of their lame dog, only to find out after finally taking the dog elsewhere that it had a corn on its foot!

[bright.ton42]

Thanks everyone for the info.

OMG super that's is terrible, a corn on the foot if it  it wasnt so awful I'd laugh.  No doubt that Danny needs that scan,

other treatments been done to no effect and his eyes is a mess poor lil ticker.  .  .  .  So I can shop around?   I'm waiting for the eye specialist to contact my vet who will

get back to me .  I will ask him if I can get other quotes    I didn't know you could do that.

Yes martini we do everything for our pets and I honestly woldn't care if I was on bread and water for my pets., that  loan sounds

worth pursuing I'll check into that too thanks.  

And yes  I suspect the MRI is just the beginning. 

[rav_13_inder7]

My staffi got facial paralyses. It starded 6 months ago on right side of face. Vet put him on medication which helped. But few days ago Left side of Face got paralysed and his head keep tilting to left side. We got CT Scan done today which cost us $1800 but nothing showed up. Now Specialists asking to get MRI done which is going to cost between $4000 - $8000.
Still it may or may not tell us anything. We can't afford that much money. When i saw in comments $1000- $2000 for MRI, thought i need to ask which Hospital in Melbourne?

[imastawka]

Look at the dates.

You've dragged up a thread that's 6½YEARS OLD

I think costs might have gone up a fair bit since then, don't you?

[bright.ton42]

Yeah,  , I didn't need to see this dragged up, brought back very painful memories.

But ....  if anyone's interested in the outcome the vet did a common and garden XRay (which he should have done in the first place) which showed my Danny was riddled with cancer.  Did not need an MRI. He died soon after. 

Doesn't need any more discussion unless rav indi whoever you are  wants to start a new thread, but don't use mine. 

[freddie*rooster]

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@rav_13_inder7 wrote:
My staffi got facial paralyses. It starded 6 months ago on right side of face. Vet put him on medication which helped. But few days ago Left side of Face got paralysed and his head keep tilting to left side. We got CT Scan done today which cost us $1800 but nothing showed up. Now Specialists asking to get MRI done which is going to cost between $4000 - $8000.
Still it may or may not tell us anything. We can't afford that much money. When i saw in comments $1000- $2000 for MRI, thought i need to ask which Hospital in Melbourne?

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Welcome to the boards rav. I'm sorry to hear about your staffi and his medical history.

I feel sure the member who started this thread still posts at times. Hopefully she is

about and see's this thread and responds to help you out with your concerns. Having

pets is an expensive pleasure these days. But of course they repay us in love and

friendship. Good luck and I hope your staffi will be OK. Maybe you can make some

arrangement with your Vet to pay any costs off.