Vent: got a quote in for keratoma surgery and I can’t afford it

[AandK]

Oh my god that sounds like such a major surgery. My vet had my under the impression it was standing surgery, I wonder if the price is because they’re thinking full GA? I’m not sure I’d put a 17 year old through GA tbh even without money considerations, so that’s a whole different question I need to be asking. Thanks for sharing this I really appreciate it - did your lad come right after it?

That’s really encouraging to hear a positive story.

Yes, I’m prepared for box rest costs and have a few methods of mitigation - for example, when my last horse had a five month box rest spell, I got the local libraries to let me take their daily newspapers once they were done with them, and used my old shredder to add shredded newspaper to bulk out my shavings. Hay isn’t so bad because it’s included in my livery. And very luckily, via my work I can get ⅓ off bandaging materials - it’ll just be special dressings/meds etc that I’ll need to buy full price from the vet. So all together whilst I know it will cost, I’m hopeful.

Yes he is fine, some very minor issues with that foot over the years but it was a big lump he had cut out of his foot so not too surprising! It does sound like the price is for GA, but it can be done standing so please check with your vet again.

 

[khalswitz]

Yes he is fine, some very minor issues with that foot over the years but it was a big lump he had cut out of his foot so not too surprising! It does sound like the price is for GA, but it can be done standing so please check with your vet again.

Thank you - yeah I spoke to my vet tonight and he agrees that sounds like GA - he’s going to do a quote for me for the surgery and first month or so of rest/bandaging etc so I can compare and also know what to expect from aftercare. He agreed when I said I wasn’t keen to put a 17 yo through GA.

I will drop another line to the hospital and clarify and ask if the price could come down if it was done standing and see what they say.

 

[Slightlyconfused]

Turning away is only an option when you know it is not growing and impacting the pedal bone. If I had done that with mine he would be dead as the keratoma would have shattered his pedal bone the bigger it grew. As it stands he has three quarters of a pedal bone left in one hind hoof.

 

[Slightlyconfused]

Thank you - yeah I spoke to my vet tonight and he agrees that sounds like GA - he’s going to do a quote for me for the surgery and first month or so of rest/bandaging etc so I can compare and also know what to expect from aftercare. He agreed when I said I wasn’t keen to put a 17 yo through GA.

I will drop another line to the hospital and clarify and ask if the price could come down if it was done standing and see what they say.

Ask who the surgeon will be as well.

This is the person who did my horses, he had two weeks in the vet clinic, was going to be a week but as the keratoma was so big and we where paying for it ourselbes by that time he had another week. Then it was six weeks box rest with the first week everyother day bandage change then three days, four etc to once a week.
at the six week mark we did ten minutes in hand grazing upping by 5 minutes a week. Once we got to 45 minutes it was small oen turnout for 6 weeks. And then he could do half his field etc. All this time with the shoe, hospital plate and bandages and I brought a hoof boof to go over that. When it was very wet he stayed in, other than that he went to all day turn out.

At the 6 month mark we were allowed walk work under saddle.

At the 8 month mark he blew a huge abcess, which is normal as the bruising comes down, and then it was just slowly getting back to normal.

he was 9 when we did this.

Bryan O'meara Veterinary Surgeon - Online

Bryan O'meara Veterinary Surgeon is a horse vet that specialises in equine surgery. Working with vets in England performing surgery and offering a surgical opinion.

www.equinesurgeon.vet

 

[palo1]

We have a horse that had a huge keratoma removed under standing sedation. The cost was far less than anything you have been quoted. Our chap had between a quarter and a third of his hoof removed as well as a large keratoma. Recovery was quite straightforward though we gave him a huge amount of time off even once new hoof had grown down. So sorry you are having to deal with this so soon after finding a lovely new horse.

Can you discuss how the cost is broken down? Our farrier was hugely helpful in the dressing/recovery phase.

 

[dorsetladette]

Thank you - yeah I spoke to my vet tonight and he agrees that sounds like GA - he’s going to do a quote for me for the surgery and first month or so of rest/bandaging etc so I can compare and also know what to expect from aftercare. He agreed when I said I wasn’t keen to put a 17 yo through GA.

I will drop another line to the hospital and clarify and ask if the price could come down if it was done standing and see what they say.

You may also be able to save a little by purchasing the bandaging 'stuff' online yourself. Once you know what the vet will be using it is so much cheaper to buy your own if your going to be using a lot of it.

We ended up with an unhandled youngster after the people in the neighbouring fields bought him and he immediately tried to jump out and got his back leg caught in the fencing. He was on box/stall rest for a long time with a wedge (made by my friend while the vet was onsite for the first visit) and had his dressings changed every other day. After the first bandages I got online and ordered everything we needed in bulk, by the vets 3rd visit we had all our own materials and the vet was more than happy to use our stock. We saved all the part rolls the vet didn't use and these got used up as the bandaging got smaller.

I can't think of any other money saving tips -but this made it affordable for us. We ended up with the horse as owner couldn't afford the vet bills. He's now a trekking horse in the black forest I believe.

 

[Zoeypxo]

A horse at my yard had a suspected keratoma, the vet said it could be removed under standing sedation at the yard and would be about £1000 in total including farrier coming out and shoeing with a plate etc.

 

[khalswitz]

Turning away is only an option when you know it is not growing and impacting the pedal bone. If I had done that with mine he would be dead as the keratoma would have shattered his pedal bone the bigger it grew. As it stands he has three quarters of a pedal bone left in one hind hoof.

Yes that’s my fear. I know from the xray the vet said she had a ‘bite’ out of the pedal bone already. It’s not huge yet, but enough that I spotted it on the X-ray without the vet pointing it out. I’m scared of leaving her too long is a welfare issue in itself.

We have a horse that had a huge keratoma removed under standing sedation. The cost was far less than anything you have been quoted. Our chap had between a quarter and a third of his hoof removed as well as a large keratoma. Recovery was quite straightforward though we gave him a huge amount of time off even once new hoof had grown down. So sorry you are having to deal with this so soon after finding a lovely new horse.

Can you discuss how the cost is broken down? Our farrier was hugely helpful in the dressing/recovery phase.

Yes I’ve sent an email (the phone wasn’t answered) to the hospital to ask for more details and whether this was a quote for GA or standing surgery, as well as actually what it all covers. My own vet is now doing a quote for me for him to do it too, and he’s going to price up the first month of bandaging etc too so I know what to expect. I’m really hoping after hearing this from a few people that that price is for GA and it might come down if done standing.

You may also be able to save a little by purchasing the bandaging 'stuff' online yourself. Once you know what the vet will be using it is so much cheaper to buy your own if you’re going to be using a lot of it.

We ended up with an unhandled youngster after the people in the neighbouring fields bought him and he immediately tried to jump out and got his back leg caught in the fencing. He was on box/stall rest for a long time with a wedge (made by my friend while the vet was onsite for the first visit) and had his dressings changed every other day. After the first bandages I got online and ordered everything we needed in bulk, by the vets 3rd visit we had all our own materials and the vet was more than happy to use our stock. We saved all the part rolls the vet didn't use and these got used up as the bandaging got smaller.

I can't think of any other money saving tips -but this made it affordable for us. We ended up with the horse as owner couldn't afford the vet bills. He's now a trekking horse in the black forest I believe.

The odds and ends of bandages is a great tip!

I actually still have padding and bandages left over the bulk buying I did when my last horse got his leg wrapped in high tensile wire, degloved his near hind from fetlock to gaskin, severed the extensor tendon and cut right into the bone. He did 5 months box rest and I got very good at bandaging - and have a few supplies left! But asking the vet for odds and sods is a good shout, and I can source bandaging materials cheaply via my work as well so that will hopefully help.

Husband and I had a good chat last night when he came home. He said he’s really frustrated because if everything else wasn’t happening he would have insisted it just come out our savings and we get it done - I think he’s feeling a bit powerless at the moment. But the 0% card idea is a goer - he said then if the flat sells and we have the savings, we can pay it off early.

So feeling a bit better now and just need to sort out the most viable route to go, with my vet or the hospital.

Thanks everyone so much, this thread has actually really genuinely helped. I was half expecting no sympathy for not being insured but this has been so helpful all xx

 

[alibali]

Late to this thread but very glad you can now see a way forward. Hope everything goes smoothly!

I self insure by putting money aside each month so understand exactly where you're coming from. My horse put her back legs through a fence within the first few months of having her. Luckily I had external injury insurance alongside 3rd party through WHW (I'd taken it out for the 3rd party aspect but boy was I glad it also had injury!) I appreciate it wouldn't be of any use to you in this instance but in the future when funds allow it might be a useful thing for you? I must say the insurance company were excellent to deal with throughout.

 

[honetpot]

I have 0% on credit cards that I shuffle between, the mad thing is the more you borrow and pay back the more they will loan you. I borrow about £2k a year, put in my bank account even if I do not need it, and pay it back, or pay it off with suffle it on to another credit card banker transfer. Yes I do pay a small amount for the transfer but I wait for an offer on that.

 

[onemoretime]

I think it depends on the keratoma. If a week in hospital is needed thst may indicate that's on the more serious side.

Iirc a poster on here (is Shoestring Eventing but can't remember user name. SJ something?) had a horse with a keratoma. It was on the more serious side so it might be helpful to search for her posts.

I've previously insured and don't anymore for various reasons. It's not usually the "main event" that costs, its all the repeat visits/check ups/bandage changes/extra costs of box rest that adds up.

I had an ex racer with an undiagnosable hoof issue. He had chronic abcessing and two surgeries to try to remove "something". The bulk of my cost was the very regular vet visits and dressing material.

You've taken the first step contacting the vet for a breakdown. Might be worth contacting the hospital and telling them you're not insured, that often makes a difference to the price. Try some other equine clinics for prices.

I think it depends on the keratoma. If a week in hospital is needed thst may indicate that's on the more serious side.

Iirc a poster on here (is Shoestring Eventing but can't remember user name. SJ something?) had a horse with a keratoma. It was on the more serious side so it might be helpful to search for her posts.

I've previously insured and don't anymore for various reasons. It's not usually the "main event" that costs, its all the repeat visits/check ups/bandage changes/extra costs of box rest that adds up.

I had an ex racer with an undiagnosable hoof issue. He had chronic abcessing and two surgeries to try to remove "something". The bulk of my cost was the very regular vet visits and dressing material.

You've taken the first step contacting the vet for a breakdown. Might be worth contacting the hospital and telling them you're not insured, that often makes a difference to the price. Try some other equine clinics for prices.

I guess then you have to do the maths. Is a loan or 0% card an option eg. Would selling the flat free up cash for the car and horse? If the cost is truly beyond your reach then you might need to consider other options.

My horse was never a welfare issue so I kept trying to fix him. Ultimately none of it worked and he was pts 2yrs later due to unrelated issues. With the benefit of hindsight I wish I'd pts sooner for both our sakes. He was almost 6yrs of vet bills and current horse is year 3 of ongoing stuff. There's no wrong decision, it's a tough situation to be in.

Based on the experience of others on here I wouldn't broadcast any of your plans on your yard. A few on here had a really hard time with others judging them.

I guess then you have to do the maths. Is a loan or 0% card an option eg. Would selling the flat free up cash for the car and horse? If the cost is truly beyond your reach then you might need to consider other options.

My horse was never a welfare issue so I kept trying to fix him. Ultimately none of it worked and he was pts 2yrs later due to unrelated issues. With the benefit of hindsight I wish I'd pts sooner for both our sakes. He was almost 6yrs of vet bills and current horse is year 3 of ongoing stuff. There's no wrong decision, it's a tough situation to be in.

Based on the experience of others on here I wouldn't broadcast any of your plans on your yard. A few on here had a really hard time with others judging them.

Certainly agree with keeping it to yourself. The last thing you want is others putting their opinions to you. Very sorry about your situation. I bought a lovely young horse 10 years ago from a friend who bred him. When he was vetted to do the tight circle he ,had to be lunged on the lane outside their stables and he was unshod went slightly unlevel on the gravel but sound on the tarmac part. I could see he would be alright once shod and he was. This was noted down on the vetting certificate and the insurance would not cover the front legs but wanted £700 which I refused to do so put £700 into the building Society and the same the following year. Whilst we were away on holiday in the June following year we had a call to say he was very ill. My friends took him to hospital and he was operated on and in the clinic for 4 weeks but we had to have him pts in the end. We had a 10.5k vet bill and a dead horse and £1,400 in the Building Society. Fortunately we were able to pay the vet bill. The mare I have now is insured for £7k which I paid for her but they want £990 to cover her!
'
All I can suggest to you is to get one of these credit cards with 0% interest and keep paying a bit off monthly and then keep moving the balance to another card. Sorry if thats not much help

 

[khalswitz]

Late to this thread but very glad you can now see a way forward. Hope everything goes smoothly!

I self insure by putting money aside each month so understand exactly where you're coming from. My horse put her back legs through a fence within the first few months of having her. Luckily I had external injury insurance alongside 3rd party through WHW (I'd taken it out for the 3rd party aspect but boy was I glad it also had injury!) I appreciate it wouldn't be of any use to you in this instance but in the future when funds allow it might be a useful thing for you? I must say the insurance company were excellent to deal with throughout.

Yes I have the Harry Hall accident and injury cover with public liability/third party, which I took out when I got her which I think is the same idea as the WHW one.

To me at the time it seemed reasonable - then I had the insurance to deal with anything that would be an immediate emergency, but if she had eg lameness or a metabolic issue come up we could see where we were with the vet fund and make conservative decisions if need be. This has just come up too early for the vet fund to be sufficient.

Certainly agree with keeping it to yourself. The last thing you want is others putting their opinions to you. Very sorry about your situation. I bought a lovely young horse 10 years ago from a friend who bred him. When he was vetted to do the tight circle he ,had to be lunged on the lane outside their stables and he was unshod went slightly unlevel on the gravel but sound on the tarmac part. I could see he would be alright once shod and he was. This was noted down on the vetting certificate and the insurance would not cover the front legs but wanted £700 which I refused to do so put £700 into the building Society and the same the following year. Whilst we were away on holiday in the June following year we had a call to say he was very ill. My friends took him to hospital and he was operated on and in the clinic for 4 weeks but we had to have him pts in the end. We had a 10.5k vet bill and a dead horse and £1,400 in the Building Society. Fortunately we were able to pay the vet bill. The mare I have now is insured for £7k which I paid for her but they want £990 to cover her!
'
All I can suggest to you is to get one of these credit cards with 0% interest and keep paying a bit off monthly and then keep moving the balance to another card. Sorry if thats not much help

They were wanting £1600 a year to insure Mary for £4kish vet bills (varied a little by company) and her similar purchase price, because of her age probably. And because she failed her vetting on hock flexions (which for me, for an older horse for hacking about on, wasn’t a massive deal, but would be for insurance) it was going to exclude loads and cost a bomb. I’d planned to put that into an account every year instead plus I had an initial smaller lump in there. Oh the best laid plans.

 

[khalswitz]

Ok so some bad news - turns out the vet hospital estimate wasn’t for GA, it was for standing surgery. So the cost isn’t going to come down any on that front.

Still waiting for my vet to get me an estimate from his end to see what the damage would be getting it done at home. I’d expect probably a £500 difference just for hospitalisation costs, plus another couple hundred for remedial farriery being seperate, but if it’s much less than that then we’ll go that route.

Steeling myself a bit.

 

[Equi]

That seems a lot for standing surgery have you asked any other surgeries?

 

[EventingMum]

Have you tried other practices for quotes? I'm assuming your quote is from Glasgow or Edinburgh vet school, you could also try Clyde Vets at Lanark or Loch Leven (though probably further away in you South of Scotland).

 

[TPO]

I didn't realise that you were Scotland. Second the recommendation for Edinburgh. They've always been very reasonably priced, both of thr surgries my last horse had were done there and his insurance had run out by that point.

Current horse is a regular visit. He's not insured through choice and I'm happy (?!) to pay what's needed for thr correct treatment. When the vets asked his insurance status they automatically said they'd do what they could to keep costs down. This wasn't something that I asked for.

They have been a lot cheaper than previous two equine practices for absolutely everything.

 

[khalswitz]

That seems a lot for standing surgery have you asked any other surgeries?

Am in the process of doing so now!

Have you tried other practices for quotes? I'm assuming your quote is from Glasgow or Edinburgh vet school, you could also try Clyde Vets at Lanark or Loch Leven (though probably further away in you South of Scotland).

I’ve asked my own first opinion practice but the plan is to ask Clyde and Loch Leven too - they’re a fair distance but worth an ask!

I didn't realise that you were Scotland. Second the recommendation for Edinburgh. They've always been very reasonably priced, both of thr surgries my last horse had were done there and his insurance had run out by that point.

Current horse is a regular visit. He's not insured through choice and I'm happy (?!) to pay what's needed for thr correct treatment. When the vets asked his insurance status they automatically said they'd do what they could to keep costs down. This wasn't something that I asked for.

They have been a lot cheaper than previous two equine practices for absolutely everything.

… Edinburgh gave me the quote so that doesn’t bode too well if they’re normally amongst the cheapest!

 

[EventingMum]

Am in the process of doing so now!

I’ve asked my own first opinion practice but the plan is to ask Clyde and Loch Leven too - they’re a fair distance but worth an ask!

… Edinburgh gave me the quote so that doesn’t bode too well if they’re normally amongst the cheapest!

Try Glasgow too!

 

[rhino]

Am in the process of doing so now!

I’ve asked my own first opinion practice but the plan is to ask Clyde and Loch Leven too - they’re a fair distance but worth an ask!

… Edinburgh gave me the quote so that doesn’t bode too well if they’re normally amongst the cheapest!

Did you manage to get a better quote? Just wondering as my vet was talking about having a keratoma surgery coming up and I have a feeling we might be a similar area.

 

[khalswitz]

Did you manage to get a better quote? Just wondering as my vet was talking about having a keratoma surgery coming up and I have a feeling we might be a similar area.

Yes! My local vet is doing the surgery on Weds, they quoted me £1-1.2k for surgery, farrier is charging me £100 (so double my usual farrier cost for two front shoes for context), and vet has estimated £150 a bandage change but less if I buy the bandaging materials myself (and has given me a shopping list). So I work out that the first week is costing me a bit over half what the hospital estimated. Still no idea why.

This was much more what I was expecting cost wise and seems to marry up with estimates on here. Feeling cautiously optimistic.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

I'm so pleased that you've found a way forward.

 

[criso]

Good news, hope it all goes well

 

[dorsetladette]

Good news! Looking forward to positive updates!

 

[ester]

Great news, hope it all goes well

 

[rhino]

Yes! My local vet is doing the surgery on Weds, they quoted me £1-1.2k for surgery, farrier is charging me £100 (so double my usual farrier cost for two front shoes for context), and vet has estimated £150 a bandage change but less if I buy the bandaging materials myself (and has given me a shopping list). So I work out that the first week is costing me a bit over half what the hospital estimated. Still no idea why.

This was much more what I was expecting cost wise and seems to marry up with estimates on here. Feeling cautiously optimistic.

I was right, we have the same vets! You’re in safe hands then. Hope it all goes well.

 

[Barton Bounty]

Firstly , Im sorry the op is needed in the first place.
Not everyone has bags of money sitting around to spend on vet fees and the vet schools know this. Its usually an unexpected expense. The vet school drew up a payment plan for my friend who had a sudden operation on her mare as well.
Maybe that is something you would consider? Weipers was where her little mare was and they were happy to help her.

Try not to get too disheartened, this very same thing happened to me after I had my kids. I got a horse and 9 months later he had a kick in the field and that was it, took him to vet school and they couldnt save him. So it does happen to us all at some point. Sometimes its really unfortunate luck

 

[ester]

Keep up BB

 

[Barton Bounty]

Keep up BB

???
Yeah i had done my reply but i didn’t have a signal so it was later in posting

 

[Surbie]

Really pleased it's turned out less expensive than the initial quotes and I hope it all goes smoothly on Weds. Do let us know how you and your horse are doing.

 

[AandK]

Good news you have got a much better quote from your vet, fingers crossed for Weds!