hi
I'm not sure on how much it would cost but probably be based on the area,
particular vet and the size and position of it and how hard it would be to
be removed.  You could phone the vet that you took your cat to and ask for
an estimate and they should be able to give you a ballpark figure.  I know
when I have taken in my cat's before that needed surgery the vet would give
an estimate.

Has the vet explained why she wants to skip the biopsy?  

One of my cats had a major surgery to remove a big lipoma from his
chest a couple years ago, and I think it came to around $800 or $900.
At the vet's suggestion, he also got a dental cleaning while he was
already sedated for the surgery, so that was included in the price,
too.

-Sandra

<< Either way, we want to do the best for our cat. Should we insist on a
biopsy prior to the surgery? Can anyone give me a ballpark on what the
surgery will cost? My husband is sure it will be $5-10,000 and I am
thinking more like $750. It would help my home be a more peaceful
place tonight if someone has an idea, however rough, on the cost of
one tumor removal surgery with bloodwork. If it helps, the tumor is a
few inches in diameter from what I can feel.

Thanks so much for anything you can offer....we're saying lots of
prayers tonight for our special feline friend.

annabanana >>

I hope your kitty will be okay.  I certainly don't think it will be anywhere
near 5-10 thousand dollars.  I would definitely think that your guess is much
more likely, possibly 1,000 with bloodwork, etc.  I have not had this  done on
any of my cats, tho, so I also am guessing.  Good luck to your kitty and keep
us posted.

Candace
(take the litter out before replying by e-mail)

See my cats:
http://photos.yahoo.com/maccandace

"One does not meet oneself until one catches the reflection from an eye other
than human."  (Loren Eisely)

My cat had a small tumor which costs around $400 to remove, including biopsies.
Vet fees will vary according to where you live, but I'm fairly certain it
isn't going to cost anywhere near $5,000.

Sherry

We brought our cat in for a biopsy on what we expected to be a  vaccine
associated sarcoma..... a lipoma (1 cm) popped up after she cut through the
fat layer, so she removed it.  She charged about $150 and the biopsy was
$68.  We lucked out this time.  I hope the same for you.
Linda

First off, if there is ANY CHANCE that you are dealing with a vaccine
related sarcoma, RUN to a specialist, i.e. a surgeon and/or oncologist.  Do
NOT let your local vet tackle this.  In spite of what I am sure is
"comprehensive" training, this is like letting your family doctor perform
surgery on you.  Sure he could do it, but would you allow it?

These tumors are very very aggressive, albeit locally.  You may spend a
bundle on the first surgery, only to have this tumor recur a week or two
after surgery, and double or triple the size.  Then you'll have to spend a
bundle more on a specialist and chemo if warranted.

I know.  I've been there.  I let the vet, despite my misgivings, operate on
my cat's tumor.  It was a sarcoma as I HAD PREDICTED.  The vet was in
denial.  It was back triple in size in 10 days time.  I actually had to beg
for it to be sent for biopsy, the vet was so cocksure it was nothing.

The first surgery cost $300 ish.  Then I took her to U Penn and had the leg
amputated.  She survived and did well, but ultimately succumbed to something
else, not cancer, less than a year later.

Needless to say I was furious at the first vet, not only for the lost $300
but for the pain and suffering my poor kitty had to go through, needlessly.

Many purrs for your 9-yearold cat.  Why not phone the Vet's office and
ask for the going rate?   I am sure it is different from city to city,
but they surely have a schedule of procedures.   MLB

My cat just had a cancerous tumor removed from her abdomen ( an
adenocarcinoma?) a few weeks ago.  It was probably almost an inch in diameter.
The Vet gave me an estimate when I scheduled the surgery and it was pretty
close to the final cost.  I live in the Northeast U.S. and these are the exact
amounts I ended up paying:

Cyst/Tumor Removal (small) = $105.00
Amoxidrops = $12.12
Medical Waste Fee = $1.00
Anesthesia = $25.00
Baytril Injection = $25.00
Biopsy = $87.00

TOTAL = $255.12

Of course it all depends on where you live and your Vet and how big the cat's
tumor is.  I hope this helps you.  Good Luck.

Have you asked for an estimate from your vet?

Different surgery, but we just had a kitten eat packing tape and had
an obstruction.  Surgery, 3 sets of x-rays, biopsy and 3 days in the
hospital was just under $1000.  Luckily we have VPI insurance, they
paid $885 within 2 weeks.  $50 deductible and 90% of the fees.  That's
better than any private non-HMO medical people insurance I know of.

There's no way it's going to be in the $5K range - unless you go the
long term chemo routine.