Xray price and procedure question

[miowmix]

Hi G.P.F-ers,

I've been quoted £350 for an xray for my piggo (suspected bladder stone(s)) and would be grateful for opinions as to whether this is a normalish price. The vet has recently been taken over by Medivet and I think their prices have increased. I know that the cost to operate to remove any stones is £600, but £350 just for xray seems alot.

I was also wondering, because unfortunately they will not xray without giving a G.A, if it's technically possible to do an Xray and operate immediately if a stone is found (so the pig only has to have one G.A rather than two, so less risky)? I don't know if the xray results are visible immediately or if they take time to 'develop'. I've left a message to ask the vet but would appreciate any advice that anyone can offer here.

Thanks!

Miowmix

 

[piggieminder]

I'm so sorry to hear your piggy has suspected stones.
That's the sort of price my vets charge for xray now, they used to do it with out GA but now they won't. Mine also prefer to scan for stones rather than xray as apparently stones show up better, even more money! The operation cost is much lower than my vets charge.

It would be technically possible to operate straight away but it would be down to the vets time and policy. It's always worth asking, mine said no as they didn't have time to do it there and then, we had to go back 3 days later.

 

[Betsy]

Mine charge around £200 for an x-ray and £80ish for a scan.

 

[Pigwhisperer]

Sounds a little steep - mine was £180 for xray with a very brief GA but that was about 18 months ago I think.

 

[Claire W]

Mine charge around £100 for an X-ray (two views) and around £40 for a scan

 

[miowmix]

Thanks everyone. I got a message back from the vet saying that depending on what the x ray showed, they might be able to operate immediately, it depended on where the stone is I think. I've booked another consult and full spectrum urine analysis for Friday - if it turns up an infection they will prescribe antibiotic but if not he will need to go down the xray/op route. At least he seems quite happy at the moment, still eating and drinking and running around! He lost his companion on Christmas Day but is able to leave his pen and visit all the other pigs nearby. Once he's sorted health-wise my local rescue will match him up with a new companion.

 

[Claire W]

All the best, he’s gorgeous

 

[miowmix]

@piggieminder I had a pig previously where the stone didn't show up on ultrasound but did on the xray : /

 

[miowmix]

@Claire W thanks! He reminds me of Beverley Callard (from Coro), it's something about the eyes I think.

 

[piggieminder]

Every one's scans are cheaper than xray. Ours are twice the price of an xray, I think it must depend on the type of scan.