Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Adbominal Ultrasound cost?

Hi all, Does anyone know what the approx cost of having an Abdominal ultrasound done? I received information back from Dr Dodds and she is suggesting that we have this done for Holly as she is concerned with the very high ALK and GGT values. I have mentioned before about how Holly's hemtacrit is in the 50's yet when we reduce the medication. Dr Dodds says this is perplexing to her because when we reduce the dose of medication there shouldn't be a persistent stimulus for the bone marrow, liver and spleen to make more of the red blood cell series when her peripheral blood red cell counts are clearly high normal. So she wants the abdominal ultrasound done first concentrating on the spleen, liver and adrenal glands and if all of these are normal, then she will start reducing the immunosuppressant drugs starting with the aziathioprine first. I found this very interesting as our local vet didn't see a problem with her increased liver values, nor did he want to reduce any of her medications even though her Hemtacrit is in the 50's. It really pays to go to the experts and so glad I turned to Dr Dodds. I will keep you all posted, but was just curious if anyone else had this done and the cost. I am sure our local vet will not be able to do this and will have to go someplace else. Linda

Linda Sapphire

Linda, I had Chance's ultrasound done at a specialist veterinary clinic in Buffalo. I don't have the exact price at my finger tips but I believe that we also had a cbc at the same time and it came to somewhere around $400-500. It wasn't as much as I thought it would be. I don't know all your particulars but I can make an educated guess at what she is looking for. In essence she is confused about why there is high stimulation for new red blood cells to be made. The body is usually very careful about keeping the numbers of red blood cells in a certain range. Certain internal growths can actually produce red blood cells. This is called extramedullary hemopoesis. Normally the marrow is the exclusive place for red blood cell production. Before we are born however, certain organs like the spleen, actually do perform the function of making blood before our skeletal organ is fully functional. After we are born, making blood moves to the bone marrow only. However, for some reason, this function can move back to internal organs or growths. Now growths can come in many forms, both benign and malignant. The growth we had removed from Chance (that was seen on the ultrasound) was benign. But it was very large and attached to the spleen. The spleen was also enlarged. But we had been prepared that it might be a hemangiosarcoma, which is a very aggressive tumor that has an affinity for blood filled organs. These tumors make clumsy blood supplies and can be identified with ultrasounds. I would also suggest you have this ultrasound done if you can afford it. It will be the best test you can do to make sure there isn't a growth in the abdomen. An x-ray can only hint at something there. I sat in on the ultrasound and learned a lot from the specialist. The dog is placed on their back in a padded v-shaped exam table. They shave the belly and put warm gel on. Then the specialist will use an ultrasound head and roll it around gently. They will make a video of what the instrument sees. He told me exactly what he thought he was seeing while we were doing it. Your specialist might or might not depending on how they do things. See if they will let you sit in on the procedure. good luck patrice

Patrice NYS

I have a copys of Ginger's bill from 2007 and it was $285.00, I guess it depends on what area of the country you live in. We are keeping Holly in our prayers. Cheryl & Ginger

Cheryl & Ginger Pineveille PA

Hi, Linda. I think mine was around $350. Patrice, that's amazing that your doctor let you sit in on the procedure...I'm so jealous of a vet who is so empathetic to his patients/"parents." Sharon

Sharon CT

Linda, In Greensboro it was $220 for ultrasound of the abdomen. That was done this August. My best to you, Karen

Karen NC

I guess I should have added that there was an x-ray ortho-2 view and x-ray thorax 3 view done at the same time. Those two things totaled $250. I don't know if these are part of an ultrasound scan. And, there's always the exam charge, which fluctuates.

Karen NC

I just looked up the exact cost, it was $380 and that included blood and chem workup, office visit consult. So pretty much in line with others. (CBC and chem screen can be close to or over $100.) I have tried to be an active participant in all of Chance's vet experiences. I also was allowed to sit in on the surgery a few days later. They chatted with me and the surgeon often had me stand right there so she could show me things of interest in the abdominal cavity. I took pictures and little movies. I also sat in on Cassie's spay procedure. They did tell me that for the most part they don't allow it because most owners just get too upset and make it difficult for the surgeon. I stayed calm throughout because I was very confident in their skills. I have sat in on a few human operations when I was doing my internships, but they were orthopedic surgeries. TV monitors play a big role in these. The ultrasound procedure is about as bloodless as it gets, unless you are upset seeing your dog's hair being cut. They actually wanted me there so I could keep Chance calm. He was incredibly calm (even on his back) and I joked with the specialist that perhaps this counted as one of Chance's therapy dog visits? The specialist smiled and said, "well, I know I'm really relaxed!" patrice

Patrice NYS

Thanks everyone for your input. Just reading my post back to myself, I guess I left out part of the sentence. When reducing the meds with her Hemtacrit averaging around 50, her retic count always goes up. Thanks as also Patrice, you explain things so very well for us to understand!!! Dr Dodds, did explain certain things when she called me about like you said why the stimulation for new red blood cells. I just emailed Dr Dodds, because my vet called this evening and they do not have the machine to do the ultrasound in their office. He of course recommended going over to Greenville, which is about 2 hours from us, but did say that another local office downtown has the machine to do the test, it just would not be a moving video, at least that is what I gathered. I am calling them in the morning to see. And yes Dr Dodds does want another CBC/superchem run also, but we are do for this anyway, this is part of our monthly allowance for Holly having her blood work done. As far as Holly having her belly shaved, no worries there as she has no hair on her belly, HA! The baldest belly I have ever seen in a dog. And when I say no hair I mean NO hair, HA!. Laying on her back will most likely be a problem for her though, as she is very figety. I just hope and pray that there are no growths, just something new to worry about. I guess it is just part of this process. Thanks again everyone!! Linda

Linda Sapphire

Linda, I'll be praying that Holly does well during her ultrasound and that the results from all of her tests will be good. Karen

Karen NC

Linda, I lost my Holly to this awful awful disease and though I am not the praying type I am really hoping that the results are good. I didn't actually realise until reading the posts on this forum just how devestating it can be for a family with a surviving dog, all the tests and the ups and downs. Everyone battling this cruel illness is in my thoughts constantly and there isn't a day goes by that I don't think about my beloved Holly and how she was snatched from me far too quickly. Good luck with best wishes Keri Lynn x

Keri Lynn Wales UK

Thank You everyone for keeping Holly in your prayers. It is funny now this this test is ordered, I am getting very nervous, because things are playing on our minds. Like the fact that everytime we try to pick or put her down from under her stomach she usually cries or yelps and we are very careful. I did manage to get an appointment for Tuesday at 2:30 for the ultrasound and the cost will be $200, just for the ultrasound. Then we have full blood work again on Monday at 9am at our normal vet. I will be a wreck all weekend just worrying and hoping that the test will be okay. Thanks again for everyone's support!! Linda

Linda Sapphire

Linda, I can absolutely understand how you are feeling. We had several days before the ultrasound and then a few more days before the surgery. Then a whole week to wait for the pathology report. We lived through the knowledge we might lose Chance from this. So there were a lot of "last time for this" moments. I know it is easy to say "stay positive" and much harder to really accomplish. But remember, you are way ahead of the game here because you are actually getting a diagnostic done before a possible emergency. I do want to pass along the caution the specialist gave us and one that he was very firm about, keep Holly *very quiet* until the ultrasound. Mentioning that she seems to be uncomfortable when you touch her belly is a tip off to me that you really need to do this. What he told me was that Chance's mass on his spleen could rupture. This would be an emergency. The surgeon took great caution during the surgery too when removing it that it did not rupture. We were very successful. I really don't want to scare you and I hope that you feel like I did, that I wanted all the details and not to be in the dark. good luck and I will be thinking about you and Holly, my best, patrice

Patrice NYS

Thanks Patrice!! That is why I decided to make the 2 different appointments, to much excitement all in one day. This way she will have her blood work on Monday am and then the ultrasound on Tuesday pm. Really one good thing is that Holly is very laid back. She basically eats and sleeps, hard to get her to play with toys or our other dog. She has been this way the past 18 months or so ever since diagnosed. When we first adopted her she was full of life, playing and just having a good time, but that quickly changed after her hospital stay. And yes, I am always very persistent at the vets, in fact I get mad when the day after blood work if I don't get the fax and I have to call them for it. I am hoping they will let us sit in on the ultrasound to see it. Thanks again! Linda

Linda Sapphire

thinking of you and Holly, Linda. We both have been through a great deal with our beloved dachshund 'kids.' You are a great 'mom' Jan

Jan PA.

This thread was discussed between 30/10/2008 and 31/10/2008

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