How much does a chest shunt cost for a cat with fluid in its chest?

Question

18 year old cat, with a recent history of fluid build up in chest cavity. The cause is not determined, though vet thinks heart, thyroid, or a small mass (unknown if cancer) are all possible. Cat is eating, active, and in relatively good spirits, except for the weekly fluid buildup that requires drainage. What is the average cost to put a shunt in the chest cavity so that it can drain while we figure out possible options? Pet's info: Cat | American Shorthair | Male | neutered | 18 years and 7 months old | 7.5 lbs

Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA · Accepted Answer

Poor Houdini! I'm sorry to hear that he's having this problem. Costs for something like this will vary tremendously depending on where you go, and the details of the case, so it's really impossible to hazard a guess. I can tell you that, at least in my area, this would be a referral procedure that would need to be performed by a specialist. I would recommend asking your regular veterinarian where the nearest hospital is where this procedure could be done, and then calling that hospital to ask about costs.

How much does a chest shunt cost for a cat with fluid in its chest?

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