Colic surgery - cost?
Moderators: Roguelet, hpkingjr, WaveMaster, madelyn
Colic surgery - cost?
My broodmare colicked last night - thankfully she is okay today - but the farm asked me whether I would consider surgery if needed. In general, what is the cost of colic surgery? I have a feeling the cost may far exceed my pocketbook!
-
Strategic Maneuver
- Starters Handicap
- Posts: 608
- Joined: Sat Jan 26, 2008 1:09 pm
- Location: Texas
-
mightyhijames
- Starters Handicap
- Posts: 570
- Joined: Thu Aug 25, 2005 7:15 am
Depends on what is wrong with the horse: large or small intestine, resection or no resection, etc, and complications. It's gotten more expensive over the past few years and the routine quote for a simple surgery and no complications is 6-8K. A small intestinal lesion and/or complications with any type of colic would have an 8-10K range. It isn't unusual to see the charges top $12K to get a very sick horse to discharge.
One problem is that the more you spend, the harder it is to stop; that is, put the horse down after surgery due to complications, etc, that are pushing the bill up to a range that an owner may have not wanted to spend initially. The tendency is to keep going one more day, one more day, one more procedure, etc.
ETA: If you aren't able to foot the bill for advanced, intensive medical bills out of pocket, I highly recommend insuring you horse with a major medical policy as well as mortality. The cost is usually very reasonable for the level of benefit provided, less than $500 per year on horses that don't have much mortality value.
One problem is that the more you spend, the harder it is to stop; that is, put the horse down after surgery due to complications, etc, that are pushing the bill up to a range that an owner may have not wanted to spend initially. The tendency is to keep going one more day, one more day, one more procedure, etc.
ETA: If you aren't able to foot the bill for advanced, intensive medical bills out of pocket, I highly recommend insuring you horse with a major medical policy as well as mortality. The cost is usually very reasonable for the level of benefit provided, less than $500 per year on horses that don't have much mortality value.
"I'll lay me down and bleed a while, and then I'll rise and fight again." Sir Barton
-
lindsay_aggie
- Yearling
- Posts: 56
- Joined: Sun Aug 10, 2008 3:32 pm
- Location: Castroville, Texas
Colic surgery in my area is approx. $5k for the actual surgery and another $2-4K for aftercare. That doesn't include the initial colic exam and anything done prior to the decision that surgery is needed.
I use Kiger Insurance and have been very happy with them. They are easy to contact and don't make you jump through hoops to justify the value of your horse or go through extensive insurance exams. I have a friend who had a claim through them and it was dealt with quickly and easily. Also, most policies with most companies include some colic surgery coverage with just mortality insurance. Major medical may up the actual treatment coverage, but look at the fine print and see which one would benefit you the most (i.e. mortality usually limits the number of aftercare days that are covered, etc but is overall a cheaper premium).
http://www.kigerinsurance.com/
Lindsay
I use Kiger Insurance and have been very happy with them. They are easy to contact and don't make you jump through hoops to justify the value of your horse or go through extensive insurance exams. I have a friend who had a claim through them and it was dealt with quickly and easily. Also, most policies with most companies include some colic surgery coverage with just mortality insurance. Major medical may up the actual treatment coverage, but look at the fine print and see which one would benefit you the most (i.e. mortality usually limits the number of aftercare days that are covered, etc but is overall a cheaper premium).
http://www.kigerinsurance.com/
Lindsay
Ahr Farms- Standing at Stud Justice Minister (Deputy Minister x Double the Charm by Nodouble)