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If your veterinarian has recommended removing a skin tumour from your dog, you may be surprised by the range of prices you've been quoted.

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One clinic may estimate around $900–1,200, while another recommends surgery costing $2,500 or more.

So why the difference?

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Many pet owners assume the price is based purely on the size of the tumour. In reality, the size is often only one small part of the overall picture.

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The tumour's location, suspected type, depth, surrounding tissues and surgical complexity all influence the final cost.

Understanding these factors can help you compare quotes more confidently and make informed decisions about your dog's treatment.

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A Skin Tumour Doesn't Always Mean Cancer

The word "tumour" simply means an abnormal growth of tissue.

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Some skin tumours are completely benign and may never spread to other parts of the body. Others are locally invasive or malignant and require more extensive surgery.

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Common skin tumours seen in dogs include:

• Lipomas (fatty tumours)

• Sebaceous adenomas

• Histiocytomas

• Mast Cell Tumours

• Soft Tissue Sarcomas

• Melanomas

Because it is often impossible to know exactly what a lump is just by looking at it, your veterinarian may recommend additional testing or surgical removal.

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Why Can Two Dogs Have Very Different Surgery Quotes?

Many owners assume:

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"My neighbour paid $900 to remove a lump, so why is my quote $2,500?"

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The answer is that not all skin tumours are created equal.

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Here are the five biggest factors that influence the cost of surgery.

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1. The Location of the Tumour

Location is often more important than size.

For example:

A 2cm lump on the side of the chest is usually much easier to remove than:

• a 2cm tumour on the eyelid

• a tumour on the paw

• a lump near the anus

• a growth around the mouth

These areas require more delicate surgery and often take considerably longer.

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2. Surgical Margins

One of the most important concepts in tumour surgery is something called a surgical margin.

For suspected cancerous tumours, veterinarians often remove a larger amount of normal tissue surrounding the tumour to reduce the chance of cancer cells being left behind.

Although the lump itself may only measure 2cm, the actual incision may be much larger.

Wider margins generally mean:

• longer surgery

• larger wounds

• more stitches

• greater surgical planning

All of these factors influence the overall cost.

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3. Closing the Wound Can Be the Hardest Part

Many owners assume removing the lump is the difficult part.

In reality, closing the wound is sometimes more challenging than removing the tumour itself.

Large tumours may leave significant skin defects that require:

• skin flaps

• reconstructive techniques

• careful tension management

• longer surgical time

This is one of the reasons why two tumours of similar size may have very different surgical quotes.

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4. Histopathology Helps Confirm Exactly What Was Removed

After surgery, many tumours are sent to a laboratory for histopathology.

This laboratory examination identifies:

• the exact tumour type

• whether it is benign or malignant

• whether the tumour has been completely removed

Histopathology is one of the most valuable tools we have for planning any additional treatment your dog may need.

Because not every tumour requires laboratory analysis, we keep this as an optional service rather than including it in every package.

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5. Anaesthetic Time Matters

You're not simply paying for the removal of a lump.

You're also paying for:

• a carefully planned general anaesthetic

• experienced veterinary surgeons

• dedicated veterinary nurses

• continuous monitoring

• pain management

• recovery care

• sterile surgical facilities

A surgery lasting 20 minutes naturally requires fewer resources than a complex procedure lasting two hours.

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If you've received a written estimate from another veterinary clinic, we're happy to help you compare what's included. If another clinic offers the same comprehensive level of care—including local anaesthetic, anti-nausea medication, IV fluids, advanced anaesthetic monitoring, active warming and personalised pain management—for a lower price, we'll do our best to match their written estimate where possible.

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Our goal is to provide outstanding value without compromising your cat's safety or comfort.

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