MRIs for Cats

My cat needs an MRI to get a diagnosis for seizures. The hospital I brought her to for a neuro consult is very expensive but I don't know if that's just what it costs for an MRI.

Has anyone else been through this with their pet? Would you mind sharing where you went and the total price of the MRI? You can FM if you prefer.

Thank you so much!

Re: MRIs for Cats

We had an extremely large dog and we were quoted over 1000 for an MRI (in the city emergency vet), i think its because they had to sedate him and then take the MRI which costs a lot of money over all even for humans.

Re: MRIs for Cats

Thanks for this info!!

The neuro I went to said it would cost a little over $3K for the MRI and all associated costs. I don't know what these things cost but it seemed awfully high. I didn't know if I should shop around for a less expensive place but it appears I really should.

I hope your dog is ok now.

Re: MRIs for Cats

Rocky (dog) had to have a MRI and spinal tap. Total cost 3k. We went to LIVS and I would not back there again (fm me if u want more info) if I could go back in time i would probably go to animal medical center on manhattan.

Re: MRIs for Cats

Re: MRIs for Cats

Posted by Christine

Posted by pnm1654

Rocky (dog) had to have a MRI and spinal tap. Total cost 3k. We went to LIVS and I would not back there again (fm me if u want more info) if I could go back in time i would probably go to animal medical center on manhattan.

I took her to LIVS. I will check with the place in Manhattan. My sister used to take her cat there.

Again, I am really sorry about Rocky.

Message edited 4/14/2011 3:55:01 PM.

Re: MRIs for Cats

Something similar happened to my co-worker's cat. The vet recommended all these tests and they came back inconclusive.

According to Bob's regular vet in Bayside & the neurologist at LIVS, the MRI would only determine the cause of Bob's seizures which could be a tumor, side effect from having a stroke (unlikely) or brain cancer. From there they would determine the best course of treatment which could be surgery, chemo or continue with the anti-convulusant meds she is on now. I wouild like to know (if possible) what's causing them and what's on the road ahead.

I have to say I stopped dead in my tracks when they said $3k for just the MRI. That's why I started the thread to see if this was a normal or ballpark cost for one. Except that Bob HATES the medicine, she's doing ok on it.

Thanks for the information.

Re: MRIs for Cats

Re: MRIs for Cats

Any updates?

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Not yet, I am going to try to scheudle something for next week when I have some time off of work. Right now, she is doing pretty well on the meds.

Thank you for asking!

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glad shes doing well on meds :D

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Any updates Christine?

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Christine, I hope your kitty is better!

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She's doing pretty well with the meds. No seizures at all for a few weeks now! It's still a little battle giving her meds - it stinks you can't reason with a cat. It only takes 5 seconds to get her and give her meds but she fights me every.single.time.

I haven't taken for an MRI yet but I will discuss it further with the vet at her next appointment.

Thanks so much for asking!

Re: MRIs for Cats

Hey Christine: Glad she's doing well. Have you tried putting the medicine in some type of food. Never had a cat so I'm not sure--but can she eat a little piece of cheese or turkey? I used to roll up Rocky's meds in a little piece of cheese or turkey slice and he would gobble it up. Is she on Zonisamide?

If she's doing so well on the antiseizure meds then maybe it's best to leave things as is? Did they explain that an MRI also has risks? They would have to give her general anesthesia for it.

Re: MRIs for Cats

She's on the generic form of Keppra in liquid form.

She would starve before eating food with meds mixed in it. I tried giving her pills for a bit and the vet suggested pill pockets - little treats with a space for the pill that most dogs or cats would just eat. Yea, one day of that and my bratty cat ate the treat and left the pill. Now she won't even eat the treats at all.

I was thinking the same thing about the risks associated with the MRI. While on the meds she has had no seizure activity. Other then running away from me when she thinks it's medicine time, she's doing really well. At first she was kind of lethargic and hissing and things like that but she's back to her normal self. I keep a closer eye on her and my fingers crossed that this is doing the trick.

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LOL they are toooo smart Glad she is doing well. I think you're doing the right thing. Wait and see for now. I felt that Rocky got worse when he was in the hospital. LIVS reported that he was agressive with them and had another seizure right after he awoke from the MRI. The neuro even put on his discharge papers that he was not to be around my kids for a bit to see how he reacted. Since his issue was neurological I thought it was completely plausible that even though he had never been agressive, he could be now b/c he had a problem in his brain. So that night I sent my kids to my in laws to sleep. Well he NEVER showed any agression to any of us and never had another seizure again. So I think the stay, strangers, procedures definitely stress them out A LOT!

Message edited 5/12/2011 1:24:51 PM.

Re: MRIs for Cats

ITA that visit to the vets stress them out. When Bob had her first seizure, it took several hours to get back to almost normal which was just in time to traumatize her with the carrier, car rides and the vet. That took another few hours for her to shake off.