high cost of surgery??

hello, i have a 13 yr old labrador, she has a tumor on her chest that needs to be removed.  her vet does not feel it is malignant but for precautionary measures would like to send it out for testing.  the problem is the price of the surgery with the lab testing will be over $2,000.00.  I do not have that kind of money!  I love my girl so much and am heartbroken and crying as I write this.  I have never spared any costs in the past for providing the best care possible for her, but now, things have changed and i'm living paycheck to paycheck.  i do live in a resort type area in florida, which is a very expensive area, but does this amount sound reasonable for this type of surgery?  I have always used the same veterinary practice since she was a puppy, i hate to feel that they are taking advantage of me, but that is what i suspect.  has anyone had similar surgeries on their dogs?  

[Jaybay]

My 12 year old had a benign tumor about the size of a small lime removed only because it was in a place he kept biting at it and making it bleed.  It only cost $200 to have it removed.  Yes, I think you're being greatly overcharged for this surgery so start making some calls to different clinics and see what they can estimate.  Bear in mind that a phone estimate is only that.  If the vet examines it and determines that deeper structures are involved than just skin, then the cost could be higher.  

If this tumor is not large, and not in a spot that makes her uncomfortable, it makes more sense to me to have a simple biopsy done before even considering major surgery.  If it's benign and not bothering her, she's better off just leaving it alone at her age and not taking a chance with general anesthesia.  Can you drive out of town to a less expensive area?  There's absolutely nothing wrong with doing that.  You need have no loyalty to this clinic.  Your only loyalty should be finding the best care for your dog at a price you can afford.  Yes, I think your current vet is ripping you off.

[LL7970]

Start with a biopsy - to see what your dealing with first.  That shouldn't cost you over 300.00.  Some vets are alot like people doctors.  Surgery, surgert, surgery.