We had a CAT scan of Zeus' lungs and abdomin after the OSA diagnosis to check for mets.  It was $1,100.00.  It can vary depending on what area of the country you are in.

Cadence's Mom,

I think in this case they want a CT to determine how much, if any, of the original tumor they missed.  I can kind of see their reasoning for wanting to know what they are dealing with before they give a prognosis or treatment recommendations.  Would an ultrasound show the same info?

In our case, we were offered a CT or X-rays (whereas most people are just offered x-rays) for the standard determination of whether any mets were showing at the time of diagnosis so we could know how to proceed.  We chose the CT b/c it is supposed to be better.  In our case, that bit us in the a$$, b/c it showed two "suspicious" spots - one on the lung and one on the liver.  At that point we were devastated (you know the drill, once mets are showing, treatment isn't nearly as effective) and we almost made "that" final appt. instead of amputating (it was right before we found this site and knew how well dogs do on three legs).  But then it occurred to us that the CT is WAY more sensitive than x-rays and maybe it showed something that would not have shown on x-rays (which would have put us back in the statistics of "if no mets show on x-rays then treatment is recommended."  We asked the vet if the spots were large enough that they would have shown on the x-rays and he said no.  At that point, we decided to pretend that we had x-rays done instead of the CT and that the x-rays did not show anything.   We did the amp, started the chemo and so far he has progressed wonderfully.  In full disclosure, the x-rays at his second chemo did show that the one spot on the lung has grown some and is a met.  But at that time, it was still only one met and he shows no signs that it is there.  We are hoping the chemo keeps it in check.