I've never had any vet problems as the ones described in all my years of cat ownership (20 years and 10 cats)- but I know that here (as elsewhere, I'm sure) there are wildly disparate prices for services. Shop around for a vet you can trust, just as you would for a trustworthy doctor, for your beloved children. Also, humane societies sometimes offer affordable veterinary services for those who need them. Spay and declaw surgery are extremely routine; my new kitty Sunday just had her spay a month ago and was walking around, eating, exploring her new home, a mere two days later; and now, a month later, her "seam" is completely healed up. Cats heal amazingly quickly! As to the heart thing, please get a second- third- tenth opinion! Hope they're doing well- tomorrow they get to come home to Mama!