Vet office charging more after death of pet

[scott1ct]

What is the name of your state? Massachusetts

I brought my pet to the vet for what was described as a routine surgical procedure to remove a piece of his pancreas. I paid in advance an estimate for surgery which covered post care and samples to be sent out for testing. Soon after the surgery, my pet had some reaction and symptoms and quickly deteriorated dying that night with me following the recommendations my vet made for not moving him to a 24 hour care facility. I came to terms but for all intentions, the concensus among the vets I consulted said he most likely bled internally from the surgery.
Here it is over a month later and I receive a bill for additional work done. They tacked on a bunch of new charges related to the surgery that go above and beyond the deductions for not sending samples out for testing. I know they can try and do this but what can I legally do if they push this?
I am most definately refusing to pay mostly on principle they would try to make more money on what could be considered a botched surgery.
What can I do legally if they send to a collection agency?
I told them on the phone that I'd fight this beyond any monetary value they think they are charged.
Can I file something against them for incompetance or a grievance against the veterinary board or something?
Thank you

scott in MA.

[divgradcurl]

What can I do legally if they send to a collection agency?

Probably not much until you actually get sued.

Can I file something against them for incompetance or a grievance against the veterinary board or something?

You can file a complaint with your state's vet board. You might also want to consider having an attorney draft a letter, threatening to sue for malpractice if they don't back off on the bill. It would not even come close to being worthwhile to actually follow through with such a suit, but maybe that will cause them to at least scale back the bill.