please help
 

okay i was really confused on how to go about dealing with the news i had gotten two days ago, but this morning i had an idea... the people who love their yorkies as much as i do would understand. i had a liver scan done on my girl bell last monday, the results came back that she has a single liver shunt. which is good news in her case. atleast the thing that is killiing her can be fixed.. but my problem is i don't have the money to get the surgery done. i am 22, a full time student and i work full time. i could save the money but it would take about 7 months.. that is too long to wait, she already has crystals in her urine and stones forming on her kidneys from the overload the kidneys are getting due to the fact the liver is not detoxing much. the cost of the surgery is 2400-2600. and as of right now i have nothing. i have spent everyhting i have on all the testing she needed for a diagnosis. there was options of returning my dog 5 months ago after her scare, when she had tro be rushed to the hospital because of seizuring, again due to the toxin buildup. thats when i found out she had a liver problem. but my heart just couldn't give her back. i got bell at a pet store.... yeah yeah, i know, i didn't know of the horrible conditions these dogs come from at the time my boyfriend and i purchased her. the option the pet store owner gave was to return her and get a full refund, but thinking of what would happen to her back in their hands just tore me up inside. bell has been the most wonderful thing to come into my life, she brings so much light to my life, i couldn't imagine just giving up on making her life healthy and long. so i guess what im asking of anyone is if you can help... i am up in the air with this, but i thought it would be best to atleast give it a shot. by the way Bell is 9 months now, so she is a great candidate to have complete recovery because the shunt was caught while she was young. and i ahave many pictures of her i just can't seem to get them uploaded, it said they were to many MB, but ill keep trying. well, if anyone would like to donate, send me a personal e-mail and ill give you my address. thanks a bunch for reading my LONG story. and much love to all the pampered pets!

Is that just for the shunt surgery or does that include bladder stone removal? I know you're in CA but the best place in the world to get this surgery done (U. of Tennessee) is $1000 cheaper (of course not for you with airfare and all that but still). I am not sure how much Cornell charges but I think Dr. Center has done it for free before...

I understand your issue and wish I could help I am 24 and my husband and I are both students we just found out my lily could be having LP problems. You could try to set up a payment plan with you vet some places will do that you can also contact some of your local rescue centers they may be able to help. Good luck

Sorry I can't help:( Asking your vet for a payment plan sounds like a good idea--if they won't go for it maybe getting a loan from the bank or a family member......

My thoughts are with you, good luck in her treatment. Many members on here have been in the same situation.

I don't think anyone does donations anymore after too many scams though. But kind words and good thoughts are freely given.

That's what I was thinking, mabe you could find a vet that will do payment plans?

i know at my vet they offer like a credit card for the pet at the vets office that would be definately something that i would look into!;)

I just wanted to send a prayer your way and hope that you find a way
of getting the money needed. Bless you for not returning your pup to the
pet store. Check with your vet because I know there is a credit card for
pet health care that can be given to you via your vet. You can pay it
off at low interest. Sorry, I forget what it's called by he would know.
Good luck to you.

That is a good idea. Have you tried care credit?

hi, so sorry for your problems, I hope things work out for you!!! I don't think you're likely to get any donations here...too many kindhearted YT'ers have been scammed in the past (not saying that you're scamming or anything but esp with only 19 posts, ppl don't really know you) but also the Admin has a strict rule against requesting donations for any cause. You might want to check out some of the options already posted or perhaps you could get a small loan/line of credit from your bank or from a family member? Sorry that's all I could think of.

This post reminds me why I need to keep a comprehensive insurance plan on my little one :( You US'ers are lucky in that sense, your pet insurance seems to be much cheaper than up here.

Best of luck!

D-

Yes but you have to watch what kind of insurance plan you have and read the small print....some plans here in Canada will not cover costs for all situations and you have to make sure you follow all requirements when going to the vet.

i have already tried care credit, i was denied... the facility i am going to expects payments in full. and i am looking into some help from organizations online. like i said i just thought i would give it a try asking other yorkie lovers for help. thanks for all your comments.

donations
 

I know I'll get slammed for this and maybe I'm just in a bad mood BUT. So you spent ALL your money getting the test done for diagnosis but now you can't afford the treatment. Why bother? I'm sorry but people shouldn't get pets if they can't afford to take care of them. I can't imagine asking other people to give me a donation to take care of my obligations. Sorry if this offends anyone but it's just the way I feel.

Liver testing costs a lot of money. When you don't know that Yorkies have this problem before you get one and you buy from an unreputable breeder, you don't really understand how much it could cost. I've spent lots on vet bills because I just didn't know....oh well. Now I know. Dogs are expensive.

I would really hate for this thread to get closed, but please understand that Admin doesn't allow threads with donation talk.

So, let's try to help you come up with some ideas, ok.

Do you feel comfortable with this location for the surgery? B/c as mentioned you could go to the U of Tenn, they are really the BEST place for this and not as much as you were quoted.

Can you apply for some credit cards? Or maybe apply for a small loan at your bank? You really need to exhaust all these options.

Lastly, please understand that SHE NEEDS to have this surgery, otherwise she will die. PLEASE DO NOT RETURN HER TO THE PETSTORE, I don't even want to think about what they will probably do with her (sad...)

If you absolutely have no way to pay for her much needed surgery, then you must put your feelings aside and do the right thing for her to save her life, and that would be to find a Yorkie Rescue that would take her in and make her better again.

Please keep us posted.

Maybe you could call University of Tennessee and Cornell. They might accept payments and really they are the best...

I'm not slamming you, b/c of course, people SHOULDN't get pets they can't afford. But sometimes you don't have any idea what you're getting into. I would NEVER have known about ANY type of health problems dogs could get until I got one. I had no reason really to research it, and getting my Yorkie was not exactly an impulsive act, but certainly not researched before hand. Sometimes you just go with your heart and don't realize what MIGHT happen. If everybody researched extensively any animal they chose to adopt or bring into their lives, there would be a lot more homeless pets out there.

To the OP, I'm sorry for your problems. I wish I could help you but I can't. If I were in your position though, I'd either take the test results and find a vet who would work with you on a payment plan, or maybe borrow money from family or friends...if you're working full time, you could pay them back in a timely manner. I really hope you find the help you need for your little one. Good luck and please let us know how things work out.

I am sorry that this is happening to you. Prayers for you and Bell coming your way.
Also there are signs all over my vet's office saying they expect payment in full. But I told them of my limited budget and they are letting me pay it over time when I can. Explain to the vet that you just don't have it in full, but are willing to set up a payment plan. If they won't work with you, maybe another vet will. Good Luck! :)
~Melody

It seriously does offend me and perhaps if you are in a bad mood you can refrain from going off on someone who is obviously upset because her pet needs an operation. YT isn't for being nasty just because you are in a bad mood. People here convey things in a productive healthy manner as YT is for helping, and educating-not judging others. MANY people have unexpected needs for their pets come up and look for places to turn. I'm sorry if this offends you, BUT, that is the way if feel and your attitude uncalled for.

To the OP - I am sorry you are going through this. You've gotten much great advice already from other caring members and I agree that many sincere members have been duped by others less than honest. You and your baby are in my prayers to find the resources for the help you need. TLC's post was right on the money.

I am sorry you are going through this. I hope you get the help you need

thank you so much for all your kind gestures. i have tried all the options of credit cards, loans, etc. but... i am going to go to the facility i want her to have the surgery hopefully on friday, and i will give them my most sincere plea for a payment plan... i think that is my next best option... and yes i can pay it back in a timely manner so we'll see. well thanks for all the advice and caring words.. oh, and the facility is in Irvine, CA not too far from my house and i am confident in them, the vet i want went to University Tenn, and i have some people on the yahoo L/S MVD group who have some experience with him. again, thanks, i appreciate the support from those who gave it.. ill keep you posted. hopefully by this weekend ill have some good news!

I am so sorry you are going thru this. When Cali was going thru the diagnois for LS and all her er vsits, the bills were ober 7000. That's alot for anyone to afford. I was so fortunate that my parents just sold their house and gave each of us 4 kids some money and that's where mine went. When Dixie got sick last week I took out the Care credit card at the vet but it has to be paid in full in 90 days or the high interest has to be paid. I had insurance on both Cali and Dixie but both had conditions that were excluded due to hereditary liver shunt and congenital kidney disease so that is not always any help. So I know sometimes there just is no way to afford treatment especially when you are a student and young and may not have a lot of credit available to you. Can your family help you out and you pay them back? I will keep you both in my prayers.

I am so relieved. There's GOT TO BE A WAY ;)
Looking forward to hearing from you again.

I don't know how the law is in CA but here in NJ I was able to go through consumer affairs and the pet store had to reimburse me for Bandit's medical bills up to the cost of the dog. It was nearly $2000. Check into that. It took a lot of letter writing and phone calls on my end but it was worth it in the end. These pet stores need to be hit in the pocketbook for selling sick animals. I didn't know a thing about puppy mills and pet stores when we bought Bandit. Unfortunately I became an expert. I wish I could help you out financially and I hope the vet will work with you on a payment plan.

Please keep us updated on her progress. Best wishes for a speedy recovery!

D-

I am praying that your little one is able to get the surgery that she needs. Hopefully your vet can work something out with you or something will come that will allow you to pay for the surgery.

If all goes well and she has the surgery there is such a great possiblity that your little girl can live a happy normal life. We have a friend who has a little yorkie that went through the same thing, she had one liver shunt that was affecting her, she was able to have the surgery and almost 7 months later is perfectly healthy. She has put on weight and is truly thriving!! The surgery is very expensive but if you can afford it, it is well worth it.

Please keep us updated on your little girl and what is happening. You will be in my thoughts!!

I'm so sorry to hear about your baby :(.

I know you will find a way to get through this. There always is a way, even if we can't see it just yet <3

Good luck to you and your precious baby!

I'm not 100% sure on this, but, check out shooterdog.com
Terry Shumsky(sp), she's passed now, but, I'm thinking they used to help with yorkies that had LS..

This is a hard situation you are in. I know you love your baby and want her to get well. I know of several people that have liver shunt babies and they opted not to have the surgery and they are controlling the liver problem with diet and the dogs are doing quite well . One was diagnosed it at 6 months and she is now about 4 years old. They are on Science Diet L/D and taking lactatose to keep the bowels moving. Both of these Yorkie are being treated by a vet that is familiar with liver shunts and from what I hear he treats a number of cases. There are no guarantees even with the surgery. Don't feel bad for one minute about not having the money right now. Look how many of us humans have children without having money saved up for emergencies. Thank goodness the hospitals don't turn away our sick children when the parents don't have money or insurance. Too bad there is not doggy welfare. Maybe someone on YT can private message you some tips on how to care for her until you can afford her surgery. I wish you and your baby the best.

Calif has a puppy lemon law. Call the pet store back and tell them you want help with this surgery or your taking them to small claims court and filing with who ever is in charge of licensing.

Here is part of the code....

Section 122160.
(a) If a licensed veterinarian states in writing that within 15 days after the purchaser has taken physical possession of the dog after the sale by a pet dealer, the dog has become ill due to any illness that existed in the dog on or before delivery of the dog to the purchaser, or, if within one year after the purchaser has taken physical possession of the dog after the sale, a veterinarian licensed in this state states in writing that the dog has a congenital or hereditary condition that adversely affects the health of the dog, or that requires, or is likely in the future to require, hospitalization or nonelective surgical procedures, the dog shall be considered unfit for sale, and the pet dealer shall provide the purchaser with any of the following remedies that the purchaser elects: (1) Return the dog to the pet dealer for a refund of the purchase price, plus sales tax, and reimbursement for reasonable veterinary fees for diagnosis and treating the dog in an amount not to exceed the original purchase price of the dog, plus sales tax.
(2) Exchange the dog for a dog of the purchaser's choice of equivalent value, providing a replacement dog is available, and reimbursement for reasonable veterinary fees for diagnosis and treating the dog in an amount not to exceed the original purchase price of the dog, plus sales tax.
(3) Retain the dog, and reimbursement for reasonable veterinary fees for diagnosis and treating the dog in an amount not to exceed 150 percent of the original purchase price of the dog, plus sales tax on the original purchase price of the dog.