Everyone Please Read this!!!

[BakersDozen]

Originally Posted by cariblonde

thank you, I agree we dont always know the whole story.. The way things are today you can go from well off to broke in no time,I think most people understand there is no such thing as a "free puppy" and referencing the other post not everyone has a credit card. Yes, you should be financially stable enough for emergencies when you have a pet but you can go buy a dog then next week get laid off from work, a month later your puppy gets sick..I mean there could be a million scenarios

So true. A person could have a hundred dollars set back for a vet emergency....have a financially difficult several months....and are you going to let your kids starve to save back that emergency fund? No way. Unfortunately, the fact is that you can go from having 6 months expenses saved to not a penny to your name--just like that. Also, this cannot really be compared to taking human kids to the ER....if it is a life or death situation, the ER must treat, regardless of finances. A vet is under no obligation to treat without payment and many simply will not do so.

That being said, the OP does make a very good point. There comes a time when online help just does not cut it. And waiting weeks to take care of a serious problem is annoying and dangerous.

[Mom to Hot Rod]

Although this is my first yorkie/dog, I have had other animals and I am very surprised to have read some of the threads that ask for emergency help. I have seen a lot of good advice but I would have to say that I wouldn't take a chance on something that a vet should be diagnosing. These babies are so small and it doesn't take much for them to be overwhelmed. I would rather be safe than sorry when it comes to the health of my Hot Rod.

[cooperk]

Originally Posted by BakersDozen

So true. A person could have a hundred dollars set back for a vet emergency....have a financially difficult several months....and are you going to let your kids starve to save back that emergency fund? No way. Unfortunately, the fact is that you can go from having 6 months expenses saved to not a penny to your name--just like that. Also, this cannot really be compared to taking human kids to the ER....if it is a life or death situation, the ER must treat, regardless of finances. A vet is under no obligation to treat without payment and many simply will not do so.

That being said, the OP does make a very good point. There comes a time when online help just does not cut it. And waiting weeks to take care of a serious problem is annoying and dangerous.

Most vets will treat in an emergency. There are also places such as Angel Memorial (Boston area) who will help any animal, no matter what the financial situation.

I do see everyone's point about the $ situation going down hill fast, but also see a very materialistic society these days. Their priorities are mixed up and although may say they don't have $$ for a vet, they have a fantastic wardrobe. My point is that bringing a dog into the home is a responsibility not to be taken lightly. They totally depend on us to care for them. We should not let them down when they have a medical emergency, by seeking "free online ER advice" when we should be taking them to the Vet.

Yes, most everyone has a credit card. Perhaps that's what I'm saying....if you don't you shouldn't have a dog.

[crystalsmom]

I've had the same vet for 20 yrs and in an emergency you pay up front. We also have another emergency vet that is open 24 hrs a day every day and you pay the day the dog is seen.

Look at it from the vets point of view, in an emergency a good percentage don't make it so if they do all they can and run up a big bill and your dog dies, the people in alot of cases do not want to pay. I don't blame the vet.

I think by understanding people who may want alittle help because they have no other way, it will also lead us to the 'dead beat' who is too tight to spend a penny but I am willing to do that.

[Beabble]

Originally Posted by cooperk

Most vets will treat in an emergency. There are also places such as Angel Memorial (Boston area) who will help any animal, no matter what the financial situation.

I do see everyone's point about the $ situation going down hill fast, but also see a very materialistic society these days. Their priorities are mixed up and although may say they don't have $$ for a vet, they have a fantastic wardrobe. My point is that bringing a dog into the home is a responsibility not to be taken lightly. They totally depend on us to care for them. We should not let them down when they have a medical emergency, by seeking "free online ER advice" when we should be taking them to the Vet.

Yes, most everyone has a credit card. Perhaps that's what I'm saying....if you don't you shouldn't have a dog.

Excuse me??? I TOTALLY disagree with the remark that you made: "Yes, most everyone has a credit card. Perhaps that what I'm saying.... if you don't you shouldn't have a dog."

That is the most REDICULOUS thing I've ever heard in my life!! I know MANY people who do not have credit cards, myself included and their furkids are very well cared for and loved. I cannot believe we live in a society where a person would think such a thing! My Grandparents were old school, they had many pets throughout their life and they didn't have a credit card, but you can bet your life they took care of those furkids WITHOUT a credit card and they were loved more than I can even say. That remark is just a total disgrace to those not CHOOSING to have a credit card or those not well off enough to have one! It's a shame when one thinks if they don't have a little plastic card to carry around in their wallet or purse then they shouldn't have a furkid....

[BakersDozen]

Originally Posted by cooperk

Most vets will treat in an emergency. There are also places such as Angel Memorial (Boston area) who will help any animal, no matter what the financial situation.

I do see everyone's point about the $ situation going down hill fast, but also see a very materialistic society these days. Their priorities are mixed up and although may say they don't have $$ for a vet, they have a fantastic wardrobe. My point is that bringing a dog into the home is a responsibility not to be taken lightly. They totally depend on us to care for them. We should not let them down when they have a medical emergency, by seeking "free online ER advice" when we should be taking them to the Vet.

Yes, most everyone has a credit card. Perhaps that's what I'm saying....if you don't you shouldn't have a dog.

Yes, you're right. In areas like Boston there are such places. But in most rural areas, there are not. I don't know if you have ever lived in a truly rural area, (I mean like population 3,000) but availability of everything is completely different. I'm not trying to make fun of your opinion here, just pointing out the differences that one might not be aware of if never in that situation. Financial issues aside, it is just not always possible to even get vet care. In my area, we do now have a vet who will take after-hours emergencies, who is 30 minutes away. (In fact, she is the closest vet) But for years, the closest vet for after-hours would have been almost 3 hours away. Too far to be any good in a true emergency.

I agree with your point about priorities. We should be willing to make sacrifices and should not take a dog lightly. Unfortunately, when someone posts for help, we don't know their circumstances. It could be that they are like you describe. Or it could also be one of the scenarios described earlier in this thread. I respect your opinion, but have to disagree with the thought that you shouldn't have a dog if you don't have a credit card. For many reasons....but just as a side point, the vets in our area don't even accept credit cards.

[BakersDozen]

Originally Posted by crystalsmom

I've had the same vet for 20 yrs and in an emergency you pay up front. We also have another emergency vet that is open 24 hrs a day every day and you pay the day the dog is seen.

Look at it from the vets point of view, in an emergency a good percentage don't make it so if they do all they can and run up a big bill and your dog dies, the people in alot of cases do not want to pay. I don't blame the vet.

I think by understanding people who may want alittle help because they have no other way, it will also lead us to the 'dead beat' who is too tight to spend a penny but I am willing to do that.

Very true. I think that everyone will acknowledge that there are those people who simply don't "count the cost" before having dog....who don't have the right priorities....who wait way too long before getting help. But there are also those people for whom it is their first dog and simply don't know better, who have suddenly fallen in dire financial straits, or who actually do not have vet care available to them. It's just like anything, if you decide to help, you take the good with the bad. Perfectly understandable if someone decides not to help, if they feel there is more bad than good. That's a personal choice. However, it would be unfair to lump them all together as people that don't care enough about their furkids.

[ARCHIE]

Amber I thank your for this post. I have read many times an emergency
call for help and think "why are you wasting precious time, get your pup
to a vet, NOW!"
No matter what the discussion there will always be pro's and con's.
To me it's just plain black and white.
If you own any pet, dosen't matter what it is, you are fully responsible for
it's health and welfare. Period. When you take on the responsibity of ownership it's more than a pretty dress, harness or bow. If that pup needs
help you must also be responsible for paying for it's health care. Plain and
simple. If you can't afford an emergency IMO you should have thought of that before getting your dog, etc. You never know when one might arise.
My ER vet only takes payment at time of service and so does my vet.
Therefore it keeps me from getting Buddy a sibling. I know it would be
hard with two so therefore I am not willing to take a chance.
It's like owning a house, if you can't afford the mortgage don't buy the house.
Always expect the unexpected is my way of thinking and it keep's me grounded or Buddy would have a sibling.

[Archie's Mom]

Originally Posted by Amber_lv

I am really worried about how some mebers are asking for emergency help.

In scary occurances i understand that we all want to come here and post for help. But i feel IMPO that it's best to call your vet or take your dog in ASAP.

There are some very educated members here that do know alot but they are not there to look at your dog see how it's acting and most are not vets. While one person can say oh it looks like a rash your fine when in fact it is something life threatning.

If it is serious enough to post about using titles such as Help 911, Emergency please help anything like that then i IMPO belive it's prob emergency enough to GO TO THE VET!!

Allthough some members may have had the same type of situatuion as you it's important to go to your vet to get a diagnosis before asking for help. I think it's great if after the vet you come on and post your experiance for others to learn from.

I am not starting this thread because of anyone thread i am just worried that a dog may die waiting for thier owner to get an answer from someone online

When Peeka got the Bully stuck in his mouth i didn't come on and say OMG Please 911 what do i do i ran him to my vet immidiatly and then posted the story later. I am just so worried about some of the dogs Please take them to the vets only they can tell you for sure what is the matter.

sorry i am off my soap box for today i really am sincere and not trying to be rude i hope you all see it that way

Thank you for saying this! I have had the same reaction to these posts. I want to write back and say, "Please use some common sense and call your vet or emergency vet hospital right away!"

[Lexi Rae]

nice carol

[For My Coby]

I've already posted my opinion (which is typically my boring "we don't know the entire story"). But I would like to point out that in a recent "help" thread, we found out later that she was posting her thread as she was calling the vet. She never mentioned that in the post. Aside from all the other things we don't know (financial status, vet proximitry, pet experience, etc), we also don't always know if they've called the vet and/or are waiting for a return call. Someone in crisis cannot always think of every detail to put in their thread. While I agree with Amber's core message, we really need to keep an open mind.

[BakersDozen]

Originally Posted by For My Coby

I've already posted my opinion (which is typically my boring "we don't know the entire story"). But I would like to point out that in a recent "help" thread, we found out later that she was posting her thread as she was calling the vet. She never mentioned that in the post. Aside from all the other things we don't know (financial status, vet proximitry, pet experience, etc), we also don't always know if they've called the vet and/or are waiting for a return call. Someone in crisis cannot always think of every detail to put in their thread. While I agree with Amber's core message, we really need to keep an open mind.

[cooperk]

Originally Posted by Beabble

Excuse me??? I TOTALLY disagree with the remark that you made: "Yes, most everyone has a credit card. Perhaps that what I'm saying.... if you don't you shouldn't have a dog."

That is the most REDICULOUS thing I've ever heard in my life!! I know MANY people who do not have credit cards, myself included and their furkids are very well cared for and loved. I cannot believe we live in a society where a person would think such a thing! My Grandparents were old school, they had many pets throughout their life and they didn't have a credit card, but you can bet your life they took care of those furkids WITHOUT a credit card and they were loved more than I can even say. That remark is just a total disgrace to those not CHOOSING to have a credit card or those not well off enough to have one! It's a shame when one thinks if they don't have a little plastic card to carry around in their wallet or purse then they shouldn't have a furkid....

Most people these days do have credit cards. I didn't mean to slam anyone who doesn't. I was making a point that if you are not able to find a way to pay for an emergency trip to the vet, you shouldn't own a dog. I bet you do would find a way to find help for your furkid without a credit card. We do live in a credit society.

I find that in some areas people take the responsibility of owning a dog too lightly. I suppose that was my point.

[Beabble]

Originally Posted by cooperk

Most people these days do have credit cards. I didn't mean to slam anyone who doesn't. I was making a point that if you are not able to find a way to pay for an emergency trip to the vet, you shouldn't own a dog. I bet you do would find a way to find help for your furkid without a credit card. We do live in a credit society.

I find that in some areas people take the responsibility of owning a dog too lightly. I suppose that was my point.

I'd give anything to help any of our furkids and I have been in a situation before where I didn't have enough money put aside to get my cat the treatment she needed for her emergency. Does that mean I shouldn't have had her? In my eyes, no, not at all. It was a Saturday night and she started acting not right, she had drainage coming out of the back of her, long story short, she had pyometra (sp). Our regular vet was closed and the only emergency place open around here wanted over $1300.00 just to see her to check her and diagnose her and get her started on meds, if she needed surgery, they said it would be even more. I only had $450, they don't take payments. I came online and found a cat forum, explained the situation, (I had already researched and was pretty sure I knew what she had, they pyometra) and the kind people gave me any advice they thought would help. Pyometra can kill a female and fast so believe me, I was in tears and at my wits end and grasping at straws to try and save my furkid. I had some human antibiotics at home that was left one of the kids and my sister gave me her vets home number, I called in tears begging for help, but the office was closed and he didn't take payments either, but did say it sounded like pyometra. He asked how much she weighed, I told him, he told me how much of the antibiotic she could have and how often and I took it from there. Justice and I laid on the bathroom floor the rest of Saturday night and I cried and begged and pleaded with God not to take her away from me and to please help her hold on until our vet was open Monday morning. I went out and got pedialite and chicken baby food, it's the only thing I could get her to eat, and I force fed with a syringe and gave her the pedialite with a syringe. I stopped giving her anything at 12:00 Sunday night cause I was sure she'd need surgery and knowing from our other pets the directions not to feed or give anything to drink after 12:00 the night before a surgery, I knew our vet would give the same directions for her if she required surgery. It was the longest weekend of my life. Justice was 7 years old and was my late Step moms persian cat, when Mom passed away, her other kids were going to put her down if they didn't find a home for her, so, Justice came to live with us. She's the only thing I have left of my Step Mom of 29 years and just the thought of losing her was breaking my heart into a million pieces. I'd have given anything to get her the treatment she need at the ER vet, but they are so high priced it's rediculous and as I said before, I only had $450. Come Monday morning when our vet opened at 7:00, I was there with Justice in my arms and in tears. The doc came right in and seen her and as I had thought, he confirmed she had pyometra and she definately needed surgery. I told him what I had done as far as treatment and he said that I was very lucky, cause had I not done that, she more than likely wouldn't have made it. He said he couldn't do surgery on her right now thought cause she had to be so may hours without food or liquids, I then let him know I had with held everything starting at 12:00 the night before, and he quickly replied, that was great and he could take her into surgery right then and there. The cost of her surgery, the meds, the IV, the take home meds and her stay all come to a little over $200, quite a difference from what the ER vet wanted to charge. Justice (thank God) made it through and recovered completely and is now sleeping on my pillow. I'd give my life for hers, literally, and I'm not playing when I say that. She means the world to me, more than I could ever type here. She licks my tears away when I cry, when I play Moms song on the computer, she comes and sits on my lap and just looks at me with those big beautiful green eyes. She has helped me through losing my Mom. I guess what I'm saying is, if you or anyone else here thinks for one split second that I shouldn't have her cause I didn't have over $1300 to pay the ER vet that night apposed to a lil over $200 that our vet charged for her surgery and treatment, then I totally and completely disagree. Things come up, emergencies happen, life happens, and everyones circumstances are totally and completely different. I'd have given the ER vet the whole amount they wanted that night to get Justice that treatment she needed, but my pockets aren't as deep as others and that should not equal I shouldn't have her and it shouldn't mean others shouldn't have a pet either if they don't have that kind of money. I'd never make it as a vet cause I'd treat everything that came through my door rather they had the means to pay or not.

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by Beabble

I'd give anything to help any of our furkids and I have been in a situation before where I didn't have enough money put aside to get my cat the treatment she needed for her emergency. Does that mean I shouldn't have had her? . . .

Your post brought tears to my eyes; sometime things aren't as black and white as we wish they were. In an ideal situation everyone would have the money necessary for these unexpected expenses. I remember a time not that long ago, when a trip to the vet was not that expensive, but perhaps because they can do so much more now to save our pets the prices have really skyrocketed. I'm glad Justice made it through ok. I agree with you, I just don't know how a vet could turn down an injured animal.