Originally Posted by milliecorrales

I got my first sick yorkie on Febuary 28th and the pup was hospitalized on the very next day, March 1st. I had moved and did not have a vet, but the one that I rushed Max to, stated he needed $600 before he could do anything. They kept him overnight, that was $600 plus a few blood tests, one week later, Max was sick again, again we went to the vet, $300 and a prescription for antibiotics and he was hydrated. Two weeks later, Max was sick again, I had talked to a breeder who recommended a Dr. W of a rich area animal hospital. I rushed Max there, he was in the process of dying. Dr. W and his staff were excellent, however, I was told that payment would be required in full and a deposit placed immediately. I gave them what was my rent money. After calling often to check on Max the next few days, I received the call at work that I could take Max home, before I could leave work (and I was so excited to think that Max was coming home) I received the call that Max had passed and I needed to come into the hospital to settle things. I went in and paid almost $800 for Max's bill. After a long and protracted battle with my BYB, he met me at his vets office and I was given two identical yorkie pups with a clean bill of health from the BYB's vet. I was thrilled though still sick at heart over Max. This was Wednesday afternoon. I took the boys home and not feeling well, laid down. I woke up three hours later to one pup being seriously sick. Since Dr. W was so far from me, I rushed the pup to the first vet, where the doctor actually took out his calculator while I was holding this sick pup, added up some numbers, told me a $300 deposit was required immediately (there went my car payment), I gave him the money. I was called about two hours later and told that the pup had parvo and would require radical treatment. In the meantime I reached the BYB who instructed me to pick up the pup from the vets immediately, which I did (did not get a dime back from this vet, even though the vet had him less than 3 hours), the BYB picked him up and when I walked out to the car with the pup, he had another yorkie pup in the car that he was taking to his wife, I took that pup. I had to keep the second pup away from the first for two weeks to make sure that neither had parvo. My two boys are healthy and after an experience with an OD with one of them (vet bill of almost $1600, different vet) I now have insurance on my two boys. It costs me almost $60 a month for the two of them, but it offers me immense peace of mind. It took me almost a full year to recover financially from all those vet bills. To say that one should not take on a pet unless they are financially secure is to do a disservice to all that love animals. I did what I had to do to provide for Max and my boys and would do it again, but to say that you should not have an animal unless you have lots of money is wrong. If you love your pet you will do whatever is necessary to provide for them. I would lay down my life for my boys. Those that truly love animals and go into the business of caring for them need to be understanding of others financial limitations. If payments had been allowed, I would have made those payments if I had to sell blood to do it, but to turn a sick animal away due to the financial constraints of its owner shows not a love of animals, but someone who is more concerned with their financial happiness. A true animal lover would work something out with the owner, even if it was a few dollars a week. JMHO.

Originally Posted by tartisst

That's why it pays to have a good relationship with your vet. Our vet had just opened her practice when I got Tyson & Conan (15 years ago). Despite having 3 or 4 vets within blocks of our home, I will drive to her office (about 20 minutes away) because she would do anything for my dogs, and not worry about asking for payment up front.

When Conan died, it was at her office (he was a puppy mill dog with congenital heart problems) she cut open his chest and hand massaged his heart to try to get it started again. I know that the Lord allowed it to happen that way because a) He knew that I would not be able to handle coming home and finding Conan dead and b) I know that my vet went above and beyond duty trying to save him and all that could be done to save him was done. Despite all of her efforts and time and medicine, she did not charge me for anything related to the office visit. All she asked me to pay for (and days later mind you) was $99.00 to cover his cremation and the urn for me to keep my boy at home and that was what the cremation place was charging her.

I've called her in the middle of the night with questions and she has sent out broadcast faxes trying to help me find Coty. She has also agreed, if it comes a time when one of my dogs needs to be put down, she will come to my home and do it in a loving environment so that we would never have to face doing it in her office.

That's the kind of relationship I want to have with my vet. Just not some "show me the money" type who really has no interest in me or my pet.

Just my 2 cents worth.

Originally Posted by Cookie2 (Post 2164860)

If its an emergency Vet Hospital ,they will turn anyone away who doesnt have the money to pay before the dog gets treated. Over here the vets tell you that the consult checkup is of $100. Then they will tell you what they need done and a price if you cant pay at least $100 to be seen then they will NOT see you. It's not like a hospital for humans that they cant turn you away for not having the money.
When I took Lola for an emergency C-section ,I saw the front desk receptionist turn away a couple who couldnot afford $700 upfront.
I felt terrible for them. The girl was totally honest with them and explained that it's a private hospital and that was their policy.The girl also said that she doesnt agree with it .But they dont have anyone working there that does collections when so many pet owners dont make payments.
My vet does not take payment plans but..... she LOVES animals first and she has lowered an estimate,given a discount and if its a matter of life and death she would NOT turn one of her patients away .
I would not be able to work in a place where I had to see the desperation of pet owners,people crying because they cant afford it and leave with a dying pet in their arms. I could not do it!

The only thing that has saved me is having Care Credit. It's a credit card for vets,dentists etc..My vet doesnt accept it but if I really need it ,the emergency vet accepts it. I've been begging our vet to become a Care Credit member but her office says that its a big hassle :(

Genie

Originally Posted by mizzwanned (Post 2164880)

How can i get care credit?

Originally Posted by amandawash (Post 2165618)

You guys, you really have to understand the other side of things. I know to you it just looks like the vets are "out to make money," but you have no idea of the HUGE overhead these practices carry. Do you know how much an ultrasound machine costs? overnight vet techs salary? On-call physicians? Blood analysis machines? Most of these emergency clinics are highly updated and offer the best technology. These things come at amazingly outrageous costs and have to be covered.

I know it seems heartless to you, but have you ever thought of the other side? What happens if they see 100 patients in a weekend, and out of these 100 patients, they each only paid $50. Um, sorry but that's not even enough to cover a few vet techs. I know it seems personal to you, but it's not. It's called necessity. And if they let you make payments, they must let everyone make payments. It's just not going to happen.

The other thing you are not thinking about is the dishonesty of people. People will call in with a huge emergency, but then bitch about the price and say they can't afford it. Well when they pull up in their Jag you have to wonder.... Also, there are probably as many if not more people who just aren't going to pay. I am sorry but how, as a veterinarian, are you supposed to be able to weed through the bad ones?

Please think about these things before you start complaining about these clinics- they are there to save lives and do so daily. It is just common fact that an emergency clinic will not treat for free, and I am sorry but they shouldn't have to. Also, everyone keeps saying these vets went into veterinary practice for the wrong reason- to make money. Um, I am sorry but the last time I checked people have to make a living. Why should a doctor who has attended 8+ years of school have to subsidize their salary because irresponsible people have pets that they cannot afford?

Please have an emergency savings account for your pet. That way you will never be turned away from saving your baby if something should happen.

I am sure I have offended several, and I am sorry, but I am just looking at things from the "other side." I am done now...