Amen!!! I totally agree. I would be broke too if I was a vet!

Our Prayers are with you and Teddy!!

My puppy Joey came to me very ill and has needed thousands of dollars of treatment and continuing meds and supplements. I know how horrible it feels to be in such a tough situation. I am just curious. How would something like this be handled in the UK? I know you are so much more evolved than here when it comes to health insurance, is it similar for pets as well, or is it like the US, where if you can't pay, you're just sh**t out of luck?

it seems very different in the uk .. the vets work with you on bills and the cost of treatment is not an issue until the pet has had whatever treatment needed..
they tell you how much the treatment will cost but dont scream pay me now before they do it!
there are charity pet services like the rspca who will help owners out who have not got funding for treatment their pet needs paid direct to the vet and the blue cross with its up to date pet hospitals who only require a donation towards the emergency treatment a pet may need available for none working and low wage pet owners and will never turn a pet away in need so anyone can gain access to them if emergencies arise

pet insurance is available over here but it seems to be only the elderly that buy into those as they cover anual boosters and rotine check ups ect..usefull if have a pet that has to be on meds daily as they pay out on those even if take out the policy after the pet has been diagnosed although emergency treatment usualy has a price cap on so not to usuable in a true emergency lol

as for people health care we have the nhs .. free meds/operations to all lol
the american documentry film sicko certainly made us brits more content/grateful with our free nhs and opened our eyes alot!

You are soooo right!!!! I have two Yorkies that were both rescued from abusive homes with large animals and small children. I, too, was making $60,000+/yr. and was laid off in January. Do I just stop caring for my animals because I want to save money while living on the $300/wk I get from unemployment insurance....hell no!!!! I, just yesterday, had my 9 month old male neutered, his shots updated, microchipped, fecal/heartworm tested for $80 at The Humane Society. This had to be done. Two weeks prior, I took my female to the very same place and had her shots updated and microchipped for $30 including the registration for her chip. Unfortunately, at those times when emergency care is required, these places are often not available. If it were me, I would work out a plan with the vet. No one plans on losing their income, and sometimes, as in my case as a single mother with no supplemental income, saving money is not an option. Savings these dogs was the right thing for me. Great post!!!!

Amen!!!! I, too, am in her situation relating to my lost job, but fortunately my two are healthy and happy. Support is the key word!!! She was merely asking for this support. This situation requires immediate attention and not criticism. I would seek assistance from the breeder or pet store, whichever is applicable. If this doesn't work, a payment plan with the vet. Credit card companies are participating in legalized thievery with their high interest rates, so this may not be a good option. No vet is going to let a small, treatable animal just die. If so, they have no business practicing veterinary medicine.

Can't believe this
 

I could not believe the way this is being presented. She just asked for some answers and advice and was made to feel like she shouldn't have her dog if she does not have money. How many of you if you have or had children in the past was able to pay or it not affect your finances if they came down with cancer or some drastic health condition. I know I had 4 children and it would have really hit me. Just because she is not financially set does not mean that she does not deserve to love a dog or to loved by one. I am new and don't know much about this site but enjoy reading etc. I have a dog that is having liver problems and it is draining my pocketbook and worry that I will not have enough money , shame on people for making this a money thing.

I'm hoping and praying that this little guy is doing okay...any updates?

concerned
 

How is your little Teddy today. I have been praying for him and I know that you are beside yourself with fear for him. I so hope your little one will get better soon.

OP, sending positive thoughts your way for Teddy. I hope everything turns out well.

I bought Chester a month after I was laid off. I didn't have a job for 5 months and had no unemployment either. I completely drained my emergency savings account and ended up moving over to credit cards. The $800 I spent for him was the best investment I ever made. Times were tight but I have never regretted it. I would do it all over again. Chester has made my life better and it is a fact that people with dogs are happier with their lives overall.

I hope your little Teddy is doing better, please updated us, we really do care about you & him. :(

All I can say to some is YT is here to help, discuss, and learn, there are places if you don't agree about something to post them, but when people come on here for help, it seems lately some just jump on and start giving there opinion about everything, not thinking about why the op came here, this lady could lose her baby, money is tight with everyone, she didnt ask for your lecture, she ask for support. Some come on here and ask for advice or crazy questions, thats a little different, this poor boy is sick and needs our support & prayers, and positive thoughts. What if it was you in her shoes. :(

I think everyone is missing the fact that her dog IS getting treatment! Read the first post. He was seen by one vet, transferred to another vet treatment facility for specialized care, given lots of tests even a spinal tap. I did not read that they were refusing treatment and requiring all the payment up front!

I have never been required to pay any fees upfront. Even when we got a pound puppy years back that came down with parvo in the first week. They treated him and we paid after. So, I do not think all vets work on a fee-up-front basis in the US.

Also be careful of believing everything that comes out in a politically motivated film like SICKO. Anyone can make a slant look the way they want. After being on a health forum for years, I see deficiencies in health care no matter if there is a National Health Care Plan or not. The US has so many health care plans right now, I cannot imagine anyone not getting care when they need it. Even if a person is not on Medicaid, they can do an emergency work up at the hospital and have them covered immediately. Most counties have a Well-care program for at least the children. Plus the vast majority of working America is covered by health care programs. I retired with a great medical plan that covers me til Medicare takes over at 65. Plus I can see most any specialist within 30 days not the months some of the national health care countries have to wait. So there are pluses and minuses with both sides of this issue not the one slant you saw in THAT movie.

Apologies to the OP for going off topic but could not let that one ride without reply. Best wishes on finding some help with the vet bills. I am glad your vet is treating your little one and hope the source of the problem is found and cured soon!

:thumbup::thumbup: I hope she hasn't been scared away by some of the unnecessary comments....most of us are truly here to help, if we can! I hope her baby is doing much better!!

Amen
 

It would be sad to think that people think the movie "sicko" epitomizes U.S. health care.

I mean, would I like to live in Cuba under Castro? Would you all?

In any case my only point is that we should be responsible for our own doings be it having kids(how responsible is the Octomom e.g.)or pets and not expect the other guy to pick up the cost. I am in health care and we do a whole lot gratis or at very reduced costs. It is a shame her dog is ill. I think this has been discussed fully.

Has anyone PM her to find out how her dog is doing..I think we have the best Doctors and the Best Vets here in the United States. We also have a very best health care. Most vets will work with you on the cost. This is my personal opinion and I dont want to offend anyone...Thanks

" I hope she hasn't been scared away by some of the unnecessary comments....most of us are truly here to help, if we can! I hope her baby is doing much better!!"

What the hell does living in Cuba under Castro have to do with the OP's topic?? Can we give it a rest already?:questione

I wouldn't blame her if she didn't come back!! Any of us could be in her same situation in a heart beat. I too hope her baby is doing better!! Please give us an update when you are able. :ghug:

Of course she was scared off. I don't know just seems the same people over and over and over. Sometimes I can't stay on the forum. I see that someone comes and asks a question. Maybe we don't like the fact that a person may have purchased a pup from a mill or pet store, whatever. Help first, Educate LATER! I'm sick of hearing, anyone who buys a puppy on the internet is a irresponsible buyer. Enough already with it. People will learn the hard way, but they have the right to do what they feel is right. And if people don't happen to agree then shame on them? I think...not. Lighten up peeps, just a little? sheesh

I care...hope the pup is doing better.

I care too.

Please let's not take this thread in the wrong direction.
This poor girl needs our help not repremanding.
Who cares where she got her pet, let's help her in any way we can.

I will keep your baby in my thoughts and prayers in hopes the vet's
can find out the problem and get him on the road to recovery.

Hugs,

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/sic...vet-bills.html

^^ that thread has some useful stuff for help with vet bills ..

sorry if i read the stuff wrongly ..it just to me sounded harsh to want the money up front glad to see that is not the case.. glad also the sicko film was an over dramatized production :eek:

how is the puppy doing today??

I had not seen what happened to this thread before it started :( Geez, what a circus it turned out to be. Thank you Archie for bringing it back on track. However the OP probably won't be back...
I guess I ought to start looking for a new home for my service dog too.. Although Suzi is as healthy as can be, a beautiful pure bred silver blue yorkie. I am fully disabled, so is my son, and i am on a fixed income... Guess that means , I am a horrible owner too.. Even though I provide her with the highest quatlity food, care and love/attention on a daily basis, I may not meet all of your expectations fianancially:confused: However, Suzi is up to date with her vaccinations, is regulary professionally groomed, anad sees a vet when needed... HUMMM , to all those critical, please, one never knows that someday it could be your turn to be in a financial bind.. It's so easy to judge others and to point fingers, however, wrong it is,I am certain the OP loves her Yorkie and was only looking for advice and support!
Cathy

Teddy update
 

First I want to thank everyone was so supportive. You kept my hope alive.
Here is the update.
Tuesday was the illness, he almost died, we were told to wait 24 hours to see if any of the meds worked and to get blood work back.
Wednesday he was doing better so we knew something was working, he was able to eat had elevated WBC.
Thursday had spinal tap done, ruled out liver shunt and protein issue and he made a miraculous turn around and started to eat alot and get energy and the seizures stopped and he was off most meds.
Friday we were told we could take him home as the only test we were really waiting on was the distemper test and he was doing really well.
They still have no idea what happened, why he had the original siezure.
The only test that came back with anything was an elevated WBC so they are thinking that he had an infection in the brain it caused swelling he had a seizure and the meds took 30 some hours to work and relieve pressure on his brain.
He truely is the miracle pup. They thought he might have brain damage, but I am happy to tell you that he is 99% back to himself . They did keep him on polybromide to keep his brain relaxed just in case. They are going to take him off it slowly in about a week or so.
The only issue we have is he is no longer potty trained AT ALL!! and he pees alot, all the time. But its hard to get mad knowing thats all that is wrong.
We do however have a bill of $2300.00 we paid all but $1100.00 and the vet was awesome and is allowing us to pay monthly, so now I just need to hurry and find work to pay it off.
Again thank you everyone for keeping me hopeful, when I transported him to the specialist he as in a full constant seizure and it broke my heart I thought as he lay limp and seizing that he was going to die. It just want his time.
So he is back to attacking his toys, chewing bones and our toes. He doesn't bark though.
Loves socks, can't complain too much.
Lorrie

Teddy is doing great, I posted an update finally as this last week was chaotic.
He is home, had every test we could afford and then some, (vet was willing to take payments) he had spinal tap that told us alot. He doesnlt have distemper. Thank god!!
They haev no clue, they think he simply got an infection of the brain, he seized until mes where given, I got him in so quickly that he was given all the meds he needed and didn't within 3 hours, seizures were controlled, spinal tap done, antibiotics given for everything. All that matter is he is 99% better, no brain damage and he is home being his cute puppy self. We realized how much we love him.
Thank you for your support. I didn't realize how critical and harse people would be without knowing anything about me or our situation.
It does worry me that we have no idea what caused the infection.
Lorrie

Wooo hooooo, he's home. I am sooooo happy to hear he is better. But I know you're happier than all of us put together!!!

Carol and Jemma

To the mean people regarding Teddy
 

I wanted to clarify a few things, I did not buy my puppy from a pet store or puppy mill, I bought him from a small local breeder with a good reputation.
Financially related, I bought Teddy when I was still working making good money. I lost my job 1 week after getting him.Please remember I have already paid $1100.00 towards the bill.
I have a puppy plan at the vet and was looking into pet insurance.
I used up my savings, I decided not to go back to work until the end of the summer so that I could save money and also spend time with my puppy and my 5 y/o daughter so that I wouldnt have to pay daycare.

Why do you jump to judge me and make me trash without knowing anything about me or have the common courtesy to ask.
Part of the reason I asked for help in the first place is that I have spent the last 10 years volunteering with animal shelter and rescue groups, I have fostered many animals. I donate time, money (if I have it) and material things to any animal group who needs it.
I did not see anything wrong with asking for a little help and advise.

To those who supported me, even without knowing me and put the mean people in their place, Thank you keep in mind that Karma will resolve this situation, and no I am not scared off that easily. There are mean and judmental people everywhere you just have to look past them and move on to the good people trying to help.

I am so very happy to hear that Teddy is home and doing so well.
I will continue to keep him, you and your family in my prayers.

I'm glad little Teddy is feeling better, thanks for the update. Lorrie, you sound like a great Yorkie mom! Hugs to you and the little one.

I am so happy to hear this, I was so worried...hope Teddy continues to thrive from now on...Stay well, little fella!!! Thanks so much for the update!!!

I am so happy to hear that Teddy is LOTS better. I hope he gets that 1% back too;). I am fairly new to this forum and if it had been me in your situation, I would have been scared off. I am sorry that this has been so tough on you. You didn't need more added to a rough time. Your baby Teddy's health was the important thing, some couldn't see it, but I hope they'll remember how this thread played out. Thanks for being such a good furbaby mom.