Need Financial Help For Vet?

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by ademas

Not all expenses can be anticipated and absorbed. I, too, have savings, and all of my credit cards and lines of credit have zero balances. Aside from a modest car payment, I have no debt.

That said, it's still not difficult to imagine a series of circumstances that could destroy my nest egg. I'm grateful it hasn't happened, but I firmly believe that the vast majority of people are one medical emergency away from bankruptcy.

I love my baby. He's 12, diabetic, hypothyroid, and today I got the possible diagnosis of Cushing's Disease. I'm really beside myself. Yes, I can afford his insulin, needles, blood glucose testing supplies. and regular vet visits. Yes, I could afford the $140 in blood work today, and I'll be able to afford the $242 test to confirm his Cushing's diagnosis.

After that? I'll have to take things as they come. I live in the real world. There are treatments and medications that I can't afford for myself. There are also treatments and procedures that I simply would not put a 12-year old, elderly dog through.

I wish I was without limits on my resources, but it's my reality. There would be a lot more homeless (and euthanized) pets out there if only those with the means to anticipate every emergency were able to be pet owners.

You sound like a wonderful Yorkie mom, and I know it can be overwhelming, especially since you can't plan for this. This is one of the main reason’s I’m an advocate for good breeders. I really believe that good breeders check the backgrounds of their breeding dogs and keep in touch with puppy’s families so that they are aware of these things that show up as the pup ages. We have to stop supporting all the backyard breeders that are in and out of the breeding business, and sell breeding dogs to other backyard breeders without even knowing if the dogs should be bred. For those on a budget, insurance might be helpful, but it doesn’t often cover “preexisting conditions”, and even with insurance, it can be expensive. From my understanding, the Cushing’s, diabetes and hypothyroid, are all interrelated, and it’s not unusual for a dog to have all three, so I hope you don’t feel too unlucky, I’ve read of them occurring together many times. Best of luck, and all we can do is try our best, but we all have some limits.

[107barney]

Originally Posted by ademas

Not all expenses can be anticipated and absorbed. I, too, have savings, and all of my credit cards and lines of credit have zero balances. Aside from a modest car payment, I have no debt.

That said, it's still not difficult to imagine a series of circumstances that could destroy my nest egg. I'm grateful it hasn't happened, but I firmly believe that the vast majority of people are one medical emergency away from bankruptcy.

I love my baby. He's 12, diabetic, hypothyroid, and today I got the possible diagnosis of Cushing's Disease. I'm really beside myself. Yes, I can afford his insulin, needles, blood glucose testing supplies. and regular vet visits. Yes, I could afford the $140 in blood work today, and I'll be able to afford the $242 test to confirm his Cushing's diagnosis.

After that? I'll have to take things as they come. I live in the real world. There are treatments and medications that I can't afford for myself. There are also treatments and procedures that I simply would not put a 12-year old, elderly dog through.

I wish I was without limits on my resources, but it's my reality. There would be a lot more homeless (and euthanized) pets out there if only those with the means to anticipate every emergency were able to be pet owners.

Age alone isn't a reason to not provide treatment for a dog. My 11.5 year old dog had a catastrophic knee injury and needed surgery to walk again. Should I have put him down instead?

[Loving Furgie]

There are also treatments and procedures that I simply would not put a 12-year old, elderly dog through.

Originally Posted by 107barney

Age alone isn't a reason to not provide treatment for a dog. My 11.5 year old dog had a catastrophic knee injury and needed surgery to walk again. Should I have put him down instead?

Not to be rude, but I think your response to the post is kind of insensitive. Age alone may not be reason enough to provide care, but obviously the person that posted that comment cares for her dog. I work as a nurse in the ICU and witness the circle of life every week. Quality versus quantity needs to be considered when looking at big decisions such as surgery whether human or canine... a lot of times people think about themselves cause they don't want to loose their loved one, but is the surgical procedure going to better the quality of life? Are they going to get better? Are there other health problems going on where surgery may not be able to be done? Obviously your 11.5 year old dog was one that the surgery benefited and hopefully your dog is better...that was a decision you made for your dog cause you know your dogs situation, limitation, and capability. Someone else may have a 11.5 year old dog that had a catastrophic knee injury but also has kidney failure and may not survive and wouldn't want to put their dog through that.....so in their case...Yeah...age may play a role in not having a procedure done....

[107barney]

Originally Posted by Loving Furgie

There are also treatments and procedures that I simply would not put a 12-year old, elderly dog through.



Not to be rude, but I think your response to the post is kind of insensitive. Age alone may not be reason enough to provide care, but obviously the person that posted that comment cares for her dog. I work as a nurse in the ICU and witness the circle of life every week. Quality versus quantity needs to be considered when looking at big decisions such as surgery whether human or canine... a lot of times people think about themselves cause they don't want to loose their loved one, but is the surgical procedure going to better the quality of life? Are they going to get better? Are there other health problems going on where surgery may not be able to be done? Obviously your 11.5 year old dog was one that the surgery benefited and hopefully your dog is better...that was a decision you made for your dog cause you know your dogs situation, limitation, and capability. Someone else may have a 11.5 year old dog that had a catastrophic knee injury but also has kidney failure and may not survive and wouldn't want to put their dog through that.....so in their case...Yeah...age may play a role in not having a procedure done....

I said age alone. Re-read my post. I don't care what you do for a living, I stand by my post. The very same people who don't want to shell out cash for their dogs manage to find a way to buy big TVs and other luxuries while their dog is left without appropriate care. And I think your post admonishing my views was obnoxious indeed. I have just as much right to post an opinion as anyone else. I think a dog should be given appropriate care despite their age, and age alone is no excuse not to vet a dog. I have another dog with more problems than I can count and I guarantee you that if she was the one that jumped off the bed, she'd be in surgery too. Or anything else she needed. Why should I not do it because she isn't a puppy with a long life span ahead? They do age you know.

[Yorkiemom1]

A vet I used to go to had a picture in his office...it was a picture of a pitiful little straggley, obviously sickly little dog, with the caption, "Mommy, what does 'that costs too much', mean?" 'nuf said!

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by 107barney

Age alone isn't a reason to not provide treatment for a dog. My 11.5 year old dog had a catastrophic knee injury and needed surgery to walk again. Should I have put him down instead?

I agree. In 2004 my sweet pup, Maxwell who was every bit of 12 (he was a rescue so I don't know exact age) had cervical disc surgery at Texas A&M. Prior to the surgery he was unable to even stand up due to two herniated discs. I had two choices, euthanasia or surgery. So, my choice was surgery...he deserved a chance. He had 2 more wonderful, happy years after that!

[Loving Furgie]

Originally Posted by 107barney

I said age alone. Re-read my post. I don't care what you do for a living, I stand by my post. The very same people who don't want to shell out cash for their dogs manage to find a way to buy big TVs and other luxuries while their dog is left without appropriate care. And I think your post admonishing my views was obnoxious indeed. I have just as much right to post an opinion as anyone else. I think a dog should be given appropriate care despite their age, and age alone is no excuse not to vet a dog. I have another dog with more problems than I can count and I guarantee you that if she was the one that jumped off the bed, she'd be in surgery too. Or anything else she needed. Why should I not do it because she isn't a puppy with a long life span ahead? They do age you know.

Thanks, I know they age...The post you commented on, the poster said elderly, not just age. The poster also does everything she can to care for dog that has multiple issues. You stated your situation and then asked "should I have him put down instead?"...I think that is just stupid. Stand by your post, you are entitled to you opinion as I am mine. Bottom line is every situation is different, you may have a pup that can handle surgery at 11.5 years...someone may have a pup at 15 years that can handle surgery and thats great, but someone may have an elderly pup that they would not want to see see struggle and might not want to put them through the surgery.

Your comment that I referred to with my first post didn't address finances...so I am not talking about avoiding taking care of pups by just putting them down cause you don't have the money. The situation about people enjoying luxuries instead of paying for what their babies need...I think thats horrible. I would make major sacrifices to make sure my pup got the care she needs.

[107barney]

Originally Posted by Loving Furgie

Thanks, I know they age...The post you commented on, the poster said elderly, not just age. The poster also does everything she can to care for dog that has multiple issues. You stated your situation and then asked "should I have him put down instead?"...I think that is just stupid. Stand by your post, you are entitled to you opinion as I am mine. Bottom line is every situation is different, you may have a pup that can handle surgery at 11.5 years...someone may have a pup at 15 years that can handle surgery and thats great, but someone may have an elderly pup that they would not want to see see struggle and might not want to put them through the surgery.

Your comment that I referred to with my first post didn't address finances...so I am not talking about avoiding taking care of pups by just putting them down cause you don't have the money. The situation about people enjoying luxuries instead of paying for what their babies need...I think thats horrible. I would make major sacrifices to make sure my pup got the care she needs.

I did not address the fact that the poster who made the comment also stated she might not spend the money. I wasn't referring to her, but now I am. She said she would not put a dog through a procedure if it was elderly, and she said age 12 was elderly (a fact in dispute in my opinion). So, she basically will care for her dog, up and until it gets too old or it gets too expensive. Now that is her choice and her dog, but I still think when you sign up to take care of a pet, you do it for life. Until death do you part....