Dogs, what would you do if yours needed possibly thousands spent at the vet?

[Curval]

Originally posted by GtoRA2
I can just image what the people in the waiting room were thinking seeing a 250 pount guy run out sobbing.

No shame in that man.  When I had to put down my dog I was a blubbering mess.  I actually hyperventilated and almost passed out.

Tough day...very tough day.

[Raubvogel]

I wouldn't put a price on my dogs. My border collie came down with parvo virus a week after we got him. $1,000 and over a week spent at the hospital later, and he's the best dog I've ever had. At the time it seemed like a lot of money, but if I had to make a decision like that again it'd be a no-brainer.

[Steve]

I cried like a baby, emberased the hell out of myself at the vet.

I don't see where you have anything to be embarrassed about.
You lost what you felt was a member of your family.  Trust me, no-one at the vet is going to think anything less of you if you get upset.

[myelo]

GtoRA2, sorry to hear about Sadie. It sounds like a luxating patella, where the kneecap moves in and out of position. It could also be a ruptured cruciate ligament, which is common in labs this age, but doesn’t usually cause a pop.

But the first step is to get her looked at. The veterinarian may be able to tell you what it is by examining her or they may need to take an x-ray.

Based on that, they can discuss the options with you, including an estimate of the cost. There are often several options for this type of thing and they can help you decide what’s best in your case. It could even be something that will heal with just rest and time.

If it does come to something expensive, ask about making payments and ask if they use CareCredit.

[koda76]

My Min Pin has had the the same problem for about 3 years now....he is 7. Took him to the vet right after I noticed him sticking his leg out and hopping around, he didn't seem to be in any pain just annoyed.....the vet said it would be around 2500 and no guarantees.....he also said unless he fully looses his leg it will just come and go, so I put him on calcium and createn but every now and then it will pop out so I just massage it back in...pop....and he's good to go. I did notice it happens more in the winter time than summer, like if he walks on ice or something slick.
He has never yelped or anything and now he just comes to me to massage it back in. If you lose a cherished pet don't forget to sing for them so they can find their way to the happy hunting ground. sorry for the long post.........

[gofaster]

Patella or ACL injury, either way it looks like your dog's football career is over.  

Time to bring in a puppy, so Sadie can get her coaching position started.

[txmx]

Do a search for a procedure called a TPLO
 I had it done to our Akita and she is better than new.
But Its exspensive 2k on average.


http://www.veterinaryspecialties.com/tplo.htm

[rpm]

My Bro-In-Law's Austrailian Sheppard "Lefty" has fallen off a moving vehicle (over 30mph) and been run over twice and kicked in the head by a horse. Lefty's lucky their next door neighbor is a Vet and close friend. Total Vet bill: $0

[Captain Virgil Hilts]

Originally posted by GtoRA2
Capt V,
 I was a little worried about hip stuff but I did not by her from a breeder, just a hunter with a litter. But I did think it was her hips at first though now since I can feel her knee pop I think Curval is on the right track..


Thanks for the info Curv...


You guys are giving me some hope......


I will find out tommorow from the vet.

this is all pretty upseting.... another reason I did not want to get a dog again.

when I had to put my first lab down, after having her for 17 years, pretty much from 1 first grade tell my early twenties, it broke my heart. I cried like a baby, emberased the hell out of myself at the vet. I can just image what the people in the waiting room were thinking seeing a 250 pount guy run out sobbing.

The biggest reason hip displaysia came to mind is that you described it as a somewhat long term condition. It struck me as being the same as my wife's Rottie. She has the same occaisional limp, sometimes more pronounced than others. It does at times have a popping feel to it as the joint is not as tight and solid. On the medication for joints, with excercise, and keeping her lean and muscular, the problem rarely raises its ugly head, often only associated with exuberent behaviour and weather changes. When it is not giving trouble, the joint actually feels very normal both to me and the vet.

Good luck, I know how you feel about your dogs, I feel the same. We lost my first Rottie, Manfred, when he was a pup, my stupid prettythang sister in law exposed the whole litter to Parvo, and my wife took the dog to her mother's favorite vet. Bad mistake. My vet rarely if ever loses a pup to Parvo so long as it is brought in without excessive delay. I cried for three days, and still tear up at the thought. He was an incredible pup, with an excellent bloodline and perfect features, along with the best attitude and personality I've seen in a dog in years. On the otherhand, as much as it hurts when we lose a dog, I'd never consider being without one. We have two Rotties now, or rather my wife does. One is a pup we got from her mother before she quit breeding them, the other is an abused Rottie we rescued and adopted. As good natured a dog to have been so terribly abused as you could possibly imagine. The truth is, the two of them have us, we just like to believe this is our house. Actually, they just let us live here because it seems to be convenient for them. Just don't mess with the kids or my wife.

[Sandman]

I'd put it down.

[Maniac]

I'd put it down.

Disturbing when you watch your avatar and reading the above statment.

[Sandman]

Originally posted by Maniac
Disturbing when you watch your avatar and reading the above statment.

Sorry... Wife, children, house, etc... Pets fall of the priority list a lot quicker.


That being said, I just spent $350 on my dog's teeth.

[Slash27]

it broke my heart. I cried like a baby, emberased the hell out of myself at the vet. I can just image what the people in the waiting room were thinking seeing a 250 pount guy run out sobbing.


   I had 4 year old Rott I lost. 140 lbs of joy. He was absolutely the best dog Ive ever known. He had a congenital heart defect and died in my arms in the damn living room. I was a 275lb blubbering mess, Im welling up just typing this and he's been gone 2 years in July.

FOR GODS SAKE FIX YOUR DOGS LEG!!!!!!

[Tumor]

One of our beloved Dobies came down with a bad case of cancer.  This was about 14yrs ago.  It was suggested we put her under chemo and have surgery done.  Vet then turned around and offered little hope of survival.  I bawled like a baby, holding this pet as she was put to sleep, I just couldn't bring myself to put her through a fruitless exercise in veterinary medicine.

Now, in your case... I'd have to think long and hard about it.  The surgery might not be as much as you think, and the vet might work with you on it.  Last case I had (another Dobie... Liver cancer this time) the vet did exploratory surgery and discovered the problem.  Dog had been at the vet for awhile.  Vet called during the surgery and informed us his liver was badly infected with cancer... so we sadly told him not to revive old "Guiness".  Whole episode was just under $500, thanks to a caring, understanding Vet.

T.

[capt. apathy]

check to see if an organization called Dove-Lewis operates in your town.

I'm not sure if they are nation wide or just Portland.

 when my brothers dog was hit by a car, and we couldn't locate it for a week or more, we eventually found him at the pound.  he had hip surgery and other medical work done by this organization before he was taken to the pound.  they did this work before they ever knew if there would be someone to pick up the tab.  we did reimburse them a very reasonable fee, though it was very minor (under $150).

they do work on unclaimed animals and donated or lowered cost for animals in need.  a great hospital/organization