My dog needs an operation I can't afford

looby-loo13

Please can someone offer me some advice on where I could go to for help.

I have an 18 month old dog who I have had since he was 7 weeks old, he was a very poorly puppy - I didn't know at the time but he is from a very dodgy breeder! Before I even collected him I took out insurance with PetPlan - I have had dogs all my life and know how important insurance is!! However because of all his vet trips, treatments, medication etc PetPlan cancelled his insurance when he was 15 weeks old leaving us with nearly £5000 to pay in vets bills - they cancelled because they said he was going to cost them to much money over his lifetime (I thought the point of insurance was to pay for sick dogs but thats another issue, and yes we have tried to take legal action to no avail) because of this and his bad health we have always been turned down for pet insurance so by the time he was one year old we had spent £13,000 on him in vets bills!

He is like a child to me and means the absolute world to me, when I became very ill and bed bound he was always there to keep me company and got me through a very difficult time. Because of my bad health I was forced to leave my job and as a result got myself into debt (just by paying the mortgage & bills - my life savings were spent on the dogs vets bills), there have been times where I have gone 5 days without food but have always ensured my dog has everything he needs, the best food from the vets, toys, regular grooms, vaccinations etc - I am saying this to show that I would always put my dog before me as he means the world to me!

He has damaged both his knees & is unable to walk (apparently this is down to interbreeding!), the vet says he needs an operation on both legs asap at a cost of £1700 per leg! I do not have this money and have explained this to my vet (to who I have clearly been a very good customer over the past 18 months!). He said if I cannot pay it my only option is to have him put to sleep! I think this is so unfair, I have spent all of his life doing everything I can to make him happy & healthy and now I feel as though I am a failure to him. He is only a puppy still and has his whole life ahead of him.

Can anyone offer any advice as to where I can go for help? I am not on any benefits so the PDSA will not help me, the RSPCA said they will take him off me and see if they can rehome him with an owner willing to pay but they'll only keep him 7 days and then he'll be put to sleep there!

rising_from_the_ashes

Oh jeeezzzz, what a terrible situation. A big (((hug))) for you and your wee one. I can only imagine what you're going through.

I'm afraid I don't have many suggestions - have you tried other vets.

My vet insists on payment at time of treatment but one of my friends goes to one where they let people pay it up.

Please do not blame yourself - you have not failed him, you've done everything possible to make his life as good as possible.

Keeping my fingers crossed someone will have some suggestions.

Good luck

rising_from_the_ashes

Came across this:

http://www.tailwaggersclubtrust.com/aboutus.html

may be worth giving them a ring

Nod_Off

Would your vet allow you to pay in installments? If you have paid your bills promptly in the past then it may be an option although it is a huge amount of money. Try contacting Tailwaggers Club Trust - they are an organisation who can help with vet fees although I don't know what criteria you have to fulfil. Failing that, would you qualify for a credit card to cover the cost?

I really hope you can find a way around this and shame on PetPlan with the price they charge for their premiums! You could maybe try telling your story to the local press - you never know what offers of help may come your way (I know a client at the vet I worked at did that and local businesses etc chipped in). Might be worth a go?

UKTigerlily

What a terrible thing to happen i'm so sorry. Could you (for the future) take out insurance elsewhere? I know you say not but I thought they just would'nt cover pre existing. I'm now glad I left Pet Plan today after hearing how they treated you! Hope you find some help

Tropez

If you feel comfortable in saying, where in the country are you located? Please don't feel the need to be too specific, a county or region will suffice.

I ask this because there are some local charities scattered about, as well as some branches of major charities (such as Blue Cross) who might be able to help and if we know where to look maybe one of us can root out a charity for you who can help you.

shell820810

Have you considered the dog's quality of life? Is it fair to be putting it through so many ops and trauma?

gettingready

The problem with that ios that PDSA will NOT cover this kind of operation/treatment as it is not life saving as such.
They have limited funds and have to use those "wisely".

I am really sorry OP about your dog, I really feel for you but as others have said - what is /will be his quality of life if he was/is/will be so unwell?

MY Zara who is not even 5 years old has hips displasia/arthritis, she is insured but honestly I do not know if I will/would put her through operations when the time comes. We manage her legs with various suplements now but I am not sure how long for will we be able to do that. As much as it breaks my heart to think of having to make a decision one day - I would only ever have HER best interest in mind.

Hope you manege to sort out this situation in a way that you feel comfortable with and the dog does not suffer, big hugs to you

undaunted

As already said Tailwaggers Trust, any local Blue Cross or RSPCA hospitals etc may be worth a try.

Perhaps you could also try some dog forums & ask whether you could make an appeal or anyone there can help in any other way.

I would suggest you definitely don't just hand him over to the rSPCA to rehome - I would suggest there is virtually no chance of this happening unless he's treated & certainly not within 7 days!

I really hope you can find some help.