Not being able to afford potentially huge vet bills

Fosterdog

I know it's probably too late now if the X-rays have been done but personally with the symptoms you describe I would (and did with my dog) skip the X-rays and go straight for an MRI.

My dog had symptoms of a possible neurological condition or possible nerve damage, one vet was trying to insist on X-rays to rule out anything else, we were self funding her treatment and I had my own suspicions that it was most likely CDRM (quite common in GSDs) and there is no actual diagnosis for it. We spoke to a second vet who agreed with my choice to have a blood test to see if she carried the CDRM gene, then when that came back positive we opted for the MRI over the X-rays. It didn't show anything up but it did rule out 90% of other possibilities for her symptoms, including everything an X-ray would have shown. We knew then that whether it was CDRM or something else similar there was no cure or treatment as such it was just a case of managing her symptoms and keeping her comfortable as long as possible.

We were initially told she would be paralysed from the waist back within six months, we actually kept her pain free and living a happy life for two and a half more years, we went as far as to get her a doggy wheelchair as she became less mobile and as long as she could propel herself through fields and on the beach with her front legs she was a happy dog. We only had to make the difficult decision when eventually one of her front legs became arthritic and she could no longer pull herself along on her wheelchair, that was when her quality of life would have dwindled beyond what was fair so we chose to let her go.

If I could do it over again that £2000 for an MRI and blood tests plus the cost of ongoing meds would be spent all over again to give me over two more years with my girl.

pinkteapot

Red-Squirrel wrote: »

I don't actually think that at all. I am a strong supporter of homeless people being able to keep their animals, or people fleeing abuse etc.

Bit of an aside but a friend has become a fosterer for Cat's Protection Paws Protect service this year: https://www.cats.org.uk/what-we-do/paws-protect

They provide temporary foster care for the kitties of people fleeing abuse. Once they're back on their feet, kitty goes home to them (or after a certain number of months, is adopted if there's no prospect of them being able to return).

It's an amazing service and I'd genuinely never thought of the animals in abuse situations before. Not wanting to leave pets can be a further barrier to people getting out and this service provides an alternative.

I'm always happy to meet the new kitties when he gets them but at the same time saddened that it means another family/couple going through something awful.

Red-Squirrel_2

pinkteapot wrote: »

Bit of an aside but a friend has become a fosterer for Cat's Protection Paws Protect service this year: https://www.cats.org.uk/what-we-do/paws-protect

They provide temporary foster care for the kitties of people fleeing abuse. Once they're back on their feet, kitty goes home to them (or after a certain number of months, is adopted if there's no prospect of them being able to return).

It's an amazing service and I'd genuinely never thought of the animals in abuse situations before. Not wanting to leave pets can be a further barrier to people getting out and this service provides an alternative.

I'm always happy to meet the new kitties when he gets them but at the same time saddened that it means another family/couple going through something awful.

Well done to your friend, what a great project, a massive benefit to the human and the animals.

Nick_C

Red-Squirrel wrote: »

You absolutely can not kill your dog because you don’t want to pay for the treatment it needs.

Of course you can. It's just a dog.

sheramber

JUST A DOG

From time to time, people tell me, "lighten up, it's just a dog,"
or "that's a lot of money for just a dog."

They don't understand the distance travelled, the time spent,
or the costs involved for "just a dog."

Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a dog."

Many hours have passed and my only company was "just a dog,"
but I did not once feel slighted.

Some of my saddest moments have been brought aobut by
"just a dog," and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch
of "just a dog" gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.

If you, too, think it's "just a dog," then you probably understand
phrases like "just a friend," "just a sunrise," or "just a promise."

"Just a dog" brings into my life the very essence of friendship,
trust, and pure unbridled joy.
"Just a dog" brings out the compassion and patience
that make me a better person.
Because of "just a dog" I will rise early, take long walks and look
longingly to the future.

So for me and folks like me, it's not "just a dog"
but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future,
the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment.

"Just a dog" brings out what's good in me and diverts my thoughts
away from myself and the worries of the day.

I hope that someday they can understand that its' not "just a dog"
but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being
"just a man" or "just a woman."

So the next time you hear the phrase "just a dog,"
just smile,
because they "just don't understand."

~Unknown Author~

Red-Squirrel_2

Nick_C wrote: »

Of course you can. It's just a dog.

Transparently trolling for a reaction.

Nick_C

Red-Squirrel wrote: »

Transparently trolling for a reaction.

Not at all. Just correcting a false statement. It's a money saving site and the problem is a financial one. The cheapest option, other than letting the animal suffer, is to have it put down.

silverwhistle

Red-Squirrel wrote: »

Transparently trolling for a reaction.

I have to say that on this thread Red-Squirrel you have been no help at all. Robisere made a very reasonable response but if followed to the logical conclusion your approach could lead to more debt, which doesn't worry you but does the OP. What then is acceptable for them in your eyes, bankruptcy, homelessness? Possibly for an extra 6 months of suffering for the poor creature?



We don't know, but you are succeeding in putting off anybody from having a pet. Potential owners, leave that rescue dog in the home; let them deal with the issue that you're not poor enough or not rich enough.

Money_maker

So ensure they take out adequate insurance. I've seen one of those pleas for funding (crowdfunding is it on FB) where someones cat has had an accident, they have no insurance yet expect strangers to foot the bill for their pet. They were a young couple, shied away from the suggestion of getting a credit card/loan and actually paying for their pet themselves.


Not all that different to the family whose house burnt down. Whilst it is a horrendous position to be in, they're having a whip round for funds because they didn't want to pay to insure their home.


The moral of the tale is, don't worry if you don't have insurance. You can just get someone else to pay for you.

seven-day-weekend

I'm sure the OP now wishes they had taken out adequate insurance, but we have to deal with things as they are, not how we would like them to be. They don't want to run up a credit card bill of £1000s . I can understand that. I wouldn't want to either. They may have a mortgage to pay, children to feed etc.

They made a mistake by not taking out adequate insurance. Everyone makes mistakes. They should not be castigated for having done so, but helped to find a viable solution, which one or two people have done.

Most people have not helped one bit.

I personally would not spend £1000s on my pet unless it was actually going to make them better and they were quite young. I have two cats, coming up to twenty years old. If they have anything wrong with them now, they will have palliative care only and if that is not working, they will be euthanised. Even the vet agrees they are too old to have invasive surgery, or even a general anaesthetic.