Puppy needs surgery but cant afford it what can I do

Legacy_user

So I decided to get a puppy and was looking at pet insurance but I didn't understand it properly so I asked my dad to help me pick out which one I should get, he said he would come down the following week to help me sort it. A few days later I noticed something wrong with my pups legs so I took him to PDSA and vet said it's growth deformality in both of his front legs and gave me 3 options 1 being take back to the breeder (me and my kids have got to attached) option 2 is to hope it sorts it's self out with regular exercise and massage however could take up to 6 months and might not even work and 3rd option he gave me was to take him to another place a have surgery that costs between 5-10 grand, my dad has helped me look at pet insurance but now we need one that covers pre existing conditions however all the ones we look at say only covered if the dog hasn't had symptoms or treatment in the past 12 months and quotes at over a 100 pound a month that I can't afford . Can anyone give me some advice as I really don't know what to do. Even if we do see if it sorts itself out and it doesn't he's still going to need surgery.

Browntoa

You have no option now apart from take to the breeder

You are not going to get insurance

You are not going to get free treatment

elsien

No insurance will cover pre-existing conditions.
How long have you had the puppy and where did he come from? My guess is that a reputable breeder would have noticed the deformity before selling him on.
The sad reality is that if the breeder accepts him back he will most likely be PTS.
You need to decide whether to give him a chance with exercise etc, get more attached, and potentially face the same decision in 6 months time. What chances do the vet give for exercise being successful.

When getting a puppy you really need to do your homework with the breeder, and get insurance straight away if you can't afford to self insure.. Reputable breeders give insurance that lasts a couple of weeks when the puppy is handed over. Did this not happen with you?

Rosemary7391

How long have you had the puppy? Did the breeder offer any insurance to cover until you could get your own?

System

I seen pup and mum before getting him and everything looked normal he looked healthy and happy Ive had him just over a week now and vet didn't give a percentage. He said it has been know to sort itself out with time and exercise etc. And breeder didn't offer any insurance

elsien

Shutting the stable door after the horse had bolted but this shouts puppy farmer to me.
Your only other option is crowdfunding if needed, but don't hold your breath. Otherwise the options are as above.

snapdoodle

You should have sorted insurance when you brought the puppy home. If you didn't research cost before hand them you are not someone who should own a dog. Let me guess a Christmas present for the kids and one with not much thought given too. Poor puppy.

sheramber

Unfortunately, seeing what is claimed to be the mother is no guarantee that it is not a back yard breeder or puppy farm puppy, particularly if you bought as a result of an advert on the likes of Gumtree.

Much better to go to rescue where there are properly vet checked and assessed puppies available. Yes, rescues do have puppies.


The three options given by your vet are all there is.

taking the puppy back will most likely lead to him being PTS. as it is unlikely the 'breeder' will be willing to pay vet fees or get involved in keeping the puppy to see if things improve.

You can try the exercise route but what if it doesn't work and you are faced with the choice of surgery that you can't afford or PTS?

There is no easy decision in this case and I wish you well in whatever you decide.

System

Thank you everyone. I have gotten in touch with breeder just now and he has explained that there is 4 weeks insurance from the day I got him, however he forgot to mention it, I said he has numerous times to inform me about this but he said he completely forgot, and he's asked me to come speak with him in the morning, and said he'll help with anything he can reasonably do to make sure puppy is back to health. I will let everyone know how puppy gets on

sheramber

Please check out the insurance cover carefully as he would get an incentive when he activated the insurance so it seems odd that he 'forgot'.

Also, the cover given is only for 4 weeks and for £4000 maximum. It will not cover any vet fees arising after that date.

You would have to continue the policy to have ongoing cover. Can you afford that?
The benefit to you is that that insurance company would not consider it a pre existing condition.

Please keep os updated on events.

zenshi

What is wrong with the legs?