paying for surgery

ilovescooby · 01-22-2007, 09:49 AM

Greetings my fellow petlovers!
I posted a few days ago about my dog having perineal hernia surgery. I just moved and I have decided to take him back up to north florida and have his surgery done at the hospital that neutered him and has treated him for the past couple of years, they did such a great job. Their cost for the surgery is a little lower also, it will be $3000 for both surgeries.
I was told to apply for carecredit to have a year to pay with no interest, but I was wondering if anyone else has had an expensive surgery and how you paid for it. Maybe a creative way that I have not thought of.
My husband is a medical student and I am a teacher, but can only sub. right now, so we do not have much of an income. Although this expense came at a really bad time for us, we have to find some way to pay for it. even the carecredit would be a huge strain........ My little shitzu is 10 years old and is still full of life and has such an important part of my family since I was 15. I do not want to take him to a "cheap vet" only to have him have poor care, that is not what I am looking for. Thanks so much for your time!

QueenMerry · 01-23-2007, 12:24 AM

I'm so sorry to hear about your furkid's health issues! I know from experience how hard it is. I spent over $12K (thank goodness for credit cards!!) on my 15 year-old Samoyed girl in 2006 from cardiologists and hospitalizations to emergency surgery for bloat on the 4th of July, to her monthly meds that run around $70/month. I keep paying because after a scare, she rebounds and still has a good quality of life. As long as she keeps acting like a dog, barks, eats, and disembowels stuffed toys, I'll keep forking over the money. I don't have real children yet, so I figure I'm spending my future childrens' college funds...

I've seen people set up donation jars and do fundraisers and have success.

My fiance' did the CareCredit when our Rottie was diagnosed with malignant histocytosis a few years ago. It's a good alternative when you need that extra bit of credit.

Hang in there and you're in my thoughts.

ilovescooby · 01-23-2007, 11:30 AM

Wow, you have certainly spent a lot of money on your baby! They are definitely worth it though! IT is a good thing that we do not have any children yet either. You mentioned credit cards, That gave me and idea. I dont have a high enough limit, but I am going to call my CC company and see if they will up the limit, with that and the care credit, it will be easier.

Lorina · 01-23-2007, 11:34 AM

I recently saw some brochures for a local credit union that offers loans (and savings accounts) specifically for pet emergencies. It wouldn't hurt to check with your bank or credit union to see if they offer a similar program.

ilovescooby · 01-23-2007, 11:35 AM

I bank with a credit union, didnt think of that...thanks!

nrhareiner · 01-23-2007, 12:49 PM

Ok I do not hope anyone takes this the wrong way but with large animals and emergencies can get very expensive and I have a few older broodmares. However at your dogs age are you sure you want to put her though surgery? I know I have put a lot of thought into what I would do and have done with my animals over the years. Sergery on an older animal can be very difficalt on them. SO make sure this surgery is for her and not you.

I had to make this desition a few years ago and make if quickly with my favorit horse. She had been a part of my life for so long and she was my first horse. I found her one morning in the pasture colicing. I did what I could and then called the vet as I knew it was really bad as I could not get her comfortable. Vet came did about the same thing I was doing but could not even get her palpaided to see how bad it was. My choise what to put her in the trailer take her down to OSU for surgery. WHich may or may not have worked or put her down. I had the vet put her down as that was the best thing for her. Was not easy to deside but I did not want to make her suffer b/c I wanted to keep her with me. Did I make the correct desition? I like to think so but who knows?

Again do not take this the wrong way but at $3000 for a surgery that you dog may not come out of b/c of her aga. Give it some good thought and make sure it is for her and her best interest and not yours.

A good friend of mine is going through this too with 2 of her Danes. Best of luck what every you deside.

Heidi

sheltieluver · 01-23-2007, 12:57 PM

Sorry to hear about your dog, but they are worth spending the money on, IMO! I've had high costs associated with my sheltie and used my credit card. However, some hospitals/vets may allow you to make payments. I would check with them first and good luck!

Lorina · 01-23-2007, 03:24 PM

A ten year old dog is definitely a senior, but it's not uncommon to see a Shih Tzu live to be 15-18 years old. If he's otherwise healthy, and presurgical bloodwork checks out ok, and the owner is willing to make the necessary sacrifices, I don't see it as cruel to extend and better the dog's life by having him go through surgery.

QueenMerry · 01-23-2007, 03:38 PM

I'm with you Lorina. With my senior girl I always ask: will this treatment ensure her continued good quality of life? Nothing is 100 percent, but if the docs are confident, I'm confident.

Vets will do pre-surgical bloodwork to check the kidney and liver function to make sure the dog is at least strong enough to handle the anaesthesia. The surgery my girl had in July for gastric torsion was one of those emergency deals--you either pay for the surgery or the animal faces certain and painful death. I asked the surgeon the tough questions--my girl was 15 and diabetic and a cardiac patient, which means she doesn't heal as quickly as non-diabetic dogs and faces more risk of infection. Given her bloodwork and history, the surgeon said that there was a great chance my girl would bounce back...and she did. She was up and about the next day and came home 3 days later. That was over 6 months ago. Because I elected to go with the surgery, I've gotten 6 more months of happy times with my best friend!

ilovescooby · 01-24-2007, 03:11 PM

I did talk to the vet about scooby's best interests and he feels that scooby will be back to 100% after the surgery. I would not put him through it if it was going to be an ongoing pain and suffering thing for him. I completely understand and agree about not keeping an animal alive just for your own pleasure. He hasnt had the surgery yet and he is bouncing around like a puppy right now because my husband is playing catch with him. He is so full of life and a very happy doggie

jjlllljsssssa;lekjf;lajselfjalkwejflkawje

Lorina · 01-24-2007, 06:34 PM

Quote:

jjlllljsssssa;lekjf;lajselfjalkwejflkawje

Was that Scooby typing?

ilovescooby · 01-29-2007, 08:37 AM

hahaha I dont know what that was!!! Maybe scooby was sneaking on the internet while I was sleeping! He knows he is not allowed to use the internet without my supervision!

Renoman · 04-16-2007, 06:44 AM

Just a couple of ideas..... Did you know that pet insurance costs a relatively small amount every month and it covers everything from routine checkups to major medical surgeries. The monthly premium for my 2 y.o. is about $30per month or about $300/year. If you have multiple pets, each additional premium is a little lower. After spending tens of thousands of dollars on my 7 y.o. GSD (he's had all kinds of issues since he was a puppy, including) I decided to get the pet insurance for my 2 y.o.

One trip to the vet and it's already paid for itself. There are several companies out there that offer insurance, just find one that works for you.

I have a friend that set up an interest bearing checking account and every month without fail deposits $40 into the account for the 'kids'. That's only $10.00 per week. She's had several pet emergencies and was glad she had the money set aside.

RonE · 04-16-2007, 08:30 AM

Pet insurance is an increasingly attractive choice for owners of younger, healthy pets.

I might post a link to this thread when people post things like, "I'm not going to spend the money to go to a vet. It's just an animal."

And, yes, in case you've missed it, people do actually come on a forum full of serious dog lovers and say that. It's hard to tell if they are trolls or just incredibly stupid.

I had a roommate at one time who was otherwise and kind and sensitive individual. But when my Irish setter came down with a very bad urinary tract infection and I spent a lot of money I didn't have to help her get better, told me that - if it was his dog - he'd take her out and shoot her.

I told him he'd better hope he got seriously ill while he was living in my house.

Renoman · 04-18-2007, 05:32 PM

I believe the company I have my pet insurance through does take older pets. The premiums slightly higher but it is still a good value. After a bill of $10,000 for dental work for my 7 y.o. (he was only 1 y.o. at the time) I'll take anything that leaves a little in my wallet.