I want to say a huge thank you to everyone. To everyone who gave me suggestions, to everyone who has donated, to everyone who has prayed or thought good thoughts, to everyone who has shared a story and the hopeful outcomes. I know after a few suggestions I was forward with the gofundme, I know it seemed desperate but I was desperate to save her. I felt so guilty that I trusted the first vet and it got this far. I felt like a horrible pet owner for not having the money to help her. I felt desperate for an answer.
I want you guys to know that for all the things that happen on ML, ML and all of GBCN is an amazing group of women who want nothing but the best for whatever situation arises.
I don't want to post their SNs but the woman who helped me pay the surgery was a lurker with a huge heart. She sent me a message and at first I thought perhaps it was a cruel joke, and I discussed with a coworker "what do I do?". I called vet after vet from here to Philly, asking for payment plans and options. A lot of vets said that they used to do credit but they had been burned one too many times. I called rescues and shelters, who, understandably want to help everyone but have very limited funds. I was met with a LOT of compassion from the people I called, but unfortunately not many answers.
The ER vet has been very honest with me and very frank about Jojo's outcomes. And what would happen if I didn't get the surgery and if I took her home. They didn't want her dying in pain, I didn't either.
At the end of the day, I called this total stranger and I spoke with her. It was a brief, very teary conversation, and she only asked a few things of me. My name, my dog's name, and the vet's phone number. And she took care of it. I was able to schedule the surgery and my dog was given one hell of a chance.
Jojo has beaten a lot of odds - for the obstruction, they said she possibly should have passed weeks ago. After the surgery, they were amazing at how strong she looked and seemed. They continue to be amazed by this 28lb, emaciated pup, that is beating all odds.
This lurker and I have become FB friends and she is as wonderful as her heart.
Per the gofundme updates; Jojo has been getting better and better. But has a low albumin level but it is staying steady and she just needs to get over the danger zone of the sutures not holding.
As of Friday afternoon she was not eating and still regurgitating. They told me she would be released 8am on Saturday morning and at that point, it would be cruel to take her home because she wouldn't be able to take any medications by mouth and she needs them to combat the low albumin and any possibly infection. At that point she wasn't eating still.
Another amazing MLer helped me out to keep her another 24 hours. I was in WalMart picking up my own anxiety medication and she sent me a message that broke me down in line and had me sobbing with gratitude. I gave her all the information. Both people were able to verify whatever questions they may have had with the vet.
The next 24 hours were crucial. She started eating Friday night and by Saturday morning she was whining and being her noisy self. She was peeing, her vitals were good, she was bright and alert, they said her appetite is back in full force. She wants to eat all the things. They were able to take her off of some of the injections and give her medications by mouth (but not in her food because she wont eat the food with the pill in, but without, she will. lol)
They wanted to keep her Saturday evening into Sunday AM to just give her that much more time to get her onto oral medications and continue her eating and thriving. The money paid for her to be there until Sunday AM.
As of this afternoon, they let me know that Jojo can come home Sunday AM as long as she keeps improving. I asked, honestly, are they sending her home because money is running out or are they sending her home because they believe she can be okay at home and continue healing. They believe she can continue healing.
I will have to follow up with a vet on Monday and continue taking her regularly for the next few weeks to make sure she is improving. The money donated in the gofundme will be an amazing help.
I wanted to be as transparent as possible because I know ML has been burned before.
You ladies have helped save my dogs life. And I could never thank any of you enough to make up for everything you all have done.
They said her one level of protein is low and they gave her medications to try to help but they are unsure.
She said it is up to 5k by now and by tomorrow will hit 5,600 in cost
I have no idea what to do anymore
They want to keep her until monday
How do you pay for vet bills that you cannot afford? My dog needs 3k surgery and my credit sucks too bad for carecredit and I don't have it laying around. She is 5 and the previous vet let her starve for weeks because he had it "under control " and I trusted him. She weighs 28lbs she is to weigh 45. I finally took her to the er vet when it was clear he didn't give a fuck.
She is currently in icu at the er vet and they want to do surgery today.
I don't know where to turn or what to do. My heart is breaking and I am at such a loss.
How am I supposed to say goodbye to my best friend?
I am so sorry! I would be devastated to be in your position. Do you have a prognosis from the vet? If this was a situation that had a good chance for recovery I would try to work out a payment plan with the vet. Be upfront that you cannot pay right away, and that you'll need a payment plan. I hope they'd be willing to work with you. $3,000 is a lot of money and I wouldn't blame you if you said you just couldn't take on the cost. I know you love your dog but it's a lot of debt to take on.
She has a string in her bowel. The regular vet told me it was her pancreas and even though I kept telling him she wasnt eating, he kept saying oh she will be fine.
The er vet said she perked up with baby good and an iv but they need to do the surgery to get the string out
Maybe look around at rescues or shelters near you and see if they have programs to help pets whose owners have financial hardship. I know they have them around here but you generally have to be located within a certain area so you will probably have to look locally.
My parents cannot help and we dont have anyone to cosign, i have to wait for my brother to come home to see if he will sign up for one for that amount.
I am going to call the humane society and the animal rescue league
I don't know where you are located or what your history is with the dog - meaning did he come from a shelter? From the street? From a breeder, etc.? There is one organization I know of by me that if you get the pet through the organization and experience financial hardship to the point you may have to consider giving the animal back, they will work wth you to use their vets at a heavily discounted rate and sometimes even for free. Perhaps you could see if this would be an option available to you if he came from a shelter?
I'm so sorry you even find yourself in this situation.
They want to do the surgery asap since she hasnt eaten in so long.
I did make a go fund me after the vet told me if i cannot afford it, the only option is putting her down. I know we have done this vaba shit and i get it. I dont want to be that person but she means tons to me.
Post by scottyderp on Nov 19, 2015 15:40:48 GMT -5
I'm wondering if another opinion is a good idea? IDK. I had a dog that was "dying" according to a vet, and she wasn't. I've had multiple misdiagnoses. I don't want to put your dog in danger by recommending the wrong thing. If it was me, I'd pawn something, but I'm crazy like that. Good luck. Hugs.
Post by rachelgreen on Nov 19, 2015 15:54:49 GMT -5
My cat swallowed a hair tie and had to have this surgery as well. It was more like $1000 in a smaller WI town at our animal hospital. Can you call any other vets in the area and tell them the problem to get their pricing? I'm so sorry. I have paid thousands in er vet bills because they were my babies, not just a pet. Especially during my if years.
ETA: never mind I think I see above you already inquired.
Money withdrawals from GFM take 5-7 business days to process....how will that help with paying for the surgery if payment has to happen upon service?
I dont know autumn. Someone told me that you can set it up to go directly to the vet themselves. I am trying here. I am trying to ask my brother to apply. I am just trying.
So she is being euthanized if you can't pay for it? They won't allow you to pay in installments? That is crazy, and cruel (them, not you).
How is this cruel? Veterinarians aren't charitable, they're businesses. It sucks, for sure. But ... if vets did everything for every person who said they couldn't afford it, they'd be out of a business. Pet ownership is tough, and this is why pet insurance exists. There is no shaming Tricky in my statement, because I see she's trying everything she can. But I don't think it's fair to suggest that vets should work for free, either.
Tricky, are you in CA? I can't remember where you are. We have a shelter intervention program in LA that works with owners in situations like this, and other dire circumstances, to help find vets willing to do low cost and payment plans. They can also help with costs in some cases. It's not a super common thing, but look around for shelter intervention type programs. If you wanna PM me I am happy to help search.
Jesus Christ, I love it when someone explains something to me like I just landed on the planet. Thanks.
So she is being euthanized if you can't pay for it? They won't allow you to pay in installments? That is crazy, and cruel (them, not you).
She said no installment plans and when i asked what happens when i run out of options she said they then look at putting down because there is no quality of life and shell keep suffering from it.
I have asked every which way if i can do installments and she keeps saying no