I am in pa. I am kicking myself so much for not having pet insurance on her, i feel insurance needs to be stressed so much for pets to avoid this
If the problem is immediate cash flow, it may not have helped you anyway. I have insurance but I have to pay up front and get reimbursed. So, don't feel bad about that part since it's not actually affecting the current problem anyway.
Could you call around to somewhere further away? I find it hard to believe that the ONLY option is a super expensive surgery. My parents had something similar done on their cat several years ago and I think it was more like $600. Especially if they know exactly what the problem is, fixing it shouldn't be THAT expensive. Even if you have to drive a few hours to somewhere out in the boonies, it might lower your cost.
I am in pa. I am kicking myself so much for not having pet insurance on her, i feel insurance needs to be stressed so much for pets to avoid this
If the problem is immediate cash flow, it may not have helped you anyway. I have insurance but I have to pay up front and get reimbursed. So, don't feel bad about that part since it's not actually affecting the current problem anyway.
Could you call around to somewhere further away? I find it hard to believe that the ONLY option is a super expensive surgery. My parents had something similar done on their cat several years ago and I think it was more like $600. Especially if they know exactly what the problem is, fixing it shouldn't be THAT expensive. Even if you have to drive a few hours to somewhere out in the boonies, it might lower your cost.
Try this. My cat ate dental floss from the trash. The differing surgery quotes had a huge range. Good luck.
Post by cinnamoncox0 on Nov 19, 2015 16:28:05 GMT -5
I'm sorry tricky In spring I had to bring one of my dogs in to emergency vet. He couldn't stop popping out his blood. He was practically dead when we arrived, and their estimate for care was $4500. They do not offer any payment plans at all. Upfront payment or be on your way. Cruel,business,whatever. It still sucks when faced with it. I'm really sorry. I told her to put him down. She was surprised I didn't pay that much. She said I could take him home with what I had already racked up in bills (they had to do life saving interventions upon arrival to the tune of $900) but he would likely die at my house. I took him home, he was fine the next day. (I know your sitch is diff bc he needs surgery, just mentioning my outcome so no one thinks he died). I wish you luck in finding a way to fund this. If I had anything extra I would give.
Post by cricketintx on Nov 19, 2015 16:38:52 GMT -5
I used to be on the board for a nonprofit veterinary clinic. Not affiliated with a shelter or rescue service - all they do is low-cost vet care for people like you, TrickyBob. I don't know where in PA you are, but I just googled "low cost nonprofit vet care in Pennsylvania" and came up with a list on Google.
They may not lead you to anything, but at least it's a start. Most people don't know that programs like this exist, because they aren't as common as animal shelters, but there ARE a few nonprofits out there who know that regular people sometimes have terrible hardships but want to take care of their pets.
My dog broke his leg on a holiday weekend so the only care we could get for him was the ER vet until regular vets opened up the following Tuesday. Then we had to pay to ER vet around $2500 for x-rays, overnight stay, IVs, ect. and then $200.00 a bandage change (which we were doing every 12 hours bc he had a compound fracture and we didn't want it to get infected before he could have surgery). The ER vet quoted us $10,000 for his surgery, I kid you not. His break was really bad and the surgery was complicated but come on! They also didn't offer payment plans and would not have even released him to us if we could not have paid the $2500 up front. It was the craziest thing I have ever seen.
All that to say that I get how ER vets are and I am so sorry you are having to go through this! Once his leg was set we decided to keep him comfortable with pain meds and a comfy place to lay until regular vets opened on Tuesday and found an amazing vet that did his surgery for $1500 and only charged us $15.00 for bandage changes. Is there a possibility that she can hang on for 24-48 more hours while you search for a non-ER vet that will do this for cheaper because as you can see from my experience ER vets charge a lot more then regular vets?
There is a charity called Frankie's Friends that help with this. My will gives them my estate. Please contact them. They are awesome. www.frankiesfriends.org
Post by lightbulbsun on Nov 19, 2015 16:47:23 GMT -5
I'm not sure where exactly you are, but VSEC is a great hospital. I've only been to the Levittown location, but they have one in Philly, too. I would call them and see if they can do some sort of payment plan.
I'm not sure where exactly you are, but VSEC is a great hospital. I've only been to the Levittown location, but they have one in Philly, too. I would call them and see if they can do some sort of payment plan.
Post by averyjessup on Nov 19, 2015 17:18:18 GMT -5
I've been told (but don't have any personal experience) that veterinary/agricultural schools do reduced fee surgeries. Might be worth a call if there's a vet school near you.
Is there a vet school at a university close to you? They may be able to assist with a lower cost since it would be used as a teaching opportunity for their vet students
I can believe the cost. My childhood dog had to have two emergency surgeries bc of things he ate getting stuck and each was around $1500 and that was 15 years ago.
The linear foreign objects cause intussusception, where it pulls the bowel inside of itself and that's what actually causes the blockage, at least that's what happened to my pup. They actually had to remove part of the bowel that died, so I guess that's what makes it more expensive.
Trickybob, probably don't read this next part.
The other tricky thing is that it can tear the intestines on the way down and leave them really weakened so you're really not in the clear for a week to ten days post-surgery. The prognosis is generally pretty poor. My dog did very well, though.
I just want to say thank you so much to everyone. I had an amazing person offer money to cover it and I don't think I will ever be able to thank them enough.
I would like to refund the money raised or possibly donate it to an animal shelter or rescue, if people would be okay with that.
I am in tears about this, the kindness offered was a huge blessing
She is going into surgery tonight and I will keep everyone updated.
I am going to take the link down because it has my info and tho Its out there, I dont want it archived
But Ml is wonderful, even for giving me links. I called vet after vet and place after place and looked at resources and i hope that one day I can donate regularly for those in this situation
omg I'm so happy for you! This post was breaking my heart. I'm so, so glad someone was able to help. If it was someone here, please know that you're a wonderful person!
Jojo is out of surgery but not out of the woods. Her stomach was impacted with carpet (she had eaten some as she is an anxious dog and I would duct tape it down and keep her away but she found some. I had ripped most of the carpet out of the house but not all yet. I talked to vets but no one offered much of a solution)
It had perforated her bowel and leaked, they sutured her up and removed impacted grass as well (what she wants to eat when she goes after carpet)
They then flushed her with liters of saline to reduce sepsis and also put her on 3 different antibiotics.
I asked them if after all this, when I find a vet who wont dismiss my concerns is there something to stop this and help her. They suggested anti anxiety meds and possibly a basket muzzle. I didn't even know dogs could have anti anxiety meds
They tried to place a feeding tube but it was too big and said they will hold off for now.
Now we just wait.
Eta: they did say that the carpet/grass eating could be due to an underlying bowel problem like inflammation but that can be controlled with a special and specific diet
Post by MixedBerryJam on Nov 20, 2015 8:09:04 GMT -5
This sounds like a really good update, considering how sick she was. It sounds like they're being super proactive. Have they said anything about adding a probiotic to counter the antibiotics she's on? Sometimes the antibiotics mess with the good flora gut bacteria, and a probiotic can keep things balanced. Good healing thoughts still going Jojo's way!
Post by cinnamoncox0 on Nov 20, 2015 8:38:36 GMT -5
Oh I'm so glad to read your $ update. What a good person in your life, and I think it just goes to show how good you are, otherwise someone wouldn't be so willing to help. goid luck tricky I hope your pup is fully recovered ASAP.