My dog might need to go to the vet but I can't afford it. What should I do?

Question

We brought my dog in from outside yesterday and discovered a wound on his tail that appears to be a bite. Today I noticed that it is oozing a yellowish green fluid and it has a really nasty sweet smell that is getting stronger. I really can't afford to take him to the vet but I am afraid of what it might be. He's up to date on his rabies shot but isn't on his distemper. Again, it's one of those things that I haven't been able to afford ever since I lost my job. I love my dog with all my heart and don't know what to do.

Answer 1

If you cannot afford a pet you shouldn't have one. However, you can contact you vet and ask to make payment arrangements. Distemper is contagious to humans (unless you have been vaccinated against measles) and is a cruel and painful way for a dog to die (and it is almost always fatal). I
Please be a responsible pet owner and either take the dog for treatment or give up the dog to a shelter.

Answer 2

You can try to trim the hair off along the wound, if the dog will let you. Wash with warm, soapy water to get the debris and pus out of it. You need to keep your dog from chewing and licking the wound, as this will make it worse.

As for the vaccines, as long as the rabies is up to date, you are fine. The thing to worry about is infection. You can also go to the store and get a betadine solution, dilute it down to the color of very weak tea, and clean the wound twice daily. This might not be enough, and it could get worse, but it is safe to try.

If you are at all able, you need to get him to a clinic to at least get on oral antibiotics. You may be able to find a Humane Society that can see him and prescribe some. There really isn't another way to get them safely.

And under no circumstances should you use any medications that were not prescribed to your pet!!! This is a pretty stupid thing for someone to recommend, although I noticed that someone did, and can actually be dangerous. There are some human antibiotics that cannot be used in animals, or in certain conditions. There are dose ranges for antibiotics, and you certainly can cause problems with doses that are too high! The doses for medications are not the same in dogs as in humans, and you will probably be giving an ineffective dose if you use the formula that the person above here somewhere recommended. Just see if you can treat it topically, and try to get to a Humane Society. Good luck!

Answer 3

Sounds like she could use some antibiotics.

Do you (or does anyone you know) possibly have some left-over from a previous illness (I'm one of the many who always misses the last day or two worth of doses)? You could offer your dog some of these (adjust to weight--if a 180lb adult should take 1 capsule twice per day and your dog is 80 lbs, give him 1/2 capsule twice per day). Use your best judgement on what'd be half a capsule. Though too much of an antibiotic will make healing longer, you can't really over-dose on them.

Also see about buying some vitamins/herbs to help boost immune system.....echinecea/goldenseal, vitamin C, etc, etc. Offer him the dose according to the bottle assuming the dose is for a 180lb adult (adjust to match your dog's weight). Again, you're not really going to overdose your dog on vitamins.

LOOSELY wrap the wound as best you can. Clean it with a mild soap (baby soap, even plain dish soap, an antibacterial hand soap and/or plain dog shampoo). I'd suggest the antibacterial first (which is 99 cents at Walmart). Clean it two or three times a day. Neosporin has an antibiotic in it so you can apply a thin layer to the wound (just make sure the dog can't lick the cream off).

If you don't notice any change within 3 days, he needs to be seen by a vet.

Answer 4

Awww, sorry to hear about your pet having some trouble.

It sounds like he has an infection that is oozing pus. Perhaps he got his tail caught in something that cut it, and then it got infected and now it is a mess.

To further complicate things, he might start licking it to try to soothe the hurting wound and that might make him sick.

Can you borrow some money from a friend or a relative? You really should take him to the vet. It might save you from higher vet bills later on if he gets sicker. But a vet is really the one who can diagnose and treat this.

I know how much you are concerned, and I wish you both the very best, with better days ahead.

Answer 5

I too lost my job a couple of years ago. One of my dogs needed a routine heartworm test. I called the vet and explained my current situation. I asked them if there was anyway that they could "waive" the office call fee ($65) and I would pay for the heartworm test only ($40). They agreed to waive the $65 office visit fee for me. It was humbling to say the very least, but my dog needed this test.

Although they did do this for me, (this is the first and only time I had ask for pet assistance), they did not treat me very well when I got there. But that's fine.

Sorry about the job loss. I never did land a good job, but, my dogs see the vet on a regular basis, and get everything they need.

Answer 6

First, DO NOT, put peroxide into a open wound. It could poison it.
I would call a vet to see what they think, just for an opinion. Tell them you are calling for a friend, that way they shouldn't pressure you into bringing your dog in. I have called them many times just for advice, and usually they have been very helpful. You should keep the wound covered so that your dog can not lick it, that could make it worse. I hope I have been of some help to you. I wish you the best of luck!

Answer 7

If you cannot afford a pet you shouldn't have one. However, you can contact you vet and ask to make payment arrangements. Distemper is contagious to humans (unless you have been vaccinated against measles) and is a cruel and painful way for a dog to die (and it is almost always fatal). I
Please be a responsible pet owner and either take the dog for treatment or give up the dog to a shelter.

Answer 8

This wound is obviously infected. You can treat it yourself by washing it with antibacterial soap, applying something like Neosporin, and wrapping it carefully, BUT your dog probably is running a fever and needs antibiotics too. You have to see a vet for that.

Find a vet who will let you make payments and bring some money with you to show that you're trustworthy.

Do whatever you have to do to pay them back... mow lawns, babysit, telemarketing, McDonald's, whatever job you can get. In fact, maybe the vet will let you clean out kennels, mop the floor, whatever they need.

Good luck to you and your dog!

Answer 9

opti had a cat with almost the same thing i took the cat to the vet and they did what i could of done at home u can use peroxide but use one part that and one part warm water take a wash cloth and holed on the sore do this for about 15 mins a day for 3 or 4 times day then put antibact on it clean every day until gone

Answer 10

It sounds like your dog has a nasty infection. It will probably need antibiotics. You could try cleaning it a few times a day with peroxide and applying antibiotic ointment, but it sounds like it is already too far along. You might consider calling your local vets and explaining the situation and see if they will be willing to work with you.