why does it cost so much?

Question

My dog is in heat and keeps getting loose. I called the vet to get her spayed. It is going to cost upwards of $200. We have had some medical expenses and I cannot afford this. They told me they would not let me make payments and I had to get it done within the week or I have to wait and let her have puppies. I still have three of the last litter she had. I have tried to find her a new home where she can be taken care of but no one wants her. The pound is so full that she will be put down within hours and the shelter only takes abused animals. I have called everyone and explored every option. I don't know what to do. I love my dog but I can't afford to spay her right now and I can't afford to let her have puppies. I am sitting her crying because I don't want to have her put down. What can I do?

I just found a vet who will do it for about half the price but can't do it for a month. If she gets pregnant in the meantime, will that be too long? They said they can still do it, but that seems kind of risky to me. What could the complications be?

Answer 1

Apply for a credit card and put the spay on the credit card. It is going to be WAY less expensive for you to get her spayed now and have it on a credit card than it would be for you to let her have puppies and have to deal with all that could possibly entail. May I ask why you didn't have her spayed before or right after her first litter??

Answer 2

I don't know where you live, but were I live there are lots of organizations that will spay and abort the puppies. Sometimes for free depending on your income. Here in San Antonio, Tx. they have a program called SNAP. They are a mobile unit that go around to different areas of the city to help people like you. It is usually on a first come first serve bases. Have you tried to contact the Human Society of the United States, maybe they can help you. There has got to be someone or organization out there to help. If not let her have the pups and make an appointment to get her fixed after the pups are gone. Also contact the shelters that help to find animals homes and put the puppies (new ones and old ones) on their waiting list, that way as soon as they have an opening they will take them. If you love this dog as much as you say, you will find a way to work this out and be a responsible pet owner! Good Luck!

Answer 3

Call your local animal shelter, humane society, or animal rescue and ask if they have information about free or low cost spay programs.

Here's a website that lists free or low cost programs all over the US. Hopefully it will help you find a place where you can get your girl altered that's within your budget.

http://spayusa.org/

Also keep in mind that it usually costs more and is more risky to remove a full uterus than an empty one, so you vet is probably charging more because she's pregnant. If you want to save money and lower the risk to your dog, try having her spayed when she's not pregnant or in heat.

Answer 4

You don't have to breed her just because she's in heat. Just make sure she does not go outside unsupervised, to avoid another pregnancy.

Spaying is calculated by the weight of the dog. If she is in heat, yes it costs a little more. If you have a vet you use frequently, you can probably make payments in advance on your account. Her heat cycle will run about 3 wks. after that she'll be safe for a few month. Make pre-payments for like 4 months until you build up enough to cover the surgery.

That or see if your local Animal Welfare Society can help you out. They usually do it for less, but I don't know if they'll take payments after the surgery either.

Answer 5

Go to another vet, some places may be cheaper than others. A spay around here only costs $100ish.
I agree with the credit card idea- there is also something called carecredit- specifically for medical problems and most vets take it.
Do you know anyone you can borrow money from to spay her? Say a parent, sibling or friend?

Answer 6

Look for somewhere they does it for free or discounted. In some of the places you don't even have to be low income. I know the program around my area is called "Pets Alive". Call the shelter and see if they know of a low cost or free clinic to get your dog spayed.

Answer 7

You might call around to local shetlers/rescues in your area and see if they have a spay/neutered program in your area. I know here in Boston something simliar to the above post (SNAP) but it is through the Boston Animal Rescue League and one of the services they provide is the Spay Waggin which is a program available to clients in financial need, and you are able to schedule and appointment.

The reason it might be higher than normal is because your dog is in heat already and might already be pregnant (and instead of just doing the normal procedure of spaying they might also be doing other procedures). You might want to continue calling around to vets in your area or outside your area if you are willing to commute and see their prices.

As another post said above me another option is to apply for care credit through a vet. "CareCredit puts the decision in your hands. Surprised by an expensive surgery? Need help with your pet’s everyday checkups? With low minimum monthly payment options, you can give your pet your veterinarian’s recommended treatment without worrying how to pay for it. CareCredit can be used for all of your pet’s medical needs, over and over. Whether it’s a teeth cleaning or major surgery, you can treat your pet like the royalty he is."
http://www.carecredit.com/vetmed/whycc.html

Good Luck.

Answer 8

Try to see if you can find a vet that accepts Care Credit ( http://www.carecredit.com/apply/index.html)...it is a great credit card that is used only for medical and veterinary costs. We have a lot of people that can't afford various treatments (even some with poor credit) that have sucessfully applied for Care Credit (which lots of vets accept) which means that their animal can get the best care that it needs!

Another thing to try is to find an ASPCA hospital near you...they offer low cost treatment and care for pets.

I hope that these things help...good luck!

Answer 9

Call around and see if there are not other vets that do not charge as much. Call the animal shelter. They usually have a list of vets that will do it cheaper.

Answer 10

See if you can find a discount spay/neuter program in your area. Many cities have them.