Vet Visit?

Question

I am too young to get a job, so I do chores around the house, earning me 100 dollars a month to care for my animals. My dog has had a severe rash for awhile now that I've been trying to treat with homeremedies, but it just won't work. I am planning on taking him to the vet now, but to do so I need to take him off Canidae for awhile and put him on a storebrand food, which worries me. I think the rash is either some type of allergy, or hypothyroidism. In the best and worst case scenario, around how much am I going to be spending on medication, etc? Tried calling vet's, no precise answer, I don't want to show up with too little. Before anyone does start to come down on me, I live in a low income family and its getting rougher each day, I just want to get my pup well and healthy again, even if it means adopting him out to a higher income family if I can't afford treatment. Any other advice would also be highly appreciated right now, too, thanks.

Thank you guys so much for the advice&support, its really making me feel better. I've tried switching food, and his main rash got better with Canidae but now it is developing in other areas. I'm just so worried right now, been trying to get to sleep for hours but just so stressed.. I've tried shampoos, etc. I'll also try talking to them about a payment plan in the morning when they're open.. I've contacted my local no-kill shelter about it, never got a response, but I'm quite afraid to call my local animal control though, I'd get a 75 or so dollar fine for not having his rabies vacc., and then an additional fine for not having him registered with the city..

The fur on his belly and the back of his hind legs/buttox area is gone, that was the initial rash.. skin is veryvery dry, and black in color there. On the folds of skin that covers his belly reaching from the hip to the rib cage he is regrowing fur, slowly.. On his back, it looks like it's caused by something else, it's red with dark splotches, very scabby and very scaley, flakes coat the brush when I groom him there. That's the itchiest spot.. he's also got two smaller rashes similar to his belly on his armpits and neck. He is a 1 yr old labrador/GSD mix

Answer 1

Go to the vet without your dog first, explain your situation, offer to make payments for the treatment your dog may need,
you should be able to find a vet willing to work with you. If at first you don't succeed try again. Good Luck.

Answer 2

I have probably never spent more than 200 dollars for Vet Care at the most, at a given time and that included medicines. I have my dogs on great diets, limit what they can get into that could get them sick, and when they are sick, know what to do and what to look for that would warrant a trip to the Vet. I have a dog that had pancreatitis, but because I was able to put the needles under her skin to hydrate her and give her the solution including antibiotics and anti-nausea meds, it was much cheaper for me and the dog was more comfortable being treated at home. That is when I started learning the most about diet and natural remedies. I certainly use the chemical medicines when indicated, but am glad my Vet balances our pet care out with natural remedies. 1400 dollars to get a well puppy started in life is a very large amount of money. Not that a puppy isn't worth that, I just don't have that to spend at the doctor's office for myself! If there was a surgery needed, I am sure I would have to spend a lot. But so far so good, and the only surgeries I have had to have my pups get is to be spayed.

Answer 3

Don't feel bad you sound like you take very good care of your animals. I too am from a low-income family and have one dog. It is hard. Vets are very expensive. Here is what I do. I get my shots from a pet and feed store (Pratt's pet and feed). If you can find one in your area they might be able to help you. They have a vet come in every wednesday. This is the best way to go. Otherwise you are looking at about 80-100 for the vet to see your dog. Good luck I hope his rash gets better soon. I also would change his food. It might be breaking him out or doggie shampoo.?

Answer 4

its hard to say how much with out knowing whats wrong
might be some thing simple or not
if the vet you called is not being helpful on the phone with info or they tell you a high price then call around to other vets they all charge different amounts...ask how much they charge for a office visit that should give you some idea
its better to get your dog some help then no help at all
i go to a large vet hospital they charge thirty for a visit then meds ( which i have been lucky have been cheap but not heart worm that one is pretty high )
hey maybe you could see if there is a vet school in your area they might do it at a very small fee
good luck and i am happy to see you are trying hard i am sure your dog appreciates your efforts and concern!!!

Answer 5

o.K. hon, call the vet again and explain your situation, they will probably help you with a payment plan. If they refuse, then call your local humane society/ ASPCA they might be able to help you with the vet bills. Most vets (at least in my area) are more than willing to work out a payment plan if you talk to them in advance.

EDIT: OH! I have seen that (or something that sounds like that you need a vet to say for sure) It SOUNDS like a full system yeast infection. The vet can help you ... and it shouldn't be too much money (still set up a payment plan just in case!). My dog got something like that after her immune system was weakened by her cancer treatment.


edit 2: if you live near a college with a vet school CALL THEM! You can often get a better rate from vet schools than vets, yes students are working on your baby BUT they are supervised by profs.
Good luck to you both!

Answer 6

http://nzymes.com/Images/Large_Images/blizzard/blizzard_8-24-02.jpg

that is one pic of a dog with a yeast infection.. (it might help narrow down your options).. The cost of the vet really depends.. some.. Like the one my mother goes to charge up to $70+ for an office visit.. (Mine is $40).. you may want to look around and call other vets.. but try to stick with one that you or someone you know has experience with.. (not just the cheapest).. the price of meds vary greatly..

Answer 7

I wish more adults would show just one ounce of your responsibility....
If you could provide more info on the rash...where is it? Does the dog scratch or bite alot...
Does the dog stay inside? If so, do you use any type of "carpet freshener"? You know, the kind you sprinkle on and vaccuum? Things like that...One of my Rottweilers was very sensitive to that kind of thing...had to stop using it.

Any more details and I'll try to help if I can...

Answer 8

Some of your humane societies help fund things like this for those who can't. Try calling them. Ask your vet ifyou could work off some of it? Your pet is lucky to have such a caring owner.

Answer 9

Explain more about the rash, where is it, what does it look like, how long has it been there, does it itch. How old is your dog, does he have fleas..... I could help you more if had more info to give.