My dog needs surgery and I cannot afford it. What should I do?

Question

This past Friday, Roxy got a cut on her hind leg. Now she needs 2-3 sutures (stitches) to close the wound. The wound is pretty severe and it borders an artery. If I do not get the surgery, the artery may become infected. Although it is only stitches she will need to be sedated, hospitalized for half the day, and have blood work done before anesthesia. The entire cost for the 15 minute surgery has been estimated between $420 and $460. This estimate is from an animal hospital, where I also paid $49 just to have her examined. Our regular vet does not have any open time slots. This surgery cannot wait much longer but I also cannot afford it. I can pay up to $200 and I am willing to leave a $100 deposit up front. But nearly $500 I cannot afford! The hospital does not offer a payment plan other than deposit up front and pay in full at time of pick up. I have already called several other vets who charge about the same. What should I do?

I live in Deer Park, NY and the only low cost vet is booked solid until Halloween (Island Rescue). I called the Babylon Animal Shelter in search of resources, but there was no answer.

Are there other affordable vets in the area? I am willing to drive into Nassau county if I have to. I can get a referral from the doctor I saw today.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

To those people who think I cannot take care of my dog, you are so wrong. Someone who doesn't care for their pets wouldn't even bother going to the vet. I am out of work, and I just borrowed money from my parents the other day. I really can only spend $200. It shouldn't cost $500 to get stitches, even I am not stupid. I have been calling around all afternoon with no luck so far.

Answer 1

Get her into the vet with your upfront deposit, and go to the bank, borrow money, or sign up for carecredit (your vet should know about it) to pay for the rest of the amount.

Answer 2

I would get the money somehow for the surgery. I would do anything to save my dog. I would sell my possessions, skip meals, get another night job. Anything to save my dog. That dog is a part of my family, gave me love for all those years and is totally dependent on me. I must be responsible and do what it takes to help the dog. I would even sell my house if I have to. Personally, "not having enough money" is not an excuse in this case. Most vets are willing to let people make small monthly installments instead of paying huge sum for the surgery. The harsh truth is that people did not care enough to provide proper medical treatment for the dog. I am sure these people were not so poor that they were starving themselves.

Answer 3

You should contact CareCredit.
1-800-365-8295. See if you qualify for ther low or no interest loans for emergency vet care like this.
My other advice is to gather loose change from around the house on avergae there is $100 in everybodys home just of change
you can also ask friends and family for a loan
whatever you decide to do,help the pup out.

Answer 4

Borrow the money, put it on a credit card, sell whatever you can. $500 is not much in regards to not being able to pay for a pet's vet care.... I can understand not being about to afford a $2000 surgery, but if you already have $300, there is really no way you can get another $160?

Answer 5

I would suggest that you talk to other vets. My dog recently had almost the exact same "surgery" to close a cut on his front paw. As you mentioned, it is necessary to use anesthesia in order to stitch the leg. The total cost? $42 plus a few dollars for some antibiotics to take home.

Answer 6

You need to take care of the dog right away, you can also call the Humane Society they have Vets and can tell you if you can get the surgery done for less money but I don't think you should wait.
This other person is right I have Care-credit for my dogs because you never know.

Answer 7

My little weenie dog got attacked by the neighbor's pit bull. I gave her Terramyacin powder in canned dog food every 3 hours. The wound healed up perfectly in three weeks! (For the first two days, I poured hydrogen peroxide on it.)

Terramyacin is Tetracycline in powder form and available at most pet/feed stores. Call around until you locate some. It is about $10.00 for 1/2 cup and will be more than enough. If you keep it sealed up tight, you can use it in the future.

I also used the Terramyacin when she got ran over by a car. (Those wounds were so bad I was told she was going to die from gangrene by a friend who grew up on a game farm in South Africa and dealt with these sorts of wounds all the time!) I could not afford to take her to the vet and it healed those wounds up as well! (Add a tiny pinch to 1/2 cup of canned dog food every 3 hours. If your dog is refusing to drink water, add 2 Tablespoons to it. Administer for 3 weeks.)

I am in the process of uploading the photographs to my 360 blog. Simply click on my avatar then on the 360 link to view the proof!

Answer 8

They can't work out a payment plan? That seems odd, maybe you spoke with the wrong person. This is time for tears...go to the hospital, beg, plead and cry. Tell them you can put money towards it, but need to be on pay plan. I'm so sorry this is happening...maybe start asking people for help. Parents, friends, etc

Good Luck!

Answer 9

Call your local branch of the Humane Society. I know the Chicago Humane Society has special-case funds and sometimes helps animals whose owners cannot pay for needed medical care! Try calling the one in Freeport at [phone]. Good luck!

Answer 10

Ask them if they can skip the blood work and maybe do the stitches under local anesthesia.

Tell them you cannot afford the $500.00 and ask what they can do to treat it for less money, or what you can do at home. What can you do to at least keep it clean and free from infection. Maybe it is possible to butterfly it? There is also liquid bandage. I have never used it, but I hear it works.