My dog needs surgery...?

Question

I have a 1 year old pitbull that needs knee surgery in both of her legs. She's the sweetest dog I've ever had, but because of her knees, her legs will give-out and she'll fall over occasionaly while she's walking... Its horrible to watch and I know she's in pain. Each knee will cost me around $1500 - $2000. Total cost of almost $4000. I can't afford to give her this surgery. What can I do??

Answer 1

I'm really sorry to hear this. I do have a list or organizations that may or may not be able to help and I'll give you the links, but first, as some of the others have mentioned, you can try applying for Care Credit, which most vets offer.

I don't don't what your time frame is or how long it takes to get an approval, nor do I know where any of these organizations are located, but you have nothing to lose by checking into them. I know that one of the links appears to be for cats, but I think it covers all pets.

I hope that one of these links can help you , but try asking your vet about Care Credit first.

Good luck and best wishes to your dog. I hope that one of these organizations will be able to help and she makes a quick and speedy recovery.

Answer 2

Does your dogs have an ACL injury? Is he under 30 pounds? If you answered yes, then surgery is not always required. It has been found that dogs with a torn ACL that are under 30 pounds that have the knee surgery eventually end up having to have the other knee done, and will end up with arthritis in the knee. Dogs that have a torn ACL, that are under 30 pounds, that do NOT have the surgery will heal with very restricted activity for 4 to 8 weeks, and will eventually end up with arthritis in the knee. If you dog is under 30 pounds and has a torn ACL and you opt to not do the surgery, you will need to get a dog cage/carrier and use it. Keep your dog confined when you are not able to closely supervise and on restricted activity (no jumping, running, going across slick floors he can slip on), leash walk only. Do not allow him to jump up to greet you, do not allow him to jump on furniture, or go up and down steps... again SHORT leash walks to do his business only. If you do this USUALLY within 6 to 8 weeks the knee will tighten up again and not require any surgery. During this period you may ask your vet about pain meds, but those are not without side effects. The most important thing to do is cage rest.

Answer 3

Borrow money. Credit cards. Work out some payment plan with the vet. Organize a fund raiser. Contact a local pitbull rescue and see if they can help you raise money. Go around the neighbor and solicite money! Anything will help. refinance your car, house, get a personal loan. There is a credit card you can get specifically for veterinary care, ask the vet about it. My friends dog needed hip surgery and two knee surgeries. She found the money by being creative, and the dog is doing very well. I love that dog!

Answer 4

Payment plan, and do one knee at a time if need be. Maybe set up a donation jar at your place of work.

There's not much else you can do. No one else is going to want to adopt her and do it, and it wouldn't be very ethical to put her down at just 1 year for a perfectle correctable condition.

Surrendering her to an organization or rescue is not an option because of her breed. Pit bulls are VERY hard to rehome even healthy and most dogs in shelters are pits. No rescue is going to be able to pay for surgery on a dog of a breed they have a hard time placing anyway. Unfortunate, but thats the reality.

Answer 5

There is this card type thing you can get through your vet's office where you charge the amount of the surgery on that account and you pay it off. It is interest free for a year I believe. Then afterwards you can get her pet insurance, because I'm sure you'll get your use out of it.

You could also call Best Friends. They are a huge organization in Utah that is known for their special needs animals. Call them and talk to someone about your options.

Good Luck

Answer 6

Talk to your vet about a payment plan, or talk to a local rescue group and see if there's anything that can be done. It may mean signing her over to a group who can afford to give her the surgery so she can live the life she deserves, at which point it becomes a question of what is best FOR HER.

Answer 7

Care Credit is the name of the card accepted by most Veterinarians. www.CareCredit.com this is the link where you care apply for it. Many times you can get same as cash for 6-12 months.
The card is also accepted many other places such as your dentist, eye doctor etc...

Also as bout a more simple procedure. Your probably being quoted for a TPLO, but the is a thing called a "Simple Cruciate Procedure". A TPLO is a better option for a young dog but not the only option.

Good Luck

Answer 8

There may be options.
talk with your vet about a payment plan, or if he doesn't have one, ask him if there is a vet around who will do payment plans.
also, there is pet insurance. perhaps you can look into that.
There may also be an organization who may be able to help you with the cost, thru aspca, humane society, or a rescue shelter for pits.
Please look into all options.
the only other option I have is for you to surrender her, if you cannot afford the surgery, and have the organization pay for it.
she is in pain, and you have a good heart. do what is right for her, not you.

I wish you luck.

Answer 9

Work out a payment plan with your vet. If they won't do that, go to the bank and take out a personal loan. Worst case, try to borrow the money from a family member or friend and pay them interest.

Good luck.

Answer 10

Can you work out a payment plan with your vet's office? Or, perhaps you can have one leg done at a time? I'm sorry you're facing this.