My Poor Scruff Is Sick. RE-CHECK UPDATE 2/2/107 PG 3

This is not good. My dog, Scruff, has been having trouble peeing, so I took him to the vet. The vet tried draining urine through a cathader (sorry not great at spelling) but could not get it through. They said he has stones and need surgery and without it, he could die. It will cost from $1800 to $3500 at my vet....I don't know what to do...that is so much money and I just don't have it. I am trying to find a low cost animals clinics, but it is so hard to find. I tried Animal Welfare League, but they could not give me a price with out seeing him. Anti-cruelty is based on income and is giving me a hard time because my income is less then my rent...I am a bartender, my income varies. Does anybody have any suggestions? If anybody knows any internet based organization that helps owners offset the cost of veterinary care, please let me know as soon as you can. I am emailing IMOM and HELPAPET. Thank you.

Look at this guy....I can't lose him.
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n.../Aug06_004.jpg

Just keep trying - and contact any veterinary schools near you, see if they have low-cost programs for practicing verterinary surgeons, etc.

Thank you Karen, that is what I am trying to do now. There are very few veterinary schools in my area, if any. There has got to be something.

Awww...I am so sorry! Scruff will be in my Prayers!!!

is there a vet that rescues use in your area that offers discounts that maybe could work with you on a payment plan or something like that?? What about a personal loan or something like that, where it could be paid over time too (even if you had to have a co-signer, it would be a help to be able to pay off over time).

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Originally Posted by jenn_librarian

is there a vet that rescues use in your area that offers discounts that maybe could work with you on a payment plan or something like that?? What about a personal loan or something like that, where it could be paid over time too (even if you had to have a co-signer, it would be a help to be able to pay off over time).

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We asked the vet if they would take payments and they said they didn't. I am going to go to the animal welfare league...I have to get him in somewhere. I guess we will just take it one step at a time. Dave and I talked, there is no way we can afford an $1800 vet bill all in one lump sum, we will see what the league says and go from there. Fingers crossed please and lots of prayers for our Scruff.

Thank you everybody.

I would try out of the area vets even in neighboring states. You are close to Indiana right? Vet costs vary so much in different areas and states. For example, katie in NC vet costs seem to be double for things that are charged in KY. And I know if you go up north like NY they are even more expensive. I would try calling out of the area vet clinics and seeing their prices.
Melissa

I am so sorry to hear that Scruff is so sick. The cost is astronomical.... and is my greatest nightmare! I am so sorry that you are going through this.

I know that you are in Illinois, but I don't know where in location to Indiana. Purdue University (my alma mater!) has a wonderful Vet School. Maybe they could help. I am keeping you and Scruff in my thoughts and prayers.

Please keep us posted.

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Originally Posted by doolittleky

I would try calling out of the area vet clinics and seeing their prices.
Melissa

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Thank you Melissa. I am going to do whatever it takes to save him.

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Originally Posted by Donnaj4962

I know that you are in Illinois, but I don't know where in location to Indiana. Purdue University (my alma mater!) has a wonderful Vet School. Maybe they could help. I am keeping you and Scruff in my thoughts and prayers.

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Thank you Donna...I am going to look into Purdue.

I just got back from animal welfare. Oh my god!! The doctor there did x-rays and found nothing in Scruff's bladder or kidneys....so that was good. He tried doing a cathadur again...and he couldn't get through either. So he said there is a stone blockage in the urethra. He said he only has done the surgery on two other dogs and was not sure if he could do it again. He said he would charge me between $700 and $800 to "attempt" the surgery, but could give me no guarantee....How am I suppose to let him cut my dog open if he is not even sure he knows how to do it! I called another clinic called Lepar animal hospital and they gave me an estimate of $1218.64....still so much. I am not giving up hope, I just don't know what to do.... My heart is breaking from my Scruffers.

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Originally Posted by Reachoutrescue

Thank you Melissa. I am going to do whatever it takes to save him.



Thank you Donna...I am going to look into Purdue.

I just got back from animal welfare. Oh my god!! The doctor there did x-rays and found nothing in Scruff's bladder or kidneys....so that was good. He tried doing a cathadur again...and he couldn't get through either. So he said there is a stone blockage in the urethra. He said he only has done the surgery on two other dogs and was not sure if he could do it again. He said he would charge me between $700 and $800 to "attempt" the surgery, but could give me no guarantee....How am I suppose to let him cut my dog open if he is not even sure he knows how to do it! I called another clinic called Lepar animal hospital and they gave me an estimate of $1218.64....still so much. I am not giving up hope, I just don't know what to do.... My heart is breaking from my Scruffers.

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Follow up with the Purdue Vet school. There is a technique where by they pass shock waves through water with the dog's urethra submerged in the water. It's called lithotripter. Presumably a non-invasive non-surgical technique to pulverize the stones would cost less. Although you can never tell with Vet schools. There might be other techniques available to sonicate the stones.

Obviously you need to get it taken care of ASAP before other problems such as kidney failure occurs. Assuming Purdue or another Vet hospital in the area with the equipment can get rid of the stones, then the follow up step will be to get consultation on future diet so as to prevent a reoccurance or at least minimize it.

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Originally Posted by dragondawg

Follow up with the Purdue Vet school. There is a technique where by they pass shock waves through water with the dog's urethra submerged in the water. It's called lithotripter.

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I called Purdue, they said it would range from $1100 to $2300...Ouch. I know I need to get this done...I am trying so hard to find somewhere some what cheaper. I don't have $1100. Another vet about 1 1/2 from me that said the surgery would be between $800 and $1100. Why do they give such big window on prices? I am still trying. I am calling around in Indiana now. Thank you everybody for your help. This is just killing me.

I'm so so sorry, I know you don't want to hear it but you are running out of time. I so hope you can find someplace to help him really soon before it causes rupture or kidney failure. Please dont' stop calling, maybe they can take half down and payments? I don't know. I can't beleive a vet you know well won't do that. I feel so bad for your situation. I'm so sorry!

Don't you have a credit card? I don't know a bunch of people who could
come up with that amount of money overnight. You could pay it off with
more reasonable amounts.The first time I've ever gone into debt ( besides
my mortgage) was to get needed medical help for my dog Buddy. I do hope
Purdue can help you & if not, at least point you to someone who can. Best
of luck for Scruff. he's a sweet looking dog.

I know I am running out of time...I have a few more places to call and a friend of mine if giving me some numbers of vets in Southern Illinois. There has to be something.

I hope that you can find someone to help him. Can you borrow money from friends or family? I'd be doing anything I could. I hope Scruff will make it through this. Have you heard from IMOM yet?