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

[doolittleky]

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

[Donnaj4962]

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.

[Reachoutrescue]

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

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

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.

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.

[dragondawg]

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.

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.

[Reachoutrescue]

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.

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.

[Vela]

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!

[lizbud]

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.

[Catlady711]

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?

Vet prices can vary a great deal, from hospital to hospital, even within the same town.

The reason for surgeries they give such a wide range is, until they actually get in there, they never know for sure what they're going to run into. Even with all the best x-rays, lab results, ultrasounds, you can still never predict everything or how long it will take (vets many times charge based on time taken).

As to why one hospital is different priced from another by such a big degree has to do with overhead (ie. equipment, utilities, payroll, taxes etc.). A hospital with 4+ vets, a large building, state of the art equipment which they may still be paying for, late open/weekend hours, full service grooming/boarding, and many employees (particularly ones with specialties) are mostly always going to cost alot more. Since they have more bills to pay out, and offer more services, they have to make that income back somehow and it's the clients that pay for it.

A 1-2 doctor general practice with a small building, several year old basic but paid for equipment, shorter hours open or no weekends, don't do boarding/groooming, and have less staff are usually less expensive becaue they have less overhead to pay for. However they usually have to send extensive lab work out and may refer you somewhere else for x-rays, ultrasounds, or late night ER's etc.

Of course that's not accounting for those vets that are out just to get rich quick, which unfortunately, just like in human medicine, sometimes happens.

[krazyaboutkatz]

Tracy, I'm so glad to hear that Scruff is doing much better and that he won't need surgery. Hopefully it wasn't a stone at all but just a UTI.