Update On Lady - LADY IS GONE.....

[pitc9]

I just sent a donation via pay pal to you!

[Reachoutrescue]

Hi Everybody.

I just got back from getting Lady. She is resting nicely in my room. She is on three different medications plus a pain killer. Albon for her Coccidea, Prednisone (steroid), Cimetidine (tagamet) for her stomach (I am thinking for infection), and the pain killer Rimadyl. The vet said her blood count is at 24 now and they are hoping it goes up with the steroids. She is going back in on Monday for another blood test. The bill all together after todays final blood work is $1519.30. There have been $550.00, including the Pit Bull Rescue Central Donation (has not been made yet), in donations bringing the balance to $969.30. I am so over whelmed, I thought it was going to be less. The doctor has not credited the $100.00 from their fund yet, so we are back to where we started...$869.30. Now what? Any ideas?

[Reachoutrescue]

I just sent a donation via pay pal to you!

THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!!

[cassiesmom]

I'm a nurse so I have to bust in on this one. Tagamet is for the prednisone and I think also the Rimadyl. Prednisone is hard on the lining of the intestinal tract so you give a patient Tagamet to help protect them from getting an ulcer. I looked up Rimadyl, it is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (like a human patient would use ibuprofen or naproxen) and those too can be hard on the lining of the GI tract so you also use Tagamet for that. Also just the stress of being ill can put a human patient at risk of ulcers - maybe a canine patient too. I didn't know until I read your post that a veterinarian can do that for a dog patient just as a doctor would for a human patient! I am so glad her blood count (I'm assuming it's her hematocrit) is increasing. Lady, please take all your medicine like a trouper and let your guardian give you a skritch for me. Over and out.

[Vela]

Uh I have to say, I think you need a new vet. Unless we aren't understanding or getting the whole story, he "saved" you money by not doing x-rays, then charged you 1500 dollars for a surgery he didnt need to do because he didn't do anything when he got in? It doesn't even cost that much to just have a complete splenectomy. For a vet used by a rescue, you need to find a less expensive one it sounds like. I don't think they did you any "favors".

I am glad she seems to be okay though, but that price seems rediculous to me, especially in light of the presurgical quote he gave you compared to that cost, and that fact that he didnt find anything to have to fix!

[Reachoutrescue]

Uh I have to say, I think you need a new vet. Unless we aren't understanding or getting the whole story, he "saved" you money by not doing x-rays, then charged you 1500 dollars for a surgery he didnt need to do because he didn't do anything when he got in? It doesn't even cost that much to just have a complete splenectomy. For a vet used by a rescue, you need to find a less expensive one it sounds like. I don't think they did you any "favors".

I am glad she seems to be okay though, but that price seems rediculous to me, especially in light of the presurgical quote he gave you compared to that cost, and that fact that he didnt find anything to have to fix!

I do agree, he is very expensive. The splenectomy needed to be done due to how enlarged it was. They also did spay her. I am upset by the bill, and at a lose of what to do now.

[buttercup132]

I'm glad she pulled through ok. Now lets just hope she keeps getting better.

[Vela]

Ahh okay I didn't realize he had spayed her and done the splenectomy, I guess I misread, but I do still think it's very high, seems like it should only have been around 500-600 dollars total, maybe a couple more hundred for tests, but not 1500=/ If I am able I can try to send another donation but I can't just yet. Glad she's doing okay. Hope she keeps improving.

[Catty1]

Can you ask the vet for a breakdown of the costs, say it's for your records as you are going to get your non-profit papers in the mail?

That way, each cost has to be justified.

Or is there a veterinary board you can double-check with?

[Ginger's Mom]

I am very sorry that you have learned such an expensive lesson. I hope you can find a doctor that you feel more comfortable talking to and working with in the future if you are going to continue taking in special need dogs. You certainly don't want to find yourself in this position again. Good thoughts and prayers going out for Lady.

[Reachoutrescue]

Can you ask the vet for a breakdown of the costs, say it's for your records as you are going to get your non-profit papers in the mail?

That way, each cost has to be justified.

Or is there a veterinary board you can double-check with?

They gave me invoices with the break downs. It cost 933.50 for the surgery, 274.28 for the first day she was there (two fecal, uranalysis, blood work, medication for parasites, and office visit), and 311.52 for yesterday and today (covering the coombs test which was 102.33, 4 PCV, 1 Ecg Pre-Anesthetic, 1 hospitalization, 1 blood drawing, and medication, ie steroids, pain killer, and tummy pills). It does all add up, but they are very expensive, they are very good doctors, but very high priced. So that is it. I have gone over it time and time again....and my head is just spinning. Thanks for the support PT and the kind words for Lady. She is feeling okay as she is barking at the noises outside right now. She is happy to be home I think.

[Daisy and Delilah]

I am so glad to hear she's doing better, Tracy. Please give that sweet girl some kisses from me. GET BETTER LADY AND BE ALL WELL!!! Don't panic. There has to be a way to get this bill paid. I'm so happy he spayed her while was at it too. Good for him. I know she's going to feel like a new girl soon. Thank you so much for taking care of her. You're a great person!!

[pitc9]

Yippee that she's home ... but Booooo for the vet bill!
Wow! That's a lot more money then they told you it would be!

I hope she has a speedy and full recovery!
Smooches to her!! And {{hugs}} to you! Everything witll work itself out!

[Pawsitive Thinking]

Glad Lady is home and happy. Mr Vet will just have to wait for his money - what's he going to do - undo the surgery???

I will be able to send a further donation soon as Mr Bank Manager has kindly refunded some of the extortionate fees they have been charging me

[Daisy and Delilah]

How is Lady today, Tracy? I'm still hoping and praying that that sweetheart is going to be as good as new soon. How are the little ones? I sent you a PM to tell you that my paypal drama has been solved. Be on the lookout for another donation