Ideas on getting help to pay for emergency vet bills

[TLSnell1981]

On the contrary. I find the costs for veterinary care to be highly reasonable, particularly when compared to the cost for human medical care. I own 7 horses and run a boarding barn with 30. Vet care is part of my daily life. The last two surgeries my horses had were a fraction of what that same surgery would have cost me or DH. For example, one horse had broken a leg and required orthopedic surgery to install plates and screws. The procedure included driving 2 hours away to the emergency hospital at 10pm and a 10 day stay at the hospital. A plate and 8 screws later the bill was $3400. Another had eye surgery this summer...$774. We use Care Credit. I shudder to think what either of thse surgeries would ahve cost a human being LOL!

I think veterinary tecnology has changed so much that there is WAY more that can actually be done for our pets. I also think people need to figure veterinary costs in when deciding to get any pet. My sister just adopted a little terrier...two days after he came home they discovered he had massive bladder stones and needed emergency surgery. She was prepared to pay.

Large animal vets seem to a bit more reasonable, than vets the small ones. I love my equine vet.

 

[yoopermom]

Large animal vets seem to a bit more reasonable, than vets the small ones. I love my equine vet.

I think part of the problem there is that many people are afraid to be honest with their small animal vet about what they want to/can afford to do financially and/or morally. Maybe because I live in a "poor" area, but my vet is very open to giving me all the options, from Toyota to Cadillac when it comes to treatment for our dogs. While we should respect them for their education and need to pay their business expenses, as a consumer we also have a right to ask what can be left out, lowered, etc.

Terri

 

[aaarcher86]

So if this was a human child, should the child be adopted out, since the parents could not pay?

Lol WUT?

 

[TipsyTraveler]

So if this was a human child, should the child be adopted out, since the parents could not pay?

Health care for animals and people is set up very differently so this is not an apples to apples comparison. When you take your child to the ER for a broken leg you do not have the option of euthanizing them, therefore no "Humane Society for People" exists to step in and rescue your child from that fate. People who can't pay off their medical debts often find themselves in bankruptcy. Fortunately, when it comes to pets, places like the Humane Society exist and are able to give people the option of "opting out" so they don't have to take on that debt in the first place.

Parents do have the ability to relinquish rights over their child in cases of adoption, etc., at which point they no longer have any say in what happens to the child, nor will the child be returning to their custody. That is more in line with what happened with the cat in the OP. The owners signed ownership of the cat over to the Humane Society.

 

[LiveYourLife]

I really strongly believe in purchasing insurance as soon as you get your pet so you can give them the best care possible without putting a bill for 5k on a cc.

ETA: Just read the update that the kitty is home!

I also am a strong supporter for pet insurance However, your statement is a bit misleading, as I know of no pet
insurance that will cover medical expenses up front. Payment comes out of your pocket first, then you have to fill out claim forms, etc...and then you get reimbursed depending on your policy. This can take a couple of months.

We have insurance for our dogs, also have a savings account for them with a weekly draft, plus a credit card for them in the case of emergency care. While I realize all of that might not be possible for some, it's good to have something as a supplement to cover costs while you wait for pet insurance reimbursement.

Happy to hear that Maury is home as well!

 

[Dentam]

I've never had it take a couple of months to be reimbursed by pet insurance. Maybe that is true with some companies though. Regardless, you are reimbursed which is the point. You aren't stuck with a large bill that you can't afford.

 

[Dentam]

And just a PSA, we just had a TERRIBLE story here in WI about a woman who tried to kill her elderly black lab because it had medical conditions that she couldn't afford to treat nor could she afford to euthanize it (supposedly). Luckily, the poor dog survived, good Samaritans took it to the nearest shelter, it's being treated, and there are already multiple offers to adopt it. The shelter has been on the news reminding people that if they can't afford medical treatment or euthanasia for their pet to PLEASE sign it over to the shelter. This dog was lucky enough to have survived, but a kind, quick death would be preferable to being zipped in a bag and hit with a hammer repeatedly and left for dead.

Oh my god. This makes me want to cry. Some states are beginning to keep lists of animal abusers that rescues can refer to before adopting pets out. I sure hope she never owns a pet again!!

 

[robinb]

UPDATE on Maury my original post .

I'm very happy for the kitty and its owners.

And just a PSA, we just had a TERRIBLE story here in WI about a woman who tried to kill her elderly black lab because it had medical conditions that she couldn't afford to treat nor could she afford to euthanize it (supposedly). Luckily, the poor dog survived, good Samaritans took it to the nearest shelter, it's being treated, and there are already multiple offers to adopt it. The shelter has been on the news reminding people that if they can't afford medical treatment or euthanasia for their pet to PLEASE sign it over to the shelter. This dog was lucky enough to have survived, but a kind, quick death would be preferable to being zipped in a bag and hit with a hammer repeatedly and left for dead.

Terri

That happened right near me. I think one of the stories that was not told is that there *is* help out there for people who can't afford to treat their pets or even euthanize them. The real kicker is that the previous owner now has to pay more in fines and legal costs than it would have cost to simply have the dog euthanized properly.

Misty now has her own FB page: https://www.facebook.com/Misty-1520079601619108/?pnref=story . She will now be able to go gently over the rainbow bridge with the love and support of the entire community.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

OMG, that is horrible, Terri! But I know, people can take desperate measures sometimes.

I saw a story the other day of a video taken outside an animal shelter in Maine. A minivan pulled up, the driver got out, let a dog out, then jumped back in the van and drove away. My heart was in my mouth as we see the dog running after the van as it was driving away. Apparently they found the dog dead on the side of a road a few days later, having gotten hit by a car as it was trying to fend for itself.

People were looking for the lady and questioned why she did what she did. Story here. **Warning: video is heartbreaking.**

http://m.wmtw.com/news/van-caught-on-camera-abandoning-dog/37684908

Then the woman's response. Sounds complicated.

http://www.examiner.com/article/dumped-dog-s-caretaker-tells-her-side-of-the-story

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

So if this was a human child, should the child be adopted out, since the parents could not pay?

Are you kidding?

Are you really equating children to pets?

 

[NewRVLady]

I also think pets are an expensive luxury
My coworker is a Pet Nut-always taking in strays
What she spends sometimes blows my mind ( and then she complains they just cant save money for retirement....I wonder why!)

 

[ndelaware]

Are you kidding?

Are you really equating children to pets?

Only in relation to the actions of the doctor in regards to the guardians inability to pay for medical care.

 

[Planogirl]

There are people who prefer pets to children. I don't equate them but others might.

 

[TLSnell1981]

I think part of the problem there is that many people are afraid to be honest with their small animal vet about what they want to/can afford to do financially and/or morally. Maybe because I live in a "poor" area, but my vet is very open to giving me all the options, from Toyota to Cadillac when it comes to treatment for our dogs. While we should respect them for their education and need to pay their business expenses, as a consumer we also have a right to ask what can be left out, lowered, etc.

Terri

Maybe, but my equine vet fees "apples to apples" are still less expensive AND she has morals AND a conscience.

One afternoon, my son's dog overheated and he asked, if I could meet him. He had two small children...his wife was at work. The small animal vet attempted to charge my son $800 for putting a fan on his pug and giving him IV fluids. I paid less for "house calls" And stitching my colt's eye lid ..3 times. That also includes all meds.

Oh, after sharing that info...the vet dropped the bill to $300. It was still highway robbery, but he realized his estimate was absurd!

 

[WDWBarb]

I'm very happy for the kitty and its owners.

And just a PSA, we just had a TERRIBLE story here in WI about a woman who tried to kill her elderly black lab because it had medical conditions that she couldn't afford to treat nor could she afford to euthanize it (supposedly). Luckily, the poor dog survived, good Samaritans took it to the nearest shelter, it's being treated, and there are already multiple offers to adopt it. The shelter has been on the news reminding people that if they can't afford medical treatment or euthanasia for their pet to PLEASE sign it over to the shelter. This dog was lucky enough to have survived, but a kind, quick death would be preferable to being zipped in a bag and hit with a hammer repeatedly and left for dead.

Terri

I'm going to withhold my opinion of this woman (public forum and all) BUT every vet I know provides euthanasia at no cost.

I am one who has spent unexpected large sums of money on my dogs, cats, horses, whatever (and it is ironic that my horses are less expensive on vet bills AND food than my dogs). I will always do so where necessitated. And I don't believe that pets are a luxury. They fill a part in the lives of the people that love them that is no less necessary than any other relationship. The people who died during Katrina because they were not able to take their pets with them are pretty much proof positive that many people feel the same way.

I don't believe anyone should be parted from a loved one due to financial need. My dream is to start a not-for-profit that provides homes for pets when their owners have suffered health issues and cannot care for them (the elderly, disabled, terminally ill). If visits can be arranged, they will. If the pet can stay in the home and volunteers can provide daily care (walks, grooming, feeding, vet visits, etc), they will. If their person passes away, they will know that they will have a loving forever home. And if someone can provide a loving home but can't afford the medical bills for their furry family member, there will be help also.

Just a dream, but I've seen and heard of too many stories of people having to "give up" their pets due to health issues or financial need. It's rarely ever a good result for human or animal. I can't say that someone who suffers unfortunate circumstances is any less worthy of sharing their lives with their cat/dog/etc. If you can't afford them and neglect them for that reason, that's a different story. But I'd sell plasma to pay for my critters' medical care. Heck, I'd probably do it for yours, too.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I'm going to withhold my opinion of this woman (public forum and all) BUT every vet I know provides euthanasia at no cost.

I am one who has spent unexpected large sums of money on my dogs, cats, horses, whatever (and it is ironic that my horses are less expensive on vet bills AND food than my dogs). I will always do so where necessitated. And I don't believe that pets are a luxury. They fill a part in the lives of the people that love them that is no less necessary than any other relationship. The people who died during Katrina because they were not able to take their pets with them are pretty much proof positive that many people feel the same way.

I don't believe anyone should be parted from a loved one due to financial need. My dream is to start a not-for-profit that provides homes for pets when their owners have suffered health issues and cannot care for them (the elderly, disabled, terminally ill). If visits can be arranged, they will. If the pet can stay in the home and volunteers can provide daily care (walks, grooming, feeding, vet visits, etc), they will. If their person passes away, they will know that they will have a loving forever home. And if someone can provide a loving home but can't afford the medical bills for their furry family member, there will be help also.

Just a dream, but I've seen and heard of too many stories of people having to "give up" their pets due to health issues or financial need. It's rarely ever a good result for human or animal. I can't say that someone who suffers unfortunate circumstances is any less worthy of sharing their lives with their cat/dog/etc. If you can't afford them and neglect them for that reason, that's a different story. But I'd sell plasma to pay for my critters' medical care. Heck, I'd probably do it for yours, too.

I have had patients whose whole reason for living is getting back to their pet.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

There are people who prefer pets to children. I don't equate them but others might.

It is a sad world where people can compare a human being to an animal.

 

[sonnyjane]

It is a sad world where people can compare a human being to an animal.

I don't necessarily equate them but I certainly PREFER animals to human beings!