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rnlcooper · Jun 8, 2008, 03:43 AM

My dog just recently started to throw up his food and will not eat. A few weeks ago I started giving him Nutri Vets K-9 aspirin, I contacted my vet who told me stop with the aspirin and to bring him in. I brought him in and the vet gave him some fluids via I.V she also examined his stomach etc and took some blood for testing to make sure that it wasn't his kidneys or liver. The blood tests came back and everything as far as that was OK. My vet now wants him x rayed. I called the pet emergency room and was told that it would cost me $250 (of which I have $100) and that they would not let me pay the rest this Friday (man pet emergency rooms are non flexible). My dog still moves around but not as much and will ask to go out every now and then. He has no problem urinating but of course is having infrequent bowel movements because he won't eat. He didn't have any problems such as this until I gave him the Nutri Vet aspirin. I did some searches on the net and know I am asking for a blood cell count (CBC), biochemical profile, and urinalysis since the first vet visit all the vet talked about has possible kidney failure and such and the blood work showed that this was not the issue. Although I am not a vet I think it may be some sort of ulcer... I am also going to come up with the other $150 for the x rays by any means I wonder if there are any non profit organizations that will assist me. I am very scared...

fuzzyangelbear · Jun 8, 2008, 04:27 AM

I am sorry to hear about your sick furry friend.

I work for a humane society and we wish we could help every animal there is, but of course the budget does not allow it. What we tell people that we can not help is to go to a website called IMOM.org Helping People Help Pets. This site is non profit and helps in some cases. I know there is a lot of red tape to go through from reading the website, but maybe its worth a shot.

I also know there is some sort of credit that is extended to people that qualify and certain vets accept it. I do believe it is called Care Credit and you can search it on the internet.

Good luck and I hope your furry friend starts to feel better.

danielnoahsmommy · Jun 8, 2008, 04:29 AM

Some vets offer financing arrangements. Did you tell the vet you had a problrm?

rnlcooper · Jun 8, 2008, 04:36 AM

Hello and thanks for your reply. I had already visited that web site and they are no longer accepting applications since they are swamped and donations are low. I will come up with the extra $150 some how I am very prayerful. I also have listed some things on e bay which have sold and will more than cover the amount needed I just need for the winning bidders to now pay me! I never knew that pet vet care was in such a condition as far as money wise... I think that I will try to relax a little because setting on the internet reading stories of people pets and their need for help is only making me cry. I more than likely won't get another pet I can't take this. Who said that guys don't cry.

rnlcooper · Jun 8, 2008, 04:38 AM

Originally Posted by danielnoahsmommy

some vets offer financing arrangements. did you tell the vet you had a problrm?

Yes but this is the Pet Emergency room and they want the money up front... my vet is very flexible. I have never felt so helpless

fuzzyangelbear · Jun 8, 2008, 06:12 AM

Other things you might want to try...

Have you tried contacting your local humane society? I know some local humane societies have programs to help with vet care needs. You might want to try a breed spacific rescue as well. I am not sure what type of dog you have, but each breed has a rescue and they do mixed breeds as well. Last but not least, have you tried a local vet other than the emergency vet? Emergency vets tend to be higher than a "family" vet. Just a couple more suggestions.

froggy7 · Jun 8, 2008, 08:24 AM

Originally Posted by rnlcooper

Yes but this is the Pet Emergency room and they want the money up front... my vet is very flexible. I have never felt so helpless

Is there some reason your vet can't do the x-rays? Most vets I have used were fully equipped, and you would only be seeing an emergency vet after hours or for some really specialist things (cardiac problems, etc.)

rnlcooper · Jun 8, 2008, 09:54 AM

Originally Posted by froggy7

Is there some reason your vet can't do the x-rays? Most vets I have used were fully equipped, and you would only be seeing an emergency vet after hours or for some really specialist things (cardiac problems, etc.)

Hmmm good question I am going to ask my wife why are they sending us to an outside Dr for the x rays then again she wanted us to have th test done asap (and had set up the scheduled x ray for today (sunday)... thanks for the info.

rnlcooper · Jun 13, 2008, 07:55 AM

Thanks to everyone that replied to my question. We had the x ray done and they say some sort of thickening in his stomach and intestine. We were given the option of exploratory surgery, having him drug some type of fluid which would let the Dr see if there was any type of blockage, or have then view him internally using some sort of camera. Upon consultation w/ our et she recommended the surgery in that if we used the other two methods she might still have to cut. My wife and I pain stakingly thought this over for one day and agreed with the surgery. Well we received the bad news from the vet yesterday 6/12/08 that our Max had a fist sized cancerous tumor in his belly. The vet informed us that radiation therapy would possibly prolong his life for a few months, and we decided to not take him through the pain and change of life just so that we could selfishly have him with us for two of three more months. This was very fast coming... just two weeks ago he was running and eating w/no problems... we had him for 13 yrs and he is a part of our family... we promised him that we would fight for him and we did. I know that if he couldn't;t be the same dog that he always was it would have not been his wish. I researching the prices of vet care etc... I am taking money from my own 201k and starting up a fund to help families keep up/ pay for vet visits. More info will be forth coming. I truly believe that God has a special place in heaven for his animals. We are having Max's ashes spread throughout our back yard.

danielnoahsmommy · Jun 13, 2008, 10:01 AM

I' so sorry for your loss. He will wait for you at rainbow bridge

fuzzyangelbear · Jun 14, 2008, 06:24 AM

I am so sorry to hear about your loss. Having a special needs sanctuary and working for the humane society, believe I know what you are going through... it is NEVER easy!

I love the idea of starting a fund for the needy. We use to have one at our humane society, but economy put a end to that real fast and I am not at the point as of yet in my own sanctuary to be able to look at that option.

My heart goes out to you and your family!

rnlcooper · Jun 14, 2008, 03:34 PM

Originally Posted by fuzzyangelbear

I am so sorry to hear about your loss. Having a special needs sanctuary and working for the humane society, believe I know what you are going through... it is NEVER easy!

I love the idea of starting a fund for the needy. We use to have one at our humane society, but economy put a end to that real fast and I am not at the point as of yet in my own sanctuary to be able to look at that option.

My heart goes out to you and your family!

Thanks for taking the time to help out a fellow pet lover... I am taking day by day...