I know I'm new & all, but I need you're prayers...

[BeautifulGoodbye]

 

[smb]

I'm sorry to hear about that.

The good news is, he'll be fine afterwards.

I had to do the same thing with my dog and it cost $500. I would call and get good referrals and check for prices. I got about 10 different referrals and the prices ranged up to $1500.

I actually got lucky because the one I went to was one of the better ones around and he started his own business to help people that aren't exactly rich.

Good Luck and I hope it all turns out for you. I know how attached we are to our pets.

Edit: Oh, and welcome to the forums.

 

[YngUrbanCMH]

This probably isn't any help to you now, but you might want to check out Veterinary Pet Insurance. I keep a policy on my chihauhau and dauchsund... dauchsund's are so prone to back injuries.

 

[totalbolshevik]

God, I hate it when animals get injured vet bills are so expensive these days. Our Aussie was limping really bad for a while, so we took her to the vet and they were baffled. They said an X-ray would cost about $300! Soooo, we decided to take matters into our own hands, and just made her rest for 2 weeks or so, and she's better now. I don't think the same would happen in your case, since they think it's a torn ligament, but like Urban said, you should shop around. Best of luck, I'll be thinking about you!

 

[BeautifulGoodbye]

 

[smb]

Terrible, just terrible. I am so sorry to hear that.

The worst thing is you don't have anything clear to go on and are faced with all these decisions on what to do, and you don't even know exactly what is wrong yet.

I would at least do the easiest thing and take the x-rays for a second and third opinion.

I feel so bad for you. I hope it all works out and please keep us updated like you have.

 

[Mollie*fish*lover]

This probably isn't any help to you now, but you might want to check out Veterinary Pet Insurance. I keep a policy on my chihauhau and dauchsund... dauchsund's are so prone to back injuries.

OMG you have a chihuaua to! so do i! well shes prone to sickniss! shes never broke a leg or some thin like that! well i am very sorry to here a bout your pit! i will keep you guys in my prayers! hope your doggy gets well soon!

 

[BeautifulGoodbye]

 

[smb]

All is not lost yet, BeautifulGoodbye.

Hang in there hun and be strong. You still have your dog now and I bet you'll come to a good conclusion to all this when it's said and done.

Be strong.


Yea, listen to me. I balled my eyes out for 2-3 weeks when I went thru this last year.

Just hang in there tho and you have my prayers and I'm sure prayers of many others here.


I agree with this that you said and live by it---

And if you do own a dog, LOVE it with all your heart and remember to hug, kiss and caress it A LOT. Be a responsible owner and a good mom/dad. If your doggie ever gets sick, spend the money and do what ever it takes to heal it. After all, you are the only one who can save your furry friend. Never give up on it! And always, always be grateful for everyday you are given to enjoy your dog. Cause life is short and sh*t happens.

I love animals more than people. I know to most that will sound weird or just plain nonsense, but I do, always have and always will. Animals do nothing but want to love you and want to spend time with you.

 

[sandyd]

Sorry to hear about all of your trouble and hopefull things will get better for you soon. It is hard when pets get sick or hurt, as they become part of your family. I rescued my dog from the street, took him to the vet and now he is a spoiled rotten dog. He is a jack russell mutt, but he is here and happy. I hope this all works out for the best. Our thoughts are with you. Sandy

 

[BeautifulGoodbye]

 

[smb]

Wow, you're in a bad predicament here.

I can't see how he thinks bone rubbing on bone doesn't hurt. Not only will it hurt now, but later on it will be so much worse that he won't be able to walk from arthritic conditions.

I would give up everything I had to take care of my dog or I wouldn't be able to live with myself afterwards. It's a part of my family, being single might make that bond stronger for me, but I think if I had a family I would think the same way. If I didn't, I don't think I would get a dog. We take on that responsibility when we get a pet. We're the pets only hope for survival and we owe them that. Maybe you can try telling him that in better words? I'm sure you have tho. I'm sure you've tried everything beibg as heartbroken you are.


The only thing I can think of his show him the pain the Jake is in and once he sees it, maybe he'll feel bad?

I hope you don't think any of what I said is mean. It wasn't meant like that at all.

 

[Rose]

I had a cat a few years ago. She was my life. She was my only friend for many many many years. One day I come home from working and I walk in the door and know something is wrong. I walk into my room and there she is sitting on the bed. Thats where she always if she didn't run and meet me at the door. I sit down next to her and start petting her and I notice she's shaking. Next thing I know she's having a seizure and god knows what else. I'm the only one home at this point in time. I run to the phone and call my dad at work, he's not there. Mom's at a conference and isn't due home for another 9 hrs. My little brother, god knows where he's at. I left a note by the phone telling dad where I had gone, and that I'd call him later. I grab Chichi and run out the door. jump in the car and fly down the road to my best friends house. She jumps in the car and comes with me. We get to the animal ER in 2 towns away in under 10 minutes. (Mind you I was going the better speed of 90 or more to do this.) I get Chichi checked in and they take her back. I explained to the receptionist that I didn't have any money to pay for it right now but I'd be more than willing to either be billed for it and pay it off as soon as I could, or to work it off there at the ER. We ended up waiting to make that decision till the docs knew what was going on with Chichi. The doc came in and told me she had had several seizers since comeing in, blind in one eye and about a dozen other things. At this point I was near the breaking point. I asked to use the phone so I could call my dad. I got ahold of him and told him what had happend and why I was there. He asked to talk to the doc and found out that there were 2 courses of action we could go. The first was to put her on much medication and such that even with it there was no gurantee that she would ever be any kind of normal. The other was to put her down which the doc recomended due to age and all the other factors that came into play. I got back on the phone and dad told me what the doc had said. As you can imagine I didn't think I could handle any more, but I did. I decided to put Chichi down, I thought it would be better for her than a life of pain and what ever else was to come. I walked back to be with her while they gave her the shot and she died in my arms. She gave me a kiss, then she was gone. I totally lost it at this point. There was no more holding the damn back. I had them put her in a box so I could take her home a burry her in the garden at my parents house. As it turned out dad had told the doc that he would pay the bill. So I wouldn't have to do that on top of everything else I had just go threw. I get home and mom is just walking up the back stairs and she has no idea of what's about to drop on her. She sees me pulling a box out of the car that was sitting next to me and asks whats wrong. She could tell I'd been crying. I walked in the house with the box and told everyone to sit down and told them the story of what had happend. We all walked out side and burryed the greatest cat in the world. Our friend, companion, the sunshine on a cold winters day. To this day none of us can tell this story with out balling. So be greatfull for the days you do have with your pets and always know they will always be with you even in the end. Even in death they will give you a smile when you remember fondly of them.

Sorry for the sob story it was just to point out a couple of things....the first is if you need something for your pet there are ways of getting it done. Get a job, ask a relative, a friend, rob a bank (just kidding on that one...lol). The second is when it comes to your pet, listen to the gut instinct if there's one there. If you don't you'll wish you had, and that's when it's too late. If you don't feel comfortable about something don't do it. Love your pets as you would if you had kids. We all know that there isn't anything we wouldn't do for those kids. The same should be for your pets as well.

Rose

 

[smb]

Wow, Rose. That was such a touching post. Thank you for sharing your hurt and thoughts with us.

To this day none of us can tell this story with out balling.

Or read it.

So be greatfull for the days you do have with your pets and always know they will always be with you even in the end. Even in death they will give you a smile when you remember fondly of them.

I completely agree! I've never been as close to anyone in my life as my pets.

Sorry for the sob story it was just to point out a couple of things....the first is if you need something for your pet there are ways of getting it done. Get a job, ask a relative, a friend, rob a bank (just kidding on that one...lol).

Yes. If you can't provide for a pet's needs, then don't get one. Our pets depend on us for their way of life and if we can't at least keep them safe and healthy, then we have failed as a provider, just as if we would the same with a wife and kids. I see no difference.

Being a guy, I'll just say this from a guys pov, but if I can't provide the best for a pet, whether it be a dog, cat, or whatever, how can I even hope to provide for a wife and kid and look out for their best interest and safety when that is so much more demanding? I know that some will say a pet's different, but is it? It's about responsibility and love is love, imo.

Very touching story, Rose. I'm so sorry you had to deal with what you did. It takes a great person to do what you did. I think of myself as the greatest animal lover, but I swear, I don't think I could have done what you did. I sometimews think I would have been selfish and not been as mature as you and did the right thing. I commend you for being so brave.

 

[sandyd]

Great story Rose, I could feel your pain through your words, I have also been there myself, and it is a very hard time.

Beautiful Goodbye, I was wondering if you had contacted any of your local shelters, they may be able to help with the decision making. They may also be able to do the surgery for a lower amount as i think most are funded. If you have no choice but for amputation, alot of dogs, as well as cats are living great lives without a limb. I had a cat that got caught in a trap and we had to amputate his rear leg. It was horrible, and very expensive, and I like rose had no money for it. The vet allowed us to make payments, as I think most vets will. How many people now adays just has a couple grand in their pocket? But he was perfectly fine with it after it was done and lived a full life with 3 legs.
As for the growth on his spine, if it is a tumor, the vets today are very good at removing them as well as radiation and kemo works better on animals than it does on people. They usually dont even suffer any hair loss. It may just be that he is overcompensating for not being able to use that leg, and i am sure there are tests for that also.
Sad to say that my hubby is just like yours, he is not really willing to spend the extra money on vet bills, but sometimes if you talk to him about how you feel about it, he may be willing to go with the payments. I can understand if you two have been saving money to buy a house, he does now want to part with it, but if you put it to him that it will only be a certain amount each month, it may go over better with him. Our prayers are with you, and let us know. Sandy