VET BILLS

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-10-2003
VET BILLS
4
Mon, 03-13-2006 - 1:36pm

I am taking my dog, Bob to the Vet tomorrow for x-rays. After speaking with my Vet, we think it's a torn ACL. IF this is confirmed on Wednesday, I am looking at about a $1500 vet bill. I don't know if they take payments.. I haven't dicussed it yet with him.. But I have NO idea how I am going to come up with this kind of money quickly!

I am so frustrated. I love my dog SO much. He is not even using his back leg and I can't stand to see him this way. I just don't know if my Vet will work with me on payments..

I have been going to this Vet for 10 years.. DO you guys think I should check around for other prices at other vets? What if my Vet won't cut me a break, and let me make payments??

Any suggestions would help!!!

My DH doesn't even know if we should do it. It's technically "elective" surgery.. but I can't see NOT having it done. I would do anything for Bob. He's part of the family!!

Avatar for cl_phocid
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
In reply to: antonucci73
Mon, 03-13-2006 - 3:37pm

Hi there - it seems to me that if you have been going to this vet for 10 years, it is absolutely worth asking about payments.

All my best,
Danni

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-05-2004
In reply to: antonucci73
Mon, 03-13-2006 - 6:59pm

I would first start by calling around to friends and family in your area who have pets. Ask who their animals see, and call their vets. Ask them what the cost would be for an ACL repair, what the repair would entail (in case there are other options that your vet didn't discuss with you) and whether they would accept payments. Just make this list first. Then call your own vet, armed with this information, and see if he will take payments. Even if he does, if he's going to charge you $1500 and another vet charges $500 less and also accepts payments, you may want to have the procedure done by another vet.

Another option is to check local colleges, even if it requires a bit of a drive, for a veterinary school. They may be able to have their student doctors perform the surgery, under the watchful eye of a well-trained vet, for a very small fee.

Best of luck to you and to Bob! It's hard when our little furbabies aren't feeling their best.

Pat

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-05-2005
In reply to: antonucci73
Mon, 03-13-2006 - 7:10pm

Hi there,

I recently had the same situation with my dog, she had a tumor in her ear and her operation cost $2500, i couldn't afford that and my vet and others that i called as well would not under any circustance work on payment plans. I ended up getting a loan.
you may want to try carecredit.com they provide financing for vet bills, but you have to pay it withing 3 months or interest rate will skyrocket.

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-12-2004
In reply to: antonucci73
Mon, 03-13-2006 - 11:23pm
Hi,AN73. I just had the one cat at the vets for emergency---huge struvite bladder stones. Unable to void. Lots of pain. Etc. IV's, catheter, antibiotics, etc.--$800+. Since we have both cats go to vets, we did get a small discount. I agree with others here. l) Check vet schools, etc. re: usual and customary costs of this in your area. The ER vet clinics can be expensive, as there are specialists and high-tech treatments. 2)Go online to PetCare pet insurance. I pay about $40/month for both cats. There are various types of care --gold, silver, basic, etc. I dont know the waiting period before you can use it, but call. I wish I had some kind of pet insurance when I had our one cat, where the bill was over $3K. 3)What are the other options? Supplements for arthritic joints? Special diet? Dont forget x-rays, lab, EKG, etc add up, but sometimes the vets have "discount" days for lab (i.e., Tuesdays), or 10% off on boarding for a certain length of time, etc. You have an established relationship with your vet, which is a good thing. Maybe they have also free (or discounted) samples of meds. Do ask. I am wishing you and your "baby" all the best. Whiz.