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Our Sammy is half lab & half Chesapeake Bay Retreiver and he is a very special pet to us.
However, at age 3 (almost 4 now) he sustained a partial tear to a knee ligament on a hind leg. Since then he's been hobbling and sometimes 3-legging it... Clearly, he is pampered and loved, but he's a shadow of the dog he used to be and I think he is not happy being in pain like this. Not that he complains, but he mopes a lot now.
The sugery is $5,000 and we have barely 1/10th of that. I've tried everything imaginable to get a free surgery (going to vet schools, clinics, various animal funds....) but it isn't going to happen. Period.
So, do I put him down? Do we struggle on? Will a vet put down an otherwise happy dog? He can no longer walk with us, go to the dog park, rut for rabbits or run in the waves at the ocean...
Maybe your vet will give you a discount or arrange a long-term payment schedule. If not, perhaps another vet will. A lot of vets are willing to work with loving pet parents who want to do their best for their animals, but have trouble affording expensive treatment. You're probably not in L.A., but if you are, I can recommend someone there.
I don't know anything about that kind of surgery, but $5000 sounds like an awful lot. I would talk to other vets and see if you could find someone who would do it for less and set up a payment plan. Wonder if there are any pet insurance providers that accept pre-existing conditions? Best of luck to you! I hope it works out for you and Sammy.
Excuse me if you've already checked this, but have you tried Oregon Humane Society? They've recently opened their surgery. Maybe they will accept a payment plan.
I'm sorry for your situation. Best wishes to you & Sammy~
- this is actually very minor damage.
(btw, I (human) had the same thing - very minor damage).
First off, put a (rubberised / latex) 'support' bandage on it - you know what a human would wear - this will give him exactly that - support.
Second, have you tried any anti inflammatories? Just to bring down the swelling / pain.
At the same time - only walk him on a lead, so that he doesnt over do it.
Third, see if you can get the operation done cheaper (I know I'm going to get a lot of hate mail), but if you are really struggling, do you not know an older person or unemployed - and go to a 'charity' vet / rescue place to get it done cheaper? - If anything you are saving a dog with very treatable (?) damage.
Maybe your vet will give you a discount or arrange a long-term payment schedule. If not, perhaps another vet will. A lot of vets are willing to work with loving pet parents who want to do their best for their animals, but have trouble affording expensive treatment. You're probably not in L.A., but if you are, I can recommend someone there.
I don't know anything about that kind of surgery, but $5000 sounds like an awful lot. I would talk to other vets and see if you could find someone who would do it for less and set up a payment plan. Wonder if there are any pet insurance providers that accept pre-existing conditions? Best of luck to you! I hope it works out for you and Sammy.
There are not a lot of vets who do the surgery. It has to be done in a hospital setting. I tried sending out mass mailings to every vet within 500 miles- no go.
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