Picked up the sweetest stray with a lot of issues and need affordable vet care. (San Antonio: how much, home)

[carlitasway]

I picked up a stray today and want to get her health back on track. She'll need treatment for what sounds like respiratory infection, an ear infection, a possible urinary tract infection, most likely vaccinations and heart worm treatment. Where can I treat her without going bankrupt? Oh, btw, it's a dog.

[Mom2Feebs]

Try calling or stopping by St. Francis of Assisi on Potranco, if you're out this way. They are so reasonable--we love them.

[Hedgehog_Mom]

You can get the vaccinations except for rabies at the feed store. I buy them from Tractor Supply, it's about six dollars for the 5 in 1 shot. It's not difficult to give the vaccine to the dog, just pinch up a fold of skin over the shoulder blade and stick the needle in. I think it bothers me more than my dogs. The only thing is that you need to bring a little ice chest to take the vaccine home in, or live close to the store...it can only be out of the fridge for 30 minutes.

There are different low cost or free spay options in town...animal defense league, spaySA and SNAP are the ones I know about. You'd have to check with them and see what grants they have right now, it will vary depending on the size of the dog or the zip code. They all require the dog to have a rabies shot before surgery, but they will give the rabies shot for $10 when the surgery is done.

For the infections and the heartworm test, you'll just need to take her to a regular vet, most likely. SNAP does wellness clinics but they charge an office visit and they only see animals that have been spayed. If you call around, the office visit charge varies a lot at the different vets offices.

[todd00]

Thanks for caring, most people do nothing but drive on by and think nothing more about the poor stray animal. You might check with the smaller shelters or rescues and see who they use. They may know someone that doesn't charge as much for heartworm treatment. Its worth a try to check around with them. I've taken in strays for over 25 years and good hearted caring vets that do more than spew a bit of blarney about "loving animals" are a rare find. Unfortunately most are only concerned with how much they can charge their clients. It's just a job to them and thats all. Most of them should have been dentists or something else. I don't live in the area anymore, or I'd try and help ya. Maybe you could post a photo of the dog when he is feeling better. Makes me so sad there are so many strays that need help. Thanks again.

I'd look on earthclinic too, many good remedies for various things. It might be of some help.

Pet Remedies on Earth Clinic

Sometimes smaller town vets are cheaper too. Here's a list of some shelters/rescues, if ya want to inquire about a vet.
http://www.petfinder.com/awo/index.cgi?location=78238

[sshurgot]

You could try City Veterinary Hospital as you're shopping around for prices; they're just east and a little bit north of downtown.

818 Austin St San Antonio, TX 78208
(210) 225-6531
When I lived on the NW side, I used Affordable Pet Care on Grissom:
http://www.apcnw.com

5443 Grissom Road
San Antonio, Texas 78238

Heart worm treatment is very expensive, but your doggie may not have heart worm and the other issues might be relatively cheap to cure. You can get the shots and neutering pretty cheaply as mentioned in previous posts. My doggies were all strays before they found me; they're the best dogs. Thank you.

[Merovee]

Spay and release.

Or neuter and let go.

[todd00]

Originally Posted by Merovee

Spay and release.

Or neuter and let go.

That makes no sense at all. So the poor dog can be hit by a car, hurt by mean people or another animal, or starve. Spay/neuter is certainly essential but it won't protect the poor dog from other dangers about. I think its irresponsible to do that, I couldn't live with myself or sleep a wink. I've also fed and trapped feral cats, as much of a challenge as some can be, never did I turn them back loose.

[CLR210]

Originally Posted by Merovee

Spay and release.

Or neuter and let go.

You seriously don't mean this right??? Please tell me I'm misunderstanding your statement

[Deep Forest]

Originally Posted by CRenaud

You seriously don't mean this right??? Please tell me I'm misunderstanding your statement

1. yes
2. no

[Merovee]

You can help more strays this way than trying to play hero with just one. You can even help a whole colony if you stick around to feed them. It is better to get the population under control than just focusing on one while ignoring others.

San Antonio Feral Cat Coalition

Mission, Vision & History : San Antonio Community Cats

Their Spay/Neuter Voucher Program starts February 19th for the 14 free zip codes listed below.

This year the limit is 3,500 cats. Last year the goal was 3,500 cats & 4,700 were fixed for free!

Note criteria below as there have been changes to the program:
- Vouchers must be picked up IN PERSON at Animal Care Services (4710 State Highway 151, 78227) from a Best Friends staff member. Call 210-306-6126 to make appointment.
- Vouchers will expire 60 days from the time they are given out.
- Information to bring with you: location of the colony you are trapping & estimate of the number of cats in the colony.
- One voucher per cat.
- Traps can be picked up at the same time from Best Friends.

The same 14 zip codes are eligible: 78201 - 78207 - 89210 - 78213 - 78221 - 78223 - 78227 78228 - 78229 - 78237 - 78242 - 78245 - 78250 - 78251