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I have had several medical issues crop up on my beloved dog since December, the latest, cataracts just this Monday.
But first, response to some answers I saw here.
My mother adopted a recently blind dog a few years back, this dog had a hard time adjusting to a new environment and had been bounced through a MinPin rescue group from home to home because he had become aggressive at the blindness and constant new surroundings. So pardon me, but to suggest someone give up their beloved recently blind pet is not the most intelligent answer I have seen. It will not end well for that pet. As they go into new surroundings and do not know the people or area, they will become frustrated or enraged and end up dead. Bet you didn't think of that when it was suggested.
This person posted a search for a reasonably priced (assuming reasonably priced = in their affordable range) for a specific surgery. I don't understand people who flame spray someone who asks a question or suggests sending a beloved pet away because of the problem.
I suggest people think out their answers entirely. Maybe have a range of questions they ask themselves before hitting the SUBMIT REPLY button.
Among them:
1. Is what this person asking a life/death problem for the pet if untreated? If so, maybe rescue or ASPCA is a good answer.
2. Is there another alternative to what they are asking? Such as a school, etc. If so, that would be an intelligent answer.
My dog started out in mid December (2012). He had a limp on his right front foot from a jump. I took him to the vet, the pain med (for joints) prescribed did not help him at all. He was in constant, pain. Heavy panting, shaking, etc.
I took him back to the vet the day after Christmas. They prescribed a different pain med which worked and limp was gone a day later. However, the bloodwork from the visit showed a blood sugar of over 500. So instantly he was diagnosed as diabetic and started on insulin and high dollar special prescription foods even though he had not displayed any other symptoms of the disease before that day.
Then his blood sugar would not come down so they increased the dosage of his twice daily insulin.
In January he became very ill. Constant wobbling, etc. Refusal to eat (how can you give insulin if there is no intake of food). I thought I would lose him.
Diagnosis was, either not enough carbs (something you reduce on a diabetic diet). Then it ran around until they settled on his heart murmur. The heart could not push enough blood out to keep the vessels fully open and the diabetes was opening them.
So a new drug and he slowly recovered.
This past Monday he can no longer see. Because of the heart condition, surgery is risky for him and may not be an option. I am working on helping him with the four steps to outside but he was a very active dog and is very slow at trusting an openness of a stairwell he can sense. Today he did go down the steps a little better. I tap each step as he goes down to help him learn. Before he would peel down the steps and never really paid much attention to them.
At the onset of all this, I searched to see what may be causing his illness in January and found forums full of "holier than thou" chock full of advice and flame spraying of folks asking questions basically berating people for asking questions instead of immediately taking their beloved pet to the nearest emergency vet. For info, I live VERY rural and there is no emergency vet in the area.
I believe when people post they are are doing several things. When I was searching, I was looking to see if it was a terminal issue meaning the hard decision may come into play. Pardon me but I don't instantly take a doctor's advice for me, why would I for my pet? As shown, I was never really given a definite answer why he lost LOTS of weight, couldn't stand, and looked like a bobble head doll for weeks. So I am supposed to instantly take everything on face value?
So is what I am seeing a terminal, unrecoverable issue? What are some causes? Can it be poison? Is it contagious? Do I need to isolate this guy until vet to protect the others in the household?
The answers I saw made me decide to NOT ask my questions. That should not be what these forums are about. I saw accusations of cheap, mean owners, etc of someone already witnessing their beloved pet acting odd to be beat up by strangers.
I would suggest maybe some put themselves in the shoes of the person asking. You see your beloved pet in a condition not normal, so you try to ask questions. When you check the responses looking for something helpful you get answers like turn your dog over to the ASPCA (where it could be humanely euthanized without your knowledge), rescue groups, or calling you cheap. Those are not the answers needed. I will hop off my soapbox now, next to flame spray me for this....
hi,
im living in the los angeles area. I'm looking for someone to perform cataract surgery on my portuguese water dog mix. She is diabetic. I have my own health issues and do not have $6000 to give someone. My budget is $2500. Is there any canine opthomolagists out there that can help me? If so please respond. I will be checking this forum. If you are in other parts of California i can drive to you! Please help My girl!
best,
c
My 13 yr. old Boston is deaf, but is getting cataracts, but can see OK. He needs his teeth cleaned desperately, got it done about 3-5 years ago. But it is dangerous to put him out with anastesia (sp) at his advanced age, so he has to have blood work done, etc. Last time it cost over $600.00"
Hi Michigan,
I have a chihuahua who is about to turn 15. He is deaf. And now he has had noticeable cataracts for 3 years. (that's when I first noticed them) they have grown slowly and now one eye is pretty cloudy. The poor thing sniffs constantly to figure out what's up. I have to leave the bathroom light on for him in my bedroom or he will cry at the edge of the bed when he wants down. I know he can see relatively good since I have to rely on movement to get his attention because he can't hear. Oh, yeah - he is also crippled. 5 yrs ago a G. Shepherd picked him up and shook him and it messed up his spinal cord so his feet were like you would be if you had your toes curled under your feet and tried to walk on them that way. One foot is worse than the other, but he has learned to throw his back legs out in front of him to walk on them the right way.
I am so nuts about this dog, folks, that I can work myself up into fits of crying just thinking about how I am going to have to watch him decline. The thought of him declining is such a torture! I have never loved anything this much. It cost me about 2 grand in the ER clinic I had him in to recover from the mangling. I want to get him cataract surgery but I no longer have money to pay for it. I have always had money to burn but lost my job and now I know what it is like when you can't afford the things you want. (how shallow does that sound?) I really did not know what that felt like until now. My awesome job was eliminated and there is no chance of finding a similar one.
I am thinking of taking out a loan for the cataract surgery. I have had his teeth cleaned twice over the last 6 years. The last time they had to remove 9 teeth, but it doesn't seem to have caused him any problem with eating hard dog food.
It has been 15 years of bliss with him. The love I feel for him is so unadulterated, so precious. When I think of him or look at him and that tail wagging while he looks up at me wide-eyed through the cloud, my heart just jumps like it did when I first fell in love. He is everything to me. Just sharing.
I too suggest you try some Vets outside of the SanFran area. Try contacting s Kennel Club in an outlying area... ask them if they know of any good reasonably priced vets in their area. You might get lucky.
Some country vets are still reasonably priced, but keep in mind... they might not have the latest hi-tech equipment either. With a bit of homework, you might find it less expensive.
The dog's primary vet can prescribe eye drops that readies the dog's eye for surgery. Some people decide they can not afford it, or the dog dies, or is ruled not suitable during the eye drop phase of treatment. But at a minimum the eye stays moist. It will not stop the cataract from developing. The drops are relatively new and relatively inexpensive.
Corporate greed - as long as someone can pay, they will charge. Under Obama's health care our Kaiser rates also went up this year so we just don't go and I really don't relate to those people anyway. You have lots of company, but that doesn't solve your problem. We don't use Kaiser for our eye exams and were recently told that a standard lens for my spouse is $3,800. I suppose that has a lot to do with crafting the lens. We will have to take some time to decide what to do but I really don't want to have Kaiser cutting his eye.
Have you contacted the ASPCA? They might have some information or be able to find a donor to help with the costs. If you really can't afford the medical care for any pet, maybe it is time to re-home the pet so the care can be provided. Many dogs do get along well without site but that is somenting to discuss with ASPCA.
Hard choices aren't good choices.
You know what. Your last argument is highly offensive. It's high time that someone told you and everyone that has the same simple argument that you do that they should be quiet. Veterinary professional or not. I know a lot of you ladies out there are just that; you wear scrubs to work and somehow you've been elevated to this level of humanity, compassion and wisdom that us simple folk just cannot fathom.
RUBBISH!
I've heard it dozens of times. The idea that simply because you cant afford to shell out thousands of dollars to a vet that you're somehow irresponsible and should "re-home" your pet is absolutely LUDICROUS. Just because someone cant afford cataract surgery for a pet doesn't mean they need to send their family member off to live with someone else. There are so many unwanted pets and the assumption that some other family will somehow be able to afford what you could not is absurd.
Don't listen to this or any arguments that come from people like this. Here's the rule: Do the best you can with the funds you have. If you can afford to have your pet taken care of by all means do it. This thinking that somehow there's a plethora of open households to take in indigent pets is patently false. If there were so many open wealthy households willing to dump thousands of dollars off at the vet's office on a regular basis, we wouldn't have the over population problems that we currently do. With the majority of pets in shelter's being euthanized.
You are not a bad person or a bad pet owner simply because you don't have 20 or 30k socked away in an emergency fund for your dog and cat.
This guilt trip that people lay on pet owners is a bunch of crap. You're making good people who are doing what they can feel bad, when the're just trying to make the best of a bad situation and find a reasonable balance with this issue.
Some posters do not know what they are talking about saying that vision is not the most important sense in a dog's life. This depends on how intelligent the dog is. Mine had one cataract and one good eye and functioned perfectly well with one. Then the other one went and it was extremely traumatic for him. He is super intelligent and got really mad that he can't see. He did not adjust well at all.
I am currently shopping for the best cost. Any vet ophthalmologist is qualified to do cataract surgery and intraocular lens replacement. Every one of them has 4 years vet school, one year internship; then 3 year residency specifically in animal eye treatment and surgery; then has to pass the stringent test to become board certified. The only thing that separates them is the cost of the procedure and how nice they are to you and your dog. All of them know how to do cataract surgery -- the procedure is simple enough and uniform. Some may be a little more complex than others; but if the dog is not a good candidate for the surgery; the vet is not going to do it.
In my dog's case, no, he has not made a good adjustment -- his loss of vision has caused him to lose his gregarious nature. He is damn mad that he cannot see. I love him so much that the first $4,000 I get in my pocket; he will be raced in my car like it is an ambulance to get the surgery for him. I will sacrifice food for myself, not for him or his canine brother. I will make payment arrangements for such things as utilities, etc. That is how important this is to me and my dog's happiness. My regular vet would take payments; but no specialist does. I guess they figure if you cannot pay it in a lump sum; chances are if they gave payment terms, they might get the first payment; then the happy dog owner would skip out on the rest.... seeing that you might be past the necessary post-op appointments by then. I also understand that this guy has likely come out of school nearly a $1 million in debt from all his education & he deserves to make the money he charges. Think about the education payback payments + the cost of all that specialized lasers and equipment + staff + rent. He is not Santa Claus! The actual surgery only takes a total of 20 minutes (don't know if that time is doubled for two eyes; but know it is a 20 minutes surgery, safe any complications). I don't have the money right now; but that is a personal problem and not that of the eye vet.
I simply want to make the point that people posting on this site need to make their ridiculous comments more specific. i.e. "most dogs adjust well and will accept loss of vision and use other senses to be happy and get around successfully." Well, that goes for a dog with an average intelligence or less. A very smart dog may not accept it very well. Funny thing is that when I took him to the vet for evaluation for cataract surgery; he got all excited and happily wagged his tail a mile a minute. The vet put that light into his eyes and he was so elated. I know he was thinking "today is the day I get my eyes fixed. I don't care what this doctor does to me; I am in. He can do whatever he wants to me. I know I will be able to see when I leave today." Doc said he is an excellent candidate and the cost will be $4,800 with no complications. Heck, an eye doc in Colorado will do it for $3,000 for both eyes. I say I will save up $4k; but when I have $3k - we will drive in the car 1,000 miles with 30 "Benjies" ($100 bills). Cash is king and I think even if the cost is a little more; I bet he will take that cash - as it is close enough. My two dogs are so dang important to me. Plus people that have never had a dog in this condition have zero idea of how much care/time the owner must invest to ensure their safety. This is something that will be so worth it to me --- and I know, this means everything to the rest of my dog's life. If he only lived 2 years happily with new eyes - it is worth it to me!!! He is not old - he will live longer than that from pure gratitude and joy in being able to see again.
It is totally hell to have ended up in the poor house because of this sucky economy; but every sacrifice will be made to get his vision restored. Yes, I do want to come back in my next life as a dog to an owner just like me. What a great life full of love!!
Also telling someone to "re-home" a pet because they cannot afford cataract surgery for his/her absolutely loved dog is blasphemous, to the highest degree. I would not give up my canine children for $1 million. NO ONE, and I mean no one, could come close to loving them like an owner who has taken the trouble to find a message board like this to ask questions. If a person did not love them with their entire heart and soul; they would be watching TV instead of doing this research. These people that suggest re-homing of a total family member would throw the baby out with the bath water. This type of comment does not seem like it comes from a true animal lover!!!! Do not, I repeat do not, send your loved family member away to live out his life elsewhere for any reason other than you, the dog owner, are dying next week.
Last edited by ozblek; 04-12-2015 at 01:00 AM..
Reason: misspelled word
I too suggest you try some Vets outside of the SanFran area. Try contacting s Kennel Club in an outlying area... ask them if they know of any good reasonably priced vets in their area. You might get lucky.
Some country vets are still reasonably priced, but keep in mind... they might not have the latest hi-tech equipment either. With a bit of homework, you might find it less expensive.
Good luck!
------------
No such luck with this "country vet" idea. It is my experience that specialists are only in major cities or once in a blue moon there will be one eye vet near a vet school with that specialty offering. Some vet schools do not even offer a specialty in ophthalmology. I will add that it would be nice if there was such a thing as an "eye vet" in the country because his business costs would be less than in a city; but, obviously, they don't do it because the patient load would mean less revenue. And again, these specialty vets have 12 years education to be able to practice. 4 years undergrad, 4 years vet school, 1 year internship, 3 years specialty + studying for certification exam. IMO, they sure deserve to make the money they do. Vet school is more difficult than medical school too. Unfortunately for me and probably most people, the cost of surgery is overwhelming; but I sure know the doc deserves the money.
Hi Michigan,
I have a chihuahua who is about to turn 15. He is deaf. And now he has had noticeable cataracts for 3 years. (that's when I first noticed them) they have grown slowly and now one eye is pretty cloudy. The poor thing sniffs constantly to figure out what's up. I have to leave the bathroom light on for him in my bedroom or he will cry at the edge of the bed when he wants down. I know he can see relatively good since I have to rely on movement to get his attention because he can't hear. Oh, yeah - he is also crippled. 5 yrs ago a G. Shepherd picked him up and shook him and it messed up his spinal cord so his feet were like you would be if you had your toes curled under your feet and tried to walk on them that way. One foot is worse than the other, but he has learned to throw his back legs out in front of him to walk on them the right way.
I am so nuts about this dog, folks, that I can work myself up into fits of crying just thinking about how I am going to have to watch him decline. The thought of him declining is such a torture! I have never loved anything this much. It cost me about 2 grand in the ER clinic I had him in to recover from the mangling. I want to get him cataract surgery but I no longer have money to pay for it. I have always had money to burn but lost my job and now I know what it is like when you can't afford the things you want. (how shallow does that sound?) I really did not know what that felt like until now. My awesome job was eliminated and there is no chance of finding a similar one.
I am thinking of taking out a loan for the cataract surgery. I have had his teeth cleaned twice over the last 6 years. The last time they had to remove 9 teeth, but it doesn't seem to have caused him any problem with eating hard dog food.
It has been 15 years of bliss with him. The love I feel for him is so unadulterated, so precious. When I think of him or look at him and that tail wagging while he looks up at me wide-eyed through the cloud, my heart just jumps like it did when I first fell in love. He is everything to me. Just sharing.
-----------
I loved reading your post. I can appreciate everything you have written. I love my two the same as you & have the exact same job/financial situation. I am getting a tax refund on an amended federal return and guess what? I could use the money for "cushion" savings; but I will race my car like an ambulance when that check arrives to get the cataract surgery for my "body guard." He has lost his great vigor and personality due to his non-acceptance and disappointment regarding his blindness. I cannot say I blame him. I would be p!ssed if this happed to me too. I would already have gotten a loan, if I could. But he is a good candidate; otherwise in great health, so I am counting the days until his day of happiness arrives. I know it will make every bit of difference and he will thank me with a thousand kisses! He is so intelligent - it's almost scary. Like you, I love him so dearly and I know he is healthy ...... but if he only lived for 2 more years, the investment is totally worth it.
hi,
im living in the los angeles area. I'm looking for someone to perform cataract surgery on my portuguese water dog mix. She is diabetic. I have my own health issues and do not have $6000 to give someone. My budget is $2500. Is there any canine opthomolagists out there that can help me? If so please respond. I will be checking this forum. If you are in other parts of California i can drive to you! Please help My girl!
best,
c
-----------
$3,000 for both eyes in Loveland, Colorado. That is probably too far for you to go from California; but excellent nice board certified vet. It could go up $200 if the surgery took longer than normal; but fee includes the ultrasound and eye scan for retina health. This is what I was told by a friend that went there for her dog. The additional travel cost would not be $3,000 to drive there (the difference in L.A. cost) - good if you had a friend to stay with in Denver.
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Me Too!
Your advice STINKS!
