i don't want charlie to die

[infatuationjunkie]

my dog has somehow gotten a huge gash/cut/wound on his leg and i wanted to take him to a vet but they wouldn't see me for less then 300 bucks which i don't have. i have no credit cards and no one i asked can lend me the money so what am i supposed to do? just let my dog lie here bleeding and in pain? the cut didn't go into his muscle it seems to have just seperated his skin so now you can see his leg as if he had no fur. he can move it fine as well. but i don't know what to do. should i wrap it? can i give him some tylonol? it is ok if he licks it because he's been trying but when he does he cries so i've been stopping him? how and with what could i possibly clean it? please please give me some advise.

[suzi-q]

I am so glad to hear that Charlie is doing better.  It is a true shame that these so-called "animal lovers wanted to euthanize a healthy dog who has a cut.  That is a true shame.  Thank God for people like you and the vet that took care of him.

[utahmomma]

I'm so glad that you found a vet that was willing to work with you and take care of Charlie for a reduced rate.  Hang on to that vet's number.

It's tough to always have enough funds to take care of our 4-legged friends but it's even more difficult for 4-legged friends to find a human who cares about them.  There are lots of great pet insurance policies available for a reasonable monthly fee.  It might not be a bad idea to check into one so Charlie can get treatment easier in the future 'cause if there is one thing dogs love, it's getting into trouble.

I'm glad that you are both doing well.

[infatuationjunkie]

thanks for your help. i did go to the spca here but they said the only thing they would do was put him down even though i could see the muscle wasn't hurt and all he needed was stitches... i don't know how those people could be considered animal lovers... we gave him baby asprin and some amoxicilan <--- or whatever it is, and wrapped it as best we could. and my gf called a bunch of different vets and finally found one that would see him... some others actually said that if we couldn't afford their prices we should just take him to the spca to get euthanized! can you beleive it... anyways they were awesome there he stayed over last night they gave him stiches about 25 or 30, not sure, and gave me free dog pain meds i'm gonna keep giving him the amoxi-whatever cuz the vet said it was ok and it only cost us 93 bucks instead of the hundreds of dollars everyone else wanted. he's doing great walking around wagging his tail and we're gonna take him back in ten days to get the stiches out... thanks again for your help and if he could i'm sure charlie would thank you too =)

[knowledgeablepetowner]

So, no muscle showing through?  Just a skin wound and you can see the interior derma layer?  It looks awful, but has a fairly clean edge?  I have done the following procedure on my JRT twice with great results and less stress on the animal. The reason the vet's charge so much is they usually want to put the dogs out so no one gets bit; years ago, they just gave the dog a local!  Charlie's skin gash can be held together using super glue and some self sticking wraps (when they came out they were commonly called "Vet Wraps). You can buy at a feed store, or at any Walgreens/Osco type store.  Clean the wound as other people instructed you to yesterday, on the 26th.  Make sure there are no "things" like dirt or rocks in the wound. Use tweezers to pick out hair, etc.  Clip the hairs away from the edge of the cut, so it's clean and neat; you can use a clipper, or scissors.  NEATLY lay a small line of antibacterial cream in the CENTER of the gash - do NOT get it on the skin edge or the procedure will not work.  Let the skin edges dry well before going onto the next step; use can use a dryer on low heat to speed it up. Carefully apply small drops of glue along the edges of the wound - as you do, let it dry just a bit, then pinch the edges together.  Take your time.  The glue will not hurt him (Superglue was developed as a surgical glue intially), but it may sting just a little.  When the skin is back together, and if the gash is in an area like the leg, cover it with clean gauze and then wrap it all up!  Keep him crated if possible. Don't let him jump or run for a week.  You may find the wound will re-open again; this is not a perfect fix every time.  Just re-glue it and re-wrap.  My brother told me about this - he, like me, was an AnSci major (we grew up with cattle, horses, dogs) - and his wife breeds dogs professionally.  I had a vet friend help me once do this - she said it was a great fix.  The key for me was my dog's cuts were deep, but clean and not too ragged.  I understand about the money - take a deep breath and if it's still possible, try this method.

[peekawho]

Take your dog to another vet.  Say nothing about any payment plan.  Just get the treatment done, pills in hand, and when they hand you the bill, give them what you can and tell them honestly that you'll pay the rest, but they'll have to bill you.

As everyone else has said, call the humane society.  They have lower cost care.  If you have to, you can surrender your dog so that they will pay the whole cost of the treatment, and someone who can afford Charlie can adopt him.  I'm not saying this to be mean; you obviously care about your dog very much.  But if the choice is letting him die or letting him get treatment and be adopted, I think you know what the right choice is.

The other option is to go to www.carecredit.com

You can apply for credit there.  It is specifically for veterinary and medical expenses, and they will often approve people that other credit companies won't touch.

Good luck to you.  

[suzi-q]

I know that money is tight, but your dog does need to get to the vet, especially for infection purposes.  He needs an anti-biotic.  Also, is he still bleeding?  Losing too much blood is another issue that requires urgency.  Call other local vets in your area.  See if any of them will take a look at your pooch and put you on a payment plan...Many times their hearts are bigger than their wallets.

[utahmomma]

Please let us know how things work out.  The SPCA or your local Humane Society or shelter could probably work something out for you.  Maybe you could talk to them about volunteering in exchange for Charlie's vet care?

Please keep a close eye on him for infection and watch for a fever.

My best to both of you

[infatuationjunkie]

you don't seem to get it. they won't see him if i don't have money. i asked they won't bill you. and i have had a huge cut on my arm and unfortunately no money or insurance, i put alcohol on it took tylonol and antibiotics, that's why i wondered if you could do the same thing. thank you utahmomma for your help... i cleaned it as you said with the diluted peroxide and wrapped it, gave him baby asprin and benydryl and he seems to be doing a lot better. i'm going to take him to the spca tomorrow when it opens and see if there is anything they can do. i'm sure he needs stiches so hopefully they can do that there for something i can afford. thank you for your help again.

[LL7970]

TAKE HIM TO A VET !       Im sorry for getting upset - but its not your dogs fault that you have no money !  Think of it this way - - how would you be feeling if the cut/gash were on you ?                                                                                                  

[utahmomma]

You can clean it with diluted hydrogen peroxide (about 1/4 peroxide to 3/4 warm water).  This is going to hurt him so go slowly.  Then hold the gash together (so the edges of the gash are touching) and wrap it but not too tight (you don't want to cut off circulation).  Call your local humane society and tell them what is going on and see if they can help you.    He needs treatment and it is going to get infected so he needs antibiotics.  *don't* let him lick it - that will only add to the infection.

Many vet clinics also offer a type of credit card/financing so you can get him treated and make payments.