Dog in need!!!

My friend has a dog that tore her ACL and had an TPLO done on her hind left leg, that was done around this time last year. Unfortunately, she has torn her ACL in her hind right leg. My friend does not have the $3000 it takes for the surgery and is considering euthanasia. My friend loves their dog quite dearly and it pains me to think of them losing their best friend and companion because of money.

Basically, I was wondering if anyone out there knew of a way for the surgery to be paid for, or at least assisted. Are there any grants or animal shelters in Washington State that are perhaps doing some charity work for dog? I would love for this to be a good Christmas for my friend, and I know having their dog sparred and helped would be the best present. Please, if you have any information that you think may be helpful, don't hesitate, please let me know!

[Jaybay]

Many vet clinics offer low or no-interest credit for situations just like this.  If not, they will usually work with their clients on a payment schedule.  Checking with your local SPCA or Humane Society might yield some clinics that offer lower-cost treatment.

What a complete shame that the poor dog blew out both knees in a year!  And I totally understand the financial stress - it's a heck of a lot of money.  Another cheaper alternative may be amputation of the limb.  Dogs get along just fine on three legs, and it's certainly a better option than euthanasia.

Start making some phone calls and do some price checking.  Don't forget to use the Yellow Pages and internet search engines as a resource for charity or lower-cost vet care. Hopefully the dog's owner is doing this as well, so between the two of you a miracle just might come through.    

[blacktiger]

Thank you for your advice, I'll have to check some of those things out.

[blacktiger]

Well, amputation isn't an option because the other leg already had the APLO surgery and the dog is overweight so it would be too much pressure on the left over leg.... Thanks for the thought.

[Jaybay]

peekawho brought up a good point on another thread about CareCredit.com.  Some vet and human healthcare providers have different deals with CareCredit that can be far better than your regular credit card.  Depending on the promotion and provider, you could pay the debt in 3 to 18 months and pay no interest.  Of course, if you mess up and miss a payment or pay late, they'll soak for for over 22% interest.  Something to consider for an emergency anyway.

[peekawho]

Absolutely investigate carecredit and see if it might work for your friend.  

Try what I did when one of our dogs was diagnosed with cancer.  I blind called the University of Tenn vet school and asked for the voicemail of any oncologist on staff.  I poured my heart out about how we were considering putting him down, as the prognosis was so grim and any possible treatments far out of our reach financially.  I'll never forget his return phone call, begging me not to put him down, that they would love to see him, and that there was hope, and they would work with us financially.  

Call your closest vet school and ask for any staff orthopedist and present things just as you've explained them to us.  It might work.

Also try your local Humane Society.  They sometimes do lower cost surgeries.  Send pictures and the story to local vets.  Do the same with your local newspapers or TV station.   I'd hate to see the dog put down too.  

[blacktiger]

He's considered care credit but said that he couldn't do it. thank you for the suggestion though. Though peekawho's idea for the human society, vet, etc sounds good. I will have to try that. Thank you again for your suggestions.

[me34639]

How about fundraising by setting up a table in front of a local supermarket with a poster of the dog and his illness.  Have a copy of the estimate cost from the vet, so that it can be showed as a proof to donator.  Hope this helps and good luck!!!