Financial Help

[AngelChow]

My dog's name is Angel she's a ChowMix and 12 years old. Just these few days since it started raining Angel has been slowing down on her food not finishing her food. The just this week before Christmas she stopped eating but have been drinking water. She's unable to move and dead weight. I can tell that she's sick for a 12 year old she's very strong. The way she's been breathing sounds like she has bronchitis and I think the rain has something to do with it. For she has been going out in the rain recently and the cold got to her. I need Angel to see a vet but I am not working and I don't have the funds to take her to the vet. I need a vet in northern California that is willing to help me with her and have payment arrangement. Because I don't qualify for care med. I am afraid that she might die on me she's been my companion from the day she was born and when I adopted her Angel was the runt of the litter and the most playful and loving dog I ever had.

[ginger899]

I'm generally averse to giving this kind of advice, as it's impossible fr any of us to know what's wrong with a dog over the internet. We are not vets...we don't know the dog's medical history, allergies, etc and we can't diagnose.

But a shot in the dark -do you have any antibiotic? Amoxicillin? If so and it's still 'in date' you could try her with one tablet every 12 hours for 5 days. If she won't take the tablet wrapped in a soft food treat, then it will have to be opened, and mixed with honey, and a little water and syringed into her mouth with a syringe without a needle.

If there is any worsening of her condition or the antibiotic doesn't help, then there's something more serious going on. But I am wondering if she has an infection....
But please understand that I'm not a vet, and don't really know, and probably shouldn't be giving advice like this.
I don't think it would do her any harm if you gave her that antibiotic, to be going on with. If you have one.

[ginger899]

I haven't had time to check any details in these links, but wonder if any of them might be helpful to you?

http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/trouble_affording_pet.html

and another one....
http://www.paws.org/cats-and-dogs/other-services/help-with-veterinary-bills/

(scroll down to the section "Help with Veterinary bills" There's a list of associations you could maybe contact.)

[Margot49]

So sorry and I am just reading this now.  I am in No Caluf but the Central Valley.  Hard to find any Vet anymore that will treat without payment.  My Cet would fir me, but has known me for years.
Do you have a regular Vet you have or can check with?  
There is something called Care Credit which is basically like a credit card.  The Vet can call and see if you qualify in just a few minutes.  You might try that
You might try calling your ASPCA and see if they can help.
I certainly hope you can get care for your poor Angel.
Please do come back and update.

[ginger899]

P.S. When you call the vet -don't just ask the receptionist. You will need to speak to the head vet in the practice. Don't tell the receptionist any details. Just ask to speak to the head vet.
When you get to speak to him/her, be very clear about Angel's condition, and tell them she needs help right now.

[ginger899]

Oh poor little Angel, bless her heart. I can see from her picture she is feeling unwell.
I obviously cannot say what is wrong with her. And I live in the UK so have no idea about any vets in Northern California, and which ones may be willing to do payment plans, etc

The best I can suggest -from my side of the Pond -is to google all the vets you can in N.Cal. Get a whole list together. Most good businesses, including vets, clinics, vet hospitals etc will have a website or some internet presence. Then call them. Don't email. It might take days for a reply by email. Call the number.
If someone will agree to a payment plan, then your next move is finding someone who will drive you to (wherever the clinic is)
I wish I was there. I would definitely volunteer my time.

Bless your lovely girl. I do hope you can get someone who will help you.

In the meantime, do you have a syringe without a needle? Or a turkey baster? If so, give her water with this, gently and only a little at a time into the corner of her mouth (If by any chance she stops drinking.) To help her get a little energy you can dissolve some honey or Maple syrup into hot water, let it cool first and use that

Going off food can be caused by so many things. It's impossible to say what. Does she have a fever? (take her temperature anally with a regular thermometer. It should read between 100 and 102. Any more -that's a fever.

You could try her in a 'steam room' to help her breathing. That can be done by turning on a hot shower, and closing the bathroom door, and sitting with her in a comfortable position in a bed or on a blanket on the floor, for about 15 minutes or more.
Steam will help to loosen any secretions in her lungs