Can you help? Our dog's leg is broken.

[lmac]

This past week our 2 dogs got out and were hit by a car. Our buddy Duke died as a result of his injuries. Abbey, our baby survived but has a broken leg. The vet has given us 3 options: 1) we could take her to a specialist and have the leg repaired, the cost about $2000. We cannot afford this, and our vet and none in the area do a payment plan. 2) we could have the leg amputated, the cost about $800. we cannot afford this either. 3) Have her euthanized, the cost is $40. This is the only option we can afford. So, since last Tuesday she has been limping around with her leg dangling. I couldn't bare losing another friend, and I cannot afford to get her help. So, we're counting on the kindness of strangers to help her out. I know I cannot let her stay in this kind of pain much longer, so if you know of anyone that can help us, please point them in our direction, or point us in theres. You have my permission to 'crosspost' .

Lisa
lmac_d73@hotmail.com

[critters]

Did they cast or splint it? If it's just flopping in the breeze, I'd find another vet ASAP!!! Lots of times there's a cheaper vet someplace; have you called around? What breed is she? Many breed organizations have financial aid arrangements.

[GabrielDeafBlindPupFamily]

Oh!!! PLEASE DON'T MAKE THE FORTY DOLLAR DECISION! Please, right now, call the local humane associations. Call your local media. Call all doctors in your town. This one has my head spinning! I know every moment they even think about your dog, the price register is clinking.
You are just beyond distraught right now. Do you have family who can help you with this?
Please contact all the financial links FYI posted and PLEASE! I know things seem impossible right now. Happened to me. I didn't think about how I was going to pay for it, I just took AmbrrNanaDog to the hospital. I worried about the $ when I got the bill. The first thing was her survival...
Best to you and please let us know how things are going.

[lmac]

They did not cast or splint it, they gave us antibiotics, painkillers, and the 3 options. We brought her home, 'leg flopping in the breeze' and splint it with newspapers and ace bandages. My husband is an emt, so we did the best we could. She is not a full breed dog that I know of, she's a mixed breed, I always thought mixed breeds were the best kind of dogs (they have always been for us) until, I needed help!!! I have pictures of her but I don't know how to get them from my email to this website forum.
I have been to most of the websites posted, emailed at least 50 or 60 but so far, nothing. I cannot just take her in and get it fixed, we are already swimming in debt... heck, we're drowning. we have borrowed money just this past month from family just to pay a house payment that is still 2 months behind. Our families just don't have anymore to lend. I have called all the vet's in our area and surrounding areas only 1 will do a payment plan, yet, I still cannot afford even doing that. I have already applied for care credit but because of our situation right now we were denied that as well. You are right I am beyond distraught right now. The only thing I can do for her now like I said is pray for the kindness of strangers.
p.s. I don't care for my vet but I just don't have the money to keep taking her for exams elsewhere.

[GabrielDeafBlindPupFamily]

Call your local humanes, quickly, before 5 pm! Jude raised his own rescue money ! I sure didn't have $8,000 nor could I let him die. Ask vet to fit you w/splint in meantime! What a scrooge. I can tell you this much, as badly as your financial situation is, when things start to look better, you will never forgive yourself if he has to go... This will eat at you for the rest of your life. You don't deserve or need that sort of guilt. Let's get someone to help you! If you have any option besides the $40 one, please grasp it. NOW RUN TO THE PHONE AND CALL YOUR HUMANES!!!

[critters]

splint it with newspapers and ace bandages. My husband is an emt, so we did the best we could.

OK, that's a start.

I have pictures of her but I don't know how to get them from my email to this website forum.

Download the pic to your computer and save it on your desktop. Go to the "add an attachment" box right below the reply box. Hit "browse." Find the file's name, click it, and "open." I think you also have to "Add attachment."

Even if I got money, I'd make sure to NEVER go back to that vet; to me, sending her home with a broken leg flapping in the breeze is inexcusable.

If her leg's not too swollen, you might try http://www.handicappedpets.com/splints/ Talk to Mark, the owner of HP, and see what you can work out.

[lmac]

I have already called the humanes in my area and surroundings, they've tried to point me toward Vet's they think would help. That's where I found the 1 that would do some kind of pymt plan although we still can't do it.http://pictures.sprintpcs.com/mmps/RECI ... 'm doing.

[Dianne]

I'm really sorry about your situation, but it might help if you could post the state, city, and/or breed combination of your dog. There *might* be someone who has links to you state or city that could help your situation. Right now you are not giving us much to work with. There is a lot of missing information.

I have difficulty paying for vet bills, and tell the vet there is a cap/limit on what I can spend. So far, my vet has given me reduced rates...professional courtesy...to enable some of my sick pets to receive treatment.

Dianne

[lmac]

I am so sorry, I thought I listed the info. I have written so many emails this past week, I can't even remember being on the computer this long in my life. My behind hurts from sitting in this chair!
The vet info is:
Monroe Veterinary Clinic
15161 S. Dixie Hwy.
Monroe, Mi. 48161
734-241-2525
and I can be contacted by email or by phone although I am concerned about giving that info out online.
email:
lmac_d73@hotmail.com

[GabrielDeafBlindPupFamily]

I just want you to know, I am so sorry for what you are going thru, the pacing, the hyperventilating, the worry, the tears, the frustration of not being able to provide... I have been in your shoes so often, I could just curl up in pain with what you are feeling right now.
My heart is breaking for what you are going through.
I pray you find some help and quickly!

[Cindy Westerdale]

Or maybe even a vet school NOT in your area. Thats why we have cars and gas today, although I do realize that this option isn't cheap either. I CAN imagine what you are going through and I'm soooo sorry. I can feel your despiration and feeling of helplessness. Please don't give up. Send the kids out to mow lawns or do odd jobs, if possible you or your husband could get another job for a short while. I know what you are going through with the finances. My husband hasn't worked in 5 yrs. When Valo got hit I had to take on another job.(and my boys did do odd jobs)
We were behind (and still are) on the house payment but Valo gets his treatments. I know it's hard, but believe me the $40 decision will be worse. We will keep you all in our thoughts and prayers. Agan, We are so sorry for your loss.
Doggie loves,
Cindy & (of course) Valo

[lmac]

Thank you for your thoughts of sympathy. We truly are devastated by the loss of Duke. He was a great friend and a permanent fixture in our home. He will be greatly missed. We got him as a puppy so I really feel like I have lost a child. I cannot lose Abbey, she's all we have left. I have tried the Vet school at MSU, which is about 45 minutes away, trust me if it's within driving distance I have considered it. When I said we were drowning in debt, we are one payment away from losing our house. I am currently looking for another job. My husband already works 2 jobs. If there was another way to pay for this and deal with the consequences later I would do it, but we HAVE to have a home to live in. Thanks to everyone for all the suggestions, keep them coming!!!
Thanks again,
Lisa

[Dianne]

The Michigan Humane Society posted online that they have links to Charitable Animal Hospitals/Vet Clinics.

http://www.michiganhumane.org/site/Page ... me=vetcare

http://www.michiganhumane.org/site/Page ... utServices

Call them tomorrow and ask if they can refer you to a compassionate vet or clinic where they offer free or reduced fees for setting/surgery on the leg. How much are YOU willing to pay? You must be able to pay SOMEthing. I can tell your pup is worth far more than $40 to you.

Let us know if you have any luck.

Dianne

[lmac]

I hope this one works... If it does, this is Abbey, posing with her broken leg the first time we tried to patch up the sores. We have since redone the bandage... I will try to add a picture of Duke. First we'll see if this one from Abbey works. I'm having a rough morning today. My daughter had me read to her the letter I wrote to Duke after his passing. Some days are far worse than others. I am really missing him today.

I called the Michigan humane this am and they said they'd have to see her first which would be another $44. and they do offer a payment plan but the balance cannot be anymore than $250. So if the surgery is $2000. I'd have to pay everything but the $250. I've gotten one donation so far of $50. so that's a start, plus the money I'll be setting aside for her, I just can't pay all of it, that's more than my mortgage payment and I have trouble coming up with that at the end of every month.

This is my buddy Duke.
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[Dianne]

Ok, still working on this for Abbey.
Angels4Animals: http://www.angels4animals.org/programs.html

"This is the major program of Angels4Animals. First we establish regional links with veterinary clinics across the United States. Veterinary clinics and private pet owners then let us know when there is an animal facing being euthanized or surrendered because of financial limitations. This is where Program Guardian Angel comes in. Working together with the clinic, we verify that the pet owner is unable to provide the funds needed to save their sick or injured pet. We then work out the financial arrangements with the clinic and authorize the treatment needed to save the pet. The owner is never asked or allowed to reimburse Angels4Animals for any of the money provided to save their animal."

Please email or contact them to see if there is a vet in your area for whom they will authorize treatment payments.

Inner Voice Community Services

c/o Angels4Animals
3941 Park Dr Ste 20-135
El Dorado Hills, CA 95762


Phone: 916-941-9119
Fax: 916-290-0598
Email: staff@angels4animals.org

Let us know what they say...