My sister's puppy needs surgery....

[aross99]

Is this your sister's dog all on her own? If so, then it doesn't sound like you are in any position to help her out. Don't put yourself in financial jeopardy (or even hard times) for this.

Don't feel bad if you can't afford it...

 

[NT1440]

Maybe it's different for you, but my dog isn't just a dog. She's a member of our family, and to be honest, when she dies, I'll be more upset than I would be if some other members of my family die.

+1

i was devastated by the loss of our family rabbit (she didnt just sit in a cage we let her free roam the house so we really bonded with her).

Humans bond well with animals.

mayb im just a bleeding heart liberal tho

 

[ErikCLDR]

I understand how important dogs are in a family. I have had 3 in my lifetime.

IF the dog is a puppy and has heart problems, thats not very good. I am actually surprised they would do heart surgery on a dog. Is this surgery going to be done by a regular vet or a specialty? $2,000 to $3,000 is a lot and the long term cost of caring for the dog could be very high. Additionally, if the surgery fails, there goes 2-3 thousand down the drain.

 

[Leareth]

one possibility no one mentioned is are there any veteranerian colleges nearby your sisters dog?

they generally will take interesting cases and work for free or minimal cost.

But if I were in the same position and I could not afford the surgery I would either donate the puppy to a rescue that will do the surgery or euthanize it.

A puppy is not a dog oyu have had for many years. and when they have such a huge issue while young , there is strong possiblity that they will have more. and cost a lot more.

Asking a family member for a couple $1,000 is imappropriate especially when you are in school, regardless of the circumstances. It is her puppy her responsibility.

 

[revenuee]

Sadly, my father, a veterinarian, regularly discourages young people (college age) from getting puppies and kittens for exactly this reason.

Few people consider the true costs of animal ownership.

This is particularly true here in Canada with Government sponsored Health-care people often forget that this kind of care costs money even if as citizens we don't actually see the bill. From the conversations with vets in the States it seems that people there understand these costs a little better since they see the bill when the go to the hospital.

Anyway -- having seen this to many time myself when I worked with him years ago. I think it might be best to put the puppy down and hold off on these higher maintenance pets for a while -- get a gold fish or a beta fish when your in school (and your sister).

I am sorry to hear about puppy. But I also know $3000 isn't pocket change for most people.

 

[alFR]

To the OP: I think your sister's best bet is to either try to work out some sort of payment plan with the surgeon over 6 months or so (most vets will do this as long as they're happy they will eventually get the money) or to approach a local animal charity for aid. Assuming you're in the USA, try the ASPCA: alternatively, she could look up the breed society or her state's rescue society for her dog's breed (assuming it's a purebred) and they might be able to help. she could also try to raise some funds herself, as others have said, or get a bank loan of course.

As a more general point, pet insurance is a good idea! Too late now in this case, unfortunately - they'd exclude the heart problem from cover.

If it is a puppy, while you might really want to pay now ... if it isn't a 100% cure, then the cost over the next 10-15 years can really be big.

Unless the dog were very valuable breed, I would say, regretfully, to put the dog down. It's not realistic to spend that kind of money on a puppy. No logic to it. Sorry.

It's a hard decision but what I learned from my first dog was that when its time to say goodbye you can spend hundreds on scans and thousands on surgeries but the dog usually is never the same after.

I ended up spending hundreds on my dog, but he was still in pain, so I had no choice but to put him to sleep.

Money isn't a big deal because your dealing with the life of a living animal, its just the fact that the odds of everything being 100% after aren't very high. So why put the poor thing through so much pain?

Well, the chances of the puppy having a normal life depend totally on what the problem is. If it's a patent ductus arteriosus, for example, if the surgery goes well they usually have a completely normal life and require no long-term medication. Other problems are not so straightforward to fix, unfortunately. Do you know what the issue is?

its just a dog. put it to sleep and get a new one

i swear, most people here are "city folk" and dont realize that animals are slaughtered for food daily

have you ever lived on a farm? ever raised livestock to compete at the fair and then they get sold off? most of the time to the slaughterhouse?

To be fair, the human-companion animal bond is totally different to the relationship that farmers have with their stock.

one possibility no one mentioned is are there any veteranerian colleges nearby your sisters dog?

they generally will take interesting cases and work for free or minimal cost.

A popular assumption but, I'm afraid, usually incorrect. This does sometimes happen but most vet schools (in the UK anyway) are substantially supported out of clinical income and simply can't afford to do treatment for free. If they did, they'd have to lay off most of the staff.

IF the dog is a puppy and has heart problems, thats not very good. I am actually surprised they would do heart surgery on a dog.

You'd be very surprised if you saw some of the surgeries done on pets now then.

 

[northy124]

OK sad that the puppy is ill but it isn't your dog, Tell her to get a job and pay for the surgery her self, I have a dog and I pay for everything from food to veterinary care, I'm 16 and I actually have put my heart and soul into looking after my dog maybe your sister needs a reality check, Dogs are expensive to look after when they become ill and she has to learn not to ask for help if she took on the responsibility knowing full well that if the dog becomes ill it will cost allot.

Or she could instead of getting a job ask your mum and dad for the money.

 

[nanofrog]

I hate to say it, but it seems you're in no position to help her.
Too many unexpected expenses in college, so don't put your education in jeopardy.

As another post indicated, have her contact the ASPCA, and see what they can do. They may offer the surgery at lower cost, and allow some sort of payment plan. Worth a look, anyway.

 

[Mord]

I'm sorry but your first comment is incredibly insensitive...

To the OP, I would suggest your sister save up her money as best she can, maybe you could get some kind of puppy drive? get your local community to help you out or something.

Her calling you up and asking for the money is a bit out of line, the dog is her responsibility, and as a result, she shouldn't be contacting you for the money, there are plenty of options for her to raise the money.

She could put it up for adoption, the RSPCA (in the UK) takes in animals that cannot be cared for, instead of just putting them down, I'm sure there is equivalent service where you are.

It's not insensitive it's just practical. It makes no sense at all to spend so much on a puppy, it'll just be a financial strain for years to come.

I highly doubt the blue cross would pay for the surgery over just putting the dog down, it's an irresponsible use of funds.

If you were loaded i'd say go for it but you're a student and you *need* all the funds you can get your hands on just to get by.

 

[alFR]

<sweeping generalisation>

It's not insensitive it's just practical. It makes no sense at all to spend so much on a puppy, it'll just be a financial strain for years to come.

</sweeping generalisation>

In reality:

Well, the chances of the puppy having a normal life depend totally on what the problem is. If it's a patent ductus arteriosus, for example, if the surgery goes well they usually have a completely normal life and require no long-term medication. Other problems are not so straightforward to fix, unfortunately.

 

[iJohnHenry]

All the pro-lifers are placing themselves in the position of the Sister, not the OP.

The OP did not make a commitment to this poor animal, she did.

Let him up off the mat, please.

OP, wish her well, but politely decline.

 

[Sdashiki]

If you can't afford it. Don't buy it.

Animals are the exact same.

I dont know how many people, especially between the ages of 15-25, I have discouraged from getting a large pet.

Most wanted a dog.
Most wanted a puppy.
Most couldn't afford any unseen expenses, like surgeries.
Most did not have the real amount of time it takes to care for a puppy (an older dog is easier to take care of).
Most just wanted to have a built-in friend.

Most got a cat, fish, reptile or nothing after you explain that they live 10+yrs, and require care everyday and are you really prepared to NOT go on that vacation because you couldnt find a dog-sitter or afford a kennel?

People dont think about the act of pet ownership, just the idea of it.

Someone in this thread mentioned vets do not encourage younger people to take on the responsibility of pet ownership, simply because they arent mature enough financially (and typically, emotionally) to do it.

It saddens me to no end when I hear about someone getting a pet only to have to return it, destroy it or abandon it because of their lack of hindsight.

Its a life.
Its your responsibility.
And it will teach you more life lessons than your parents ever could.
Owning a dog/cat.

 

[Azmordean]

If you can't afford it. Don't buy it.

Animals are the exact same.

I dont know how many people, especially between the ages of 15-25, I have discouraged from getting a large pet.

Most wanted a dog.
Most wanted a puppy.
Most couldn't afford any unseen expenses, like surgeries.
Most did not have the real amount of time it takes to care for a puppy (an older dog is easier to take care of).
Most just wanted to have a built-in friend.

Most got a cat, fish, reptile or nothing after you explain that they live 10+yrs, and require care everyday and are you really prepared to NOT go on that vacation because you couldnt find a dog-sitter or afford a kennel?

People dont think about the act of pet ownership, just the idea of it.

Someone in this thread mentioned vets do not encourage younger people to take on the responsibility of pet ownership, simply because they arent mature enough financially (and typically, emotionally) to do it.

It saddens me to no end when I hear about someone getting a pet only to have to return it, destroy it or abandon it because of their lack of hindsight.

Its a life.
Its your responsibility.
And it will teach you more life lessons than your parents ever could.
Owning a dog/cat.

I agree with you somewhat.. except I do not agree you need to be "well off" to have a pet. Many pets have excellent homes with people who could not afford the surgery the OP mentioned. They simply couldn't do it. In my view, so long as you can give a pet a good home, it is okay to own one (your comments about vacation, etc, are VERY Well taken though). Unfortunately though, dogs are dogs, and some families simply can't afford a $3000 surgery. And in my mind, to say "you shouldn't have a dog unless you have thousands lying around for a freak surgery" is silly. You should be able to afford to care for the pet's normal needs, and to give it a good home, but unfortunately some dogs will need to be put down when their owners can't afford sudden major expenses.

To the OP - if the puppy can be fully cured, I'm all for your sister having the surgery done - but at HER cost. You may want to throw in a little bit, but ultimately, its her dog and her expense. She could get a loan, or work with the vet on a payment plan, or seek help from animal orgs. But looking to you isn't too acceptable.

 

[Sdashiki]

Its a puppy, I guess that was more of my point. Young people and young animals, without adult supervision, typically doesnt turn out as well as they'd want.

Yes, it sucks that to keep your pet alive sometimes requires a couple month's salary...

You dont need to be rich to have a mammal. But you need to be prepared for these kinds of things. If you cant afford it, you have to live with the consequences.

Lots of people will go broke or into deep debt just to have another few years, maybe months, with their pets. Younger people fail to understand this and just jump right in never expecting anything bad could happen to their pet. Being "prepared" is part of the responsibility. Either wish cash or tears.

 

[jeremy.king]

My sister just quit her job because she is leaving for college in two days. My 22 year old brother called and literally said "I know you have money so give us some". I just hung up the phone. I don't want to be inhumane, but I can't put my education on the line for a puppy's life.

My parents won't help out at all. They don't make that much money and they see it as "just a dog".

Exactly who is caring for this dog? If nobody wants to pay, they should give it up to a humane society who can try to find owners that will...

 

[macdim]

Use the money for something that will guarantee to serve a purpose. Schooling, your living expenses, etc... are ALL more important than the life of one dog. It sounds terrible, but it's true.

 

[Gray-Wolf]

Sounds a bit like a dysfunctional family, no offense. Get on with your life, your sister wasn't planning on taking the dog to school with her was she?

 

[0098386]

Maybe it's different for you, but my dog isn't just a dog. She's a member of our family, and to be honest, when she dies, I'll be more upset than I would be if some other members of my family die.

Same here. I always thought it was a UK thing (being obsessed about our pets and such) but I'm glad it's not. I loved my dog and putting her to sleep was the most heartbreaking thing I've ever had to do. It's easy to see why they're called mans best friend.

i love my dogs too

Evidently you don't.

------
But to the OP- £1500 is a lot for surgery. Can't it be done cheaper? Our dog was diagnosed with Cushings and had to have £3 a day tablets for near on 3 years. On top of a special diet. She was expensive but the amount of happiness she brought our family was unmeasurable. Whilst the surgery looks expensive now, so long as it's a one-stop fix I say you should help. Try to get help from other family members too.

Don't just throw it in the bin and get a new one. These aren't gadgets that get replaced on a whim, they're members of your family.

 

[dukebound85]

Same here. I always thought it was a UK thing (being obsessed about our pets and such) but I'm glad it's not. I loved my dog and putting her to sleep was the most heartbreaking thing I've ever had to do. It's easy to see why they're called mans best friend.



Evidently you don't.

------
But to the OP- £1500 is a lot for surgery. Can't it be done cheaper? Our dog was diagnosed with Cushings and had to have £3 a day tablets for near on 3 years. On top of a special diet. She was expensive but the amount of happiness she brought our family was unmeasurable. Whilst the surgery looks expensive now, so long as it's a one-stop fix I say you should help. Try to get help from other family members too.

Don't just throw it in the bin and get a new one. These aren't gadgets that get replaced on a whim, they're members of your family.

oh please i love my dogs. just not worth getting into financial hardship for a surgery on a puppy which will probably have complications later on

there is a difference between people and pets. would it be worth it to pay for a brother/mother who needs surgery, etc? of course. but a family pet that may significantly impact your life for the worse if you do pay......thats simply insane imo

is it worth not possibly being able to afford school?

seriously

 

[iJohnHenry]

oh please i love my dogs. just not worth getting into financial hardship for a surgery on a puppy which will probably have complications later on

If that should ever happen, God forbid, aggedjimmi will be happy to underwrite the surgery.

 

[tkepongo]

My sister brought the puppy to the cardiologist and my sister told him she couldn't afford the surgery so he said he would only charge $1200 and it would be fully cured. Her boyfriend is helping out with $600, so I guess the pup should be alright then.

 

[jwt]

its just a dog. put it to sleep and get a new one

or just let him be but there is NO way i would pay that kind of cash for a dog, esp if i was strapped for cash

I totally agree. And while it may seem contradictory, I think it is morally wrong for health professionals to charge obscene amounts of money to help us and feel comfortable allowing an animal to die if we can't come up with the money.

 

[iJohnHenry]

My sister brought the puppy to the cardiologist and my sister told him she couldn't afford the surgery so he said he would only charge $1200 and it would be fully cured. Her boyfriend is helping out with $600, so I guess the pup should be alright then.

Cool.

So is your Sister coughing up the other $600, or is it your mouthy Brother??