puppy medical bills

[steve smoot]

Well, it looks like we may be putting the camper on an extended hold.

Our oldest dog, Zena, who will be eleven this November became very sick yesterday. We took her to the vet and they took an xray which showed that her bladder was full of stones.

They did emergency surgery last night, but ran into other complications. She had tried to pass one of the larger stones and they could not get to it..

So, we took her to Winston-Salem this morning and she had more surgery. We are happy to report that she has done well for her age to have been put to sleep twice in 24 hours.

I guess the bad news is, we have really added to our medical deficit for the year. We spent $2500 today and are looking at a minimum of $1500 tomorrow.

Of course those of you with pets, know that we would spend much more to preserve their lives as long as possible. It's really something when a 64 year old guy sheds a tear because the dog made it, not because it cost an arm and leg..

Steve

[planovet]

Good for you!

Bladder stones usually aren't that difficult (and expensive) to remove but things happen. I'm glad Zena is doing well.

[Miriam C.]

If you are keeping an animal who would give his life for you then you owe it life. A member of the family is certainly worth it.

[PKCSPT]

Ditto here. While not quite as much as you we are fighting severe infections in our dog. Been keeping it under control for 7 years and now it is worse that ever. But we will give up on her,,, nope.
You are right we do understand.

[chorizon]

I'm glad Zena is doing OK!
Haas our WunderHund, is a dachsund who broke his back a few years ago. Apparently weiner dogs are somewhat susceptible to this and we had to have him operated on or.....:cry:

I am happy to report years later the operation was a success and it was worth every penny.

I don't normally discuss this sort of thing, but the surgeon offered us the ability to finance the operation through what ended up being a credit-card, "Care Credit". They offered 6 months no interest financing. All worked out OK.

Here's Haasie when he was a pup. He's the best Weiner Dog ever! We're so glad he's still around!

[Billy K]

Yep, understandable.

Glad Zena is doing well.

Now, if someone would please, pass the oxygen to Steve...

[steve smoot]

Yep, understandable.

Glad Zena is doing well.

Now, if someone would please, pass the oxygen to Steve...

You are so right about that...I had chest pains yesterday from worry. I feel much better today. I am up and ready to make the drive to Winston to get Zena.

We had a Chow Chow years ago. We got Chu Ling when she was 3 months old. She lived for 12 years and died with cancer. I was so hurt that I could not think of ever having another pet. Well, the wife was fabric shopping at the mall and I was visiting the pet store. Yea, Zena was just a little black puppy that needed a home. She was a $79 weekend special, mixed breed. I could not resist....and that was almost eleven years ago.

Six years ago, my daughter had to move to an apartment that would not allow pets. So, I adopted Mickey, a big black cat. He is a special needs fellow, and took up with me. He will not sleep anywhere but beside of me. Mickey is about 13 years old now, but going strong.

Then, about five years ago. This helpless little kitten shows up on on our door step. Now, we live in the mountains and gets dang cold here in the Winter. of course the wife says we have to take this little fellow in. dang it, we don't need another pet...we already have two pets...well, his name is Rocky. We named him after our road, Rocky mtn road...He now thinks that I am his too. He will not sleep anywhere but with me either. Sure is good we have a king size bed...LOL...

Then, I was building out last home about 3 years ago, and went to Lowes for some lumber...yea, I know bad mistake. The friends for life were always there on Saturdays trying to get folks to adopt a pet. They had this beautiful, big white dog with blue eyes. dang it, we don't need another pet...we already have three...he really liked riding home in my Subaru...LOL...His name is Sam. I will have to tell you about Sam another day. It will take longer than I have right now.

Guess we do love our pets.

Steve

[Arne]

Pets give you more than you can ever give them.

And, you don't have to send them to college, or psychiatrists.

They usually don't get arrested for being drunk, or do drugs.

The make the perfect child alternative. Best thing is, they won't want to borrow my car.

I'm going to Lowe's to buy a stepladder, on sale. Tela will go with me and won't want me to buy her anything. She just likes to go for rides with me.

[steve smoot]

Joshua, thank you for sharing your story with us. I understand that some things just don't need to be discussed in public, but we are among friends here.

We went to Winston this morning. Zena was more than ready to go. I was pleasantly surprised. The bill was almost $800 less than anticipated. We still spent a little over $3000, but Zena girl will live to run and bark at the neighbors a while longer.

They want us to keep her away from the other dog and confine her to a small area for two weeks. Guess, I will stay downstairs with Zena for a while. The good news is, my computer is on the first floor. So, I will be online more...

Steve

[Ratkity]

Hugs to Zena!! I'm so sorry she has had such a hard couple of days. I'm so glad she is doing well now and going to bark at the neighbors' dog!!

With Ratrat (my avatar) gone, I had a kittiless home. There was this older kitty at the vet.....

His name is Boss - he is now taking over the house LOL.





Our furkids are very special, aren't they?

Hugs,
Ratkity

[eamarquardt]

Pets give you more than you can ever give them.

And, you don't have to send them to college, or psychiatrists. Been there done that

They usually don't get arrested for being drunk, or do drugs. Just one underage DUI in our house

The make the perfect child alternative. Best thing is, they won't want to borrow my car. or their mother's car and do 12K in damage within an hour of getting a license

I'm going to Lowe's to buy a stepladder, on sale. Tela will go with me and won't want me to buy her anything. She just likes to go for rides with me. gave #2 son ten bucks gas money to drive his truck just so he'd stop bugging me to borrow my motorcycle after ruining my other bike by not keeping the chain tensioned. I gave him the money just to see the look on his face as he wasn't expecting to win, ha!

You forgot to mention taking a prescription pain killer and giving it to a classmate (big trouble!) and other youthfull indiscretions resulting in interactions with the police, DAs, school officials, and attorneys!

However, few dogs (and even fewer cats) sucessfully complete tours in the USMC and I'm convinced that my boys will actually graduate from college. #1 is a senior in ME at Cal Poly, SLO and #2 is back in school (he got lost (USMC) on the way to college the first time around) , motivated, and I'm sure will graduate in record time with the credits he got for bing in the USMC and at a fraction of the cost of #1 son as he gets 70% of the GI Bill!!

There is a big similarity betwee what Rex hears and my son Eric hears. When Rex's owner speaks, Rex hears: Blah, blah, blah, Rex, blah, blah, blah, Rex.......... My son hears blah, blah, blah, Eric, blah, blah, blah, Eric, and not much more! Eric is, however, housebroken and I don't have to follow him with a pooper scooper!

Everything (including spouses,children, and pets) in life is a compromise and there is no such thing as a "perfect compromise".

Cheers,

Gus

[steve smoot]

Our furkids are very special, aren't they?

Hugs,
Ratkity

Yes, they are very special. We had an HOA meeting today and the wife stayed home to watch Zena while I attended the meeting. She is now doing her Saturday errands while I baby sit.

Some friends are up from Florida and we were going out with them tonight. Guess one of us will not make it.

Thanks for your support as well.

Steve