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Original poster

Please don't flame me I just some help for my poor dog

74 replies

bytheMoonlight · 19/07/2010 09:10

My GSD itches and bites her skin till its red raw. She now has bald patches and her skin is very flaky.

We just cannot afford the vets. Due to the recession ds has lost hours at work, and we are struggling to buy shopping and pay the mortgage each week.

Even just one for visit to the vets we are talking way too much money for us.

I just don't know what to do. I really don't what to have to rehome her, there are so many unwanted dogs out there as it is. And she is very much wanted, we just cannot afford to find out what is causing this problem.

I've looked into trying to get help with paying for the bill but we dont qualify.

This is my last hope as I know I am going to get flamed now for having a dog we cannot affford to look after. but when we got her we could afford her, its just that over the past 2 years money has got tighter and tighter.

Is there a shampoo or particular brand of dog food I can try?

OP posts:
WhereTheWildThingsWere · 19/07/2010 10:03

It's really not fair to your dog to try and sort this out with a shampoo or food.

The bottom line is she need to see a vet, could you do any of the following

-Phone all local vets and explain what is going on and ask to pay in installments.

-Borrow money from friends or family.

-Get a 0% interest credit card.

Obviously I cannot see her her and am imagining what she looks like, but it is worth bearing in mind that if it is noticable, someone may report you to the RSPCA who are notorious bastards and may try to take her away if you say you cannot take her to a vet.

OrmRenewed · 19/07/2010 10:04

It could be mange which needs a vet.

PDSA?

Shampoo and food isn't going to do it i'm afraid.

hatwoman · 19/07/2010 10:05

have you tried the PDSA?

lisad123isgoingcrazy · 19/07/2010 10:06

most vets would rather you pay in parts than see a anuimal suffer. She needs to see a vet, just ring and explain.
Have you tried the local charitys? PDSA, RSPCA ect?

Original poster
bytheMoonlight · 19/07/2010 10:07

We can't get a credit card as we are going through debt management.

Borrowing money isn't an option as we have no one that could lend us that much, we don't have any family we can ask for support.

I think phoning the vets and asking to pay in installments is the only option.

OP posts:
Original poster
bytheMoonlight · 19/07/2010 10:08

We haven't tried charities as I didn't think we would qualify for any help.

What do I say when I phone them?

OP posts:
QueenOfFlamingEverything · 19/07/2010 10:08

It could well be mange, which is contagious, and doesn't go away without treatment.I know how hard it can be when you are struggling for money (really, I do) but she does need to see a vet. You have to find the money from somewhere.

OrmRenewed · 19/07/2010 10:09

It might not be horrendously expensive. Our vet has a sign saying if you can't afford to pay speak to the nurse of vet first - they don't say if you can't afford to pay piss off!

IME they care for animals first, make money second.

TrinityRhino · 19/07/2010 10:12

it costs me 16 pund to be seen by my vet ad then the cost of the medication
surely you can borrow that so that dog doesn't suffer anymore

or the vet will let you pay in installments or will bill you and then you have a month to save it

take her to the vet

thesunshinesbrightly · 19/07/2010 10:16

If you get housing benefit you can go to the PDSA.

If not, explain to your vet and they will let you pay by installments also no point now because he has the condition but he should really be insured.

bellamysbride · 19/07/2010 10:16

I think most vets are pretty understanding about not everyone having insurance or lots of money. Just tell them straight up, then they will try to minimise the cost, or tell the receptionist when you are making the appt. It will be such a relief for yourself and your dog to get it sorted. Don't be too proud, just bite the bullet and call them.

waitingforbedtime · 19/07/2010 10:18

OK so you need to get it treated, end of. The dog needs to see a vet.

You can:

  • rehome her

  • go to the pdsa if you qualify

  • ask anyone you can think of to lend you some money

  • call your local vets and honestly explain the situation

Those are your only options as far as I can see. Work through the list and act upon it today.

Original poster
bytheMoonlight · 19/07/2010 10:22

Just spoke to dh and we are going to ring around the vets and explain the situation.

Trintiy around here it's roughly £30 just have to have the check up and then the price of the medication and any jabs. We have never been to the vets without it costing much under £100. Then there will be follow up appointments and my heart just sinks at how we will manage to afford all that.

I have tried different things, I bought some cotex medicated shampoo online, I have been giving her piriton to help ease the itching for her and we have been giving a lower protein diet but nothing seems to working. So I think the vets and installments will be our only options.

OP posts:
Original poster
bytheMoonlight · 19/07/2010 10:33

Just trying to pluck up the courage to ring the vets, how on earth do I say we cannot afford the bill?

Shall I just say is there anyway in which we can pay in installments without mentioning lack of money?

OP posts:
thesunshinesbrightly · 19/07/2010 10:46

You need to swallow your pride and talk to the vet. Think of your poor dog.

It's the truth, you can't afford the bill and you need to explain.

Original poster
bytheMoonlight · 19/07/2010 11:26

I spoke to our vets and they said unless the bill runs into hundreds of pounds then they do not offer installments.

She said it was unlikely to run into that amount as unless they wanted to take skin swabs it woud only be about £80, which would include £27 consultation fee and the meds.

We cannot afford to pay £80 out in one go out of one months pay so looks like we are going to have to rehome her

OP posts:
Comewhinewithme · 19/07/2010 11:28

Do you have a friend/family on benefits who could take the dog to the PDSA for you?

Original poster
bytheMoonlight · 19/07/2010 11:29

No one we know is on HB or council tax benefit

OP posts:
misdee · 19/07/2010 11:29

have you tried contaqcting the rspca for help?

Prolesworth · 19/07/2010 11:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

ilovemydogandMrObama · 19/07/2010 11:31

Is there a vet school in your area? I know the local vet school takes animals for free or low cost.

ilovemydogandMrObama · 19/07/2010 11:32

Off the top of my head, there are vet schools in:

Bristol
Glasgow
Edinburgh
Liverpool

bellamysbride · 19/07/2010 11:32

Mention the lack of money. You are not the only person who will have been in this situation. Be completely straight up, no skirting around the subject. I was in the vets the other day and someone came in with exactly the same issue and the vets were lovely about it. Even if they won't treat your dog I am sure they will know someone who will in the area.

Don't feel ashamed, you have found yourself in a really difficult situation, but you do need to act.

bellamysbride · 19/07/2010 11:34

Sorry was super slow in writing that post. Did the vet offer any other suggestions?

Original poster
bytheMoonlight · 19/07/2010 11:39

No bella, I think she thought £80 was an amount we should be able to pay.

OP posts:
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