Our dog was in an accident yesterday

[Saucepanman]

He was hit by a car, when he got out of the house whilst the front door was left open momentarily. We've got builders in and the door has been open a lot, but he never normally goes out and is closely watched. Something must have caught his attention when all of ours was turned. He's stayed at the vets overnight and I'm to ring shortly for an update. I've had next to no sleep and feel sick. No advice needed, just wanted to talk to someone.

Most vets will let you pay in installments, especially if you pay the initial chunk of the bill. It is a shock how much things cost now, my dog had a knee scan recently, and it was £700! (My private breast scan was £150). She is insured, so it was all covered, but she also has a heart problem not covered by the insurance, and that might end up costing a huge amount in years to come.

Today's update- a bit better, hopefully. Yesterday I rang vets for advice as Marv was still not eating. They said maybe he needs to come in- bloods, scan, feeding tube etc. also said no payment plan :-/ but suggested monitoring him as he is getting perkier. I was hand feeding him some bit of chicken at lunch time and he started to take them himself- yay! Huge excitement int he saucepan house. I also took him for a short walk and noticed an improvement from the previous day's walk- less timid, walking a little further from me, starting at hearing a bark, interest in another dog, even bending to try and see a cat under a car and making his excited noise. Today 11yo ds has hand fed him a whole piece of tiger bread toast- with Marv taking it from him rather than us putting it in his mouth. I hope this is the shape of things to come. I've been very depressed and stressed, and spent pretty much the whole of Wednesday in tears. Today is dh's birthday and we all feel a little brighter- Marv included I hope.

That's sounding more positive ,hope he continues to improve over the weekend.

Bit of a setback, I posted too soon it seems. After eating a bit independently, we took him for a short walk yesterday and he vommed it all up :-/

How soon after feeding did you walk him?

How is he now op? Hope he is a bit better.

My vets always agreed to a payment plan, most will I think. Good luck.

How's marv doing op?

So sorry I haven't updated for a few days. The weekend was better and sun and mon he ate more independently- from our hands when we coaxed him, sometimes by putting it in his mouth first to give him the taste for it. Yesterday was a good day food wise. Marv ate some ham willingly at lunch time. Then I took him for a short walk at 6pm and as soon as we returned he was sick- looked like everything he'd eaten that day. I spent the night in tears again. Today he's eaten more ham- actually willingly with no coaxing- and some wet dog food FROM HIS BOWL. Delighted. Have had telephone conversation with his original vet who seems to think we should just continue to monitor at home for a few days- not rile out further treatment but not rush in. Did I tell you I have a friend who is a vet nurse at the surgery- she has been invaluable in checking on him and offering advice, and she organised the call from the vet. So I hope Marv has a chance. I feel very emotional just writing that! Thanks for asking everyone

Glad he's on the mend!

Oh how I feel for you. I do hope he continues to get better.

I really would advise no ham, it's full of chemicals and salt. Plain chicken and rice is good, add a bit of soft-cooked courgette if you like.

Praying for him. I lost mine recently (not an accident) and I am still in teeny tiny bits, so really hoping yours pulls through.

A shit day. Marv hasn't eaten much at all and nothing without being coaxed. He's looking skinny, and I am shitting myself. I'm wide awake and sobbing. H is working away. I'm taking him back to vets tomorrow. H and I have disagreed about what to do- the vets fees are a massive consideration for him as we're massively in debt. I feel I'd sell all I could to fund it. He doesn't want to put the family at risk if Marv doesn't have a good chance. I'm considering going downstairs and bringing him up to sleep in my room, he looks so sad and poorly and I'm frightened of what I might wake up to. Feeling very alone

I'm sorry to hear this you poor thing. If you're still up, dofetch him up to your bed. Comfort for you both. I am up only briefly (I hope) with baby but wanted you to know someone saw your post. Take care .

Oh dear poor you and him.

Thinking of you and hoping vet has good news.

So sad to read about all you are going through. Second the chicken and rice and maybe some scrambled egg? Hoping Marv is feeling better

Go to the vet and be very honest about your financial situation. We don't offer payment plans but that doesn't mean I won't act if an owner has no options and I trust them to do their best to repay their bill over time. I hope he feels better soon.

I hope everything is okay saucepan x

How'd the vet go op? Thinking of you and marv x

A quick update- vets today and they don't know what the problem is, as he has lost so much weight and clearly is carrying fluid in his tummy. He's there now having tests- £600 worth of tests. Vet was hopeful he could come home tonight after diagnostics. I have asked for a payment plan for this £600. If he needs an op it could be £1500-2000. There's a slim chance they could refer me to the RSPCA, but don't know for sure they will agree to do it. Asked vet what happens if you say he needs op and has a good chance but we can't pay- he said they would suggest he be put to sleep have cried all day.

Try not to think too far ahead
You need to know the prognosis of whatever tests he has, regarding whichever op he may/May not need
Then you make an informed decision given yours and his circumstances

The worst news poor Marv has liver damage and the fluid in his tummy is leaking bile. He will either need an op or to be put to sleep. They cannot say what his chances are until they open him up because it's an unusual case. Normally with leaking bile it is very quickly fatal. Scan showed fluid and he was unable to see gall bladder or spleen, but some damage to liver. Bloods showed high levels of white blood cells. The op will cost in the region of £1500-2000. I'm going to ring the rspca in the morning and see if they will do it if the vet refers me. For now Marv is home, and stable and comfortable and in no pain, and lives to fight another day. Too tired to deal with it- will work out options in the morning. I've not even eaten today, just feel so sick. Our lovely Marv, such a brave dog.

Sorry to hear this news ,quite frankly and I will say I'm not a vet and am happy to be corrected by one ,but the treatment your dog has received from the outset seems bizarre . From day 1 you said he had free fluid in his abdomen yet they didn't seemingly do anything about it and 12 days on he now has not only a serious injury but also what is presumably an infection that could have been avoided if the damage had been dealt with immediately . Best wishes to you all ,whatever course of action you take.

So sorry to read this. Do you know if there is a PDSA anywhere near as I know they can help in certain cases but not sure of criteria. Also- and I don't know if this is something that can be done- would it be worth settling up for the tests, contacting other vets in the area, explain the situation, and ask whether they would continue treatment instead of your current vet but that you would need a payment plan? I think some practices do offer plans for unexpected, high bills but I guess it's whether they would do so for a new patient. I think that in your shoes, I would be feeling concerned at the way this has been dealt with so far by the vet and this in itself might be a reason to take him elsewhere. My parents recently moved Vets due a really bad mis-diagnosis. The new vet quickly organised for existing case notes to be sent over and continued treatment immediately.

What awful luck Saucepanman. Poor Marv. I have been lucky enough not to have seen a case of bile peritonitis in my 11 years in practice, but have seen a few with peritonitis due to other causes and it isn't nice to deal with and not all of them make it. Poor dog. The PDSA is worth thinking about if you are eligible, but you have to be on housing benefit I think. If you have to foot the bill yourself, have a long talk with your vet before you start. This is the type of case that would have to be kept in on fluids for days, if not a week or two after surgery and may need plasma transfusions etc. The cost can rack up quickly even after the surgery. If you do decide to go for surgery, I hope it's one little rip in a stitchable part of the biliary system. If you decide against surgery and opt for euthanasia then do not feel guilty- you tried your best with what you had and even if you had a million pounds to spend, Marv could still have been one of the unlucky ones who don't make it. Good luck, will be thinking of you.