Puppy Bill: $8000

[PLFXpert 0]

Quote

Lab cross.

Look at those eyes!
Bigway, I sincerely hope everything works out well for you and your sweet girl.

Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

[vtamb81 0]

I don't post much here but my pup went through a similar ordeal...although maybe not as intensive as a full hip replacement.

She was about 3 and she tore the ACL's in both her legs. She is a lab/rottie mix and the we didn't know what was wrong for almost a year. She would go very lame after a serious fetch session, and the vet misdiagnosed it for almost a year!!! When we finally changed vets, they accurately diagnosed is and the vet was amazed that she was even able to walk. Dogs are resilient animals.

Well a month later, after spending $5000 for a TPLO procedure on both legs, she was in tons of pain and it was very hard to watch. It really ripped my damn heart out....she was so helpless. TPLO is very intensive but it is a permanent fix. 6 months later she had very little soreness, and only limp occasionally. Its now 2 years later and she hasn't limp in almost a year and hasn't been on ant-inflammatories in a very long time. Its great to see her able to run again and enjoy life.

Sorry for the long post but i completely identify with your situation. Like Spence said, just make sure that whatever procedure they choose has a good chance of her leading a "pain-free" life. I would've spent double what it cost me so that she could be happy for the last 2/3's of her life.

Good luck!

[ladyskydiver 0]

awww....Bigway, She's absolutely adorable. Give her a few extra scratches, hugs, and treats for me, k?



FYI - I've seen surgeons charge anywhere from 2K to 10K for hip surgery. It depends on what's being done, if both hips are being done, how long they're planning on keeping her in hospital, what meds they're going to put her on, etc.

Have you seen her x-rays? Also, what kind of pain management, joint supplements, etc. are they talking about her being on?

Quote

Insurance will not cover it now because the injusry is an old injury that should have been fixed when the other vets saw her.

I've, also, got a question on this statement. Hip dysplasia is a genetic issue caused by a loose joint(s) and can be treated surgically in a variety of methods. An injury is something different. Did your vet explain which it is?

Life is short! Break the rules! Forgive quickly! Kiss slowly! Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably. And never regret anything that made you smile.

[Lastchance 0]

Sure sorry to hear about this. That is a whole lot of money, but look at those eyes. She will be a faithful campanion and friend. She needs you. I seen a picture online this morn. of a 6 mo old Border Collie at our local humane society. Loves to chase balls and good w/ other animals. The eyes got me there too but I'm afraid It's still to early to replace Our Jazz just yet. If we went to see her in person it would probably be a givin that we would adopt her. Thank goodness our humane society has a no kill policy. She will eventually be placed. But you just never Know. We might have to go see her. Good luck with everything. It will all work out.

I may be getting old but I got to see all the cool bands.

[bigway 4]

Quote

Quote

HAve you Americans ever considered that not everyone lives in America?
America is one of the cheapest western nations in the world. The city i live in is one of the most expensive cities in the world. Seeing the cost of living here is so much more expensive and our dollar is also lees than yours $8000 is the cost.

There are only two places in the city and surroundings that specialise in this and we are going to one of them. I know it may be a higher price than the others but I am the type of person who believes that 'you pay for what you get'.
This is also the third vet we have been too and the only one who has accepted that he has sever hip dysplacia with athritis. Poor girl is not even one years old.

Sorry if i sound cranky but i have a serious issue here and people just amaze me that they have tofind something to argue about all the time.. In this case there is 2 or 3 people telling me that 8K is too much for the procedure.

My issue would noy be the money but is she going to spend the rest of her life in pain. I would do alot of research on what the probable outcome is going to be. Seeing she is less then a year old I shudder to think what the future holds. As much as you might want to get pissed about this, it might not be the best thing for the dog.

Trust me Spence, Every consideration is going into this. It is not just about the money, it is much more about how she will be afterwards. .... and yes, a very scary thought here is what if i spend this money on this dog and then it is an ongoing thing where i end up spending another 10K. It reminds me of a car i use to have, spend 3K here, and then 5K here and then another 10K here and the soone nough the 20K car costs me about 50K. When do you call it a day? To be honest mate, I dont know.

.Karnage Krew Gear Store
.

[Conundrum 1]

Quote

Now i get told if those vets did their jobs properly i would not have to be paying this money

Can you take them to court then?

Personally, an $8,000 quote on a vet bill and I'd put my dog down, but it sounds like there might have been malpractice in this case? I'd see what I could do about getting the faulty vet to pay for the mistake.

[bigway 4]

$8000 AUD is $7K usd.

.Karnage Krew Gear Store
.

[bigway 4]

Quote

Quote

Now i get told if those vets did their jobs properly i would not have to be paying this money

Can you take them to court then?

Personally, an $8,000 quote on a vet bill and I'd put my dog down, but it sounds like there might have been malpractice in this case? I'd see what I could do about getting the faulty vet to pay for the mistake.

I believe this is the case. My insurrance would cover ususally but the insurance is new and the vet has said that no vet would ever say this is a new injury as it is injury she has always lived with and should have been delt with sooner.

I am gutted that the other vets just washed this off their back but vets and doctors get away with this shit all the time. Unfortunaltly i live in a country where suing someone like in the states is not common practice and would not be easy. The thing is i dont want to waste my life and a shit load of more money on trying to get someone else to pay.

We are taking her back to the shelter to ask them to pay for it as they should have known about this as they are the first vet we asked about it.

.Karnage Krew Gear Store
.

[bigway 4]

Quote

awww....Bigway, She's absolutely adorable. Give her a few extra scratches, hugs, and treats for me, k?



FYI - I've seen surgeons charge anywhere from 2K to 10K for hip surgery. It depends on what's being done, if both hips are being done, how long they're planning on keeping her in hospital, what meds they're going to put her on, etc.

Have you seen her x-rays? Also, what kind of pain management, joint supplements, etc. are they talking about her being on?

Quote

Insurance will not cover it now because the injusry is an old injury that should have been fixed when the other vets saw her.

I've, also, got a question on this statement. Hip dysplasia is a genetic issue caused by a loose joint(s) and can be treated surgically in a variety of methods. An injury is something different. Did your vet explain which it is?

I am jumping the gun a bit but xrays are nto till wednesday. I trust this vet, there is something about him that makes me support him. He was very concerned straight away.

.Karnage Krew Gear Store
.

[Shell666 0]

Quote

Quote

awww....Bigway, She's absolutely adorable. Give her a few extra scratches, hugs, and treats for me, k?



FYI - I've seen surgeons charge anywhere from 2K to 10K for hip surgery. It depends on what's being done, if both hips are being done, how long they're planning on keeping her in hospital, what meds they're going to put her on, etc.

Have you seen her x-rays? Also, what kind of pain management, joint supplements, etc. are they talking about her being on?

Quote

Insurance will not cover it now because the injusry is an old injury that should have been fixed when the other vets saw her.

I've, also, got a question on this statement. Hip dysplasia is a genetic issue caused by a loose joint(s) and can be treated surgically in a variety of methods. An injury is something different. Did your vet explain which it is?

I am jumping the gun a bit but xrays are nto till wednesday. I trust this vet, there is something about him that makes me support him. He was very concerned straight away.

Have you looked into "Elk Velvet" for her? (google it, there are tons of articles about it).

A friend of mine had an older Lab that was in constant pain from his hips (granted he was a LOT older than your little pup so it could have been arthiritis and not hip dysplasia) but he started feeding him elk velvet and within a few months, he was running around like a puppy again.

It might be worth considering in the interim.

Good luck with her! She is a CUTIE!

'Shell

[ACMESkydiver 0]

Quote

I am jumping the gun a bit but xrays are nto till wednesday. I trust this vet, there is something about him that makes me support him. He was very concerned straight away.

Two things about this statement: well, the cynical side of me would ask 'Why was he so concerned immediately...was it financially motivated?' but then the other side of me would have to answer, 'He must be right if the dog is in so much pain now...'

I don't envy you, and this is part of the reason that I don't have a dog yet. It isn't financially feasible to get a dog at the moment if ANYTHING went wrong. For the love of Pete, our twin sons are both having surgery hopefully within the next few weeks, and when money is concerned...humans before dogs.

I admire people that recognize the responsibility of pet ownership and understand that it is a life being entrusted into your care. You sound like a fantastic dog owner.
I hope you will definitely take a look at BIGUN's post again and consider that as a possible alternative as well. You very well may be able to get same or better medical treatment for your pup here in the states and it cost a world less...even adding in travel expense! And you may want to directly PM a few veterinarians here on DZ.com about recommendations and prices and options. I can't tell you how much good advice I've gotten from people on here when I had no clue what to do.
Good luck to you and the puppy...

~Jaye
Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action.

[bigway 4]

Thanks. I will look into that.

The sad part is the brother puppy knows that she is hurting and is being on his best behaviour. It is very sad in our home at the moment. Before we took them to the vet yesterday they escaped from the park and went on an 2 hour adventure on their own. This extra long walk is causing her so much grief now.

.Karnage Krew Gear Store
.

[Shell666 0]

Quote

Thanks. I will look into that.

The sad part is the brother puppy knows that she is hurting and is being on his best behaviour. It is very sad in our home at the moment. Before we took them to the vet yesterday they escaped from the park and went on an 2 hour adventure on their own. This extra long walk is causing her so much grief now.

Maybe little brother just wanted to take her away to "chat" for a while.
She sounds just like Riley (my friends dog) when he went on little jaunts (they run a campsite / hunting lodge on the river in Northern Alberta). Riley LOVED to play in the river but after an hour or so, he could barely walk back to the house. Once he got on the elk velvet, he was his usual playful self for HOURS! He would still walk a little slower after playing for that long but who wouldn't!
DO look into it. It can't hurt!

Keep me posted as to how she's doing.

'Shell

[bigway 4]

Bringing our puppy to the states is not an option.

I would like the person who works on our dog to be able to do the follow ups. Besides that, I have no problem missing out on a few boogies in the states this year to be able to pay any expenses my puppy may need.

.Karnage Krew Gear Store
.

[ACMESkydiver 0]

Quote

Bringing our puppy to the states is not an option.

I would like the person who works on our dog to be able to do the follow ups. Besides that, I have no problem missing out on a few boogies in the states this year to be able to pay any expenses my puppy may need.

Ah wells...good luck and hope it works out for ya.

~Jaye
Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action.

[bigway 4]

I have read your post. As a guy who likes to dabble in business, i am well ahead of you. I am taking the dog back to the other 2 vets to see what they say now that it is very obvious.
This surgery in Australia costs between 4K and 8K. however we have other things to include in this vet bill other than just the surgery so of course the surgery alone is not costing the 8K, the whole orderal is expected to cost this.

.Karnage Krew Gear Store
.

[ladyskydiver 0]

Quote

am jumping the gun a bit but xrays are not till wednesday. I trust this vet, there is something about him that makes me support him. He was very concerned straight away.

I'm glad you like the vet you're now dealing with.
Did the other vets that you went to previously suggest x-rays?

Life is short! Break the rules! Forgive quickly! Kiss slowly! Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably. And never regret anything that made you smile.

[bigway 4]

no the other vets we went to about different things and then asked about her leg as we notice she walks funny. They just flicked it off as it was nothing without really bothering about it. Now it is something. To me that is there negligence. The other vets are wrong, I know this because i am not blind. It is now more obvious than ever this is a serious matter.

The thing is we went to the RSPCA to get her and their vet dismissed the idea about three months later. I am going back there tomorrow and going to talk to them about helping me out. I am not one who would take the RSPCA to court as i support what they do with animals but i am going to make them realise that they are responsible for this as if they had done their job properly when we asked them our insurance that we got two weeks ago would cover this surgery. The reason i am going to stir this up with them is because they are the people who also inssure my dogs. They should realised they are part at fault and pay out on the insurance.

Just for something extra, if they just flick it off like i am nobody i will write to the local current affairs television show and tell them my story as I believe that they should have been more concerned about my questions. My dog is a labrador that is famous for this injury and they should have followed it up.

I am also pissed off with the RSPCA because they gave us the wrong wormning tablets for our puppies when they were young and this caused them to get intestne (sp?) worms and were very very sick.

.Karnage Krew Gear Store
.

[lclplmbr 0]

not sure if this will help your pup but I think it may be worth a shot to try it.

Myth - A hearty diet helps avert dog hip dysplasia.

Fact To the contrary, dogs that are genetically predisposed to hip dysplasia seem to benefit from a lean diet during their first two years. In one study beginning at eight weeks of age, pups that were restricted to a 24-percent smaller ration had a 46-percent lower occurrence of hip dysplasia than pups that could eat freely. Slowing the growth rate during the early months of life, some veterinary nutritionists now believe, can lessen the severity of hip dysplasia and even prevent it.

http://www.yourdoghealth.com/canine_hip_dysplasia_myths.htm

http://www.yourdoghealth.com/canine_hip_dysplasia.htm

[bigway 4]

Thanks.. but we are told it is alreasdy severe.



Anyway, I would like to thank everyone for their kind words and kind of suprised that i have not had anyone start up on me about something or another like in every other thread on this website.

I seriously, have not been this sad in my adult life before. I am not sad for myself but sad for our puppy that we have let it get to this stage and really sad for our other puppy who knows she is hurting.
It is an amazing thing seeing how they interact when they know something is wrong, they are really caring dogs towards us and towards themselves.

I know the best thing for my partner and myself would be to have the puppy put down and get another one to keep the other dog company. However, I love dogs and always have. I would never consider putting my dog down unless it was best for her and even then i would look after her for as long as i could.
My worst fear is that she would have to be put down as I would feel like we may as well put the other one down as he will be devestated losing his sister and i think that would hurt me more than anything.

We got a brother and sister on purpose and they both look so different, We are going to have suck up any expenses that come our way and stay at home for a few months to look after her, I just hope that this will fix the problem and not just be the start of many problems to come. If it was just the start this could turn out to be something that could make us go from travelling the world and having good things in life to having nothing but a massive amount of vet bills. That i am scared of.

.Karnage Krew Gear Store
.

[peregrinerose 0]

They are the most beautiful dogs, I love their eyes.... I hope you can get things worked out!

Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda

[maadmax 0]

As a Vet, when ever I see this condition it is always heartbreaking. If you have a specialist in your area capable of performing a TPLO, it is usually the best choice for young dogs. X-rays are necessary for a definitive diagnosis, otherwise you can only make assumptions. There are plenty of very effective pain medications, your puppy should not have to suffer while you decide what to do.

[bigway 4]

Can you give me any reccomendations on pain care that i should request?
Also TPLO, can you tell me more about this?

I would really appreciate any comments from you.

On a side note, any VET skydivers here in Australia that want to accept a payment plan?

.Karnage Krew Gear Store
.

[BIGUN 1,314]

Well, as the vet said, let's hope the X-ray shows something definitive and hope for the best that its not dysplasia.

Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard.

[bigway 4]

YEah mate, I wish it was like that. This vet is very certain of the issue.
I have written to univerities in different countries asking opinions and will be going to a few different vets before the xrays on wednesday, as i feel like i have alot to learn right now. He says it is in bad shape at this point... that may just be my girlfriend's way she has presented it to me but i get a feeling it is common enough for a vet to know if it is or is not.

Right now it sounds like the x-rays are to confirm his suspicions, that is how i am thinking of it....and just spending the last coupe of days reading as much as i can about this and reading hundreds of other peoples experiences over the net. I need to get on to finding a way to pay for this. What worries me is if my other dog, her brother mayb have to go through this at some point in his life. Now that would really suck. I feel so sorry for these two dogs. We adopted them from the shelter and now they are about to go through hell. I imagine for a human getting your hip replaced would be a big deal and lots of physical therapy.. I imagine for a dog it will be pretty much the same. I hope going through this works out for the best for her sake. I would hate to put her through this and it only makes things worse for her.

I have surprised myself with how sad i am able to feel.

.Karnage Krew Gear Store
.