Friday, May 21, 2010

Heartworm treatment for my dog is too expensive... any financial aid tips?

I have a beagle that i just rescued that was tested positive for heartworms.. The vet says its at a stage that is treatable.. but the cost is around $400... I cannot afford this upfront.. Does anyone know of any cheaper solutions or grant programs in TX?
Answers:
You can apply for credit for veternarian bills that will allow you up to 12 months before any interest starts accumulating...it's called Care Credit.here's the link:
http://www.carecredit.com/apply/index.ht...
give the dog up for rehoming you cant afford to own it.you should always consider vet bills before not after getting a dog and why should someone else pick up the vet bill ?pay like i do!!!
Your heart is in the right place, but if you can't afford basic medical care for the dog, you can't afford the dog - period.

Think hard about finding another home for him.
Get AmeriPlan discount coverage. It is only available in Texas and when I was in your same situation a few years ago it cut the vet bill in half. http://mybenefitsplus.com/40160476...

This isn't insurance, it's discounts on most vet care, including teeth cleaning, vaccinations and a lot of other stuff.

There are also insurance options, but some of them require that there be no pre-existing conditions. With AmeriPlan pre-existing conditions are covered.
Your vet or a local ASPCA or shelter may be able to direct you better. Some shelters actually have medical clinics that are typically cheaper than a regular veterinarian. Whatever you decide to do, you should probably do it quickly - you don't want the poor puppy to get worse! Good luck with this :)
Wow that's a heck of a lot to find all in one go. If I were you I'd ask the vet if I could pay it off in instalments.
You had no right to adopt anything but a toy dog from Toys R Us if you can not even afford $400 for treatment.

Since you "rescued" the dog, then I suggest you take that poor animal back to the rescue where they will secure him medical attention. I know any reputable rescue gives you anywhere from two weeks to a month to return a dog.
Have you contacted the organization from which you adopted your dog? I also live in Texas, and typically the rescue organizations have the dogs tested and treated for heartworms at their expense prior to adoption. You should read the adoption papers/contract and then contact the rescue. If they do not help, contact your local humane society and ask them for advice. Also, some vets are willing to work out a payment plan for you.

If you live in or around Austin, you could take your dog to an organization called Animal Trustees of Austin. They provide low-cost routine veterinary care to people and pets who need assistance. They could probably help you.

Whatever you do, be sure that the dog gets treatment - even if it means you have to give her up. Heartworm infection is treatable if caught early enough, and the dog can go on to have a good life.

All the best to you.
Look for vet clinics in your area. Usually the cost of treating an animal is less if you go to a clinic.

Talk to your vet and see if he can work out a payment plan with you. They'd probably be willing to do it or find another Vet and ask if they do have a payment plan so you can afford to keep the dog and get it treated.
It's nice to see people being mean about this.do you even know all the facts? No...so just answer the question or don't.No rude comments are needed.

It seems like she is trying to help the poor dog at least.

I don't know the answer to the question, but at least you are trying.
care credit. Or call the local human society or shelter to see if they can help.

Time is of the essence, I wouldn't screw around finding something cheaper though. If you can't afford it now, waiting will just cost you more as the condition get worse.
I went to the local humane society, they have a clinic there and I paid $150 and it was definitly worth it because she is heartworm free. She was 10yrs when I did the treatment and I faithfully give her heartworm treatments every month, even in the winter, I'm not taking any chances! Good luck!
Ask your vet if they have a payment plan. Check with a clinic in your area. Go the the beagle rescue in your area and ask them if they know of any grants. The rescue you got your dog from should have done a heartworm test and the dog should have been on heartgard. Go to Pet finders in your area and send out mass emails to all the rescues in your area asking for help. Get on Craig's list ask for help. Good luck just don't give up for the dogs sake,
Check out the website; www.carecredit.com, then find a vet in your area who takes this credit. It is a line of credit that you can use to pay the bill, then make monthly payments on. When you pay it off, you can run it up again, just like a credit card. Lots of dentists take this card as well, so it is a very useful thing. I used it when my dog died and the bill was $2000. Good luck!

4 comments:

  1. to all of you who choose to leave unconstructive comments on getting rid of a dog instead of thinking of an 'active solution' to a situation: save your critisim and go write it in your complaint journal. No dog owner or dog rescuer expects to encounter emergency high dollar medical costs with their beloved animal. We take for granted that our dogs are healthy. Is this the advice you would want someone to give you if you had a sick or dying pet and needed help or advice? Your cold comments are distasteful, unpractical and useless information that does nothing to help solve the question that was asked.

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  2. I think $400 is a lot for a dog and no one else has the right to judge you unless they are willing to offer up the money for your dog's treatment. Giving an animal a home and food is a great thing. I really doubt if you take her back to the shelter they are going to offer up $400 for her treatment either. However, if you want to pay for the treatment try for a payment plan.

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  3. Yes, the heartworm treatment is quite expensive. However we would pay it to save our dearest pet's life. The docs know this & so they charge as hell. But no need to worry now revolution dogs is indeed solution which works & works like a magic for the heartworm treatment. I recommend who don't want to spend much & but willing to save their dogs, go for this treatment.

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  4. A little late and long after this was originally posted, but my dog is currently going through the thing. . She is heart work positive and guess what, IT'S NOT CHEAP! !! Today was her FIRST treatment.. out the door, $430.. next month will be the same amount again and then the month after that $600 will be that DAYS total... and for the next 4-6 months, once every month the amount will be $400+.. the will also be another $600 get bill for that current DAY AND mind you, we have to pay for each bill at the end of that visit. .. when you are on a fixed income and find out you have a medical crisis for your pet that in the end will end up bring OVER $2000 , unless you are rich, many people can't afford that type of money like that. . Of course we have their well being included as far as food, wellness checks shots and all that bit nothing like this and is not like we can wait. It needs to be taken care of now! So of course if we can get even a look help then that is a huge blessing and relief. .. if you don't like it, don't follow the page and simply don't donate. .no one is saying you HAVE to donate. Don't verbally beat those of us up that want to do the best for our pets and just need some assistance to make it happen sooner rather than layer..

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