Why is it so hard to find an inexpensive vet to treat your animal?

@icyorchid (2564)
United States
October 16, 2008 3:39pm CST
My dog has something wrong with his ear....I don't know if it's an ear infection, ear mites or if a bug crawled up in his ear or if he got stung by a bee. He was fine 1 minute and shacking his head like crazy the next. It hurts him if we try to touch his ear. I put peroxide in his ear to try to clean it and then I found ear drops (ear mite drops) at Wal-Mart and bought them for $4. Used it yesterday. I also gave him 1 baby asprin last night and 1 this morning for pain. He's been sleeping most of the day. He usually wants to go out and since Sunday evening he wants NOTHING to do with outside. We have to coach him to his food to get him to eat and his head is cocked to the right side (it hurts). He does eat and he drinks LOTS of water, he just don't go to his bowl by himself. Today he finally came to me to bring him out on his own and that was a sign of encouragement at least I am hoping it is. I have called every vet near me......including one that has free 1st visit, but they couldn't tell me how much the tests, etc would be for him that I would have to pay for and they won't take post dated checks. His vet won't do payments, the SPCA don't see any animal that isn't in their care so I am all out of ideas. Every Vet wants $50 just to walk in their door! I think that is rediculous! With the way things are now a days, I think that if a pet needs medical attention, there should be a way for someone who can't afford $100+ to get care for their pet. I even called PetCo and PetSmart and well, I will not recommend PetCo as they discriminate against senior dogs and PetSmart wants $70 plus what ever package you take and sign a 12 month agreement. lol NO! So I am wondering why if there is insurance for older humans, why isn't there any for senior pets? Why is is so hard to find a vet willing to work with someone who can't afford their fees? Why are vets MONEY HUNGRY??
1 person likes this
4 responses
Sheepie
@Sheepie (3112)
• United States
16 Oct 08
Well, I am glad that you are doing the best you can to take care of him on your own. I don't know why they could be expensive, but there has to be some reason. I mean, I would expect veterinarians to be lovers of all animals and very willing to work with them. I do hope you find somewhere to go soon. My dog sometimes gets ear infections, and he rubs his face in the carpet and his ear would turn kind of red and smelly. He would make a noise when we touch his ear, too.
icyorchid
@icyorchid (2564)
• United States
16 Oct 08
He rubs his face in the carpet also and his ear is a little read. Not smelly though at least I don't smell anything. lol Thanks I would take him if I had the money without a problem. To me he is like my kid. I'd be going crazy if I had to bring my daughter to the dr and had no money to do it too. I would have thought that vets would want to help no matter what, but that just isn't the case.
sedel1027
@sedel1027 (17846)
• Cupertino, California
16 Oct 08
Could he have a yeast infection in his ear? I know some dogs get that.
sedel1027
@sedel1027 (17846)
• Cupertino, California
16 Oct 08
Take him to Magazine Animal Clinic, we use to take our cats there and they charge $35/visit. Metairie Small Animal Hospital (they take animals of all shapes & sizes) charges about the same and I know they have an office on West Esplanade. They will both tell you the costs of the test before they run anything. I know Dr Rich is around you, avoid him like the plague. There is also a low cost (maybe free clinic) on Jefferson Hwy. I think it is called Angel something. I take it you don't have a Care Credit card? Are you sure their isn't insurance for senior pets? Even so, what you probably pay per month is more than you would pay for a vet fee. I figured for our 2 cats and 3 birds it was something like $60/month. The only animal we would really use it on is our male cat because he needs his teeth cleaned every year.
sedel1027
@sedel1027 (17846)
• Cupertino, California
16 Oct 08
I thought you were talking about this type of insurance: http://www.petinsurance.com/affiliates/SearchIntelligence10.aspx?ec=CI0240 Anyone will take that stuff. If you need to take him to the vet now, as soon as you apply for a care credit card, you get your number. So if you have to take him today you can. Sounds like you need to find a new vet either way. I don't find Metairie Small Animal to be expensive. We bring our birds there (they cost more to see) and they charge us $40 for a visit. I don't think you will find a vet cheaper than $35. MOST vets will charge about $35 for the small clinics, they won't run any test that you don't authorize, many will comp cheap test and give you free sample meds. You think they are ripping you off, but in reality they aren't. Animals use the same meds as most humans, since the Vets are not reimbursed by health insurance like human doctors, you get stuck with whatever the actual costs of the meds are. Most vets barely make $50K a year IF they own their own clinic! I thinkt he vet clinic I was thinking of is now: http://www.arkanimal.net/page2.html If you can't find a cheap and/or free vet, call the lady who owns spaymart. She can tell you where to take your dog, http://www.spaymart.org/
littleowl
@littleowl (7157)
•
21 Oct 08
Hi icy..I do hope you hav e managed to get your dog seen to..here in the UK we have an association called PDSA, for a contribution they will see your pet and whatever is wrong with it including an operation they will do to make sure the animal is alright..they are all qualified vets and are a charitable organisation..we have a couple of others too...I really do wish I could help but guess am a bit too late...blessings littleowl
lisa0502
@lisa0502 (1724)
• Canada
17 Oct 08
It is too bad that you are having this problem. I live in a small town in canada and have not run into this problem. I have an awesome vet that works with people who can't afford everything. They also do payment plans!! So I sympathise with you. Also you can try polysporin drops if you need. This might help if he has an earache. Good luck and I hope your dog feels better soon.