My lil dawg Winky is in terrible trouble. She's broken her little foot...

[radwriter0555]

in an accident with her "big sister" in a scrap over bones of all things.

Winky is my Maltese, all of 4 lbs wet. Blue, is the aussie/cocker mix "big sister" (40 lbs of recent slipped-disc fame) bit her little foot, mistaking it in a frenzy of some fresh bones. It's clear it's broken; it just dangles at the ankle joint. Horrible, horrible to see, and worse to hear Winky crying so piteously.

Rushed her to the vet at 7pm, ka-ching, $75 the minute we walk in the door -- which I honestly don't mind paying, to have that available... That's almost reasonable compared to what came next; After waiting for almost 2 hours, the vet tries to tell me that it will be $680 just to figure out what exactly is wrong and whether she'll need surgery. More than $400 of that was MEDICINE. Get this, $166 for ketamine gas to just put her under for xrays! For a 4lb dog! $45 an ONE anti-biotic injection!!! And they wanted to give her TWO of them!!! I do NOT mind paying for service, it's our responsibility when we take on these animals, by all means -- but when it's clearly price gouging profiteering, I get real real mad.

This vet hospital, TLC, a corporate chain of course, is famous for these tactics, and I raised a STINK. There really is no reason on this planet to charge such insane prices. Virtually 2/3 of the bill was 'medication'. My vet is so much more reasonable and compassionate, and Winky will see her this morning. She is still crying terribly, but her lil foot is all splinted up, she's all doped up and in a little nest in my bed.

It's horrible listening to her cry when she tries to move.. so all I can do is make sure she's comfy at this point. She's such a baby, and she cannot stand to be away from me. This is almost as hard on me though. I can't stand seeing anyone or anything in pain. It just breaks my heart.

So give up the love and good thoughts on Winky!!!! and me with the BILL!

[the Kelly Gang]

1. that seems incredibly excessive for poor Winky, isn't there an

alternative vet ?

[radwriter0555]

3. Yes, we're going to our regular vet this morning, first thing...

*sigh*

[YellowRubberDuckie]

2. Poor little baby...

Scratch her under her chin for me and kiss her nose...little dogs are so precious. Good thoughts and a prayer sent your way. :hug: to the little girl.
Duckie

[xultar]

4. I have a lil chiwawa and he rough-houses with the cats. I'm so afraid

that he will be hurt. I yell @ all of them to stop and he just keeps egging them on.

I will pray for Winky and you. I can imagine how you feel.

God bless you and Winky.

[Red_Viking]

5. I have a Pom who's the fruit of the Devil

But damn, I love him! He's terrible, but cute. And he loves me like no one else. I know I would be doing the same thing you're doing if he was hurt. My daughter gets jealous of the dog because I won't let her roughhouse with him. He's only 9 pounds and she's a strapping teenager.

Hope your baby is better soon. The regular vet will fix it all up. Let us know how the recuperation goes!

:dem:

RV

[RebelOne]

6. Was this an emergency vet clinic?

Because they are terrible rip-offs. I had to take my dog to an emergency clinic near my house because my vet was not open. She needed an operation and they wanted to charge me $1200. I asked them to stabilize her until I got her to the regular vet in the morning. My vet did the operation for only $300.

I sure hope your little doggie will be OK. Sending good thoughts to her.

[radwriter0555]

9. They bill themselves as staying open 24, for which thre REALLY is

a need for. Like kids, our pets can get injured or ill any time of the day or night. But to charge such insane prices for the medicine is just nuts.

I'm sure whatever my vet recommends will be a 3rd of what the fancy schmancy place would charge, and I trust kate completely. She's the kind of vet who AGREES that in many cases, vaccinations just aren't necessary!!!

Thanks for your kind thoughts.

[madrchsod]

7. our dog somehow

got cut on my computer chair and peeled back the skin to the tissue..dog`s have interesting skin.. the doc came in after hours so my wife and i helped the doctor sew our dog up. she helped him and i was the "gas passer"..interesting night. we got it on the cheap because we helped him instead of his staff..about 150 and change

[Branjor]

8. Poor lil Winky....

Prayers and good thoughts for her recovery.

And a reasonable bill for you!

[UrbScotty]

10. What? Argh.

Carry on.

[flamingyouth]

11. Poor Winky

Sending her my best wishes! And you, for your bank account too! :D

[GOPisEvil]

12. Poor Winky! And poor you!

How are you doin'? Knee all better? And the other dog? Wasn't she hurt a while back too? Hell, all of you are going to need canes before long.

[radwriter0555]

15. Gop we're ALL gonna need canes if this keeps up! It was BLUE with the

slipped disc 3 weeks ago. Then ME in Nov with the busted up knee (doing great btw, the gym was the way to go), and last but not least even the tortoise had trouble two weeks ago getting stuck on a lamp, (it's so hard to explain).

Blue's back is better, but she's really crabby now.

Good thing I'm refinancing the house again. $$$$$$

[bratcatinok]

13. I hope Winky is okay!

My little dog was hit by a car on Mother's Day last year. Since I live in a small town, our vet is available 24/7 because you never know when a horse or valuable bull is going to go down. He met us at his office, stabilized our baby and then operated on him the next day.

He even gave me the playpen where I could keep Rufus contained easily. He had to put 4 pins in to stabilize Rufus's hip and we weren't sure whether Rufus might have to have his leg amputated. It was 50-50. The bill ended up being 1200.00 but it was well worth it!
Rufus is as good as new and can run like the wind.

I love our vet!

[radwriter0555]

16. I'm sure the Stink Wink will be ok under Dr. Kate's care, it's so AWFUL

to hear her cry when she tries to move. I can't stand seeing her suffer...

[bratcatinok]

17. Have you taken Wink to Dr. Kate yet?

and if you have, what's the prognosis?

[radwriter0555]

19. YES, excellent prognosis... clean break above the ankle, well

positioned and the splint is perfect.

Dr. Kate wants to leave last night's splint on, since they did a good job, and doesn't feel at this point like surgery is necessary at all, being as she is a young, healthy dog.

She's still in pain, and has to get used to getting around a bit with the splint, so we hear a bit of screaming.

Dr. Kate's bill was far, FAR kinder than the TLC bill and worth every penny TWICE.

Winky has to stay on anti-biotics, Dr. Kate adjusted what TLC gave me, and we go back in on Thursday to see if the splint needs changing....

THANKS for EVERYONE'S thoughts and comfort! Now if I can keep Blue from SITTING on Winky, which apparently is HER form of consolation... all will be well.

[Darth_Kitten]

14. I've been there.....

vet costs can be massive. I've had them charge me for bringing in my recently deceased pets and examining them. :eyes: SOME can be very evasive as to what is actually wrong with your little loved ones. :( To get more money, no doubt, when we and our pets are at our most vulnerable. (I no longer go to these vets, they've taken enough from me. One overnight visit because my bunny, Bagel was having trouble breathing cost over 400 dollars. This after 800 dollars for surgery, etc.

Completely understand what you are going through. There are great vets out there, don't get me wrong. :)

All my love and thoughts for sweet little Winky. Just wants some extra love and attention. :loveya: :hug:

[Unperson 309]

18. Vet Bills Are (or should be) Commensurate With People Bills

I know it's difficult and the cost seems high, but consider that the average veterinarian has to know the physiology and symptomology of cats, dogs, birds, lizards, etc instead of just one species: homo sapiens. Not only that, but a pill costs the same if it's for a dog, a baby or a man. Instruments cost the same. X-ray equipment doesn't know if it's being used on a collie or a construction worker.

Some companies offer pet medical insurance and that's a really good idea to help with vet bills. I've seen some of the effort and work people go through to become DVMs, the years of study, the additional years of training in specialties (such as avian or equine veterinary practise) and the expenses of having to have equipment in the office that will fit a 5 ounce kitten up through a 150 pound mastiff (small animal practise? Whazzat?) and then heard the poor guy asked at parties "A vet? Why didn't you decide to become a *real* doctor?"

Here's to our wonderful vets, vet techs, and EVERYONE who works with critters! :toast: And a hearty HUZZAH!

I'll keep your little doggie in my thoughts!

309

[radwriter0555]

20. SECOND That! I wish they were all like Doctor Kate. SHE ROCKS...

no drama, just good, solid advice and treatment!