Help: I Need Dog Advice Animal Lovers

[Corey_Baker08]

My dog's name is Snoopy and he is a 3 year old Dalmatian. Snoopy is the nicest and most affectionate dog I have ever known. He appears to be in good health, very entergetic, and have full hearing. He was found a stray running along the interstate when i got him last year. Snoopy has no papers and as far as I know has never been to the Vet. His nails are long and he needs a professional bath (I have tried but it never works out)

I am sure he needs all of his shots and other meds but I know I cannot afford to ever take him to the vet. I am looking into taking him to a grooming service or something to that extent but I have no proof of vaccinations so I dont know, would I be able to. I would like to get him a license also. Plus we have just moved from our old house to a different place with no fence, he is subject to a 20 ft chain, how can we resolve.

[LisaL]

1. I would say the only way to resolve it is to get ahold of some

money and get him to a vet. Or Petsmart, they have vaccinations on certain days, and they will also test Snoopy for heart worm. I believe it's cheaper than going to a vet.

[Nite Owl]

2. Try asking at the pet shop

to see if they have any programs for free vacinations. They might be able to give you a lead on a groomer too. Pet shop people are usually pretty nice about wanting to help out. Not one of the mall places but if you have a local pet shop try them.

[napi21]

3. Contact a local shelter. Ask if there are any state supported

vets you can take your doggie to. Why do you want to visit a groomer? The vet will take care of the long nails, the vaccinations, the rabies shot etc. Most states have programs that support required pet services. Your local shelter should be able to tello you who they are and how to contact them.

[pstans]

4. I love dogs

I think that you need to take Snoopy to a vet and get him up to date on everything. It would probably cost a couple hundred dollars this one time, which might be tough to swallow, but at least you'll know that Snoopy is ok. Once you know that he is ok, the costs of taking him back won't be as much.

Dalmations need a lot of exercise. Lack of exercise will just make him misbehave. Is there anyway you can put a fence in? If not, daily walks are a must. Do you have any friends that have fenced in yards that would let you bring him over to run around? Another option, if he is trained well and comes when you call him, is to take him to a baseball/softball diamond and let him run around there. For the most part baseball diamonds are fenced in (except dugouts and maybe the corner of the OF). There is plenty of room for him to run and if he will come when called, you don't have to worry about him getting away.

I love dogs, but they are a lot of responsibility. I am sorry to say if you are unable to provide the dog with what they need, maybe you should consider finding him another home. It isn't right for a dog to not see a vet and have the most basic health car and to be stuck inside when they need exercise.

[tridim]

5. There's a place in Denver that caters to pet owners who can't afford a vet

I guess it's kind of like a pet clinic. Call your local shelter and ask, they'll help you find cheap vaccinations.

[dhinojosa]

6. You can call the rescue shelters because they know of

places where to vaccinations for cheap. Call a dalmation rescue shelter in your area too for other tips. :)

In answer to your question, no, you can't take a dog to a groomer without proof of vaccination. For the sake of the groomers health and safety, don't lie to them about it either. Groomers pose a threat to a dog, and dogs overreact with them, often biting. :)

[Corey_Baker08]

7. Question: Do Most Vets Usually Allow A Payment Plan?

If so that would be something I could definately afford. But I have always thought that most Vets wanted the money right then and there.

[friesianrider]

9. Mine did...

I had a vet at my old place, and I'd do trap-neuter-release with feral cats in my area (I;d humanely trap them, vaccinate them and get them neutered to help control the overpopulation). At one time I had a vet bill over $1,500, but the vet knew what I was doing and let me make payments.

I'd just find a local vet and tell them your situation (or contact a rescue and ask them where cheap vaccinations are, then askk te vet the refer you to). Tell them you love your dog and want to do the right thing, but just can't come up with all the money right away. My vet has a sign that says "payment is due in full unless other arrangements are made beforehand." So people must do it a lot (I know I do, always having a balance at the vet of a few hundred bucks from about 25 spaying/neutering surgeries! If you call around, I'd be MORE than willing to bet if you talked it over beforehand, most vets would allow you to do a payment schedule.

As for the chain thing, can the dog come inside to be part of the family? My old Dal would be very depressed outside by himself for any length of time - Dals tend to be very "family oriented" and need time inside the home with the family - their "people" :).

You're doing the right thing to get your pup to the vet, and get him taken care of, you should be commended for that. So many people would just give up and dump the dog at a shelter. You're wonderful to be such a good and responsible pet owner :)

[Corey_Baker08]

13. Thanks For This....And Also

My dog stayed inside all winter. Like he would sleep in my twin bed right beside me and everything. When he went to sit down he would climb right on the couch or chair. He was definately family friendly. The problem was he sheds an enormous amount of hair. Did your Dal do that? I mean like hair on everything. Not big globs little strands you could barly see that when u had something black on it would turn it white.

We also thought being outside in the summer would be good on him emotionally to see the sun and other dogs and all that. There is really not many options considering we dont have a fence. I am thinking about buying him like 4 or 5 20 foot chains so he can navigate the whole yard, but it probably wont do much good considering all he will do is sit at the back door on the deck waiting to get in anyways.

[seriousstan]

15. Shedding is always a problem

Your Dalmatian is short haired, and, as you probably already noticed, sheds!! Because he is constantly losing his hair, he will get quite cold during the winter months. He is like you when you only have a light shirt on. If you are cold, he is cold! You can help solve this cold-weather problem by putting in a dog door. This way, the dog is able to stay warm (or cool) no matter what the weather, and you are freed from always having to let him in or out. The dog door is especially useful when you are gone. Your dog is happy, and he is able to get out if there is a house fire. Consider putting a dog door into an appropriate wall. If it is installed in a door, you cannot have a storm door as well. A dog door into a basement, utility room, etc., where the dog can be confined when alone is very useful.

The shedding is definitely a problem, but fortunately the hairs will vacuum up and wash out. Another aid in hair control is limiting the dog's access to just the active areas of the house where he will have your company. Save most of the house for yourself and you won't have to clean as much! Many dogs just live in the kitchen and family or living room areas while the bedrooms, office, dining room, etc. are off limits. Just be sure your dog has access to rooms where he will still have plenty of attention.

[friesianrider]

18. Yeah Dals do that LOL...

Mine shed too. We just used one of those sticky-roller things...took it all right up.

Outside time is good, but not for longer than an hour or two, and not during the summer at midday (too hot, Dals are known for being very sensitive to dramatic hot and cold temps). Like an hour or two in the AM and an hour or two in the PM would be good. Is it possible you could just take him on walks rather than chaining outdoors?

Also forgot to mention, when he goes to the vet, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE get him neutered - it is soo important, and has so many health benefits too that can really save you money down the road. If you dont want to use the vet who does the vaccinations, call your local SPCA/animal rescue and ask where you can go for low or no-cost spay/neutering for a dog. They can usually give you vouchers for little or no cost neutering. It is THE most responsible thing you can do as a pet owner, so please remember to ask the vet about this too, and get it done literally as soon as you possibly can. :)

It sounds like you're on the right track, for many people just don't even bothering being concerned about the health and well-being of their pets. Snoopy depends on you for everything, and obviously loves you to pieces, so good for you for being such a responsible owner and not just dumping him onto someone else or a shelter to be put to sleep.

[LisaL]

37. I would say no. At least not around here.

They got a note saying money is due at the time of service.
Maybe in rural areas it would be different.

[hfojvt]

40. mine will take a credit card

although that is certainly not the best payment plan.

[seriousstan]

8. For the good of the dog, find it a good home.

You sound totally unable, at this time, to add the burden of proper animal care to what appears to be a very tight budget. It is not your fault and the size of your heart is shown by your acceptance of Snoopy into your family.

But proper health care and environment for your pet, as for your children, should be tantamount. The idea that you think he needs a groomer more than a vet is troubling enough. The idea that you have a 3 yr old "very" (and very is an understatement if he is healthy)energetic Dalmatian on a 20 foot chain is going to kill his true spirit and aggravate him to aggressive behavior.

I don't know if you know much about this breed but you should read a few short info passages and decide what is best for Snoopy and for you.

Good luck.


http://bcf.usc.edu/~thaase/DOT/info.htm

[friesianrider]

11. I'm not sure about that, but...

I agree that chaining it outside is NOT a good idea. Dogs arevery sociable creatures who crave time with their people - INSIDE the home, not chained outdoors for the majority of the day - certainly not all day or all night.

No one should get an animal then leave it outside for the better part of a day. It isn't fair to the animal and like you said, it can make them anti-social VERY, VERY quickly and lead to destructive and aggressive behavior. Plus it can be very hot/cold outside and that is no fun at all, let alone extremely dangerous to a pet's life.

I think the OP may try to work out a payment plan with a vet which is good. Far too many people find owning an animal has a small inconvenience and they quickly dump it on someone else or into a shelter to be euthanized. The OP deserved major kudos for not doing this and being a responsible pet owner.

[Dr.Phool]

10. My suggestion, probably cruel

Give Snoopy to someone who can provide proper care.

I have 2 large dogs, and every 6 months I have a $600 vet bill for the 2 of them for vaccinations, heartworm, and flea medication. Plus I just had some major expenditures for a problem with one dog, only to find out it would clear up on it's own.

Dog's are like kids. And if you can't afford the fence, give the dog away. No dog deserves to spend his life on a 20 foot chain.

[friesianrider]

12. OH! And another thing...

You MUST get him neutered when he gets his shots. This can be done by the vet or you can contact your local SPCA/animal rescue and ask where low-cost spay/neuters can be done.

Over 6 million healthy dogs and cats are euthanized every year just because there are too many and too few homes. It is so important it be done IMMEDIATELY. :)

[seriousstan]

14. Neutered, at the very least.

Thanks, I forgot all about that.

[Corey_Baker08]

16. I Know For Sure He already is that.......

See I got him last year as a 14 birthday present from a home in which the owners found him stray along the interstate. They could not keep the dog, they did inform me that they had him fixed.

It was either I take Snoopy or he would to be sent to the shelter for death, I did the right thing and even if it means taking my $3.25 an hour and being in debt to the vet I will keep him

[Dr.Phool]

19. How did the "Owners" find him "stray" on the Interstate?

Am I the only one to find this heart rendering story a little fishy?

[friesianrider]

21. What's so fishy about it?

I work at a shelter and we get in strays off highways and interstates literally every single day. Hell I've found strays wandering highways and stopped, tried to locate an owner, and ended up keeping them. What's so fishy about this "story"?

[Dr.Phool]

27. Terminology. I could be wrong

But, "the owners" Getting "strays" off the Interstate on my "$3.25 per hour". Like I said, I could be wrong, but it sounds like somebody is yanking somebody's chain here.

I hope I'm wrong, and just being pessimistic. But, my bullshit detector just went off!

[Corey_Baker08]

32. I Am 15 Years Old.....

I work at A&W Restaurant, believe me I wish the bullshit detector was going off when I said I make $3.25 an hour because Id love to make more

Look the people who found this dog on the interstate in Indianapolis are who I am referring to as the original owners. They found him stray on the Interstate, took him into their home but their landlord would not allow pets in the home. I have always wanted a Dalmatian before and so for my 14 birthday my parents went to get me Snoopy in Indianapolis. The Owners at the time had no history of medical, or where he came from.

They took him down to the local shelter and got him neutered for free. i found the ad for Snoopy on Petfinder.com, it was either I took this dog in or he be euthanized at the local 48 hour holding shelter.

Turn your bullshit detector off because its screwed up.

[Kathleen04]

22. What??

Yeah, I'm should it'd be an effective use of Corey's time to lie on a practically anonymous message board about his Dalmation. :eyes:

You're being ridiculous.

[LisaL]

33. Well, I did notice one discrepancy.

According to the original post, the dog has never been to a vet.
But then we find out the dog was in fact, neutered. So, unless the owners neutered him personally (which is very unlikely), Snoopy had been to a vet.
O'key, the poster explained later on the dog was neutered in a shelter for free, but still, vet must have done it.
LOL.
And another thing-people lie on anonymous public boards all the time.
I am not saying the original poster is lying about anything.
But a lot of people do lie.

[Corey_Baker08]

The Owners Took him to a Shelter that was doing Neuterings

Why do you think i am making this up, I dont get it. I am 15 years old working at a restaurant making $3.25 an hour. I want the best for my dog but know I cant afford it, my parents are working class who definately cant afford it.

The dog was found on I-65 in Indianapolis, he was a gift from my parents to me for my 14 birthday. He was a stray, no other medical facts than The owners immediantly took him to a shelter that was doing free neuterings, thats it. No medical history, no nothing.

[LisaL]

36. I don't think you are lying.

But seriously, before adopting a pet, one needs to have enough money for at least basic care for that pet. I understand that you wanted to save this dog, but if you don't test the dog for heart worm and vaccinate the dog, he can end up sick or dead anyway. Like I said before, Petsmart has these wellness days, when they vaccinate and test for heart worm. It costs less than a vet.

[Corey_Baker08]

34. .

[Corey_Baker08]

35. Dupe

[Corey_Baker08]

24. I Got This Dog For my 14th Birthday.....

My parents drove 3 hours to get him. If I wouldnt have got him he would have been sent to the shelter where all stray dogs are euthanized within 48 hours.

Why would owners make up finding the dog on the interstate anyway. He is only 3 years old now, I got him last year when he was two he was still quite young. Simple Snoopy is from a litter of puppies and the owner decides he needs a quick way to get rid of them. Stop at a rest stop along I-65 and let these wondering dogs go.

[friesianrider]

26. Sounds right.

People refuse to just pay the ONE TIME cost of $40 or $50 to get their animals spayed or neutered, and then bitch about all the litters...living on a farm, people all the time just dump their kittens/puppies in a box on our doorstep thinking "oh they live on a farm they'll take care of them." It's people like that that lead to 8 million healthy, adoptable animals being euthanized every year in the US alone...just because there will never be enough homes for them all.

Such an ungodly sin.

[friesianrider]

20. Good for you!

Seriously. Far too many people just dump their pets on someone else or dump them at a shelter. You are trying to do theright thing, which is very admirable. Snoopy clearly loves you a great deal, and would be depressed if he lost you.

Just call around to vets and tell them your situation, and ask what kind of payment plan they might be willing to work with you on. I'd bet you'll find someone who will give you a break :)

Again, I know I've said this a lot, but you're doing the right thing keeping Snoopy and trying to get him vaccinated and groomed. You're being a responsible petowner, which is highly commendable! :)

[leftofthedial]

17. In many areas, there are vets who do free clinics

you really should get him professional vet attention (shots, mainly), for his good and other dogs' good before exposing him to other dogs.

[LisaL]

23. He also needs a heart worm test ASAP! And he needs to be

on heart worm preventative if he doesn't have it.
It's extremely dangerous to allow him to go on as he is, without tests.

[leftofthedial]

25. heartworm

yes

[friesianrider]

28. You're right lizzy!

Excellent point.

Heartworm is UNBELIEVABLY expensive and very dangerous to the animal to treat once a dog becomes infected. Prevention of heartworm is really quite simple, too.

[LisaL]

38. Yes, it's very expensive to treat.

And the dog needs to be on a preventative for it.

[Corey_Baker08]

29. I have Decided that Taking him To the Vet is the Way to Go......

When I finally pick a vet how do I go about explaining all that he needs. I mean we are basically starting from square one here with him. Do I just tell the vet about my not having medical history of him and have no idea what he has had done or what he needs done.

Then explain to him that I will need to try to work out a payment plan and that I am 15 years old. Will my parents have to sign anything or what.

What is your best estimate on how much starting from square one will cost? $200-$400 Higher or Lower?

I am confused.....

[friesianrider]

30. Honesty is the best.

Don't be confused :) You're doing great.

Call around to as many local vets as you can. Calmly explain your situation honestly - say you have had this dog for about a year but have not had the financial ability to get him for a vet, and need to get vaccinations and heartworm, and other necessary tests/vaccinations, but say that you are on a very tight budget and would need to do a payment schedule...and would their office be willing to work with you on that. If they say no, say thank you and call the next vet. If they say yes, ask them what they would guesstimate about a cost for basic vaccinations and heartworm preventative, and what sort of payment they'd want - write the payment plan they'd want down, and call other vets and compare.

If worst comes to worst, call your SPCA or a local rescue - PM me if you need help in this area, I have access to contact info for MANY rescues across the country. They can help you too - just PM me if oyu need help.

Depending on where you live, I'd guess the cost to be around $200-$300 for all vaccinations and wormer, etc.

[friesianrider]

31. Try here too...

Plantation Animal Rescue - Dalmatian Rescue
Steger, IL (Servicing Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin)
web page: www.ameritech.net/users/fancydals/PlantationAnimalRescue.html
email: [e-mail]

This is a Dalmation rescue. I would send them an email and thoroughly explain your situation and ask them if they have any ideas to help you.

You're doing a great job and your dedication to Snoopy shows. Undoubtedly, he loves you very, very much for doing this for him. PM me if you need any help at all :)

[seriousstan]

39. Seing as how your parents drove to get the dog, I say they should pony up

some dough.

I am sorry if I came across harsh in my previous post, I didn't know you were a minor.