In the current economy, everyone is worried about making ends meet, and pet owners are no exception. We want to know how you would handle a costly veterinary emergency. We'll publish the results in our next monthly e-mail newsletter.

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Question:
What would you do if your pet suddenly became ill or injured and required several thousand dollars of lifesaving emergency veterinary care?

Choices:
Use my pet insurance
Charge it on a credit card
Tap into savings account or an emergency vet fund I set up for this purpose
Ask loved ones for help
Euthanize animal
Don't know

 

I think the poll should have had multiple selections because the question is too ambiguous. Does not take into account animal's age, quality of life prognosis, nor just how much $$ is being talked about. My answer would have changed based on that criteria.

I faced this when my cat had cancer years ago. It all went on the credit card. Whatever I had to do, as long as we thought she could still have quality of life, I did. I would do it again if I had an emergency or other hugely expensive problem come up. Credit cards would be my first choice (mine stay paid off, for the most part). Asking family for help would be next. Euthanizing would never be an option unless quality of life would not be there in the end.

We actually went through this very situation, because our hard economic times came a bit before the current mess (our business was wiped out by 9/11.)

Our spaniel - who was relatively young at the time - ruptured a disc in his back and needed back surgery to walk. His legs were strong and his prognosis for recovery was good. As my family are all animal-lovers, we borrowed the money from family and paid them back after we had pulled out of our economic crisis. And he eventually did completely recover and run full-speed through the forest again.

Now we have money set aside (hopefully enough, with four pets) to cover unforeseen disasters.

Our cats and spaniel are really too old to be covered by the new pet insurance, but my husband's employment is actually offering it now, and we plan to insure a recently rescued shepherd who is only about 2 years old and in excellent health.

By the way, our new shepherd was dumped near our home a few weeks ago, so the hard times are affecting pets in other ways than simply medical emergencies. She is a beautiful and very sweet dog. I'm grateful I found her in time... it was -6 outside and she was half frozen.

I agree with Becky. There are too many unknown factors in the question. I had at least three possible answers. I think Care Credit should have been listed separate from the credit card option also. Care Credit is interest free if payed within the promotional period (3 month minimum), so it's not the same as a regular credit card.

I have ALWAYS been able to work out a payment plan with my Vet. no matter where I have lived, they are compassionate and always helpful.So I believe that while this is a good program, it is not the only option. Asking those who care, and share the same love of animals is where to start and then go from there.Our doxie had to have his back fixed, it is not cheap. We didn't qualify for the pet INS. as he is a "High Risk"Thank God for compassionate DR.s & staff. Back in 2004 we had a cat that had a stone & his bladder burst. He had three life saving emergent surgeries, and this was a different Vet , he allowed us to make payments...So you see you really need to work with the people who can & will help you.

When my 12 year old JRT needed glaucoma surgery, I applied for and got a Care Credit card which is interest free for a set period of time. I also had a savings account set up for this reason but exhausted it. My next option was my Home Equity Line of Credit. We made it through and are now getting bills paid off. I have also found health insurance that covers pets regardless of age and pre-existing conditions.

I agree that more choices should have been offered to pick. I'm lucky in that I A) have a great relationship with my vet so I can make payment arrangements, B) I have family I can fall back on for emergency funds. Bottom line, if the pet can be saved, I would do whatever I could to get the funds - borrow from bank, friends, get second job, etc.

I went through this a few years ago with my cat Bozley who was diagnosed with bladder cancer. I used savings to pay for it but it was the diagnostics that led to the diagnosis that cost the most - you have to know what you're treating before you can treat it and pets can't talk to tell you what's wrong. It was a process of elimination. Sadly I no longer have Bozley but she lived a good year after having surgery (I put her down when it becamse obvious that she just wasn't her old self any more). I've since purchased vet insurance for my dog because I know how quickly things can add up and it's not always easy to come up with a few thousand dollars, but it's easy to come up with a small monthly payment and a deductible (my plan covers 90% - so I only have to pay 10%). It's a small price to pay for peace of mind in any economic climate.

All of us should be worried about the sales tax that California is wanting to impose on Vet services. Even people outside of California could be effected as if California imposes the vet sales tax it won't be long till other states follow suit.

I think every veterinary practice should have an "emergency fund" to tap in emergency cases or cases where the owner can't afford to keep a vialble animal alive. The fund could be maintained by people like you and me who have an interest in the animal's life over monitary concerns. If a single vets office established 10 or 20 monthly donors, they could raise enough money to make a difference. Imagine the number of animals that could be saved that would otherwise be euthanized.

I just went through this. Last monday my fur baby of 12 years got sick very suddenly. After every test known to man, my otherwise healthy husky had a large tumor on her heart. They coudn't save her, we had to have her put to sleep. It's the single hardest thing i've ever had to do. They wanted us to pay for everything before they put her down (a little insensitive with the timing, considering we have been going there for 7 years). In all, the bill was over a thousand dollars.

My husband made a good point, every single test they did was done in-house, xrays, ultrasound etc. I think if your pet cannot be treated and has to be put down, maybe they could give a discount on the bill. I understand they have to pay for the equipment etc, but healthy dogs get those same services every day and I know they pay for them a hundred times over.

I actually have two answers for this. One of my companions, Althea, has been having issues with anemia; her bills are submitted to the insurance company, which pays 90% after a $50 dedicible. (I wish my own insurance were so good.) However, when one of the barn cats broke his leg in November (and who insures a barn cat who simply moved in?), I was faced with an $1800 surgery bill. Fortunately, I have Care Credit - but beware! While there is no interest for 3 months - which sounds great - I found that the interest is merely deferred; if the entire $1800 is not paid off by March 24, I will owe the interest retroactive back to November! Once I learned that, I transferred the balance to a credit card which charges no interest on transferred balances for a full year. I believe I can get the bill paid in full in that time.

So, with the four housecats (the former barn cat is now a housecat with insurance & a microchip), I'll use insurance; if anything happens to the barn cat, I'll have to charge it. Hopefully, that won't happen at all - and certainly not before the current surgery bill is paid.

The good ol' credit card.
I found it wonderful to read how all you folks tried so hard for your beloved animal companions. A very Happy New Year to you all!

I agree there should have been allowed more than 1 choice....first the credit card and then put the animal down if the animal's quality of life is bad.

Someone talked about finding a stray dog in this horrible cold weather. Here in Minnesota supposedly there are abandoned horses: either starving to death or left to roam loose. An owner of a Chevy dealer outside the Mpls. area started a fundraiser for abandoned horses and $400 or more has been donated through this fund he started through his customers. He gave it to us at the Mn. Horse Council to do what we can for the abandoned horses. We are stretched so thin as it is with the directors and what they do but since I'm the chair for the Disaster Response for our state I'm more than willing to go through the paces on REAL abandoned horses.

I also agree that this should be a multiple-choice poll. In my case the payment method would depend on the medical situation, the bill's size, my financial state at the time, and other considerations.

Briefly digressing, my previous vet back in Texas took cash and checks only, but let me set up payment plans if necessary. My current vet here takes all forms of plastic so I generally use credit or debit.

Back on topic my wife & I set up an investment account for catastrophic vet expenses which we haven't yet had to tap, thank goodness. We have agreed on specific situations in which we will tap the account. If the bill exceeded the account then we would probably charge it.

Like others who have posted, there are options and considerations which the poll responses does not allow me.

Four years ago one of my cats went into liver failure (hepatic lipodosis). I was fortunate that my vet would accept payments. The final bill came to over $1000, although it is now in collections.

If it came down to it, I would surrender my animal to a shelter which would care for her, rather than euthanizing her. It would break my heart and would probably lessen the chances of her survival because she's been with me for almost ten years.

But I would do whatever I could to see that she received care. I would have pet insurance but am on social security so I have to pick and choose.

I saw something on Animal Planet about a program - I believe it was in Denver, CO - which allowed people to exchange hours of service for vet costs. I tried to offer bartering services to my vet (I write and do editing; I offered to do website content and brochures or newsletters) but he was not interested.

Everyone should look into some type of Pet Insurance for your animal. There are some good companies out there which are relatively inexpensive especially if you pet is young. I got insurance on my 9 yr old cat and 13 months later she was dignosed with cancer. The insurance covered 75% of the bills and I put the rest on Credit Care which offered no interest for a certain period of time. At least look into the Pet Insurances and see if it is something you can afford.

I agree that there should be more options. In many cases it may take multiple financial options to cover the costs. In the current economy many people don't have the availability of credit or savings, and don't have anywhere to turn. In extreme cases, (just check out some of the many animal shelters and rescue work being done), people are even dumping their animals at shelters as a last resort. I know there are some organizations that provide limited funds for rescue animals that need life saving critical care; but I wish there were options for those, (who through no fault of their own are affected by the economy), who are struggling to even provide basic care in these hard times.

Thank you all for responding to the poll and sharing your stories! I am always amazed by the sacrifices many people will make to save their beloved pets.

United Animal Nations has some resources online to help people who need financial assistance with urgent vet care. Please feel free to use these resources and share them with others who need financial assistance.

* Our LifeLine Rescue and LifeLine Individual Grants provide financial assistance for recently rescued animals and pets who need urgent and lifesaving veterinary care. Learn more here.

* UAN maintains a comprehensive directory of other programs that offer financial assistance. View the directory here.

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Alexis Raymond
Director of Communications
United Animal Nations
www.uan.org

My first response is a credit card, but I'm working on a emergency savings account because of the "credit crunch".

I think many people have experienced what I have...I had a credit with a high limit just for emergencies. It didn't have a balance. When the credit card company did an annual review, they knocked the available limit down to $250. What emergency is going to cost only $250??? I talked to a financial analyst today and he said to expect more of that to come. He suggested getting a line of credit or a credit card where you charge just a little every month and pay it off each month. Then your chances of getting your available limit are lowered. I did that, but it still happened. I'm applying for the line of credit today. I have one card with a high limit that hasn't knocked me down yet. I just got a letter that the interest is going up to $30.99! You can be sure I will think real hard before charging anything on it! And just in case you're wondering...I do have good credit. Bottom line is credit card companies are trying to reduce their debt and it's going to affect us in a big way. Looking at my senior cats...I just pray nothing happens to them before I figure out my emergency funding!

Well, for those of us who have horrible credit either at the fault of ourselves, or not, or have no credit history, getting a line of credit secured or unsecured is next to impossible. I wish I could have a credit card only for veterinary care/emergency. I would pay it off or have an excellent payment history with it. I've had veterinary emergencies, and have had no money, no one to ask for help with money, and veterinarians in Tucson do not work with anyone, not any I know of. I have a couple great vets, but they have to have payment up front. Now I often am able to afford vet visits, but when I couldn't, I've learned the hard way how to treat an animal. Now if it were my cats, or someone's dog or other animal that isn't a rodent, I would be in trouble. I live paycheck to paycheck. I find ways to ensure my pet's health and safety, but if it comes to a really bad emergency or cancer, I have no idea what I'd do. Just about anything legally possible to save an animal, even if it weren't my own. I wish there were more organizations out there that could help people. And I don't think it's fair to say poor people shouldn't have pets, even just one. Things happen. Even people who are better off than the poor meet their match at times, financially. Pet insurance needs to be changed too. I wish it worked more like regular human health insurance.

What they need on that survey is "it all depends". That wasn't there, so I had to check "Don't know." There is such a combination of factors that I don't think any of us can realy say what we would do until we are confronted with the siruation. Basicly, it all comes down to; the age and general health of the pet, how curable is the condition, what are the treatment options, what is the likely outcome if I don't treat, and then the cost of the options. We all have different places where we would draw the line, and finances can play a part in the decision. But I think that more often the factors are things like "He's young and healthy and there's a good chance of success, let's go for it. We'll find the money somehow" or "He's already had a good life, he's got other issues, it's not fair to put him through all that."

No one should ever have to choose between medical care and euthanizing their pet..
When there is a situation where the pet or found animal has a good chance of recovery, but the owner or Good Samaritan can’t afford it; Roses Fund for Animals will help to cover the cost. After the owner has used his/her own resources towards payment of the bill, the veterinarian will contact the Fund to assist the owner in any way towards payment of the remaining bill. Payment goes directly to the veterinary practice. This fund is small and new but it will try to help in anyway that it can

I have used my credit cards, disability income, savings etc... Spent about $5000.00 last year alone on Vet services. Vet services in Northern Rural California are very expensive and we do not have access to vet healthcare delivered by non-profit entities.
In the last year I have had two dogs and one cat die of cancer and currently have a cat going into renal failure. Spent $151.00 on a simple chem panel, antibiotics, pain meds and exam yesterday. As I have stated on my radio show, Animal Advocate which airs on KMUD, our Governor has failed to identify fraudulent activity from workers compensation insurance companies, white collar criminals. Failed to hold backyard breeders accountable for our overpopulation issues. No oversight, no accountability or transparency.

quote:

Originally posted by Michael Hentigan:
I think every veterinary practice should have an "emergency fund" to tap in emergency cases or cases where the owner can't afford to keep a vialble animal alive. The fund could be maintained by people like you and me who have an interest in the animal's life over monitary concerns. If a single vets office established 10 or 20 monthly donors, they could raise enough money to make a difference. Imagine the number of animals that could be saved that would otherwise be euthanized.

You have a very valid point. It is my intention to start something similiar to this when I finally finish school. A friend of mine lost her beloved dog when she could not come up with $2000 to pay for emergency surgery. It sickens me that any DVM would allow a family to suffer through choosing the death of a family member over paying their mortgage. How do some of these people even sleep at night? I understand that there are costs associated with running a practice, but saving the life of a best friend should be more important than money. I hope to be able to provide veterinary care for all pets, not just for those that can afford it.

Personally my little 11 year old Sammie ( Shi Tzu) has woke up with a absess on his face. I rushed him to the vet and paid with what cash I had on me. He goes back Monday ( 26th) for a dental and to get 2 teeth extracted. ( sammie is a former PM dog) Anyhow... I am making payments myself. I do not use/ have Credit Cards and recently was laid off one of my jobs... so I just have to pray. While I cant pay the full vet bill monday,they will work with me.

Here in our County it is very rural and the vet clinics in the tri county area usually do Not do much on payment arrangement and with teh economy, I get alot of calls wanting help... I refer them to Lifeline Grants on UAN. However many have called back and HAVE EUTHANIZED thier pet due to not being able to afford....

Just read this - 6 mo. later - and hope Sammie is doing well. Don't know if the program is just in the DC/Baltimore area, but you might want to look into something called CareCredit. I've heard several of the people in my Vet Tech classes talking about it.

quote:

Originally posted by Vet2Be:
I understand that there are costs associated with running a practice, but saving the life of a best friend should be more important than money. I hope to be able to provide veterinary care for all pets, not just for those that can afford it.

As a future RVT (Registered Vet Tech), may I say that you are the type of vet I want to work for?