Help.... My dog was "thumped" by someones car 2 nights ago, who ran
off, didn't even stop! He seems in better spirits after 48 hours
though, with a splint on his front leg after going to the emergency
clinic. We are assigned to have some major othopedic surgery on our 6
mo. old Golden Retriever on Monday, July 3. This is the question.
What are our options? My dh doesn't want to spend the add'l. $2600.00
it will take to fix the leg, and I certainly don't want to amputate it.
(The cost already has run $500.00)/ Its a pretty jagged break just
above the elbow, and they want to put in a permanent plate with a
number of screws attached. I've noticed that one post was about nerve
damage, and that this surgery is useless if there is nerve damage.
What other means also is there left for us? There is only 1 Orthopedic
in this area opened this next week- all on July 4 vacation, so they
really pushed this. In my opinion, I think he's very young and needs
to have a good leg- and a chance. My husband sees him limping around
today with lots of energy, and says, why not just let the splint on
heal him? I don't know if that will do it. Even our regular vet
looked at our Trigger, and said he'd feel funny just putting in pins,
cause they may not hold, and I trust him! The plate surgery will cost
us anywhere from $2200 (low estimate) to 2600.00.... I sometimes think
these vets are just out to make money. They scoffed at me when I said
I'd look for another opinion, and said I'd be back there. (Yes, this
orthopedic place had an attitude, a monopoly if you mildly put it, and
they can charge whatever they want!) THey were right; it's the only
place anywhere that will look at our puppy- the others within a 200
mile radius are ALL on vacation! We spent $6000. on our other Golden
who we tragically lost in a tractor accident (that could have happened
to anyone), and this is just so much money.... What do you do. I
bought insurance today, for the next illness or injury this next year.
I can't deal with this, and do believe we will opt for this
surgery.....I understand from the vet, it is the best thing for our
dog? Also they want extra EKGs (@$50 ea this weekend.... the heart can
be bruised that scoffing vet said, so we did one right at their office
and it was fine. Is this being the only Orthodpedic vet around, just
pushing his option? With our puppy running around today, do I really
need to pay for another EKG tomorrow (Sunday)? I also really don't want
to argue with my husband, who wants to leave our dog alone. On the
other hand how can any human being just leave a 6 mo. old puppy in a
splint and say, well he'll heal; he's just a dog ;my dh and I differ on
our thoughts here, I don't think so! On the other hand I hate to give
the business to this scoffing vet who so much as arrogantly spoke to
me, and said I'd be back, that no one else did this procedure but their
office, tone of voice very vexing.... Is the truth somewhere in the
middle? Surgery IS scheduled for July 3rd morning- Monday.....
This has been a trying time, and I havent got much sleep lately, and
have been dealing with not feeling great myself. Thanks for any
insights.
Carol

On 1 Jul 2006 19:01:19 -0700, "Carol" ,
clicked their heels and said:

Help.... My dog was "thumped" by someones car 2 nights ago, who ran
off, didn't even stop!

Very sad, but perhaps if it was night, the person didn't realize it.
How did the pup get out?

We are assigned to have some major othopedic surgery on our 6
mo. old Golden Retriever on Monday, July 3. This is the question.
What are our options? My dh doesn't want to spend the add'l. $2600.00
it will take to fix the leg, and I certainly don't want to amputate it.

Oh well - your dog needs you to do what's needed - nothing else need
be said. Cough up the money (I know that's painful) and mend the
puppy.

I have bills adding up for a small tumor on my dog. Just testing it
costs money (and we need to do a more extensive biopsy, so more money,
and probable surgery, even more money).

Planning for this stuff is what dog owners need to do.

--
Janet Boss
www.bestfriendsdogobedience.com

You could try calling a couple of veterinary schools to see if they will do
it and possibly cheaper. Ask for another opinion.
This is exactly the reason I have pet insurance for my dog; the veterinary
costs are out of site these days.

"Carol" wrote in message
ps.com...
Help.... My dog was "thumped" by someones car 2 nights ago, who ran
off, didn't even stop! He seems in better spirits after 48 hours
though, with a splint on his front leg after going to the emergency
clinic. We are assigned to have some major othopedic surgery on our 6
mo. old Golden Retriever on Monday, July 3. This is the question.
What are our options? My dh doesn't want to spend the add'l. $2600.00
it will take to fix the leg, and I certainly don't want to amputate it.
(The cost already has run $500.00)/ Its a pretty jagged break just
above the elbow, and they want to put in a permanent plate with a
number of screws attached. I've noticed that one post was about nerve
damage, and that this surgery is useless if there is nerve damage.
What other means also is there left for us? There is only 1 Orthopedic
in this area opened this next week- all on July 4 vacation, so they
really pushed this. In my opinion, I think he's very young and needs
to have a good leg- and a chance. My husband sees him limping around
today with lots of energy, and says, why not just let the splint on
heal him? I don't know if that will do it. Even our regular vet
looked at our Trigger, and said he'd feel funny just putting in pins,
cause they may not hold, and I trust him! The plate surgery will cost
us anywhere from $2200 (low estimate) to 2600.00.... I sometimes think
these vets are just out to make money. They scoffed at me when I said
I'd look for another opinion, and said I'd be back there. (Yes, this
orthopedic place had an attitude, a monopoly if you mildly put it, and
they can charge whatever they want!) THey were right; it's the only
place anywhere that will look at our puppy- the others within a 200
mile radius are ALL on vacation! We spent $6000. on our other Golden
who we tragically lost in a tractor accident (that could have happened
to anyone), and this is just so much money.... What do you do. I
bought insurance today, for the next illness or injury this next year.
I can't deal with this, and do believe we will opt for this
surgery.....I understand from the vet, it is the best thing for our
dog? Also they want extra EKGs (@$50 ea this weekend.... the heart can
be bruised that scoffing vet said, so we did one right at their office
and it was fine. Is this being the only Orthodpedic vet around, just
pushing his option? With our puppy running around today, do I really
need to pay for another EKG tomorrow (Sunday)? I also really don't want
to argue with my husband, who wants to leave our dog alone. On the
other hand how can any human being just leave a 6 mo. old puppy in a
splint and say, well he'll heal; he's just a dog ;my dh and I differ on
our thoughts here, I don't think so! On the other hand I hate to give
the business to this scoffing vet who so much as arrogantly spoke to
me, and said I'd be back, that no one else did this procedure but their
office, tone of voice very vexing.... Is the truth somewhere in the
middle? Surgery IS scheduled for July 3rd morning- Monday.....
This has been a trying time, and I havent got much sleep lately, and
have been dealing with not feeling great myself. Thanks for any
insights.
Carol