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cleo
Social climber
Berkeley, CA
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Topic Author's Reply - Aug 19, 2009 - 05:39pm PT
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Working on the SPCA. Nobody answered the phone. I'll try again.
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cleo
Social climber
Berkeley, CA
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Topic Author's Reply - Aug 19, 2009 - 05:50pm PT
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ok, i'm going to rant some more.
Sure, i can get a vet to do it, but they have to "exam" the animal first, for an additional $70. why? the examination should a) take 2-seconds and b) legally, anybody can put a dog down at any time... after all, they put down healthy dogs ALL THE TIME at shelters. that nutjob woman in Walnut Creek who shot her son was able to put her dog down, and I'd guess it wasn't really the dog's time!
And they're giving me crap about a 15 year old dog who is obviously suffering! Everybody wants $500 to deal with a sick old dog, and I'm betting it would all cost < $100 out in the country (in, for example, Vermont where I used to live... and this is also what google reveals for countless other locations).
I really hate living in the city. I really do. Why can't there be a decent vet around here?
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happiegrrrl
Trad climber
New York, NY
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Aug 19, 2009 - 06:06pm PT
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oh, this is awful. I am so sorry.
Keep trying with the ASPCA. The one here in NYC has a separate location/phone for the hospital - could that be a possibility where you are?
Also, the Humane Society, if you have one nearby. When my Pico was ill and I couldn't afford the $200 office visit(up front), the Humane Society was able to help me. Their fees were less and they accepted what I could pay, with an agreement I would pay the balance when possible. They did all they could to help my Pico, and when I had to make the decision to let him go(he had kidney failure), the doctor was so kind and compassionate.
I hope that when you find your vet, they are of this type.
One other possibility might be to call some of the local people who care for strays and such. They may have a lead for you.
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Aya K
Trad climber
New York
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Aug 19, 2009 - 06:17pm PT
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Unfortunately you live in the city; it costs veterinarians more to practice in a city. This does make them not "decent". You're probably not going to find a new doctor who will euthanize your dog without an exam fee (was your current vet going to charge you an exam fee if they euthanized your dog? I've never seen a hospital that did not charge exams fees for euthanasia, but then I am on the east coast and perhaps things are different in CA); legally they need to have an established relationship with you to treat your pet.
The $70 you're paying is for the doctor's time and expertise in administering a lethal injection.
I can understand your current doctor's reluctance in coming out to a car; giving IV injections in cramped or poorly lit quarters, especially on a dark animal, could be very difficult and ultimately stressful for the animal anyway.
Perhaps you can call your regular doctor again, and ask them if they can give you some acepromazine (an oral sedative) that you can give to your dog an hour or so before the visit to the office? I've seen it work very well for lots of animals who are extremely stressed at the vet. Also, perhaps they're not willing to euthanize in your car, but they might be willing to give a quick shot (not IV) of a tranquilizer like dormitor in the car, and when he's sleeping, bring him in for the euthanasia? I definitely think it would be worth calling them again and trying to explore some options before giving up.
Also, lots of doctors these days offer care credit; you may wish to look into this if it would help to be able to spread the cost of the procedure over a certain amount of time instead of all at once.
Good luck.
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nature
climber
Tucson, AZ
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Aug 19, 2009 - 06:18pm PT
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cleo... I'm sorry you are going through this.
I just went through the same process 10 days ago. It's so hard.
I called a mobile vet who came to my home. My girl passed in my arms, in her home, with me whispering I love you to her. I then had called a pet cemetery to arrange her cremation. You might want to look into that as well.
Good luck on this journey. Feel free to contact me.
Doug
oh and if it means anything... I paid $195 for the visit and $105 for the private cremation.
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Bboi
Trad climber
San Francisco
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Aug 19, 2009 - 06:25pm PT
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Cleo,
I've had to put both my cats too sleep and the SF SPCA are the most caring, wonderful people to work with. And if I recall it wasn't too expensive.
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cleo
Social climber
Berkeley, CA
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Topic Author's Reply - Aug 19, 2009 - 06:29pm PT
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no, the $70 was for an exam. for which would NOT be required if I were using my own vet. the injection costs an ADDITIONAL $170. and the cremation $250. do the math, it adds up to about $500.
sorry for the rant, but I'm about to head east with the dog in the car to find somebody out in the country, because I think this is ridiculous.
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Melissa
Gym climber
berkeley, ca
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Aug 19, 2009 - 06:35pm PT
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I'm so sorry, Val.
I don't have the heart to read the whole thread, but I can make a recommendation for a very loving Berkeley vet who only makes house calls.
She prepared us for what we were to do in advance to prepare ourselves and a nice place, had us call when we knew it was the right day, and even gave us resources for dealing with our greif. The peace that I have for having dealt w/ my cat's congestive heart failure in such a gentle manner is huge.
Send me an e-mail, and I can give you the #.
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guyman
Trad climber
Moorpark, CA.
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Aug 19, 2009 - 06:38pm PT
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Cleo.... sorry.
I had to do this for "mo'" about 14 mo ago. Really, really hard to make the phone calls.
Mo didn't like his vet's office, lots of stuff went down there, and I didn't wish for him to be freaked out again.
I called a few vets and found one who would let me "have the body".
Going to a different vet didn't freak out Mo cause he liked other dogs.
The whole thing only cost me $85. It took less than 45 min. Start to finish.
I took Mo to his special place for burial.
Looks like Joey has lots of special places.....
Be strong for him.
GK
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SteveW
Trad climber
The state of confusion
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Aug 19, 2009 - 06:44pm PT
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Cleo
I'm so sorry about your friend. It's so hard to lose
such a member of the family.
I hope you're able to make decent arrangements for your pup.
Take care.
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atchafalaya
climber
Babylon
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Aug 19, 2009 - 06:47pm PT
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I feel your pain. I am going through the same type of bs here in sac with my dog.
I understand the student thing, times tight etc. But, No credit card???? Put it all on the card and pay it off later.
If no card, follow Ayas advice and ask about payments.
Agree to pay even if you dont have the money. One thing they dont teach in school is dont worry about debt. You will be burdened by debt for the rest of your life, so $500 is no big deal for your old friend.
Doctors, and vets will work out arrangements to take your money in various ways.
Give that dog a proper goodbye....
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L
climber
Wrung through the paradox, broken into wholeness
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Aug 19, 2009 - 06:55pm PT
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Oh dang, Cleo...I seem to remember when Joey had his leg removed--you posted about the ordeal, and how he wasn't doing so well...right?
And then he obviously recovered...and has lived such a beautiful life with you these couple of years. The downjacket at Sonora Pass photo was priceless.
I'm so sorry you're going through this now...I hope you find a good vet soon.
Blessings to Joey to guide him on his way
Blessing to you once he's out there breaking trail for you
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RS
Social climber
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Aug 19, 2009 - 06:58pm PT
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Without seeming heartless, have you considered an OD level of some pain killing prescription drug put in its favorite food? You could probably get that cheaper than anything I've read here, and your buddy can pass in a familiar place.
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Aya K
Trad climber
New York
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Aug 19, 2009 - 09:01pm PT
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cleo -
since you are concerned about $$ and your vet was not going to charge you the exam fee on top of the euthanasia fee, before you head east on what could be a wild goose chase, I would suggest that you call them again and ask them about getting some acepromazine to relax him before an office visit. It's very inexpensive. You could also then take the body home rather than having it cremated or buried for you, and bury him yourself in some special place.
The SPCA is another good resource, as others have suggested. They're much less expensive than private practices because they are subsidized by donations and other funding. I used to take my cats to the SPCA in NYC because it was half the price of a private practice.
Best of luck.
Rokjox - I'm very sorry you've had what are clearly awful experiences with veterinarians. You are, however, dead wrong. There are extraordinarily few vets who are in it for the money - mostly because there ISN'T any money in it. Particularly in the cities, where there is so much competition and overhead is so high. All of the practices I worked at in NYC were barely staying afloat. Things are better in the country, but to say that grieving pet owners are the meat and potatoes of veterinarians is ignorant and insulting.
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Ricky D
Trad climber
Sierra Westside
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Aug 20, 2009 - 12:22am PT
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Sad to hear about your dilemma but it sounds like the humane thing to do for your pup.
On the otherhand - remind me to never go car camping with JStan - especially if he mentions wanting to "turn on the heater".
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Crimpergirl
Sport climber
Boulder, Colorado!
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Aug 20, 2009 - 12:44am PT
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Condolences to you.
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