[michelew]

My 3 year old male boxer started vomiting Saturday, and didnt want to eat. He was still pretty energetic, so I just kept an eye on him. The next day, he tried to eat and vomited again, and I noticed his belly was bigger than normal. He started having very hard and fast breathing, so first thing the next morning, I took him to the vet. My vet did a lot of tests, all coming back normal. Kidneys, liver all fine. He ruled out pancreatitis and liver cancer. He gave me 2 antibiotics, and said call him if he didnt improve. Well, 2 days went by and he didnt get any better. He started with diarrhea, and his belly was very distended. I took him back to the vet and he sent me to a specialist. Upon examining him, I was told he most likely is having heart failure.  I was devastated. They wanted to do xrays and ultrsounds. I said yes until I saw the estimate I had to sign. $700.00 just for the tests. I just had spent $300 at my vet, and I just burst into tears. I do not have that kind of money, everything I have is going for my sons medicine that is not covered under insurance, $1,000 a month. I left the office sobbing uncontrollable. I went on line and found out info on l-carnitine and taurine to add to his diet. His breathing is terrible now, the fluid in his abdomen is much worse and I am afraid he is going to die tonight...Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

[Kate]

I wish I had some information that would help you, but I'm afraid I don't.  The only thing I can suggest is to sit down with your vet and explain your situation to see what you can work out.  In the meantime, welcome to the forum and we'll certainly keep you and your baby in our prayers.  Please keep us posted as to what you find out.

 

[michelew]

Unfortunetly, I tried but was given an application for a pet credit card to pay for it. I am going to go to my vet again tomorrow, to see if he can help without all of the tests. I just hope he make it thru the night.

 

[Ky_IsisnOnyxsMama]

jeez sweetie i am so so very sorry you are going through this...I HAVE BEEN THERE...and the pain in your heart is soooooooooo hard....i too had all my money going to services for my sons autism ..he was only 2 at the time...and it was well over 2000 a month...

please sit down and talk to your vet first thing in the morning...explain to them that you arent trying to not pay that you pay for your sons meds and to please help you in some way...ask if you could pay every month and put jsut something down...omg i am in tears..good lord that pain was the worst to my heart...

i know i am a stranger but i am here if you need to cry, or scream or just talk..alot of people on here would be..promise you that...

sending prayers your way all night long..i wish i had seen this sooner before you went offline

 

[Mastray]

Wow... I'm soooo sorry! I agree with everyone else. Ask the vet if you can pay over time... without a credit card... is there some where else you could maybe go?? I've never heard of a vet saying "No..." because you couldn't pay then and you didn't want a credit card. They are not there for the right reasons if they won't help you find an alternative.

I'm truly sorry for your heartache. I hope your baby makes it through the night and you can get help from your/a vet tomorrow! We are here for you!        

 

[LokiMom]

      I am so sorry to hear about this. I know it hurts trust me been there done that. I agee with everybody talk to your vet and see what the vet can do. There has to be something they can do. I am praying for you and your baby. Please let us know what happens.

 

[Zhanna]

Oh honey, I'm soooooo sorry!
I don't know what to tell you.  I agree with all of the above.
I'll be praying for you guys!

 

[Sadiesmomma]

Oh no, I am so sorry to hear this. Let us know how the talk with the vet goes. Welcome to the forum, we are all here for you. I am hoping and praying for you that you and your vet come to some solution that isn't too pricey and helps your baby.  ><

 

[Barbs2Ks]

I really don't have anything to add to what everyone else said about talking to your vet or trying to find another one.  My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

 

[JeepKuntry]

I'm sorry to hear this.  I will say I had a very similar experience with Charlie.  He began to vomit when eating, and then he stopped eating.  A couple of days later he stopped drinking.  He was at the vets everyday for about a week, racked up a bill around 1300 bucks.  They tested him for diabetes, an esophogus disorder, parvo, did exploratory surgery, you name it.  I don't think his hearbeat was ever an issue, but they fed him I/D by Hills in the can, and he began to eat again.  Talk with your doctor, find out if he is mentioning that the heart is beating funny.  I was worried sick and I'm sure you are, but keep the faith, and we'll be here for you.

 

[boxerlove]

So sorry you are going through this.  I also agree with the others, is there another vet you could try?  My prayers to you and your baby for peace, recovery and healing.

 

[michelew]

Thanks for all of your support..It was a very long night, but Chopper made it thru..He is still having a lot of trouble breathing, but he ate a little bit so that perked me up a little. I did call the vet like you all suggested, and even though they said they sympathized with me, they needed the cash up front. After all of the tests were completed, they were going to send me to another specialist 30 miles away!! They were not even going to treat him, just run the tests..They are a 24 hour emergency clinic with high tech equipment and well paid vets and 6 girls in the office, so I know where my money is going!! Im more mad now than ever.. I am taking him to another vet tomorrow my family recommended...Its a terrible world when money comes before treatment for animals and people. I dealt with this same issue with my insurance company with my son, over a high priced medication they did not want to cover. I was determined to get my son the medicine he needed to live a quality life, so thats why im paying out of pocket..Thanks to everyone for all of your support! Only another boxer lover can appreciate the pain..Everyone thinks I am crazy, being so upset over a dog, but as we know, he is NOT just a dog.. He is my best friend, and constant companion, and the pain hurts so bad to see him like this and so sudden..I am going to keep trying some natural alternatives until tomorrow, until I see the vet. Im going to try dandelion for a diuretic to help relieve the fluid in his abdomen. If I could help him with that, he could breath a lot easier. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers, I go tomorrow at noon, hopefully he can hang on until then...
Michele

 

[mylittledeers]

I'm so sorry your vet was unwilling to work with you on this, other posts here have led me to believe that e-vets are not all they should be when it comes to assisting with payment options. Did want to mention that as a nurse I deal with many people who have trouble paying for expensive meds, has your MD given you the name/number of the manufacturer of your childs medication?? Most are willing to provide the  med at low/no cost if you can show you have a financial need??? Good Luck with Chopper, please let us know his progress.

 

[HannaBanana]

I was told he most likely is having heart failure

Was the specialist a certified cartiologist?

 

[kris]

My heart hurts for you!!  I will be praying for you. I am so sorry that the vet won't work with you!! I know where you're coming from with the money situation, My son also has to have medicine every month to that insurance doesn't want to pay for. It seems like a never ending circle. I hope Choppper will make it to see the vet your family recommended. As for the medicine, DonnersMom is right, some times the manufacturer will pay for the medicine, or at least a large part of it, sometimes your pharmacist can give you info too. Good luck to you, if you need to talk, PM me, any one on this forum, actually. There are great people here. Keep us informed! God Bless!!!!

 

[Barbs2Ks]

I hope this vet will work with you, please let us know after you see the vet.  We will continue to keep you all in our thoughts and prayers.

 

[48Dodge]

Bloat would have been my diagnosis just going on what you've written.  I've never seen it myself, but I swear it sounds exactly like what they tell you to look out for.  

 

[sharonL]

I was very sad to hear how the doctors office treated you....Money should never come before treatment in an emergency situation....It honestly could be so many things that you need to have someone try and get to the bottom of it....If it is his heart and that is a big IF....then he could have fluid in his chest/lungs and stomach area....has anyone tried to give his a Lasix injection or Lasix pills to see if they can get the fluid off and out to help his breathing a little??

Also, I have seen the same type situation with a female boxer of about the same age that had a cancer mass in her lung/heart area....She could not get a good breath and preffered to sit up all the time.....I dont want to scare you but I am curious if they saw anything unusual on the X-Rays that they mentioned....

As sad as it is to me....it is very common for ER clinics to not see you if you dont have the money....they generally will tell you up front what it cost and expect it to be paid up front....It is the way they work....I dont refer to after hours or ER clinics unless I have to do it....The money means more then the pets in 95% of the cases (the one around here anyway)

Hopefully the second vet can give you some more help and insight....

 

[AbbyandBrady]

I am so sorry you are dealing with this..like others have said, check with some other vets. ALso check with your local humane society, sometimes they have reduced cost medical services. While they may not be able to run all these tests, maybe they can help in some way...
Contact some local rescues also, I have seen several that ran fundraisers for people who did not have hte money to afford the treatment for their pets. The rescues tend to be sympathetic and know that you are only trying to do what is best for your pet. The alternatives are exactly what they don't want to see.  The rescue we got one of our dogs from, that is their key function...fundraising for people in need.

Good luck, I'll be thinking about you.

 

[DUKE01]

My heart goes out to you.  I am so sorry.  I completely understand how you feel, your dog isn't just a dog.  They seem to understand us more then most people can.  I hope everything turns out ok.  I will keep you and Chopper in my prayers.