need urgent advice NN

[lotus]

.I know some of you guys have small dogs in addition to the big babies.
so I need some direction.
My little 3 lb guy who never ever runs and only insists on being carried decides to get a hair up his butt and run with the big dogs and breaks his leg!
Sookie and Shadoe go for their romp in the back yard and my little rat dog tries to run after them and jumps off the chair.
VET splinted and gave us a referral...every Ortho I have called wants 2000plus. OK....all up front.! I am losing my mind and have no idea what to do.
I was expecting to pay a nice size bill but 2000+.
I thought reset the leg then put a cast and meds....but surgery
Never had insurance on him because my thinking "how big can a 3 lb dog vet bill get"
Any advice.....a few I called were just so rude and stated just turn him over to rescue...they pay.What!!!

 

[Tricia2]

Apply for Care Credit (you can do it on-line) and be sure that you use a vet that accepts it. It's pretty high interest but will get you over the hump and if you pay it off in under 6 mo. the interest rate is lower.

 

[NewfieMama]

Second Care Credit and the provider can offer you a promo rate (no interest for 6, 12, 18 months) at the time of payment. I didn't know they could do it right there until the emergency vet asked me what terms I wanted when checking out in February - um, I'll take the longest term at 0 and pay it off sooner, thanks!

One of the vets we see does not take it but the other does, as did Angell and the other emergency clinics we've been to - it's worth calling to ask.

Good luck and I hope his surgery is not too complicated!

 

[MMtnmom]

where in MD are you...some areas of the northeast are ridiculously expensive. My vet removed a tumor from her friends "granddog" who was from DC and they wanted 6,000 to remove the tumor. Sarah said, around these parts, I could build them a whole new dog for that.

 

[padkins]

Hate to hear about the broken leg. Don't have any advice since I don't live in your area. Are there any options outside your local area? Maybe you can get some referrals or find someone that might be a bit of a drive that will work with you on payments options and things. Is this something that will have to be done by an ortho? Maybe a second opinion from another vet?

 

[Brandie&Maggie]

Sorry to hear about your pup.

I would also look into Care Credit and get a 2nd opinion to see if surgery is actually necessary for one so small.

Good luck!!

 

[Jeannie]

Call me Debbie Downer but at 26.99% interest I'd look for another option than care credit. Do you have another credit card you can use? How about a personal loan from the bank? IMO if you are having a hard time paying for the surgery why put yourself into further debt with a high interest credit card? If you cannot pay or make a late payment this credit card has a $35 fee.

Sorry but this just gets me - like when I see people use the cash back option on their credit card when paying for a purchase. That is considered a cash advance at a higher interest rate than normal. The things credit card companies don't tell you....

 

[victoria1140]

perhaps an interest free credit card might be an option, sorry about the break-never nice

 

[lotus]

26% is High......didnt know they had pet credit.
biggest problem is we just bought a new house and were told to pay off the balance on both cars,which we did and NOT to open any new accounts until after closing
Anyone know how it would affect closing if we went the credit route?
Yeah MD. is an expensive state but I am veryclose to VA. and Pa. So I will look in those states.

 

[ardeagold]

Yep if they told you not to open any more credit, don't. It impacts your income to debt ratio.

Can you borrow the money from a family member until after closing?

 

[mulenag]

I second what Donna said. I'm sorry you are going through this...bad timing with the new mortgage. Best thoughts for your little guy.

 

[YorkvilleNewfie]

Yep if they told you not to open any more credit, don't. It impacts your income to debt ratio.

Can you borrow the money from a family member until after closing?

Agreed. Do not open up any new lines of credit and do hit up some family for a short-term loan. Bad timing

 

[Jeannie]

What Donna says. Have you talked to your vet explaining that you cannot afford surgery and that you want him to set the leg. It may not be 100% after healing but it should still be useable without pain.

 

[R Taft]

Yep if they told you not to open any more credit, don't. It impacts your income to debt ratio.

Can you borrow the money from a family member until after closing?

I would also have to agree with Donna..So sorry this has happened.

My friend took the option of having the leg removed of her little one........It cost a lot less and little dogs manage really well. Complications are more common in small breeds too, (plate and screws and such) especially if it fractured so easily. Maybe ask for that option or at least get is checked out/discussed
Ronnie

 

[Jeannie]

Complications are more common in small breeds too, (plate and screws and such) especially if it fractured so easily.

I can give an example of how complications are more for small dogs. My mom had a small dog, about 4 lbs. The dog jumped off my uncle's lap and broke her leg. After the cast was removed within a week the same leg broke again when she was just running across the living room. We took her to an orthopedic surgeon and he said the only thing to do was set the leg again and after the cast is removed to keep her on leash/quiet for 6 weeks to allow the bone to get strong again. He even suggested sedating her. When her cast was removed the 2nd time my mom was so afraid I kept her dog for 6 weeks, crated and on leash, until the leg was strong. I refused to sedate her.

 

[smy0527]

My beagle did the same thing and needed surgery. Care credit was a god send for the $5000 bill. I keep the card for pet use only as both my vets and the emergency animal hospital both take it.