Tired, discouraged, and with vet bills to come

[crowdog66]

My husband and I have a shorthand for how bad my depression is on any given day: is it the size of Rhode Island, Wisconsin, or Texas?

Today was a day on the border between Wisconsin and Texas, with frequent trips into the Lone Star State and tensions rose as fell over the course of time.

The big hit: an estimate on Micawber's dental cleaning bill from our local vet clinic came to $508 (before taxes), but could be as low as $368 (also before taxes) if they decide NOT to do a full series of bloodwork and no extractions are necessary.

He's worth it, of course, but we're so tight for money right now that I'm just not sure when we can afford to have the work done. No vet clinic that I know of offhand has a payment plan system. Tomorrow we'll do more phoning around for rates, which may turn up some sign of relief.

Tired, off to bed. All I have to do is get through the night and wake up in the morning, hopefully in a different "state" of mind.

Comments

[eastpath.livejournal.com]

ugh...

i remember when i had to get my tooth pulled... (well it would have been a root canal, but there is no freaking way i can afford that on my own... )

I had to call almost everywhere before I found a place that would take a series of post-dated cheques as payment...

I finally got it all paid off just a little while ago...

Persist.... Someone has to understand the value of a pet + payment plan... grr!

Hi from Tara

[(Anonymous)]

Hey--I told you I'd pop in here!
You might want to check with the SPCA or Humane Society or any smaller rescue group. They might have some recommendations for or connections with lower-cost vets.
We had our dog's teeth cleaned through the greyhound rescue group where we adopted him and it was only $70 (U.S.). There might be someplace like that up in your neck of the woods.

Re: Hi from Tara

[crowdog66.livejournal.com]

Hi, Tara! Thanks for the suggestions... I've worked for the Winnipeg Humane Society in the past, and they're one of the groups I'm going to tap, as well as phoning around to the major vet clinics and the smaller animal rescue shelters. I'm sure we'll find something... right now, the depression is slowing me down a bit, but the phone calls will get made!

In the meantime, Micawber is eating and seems to not be distressed.

A hug from MR

[(Anonymous)]

{{{{Laurie}}}}

That shorthand is pretty clever! I'll have to think of something similar for my own difficulties. Imitation is the highest form of flattery!

MR

[metisbutterfly.livejournal.com]

Ouch. Vet bills are terrible aren't they? I really think it's awful the amount they charge, and of course we all want to pay to have the best done for our kitties. Salem had the "kitty flu" once and i took him to the Pembina Emergency Clinic, we had to pay 250.00 just to get a shot of the cat equivalent of Tylenol and 100.00 was just for him walking in the door. It is really awful.
One thing you might do is talk to the vet about a payment plan. They don't advertise them, but most vets are quite sympathetic about this..maybe you can work something out with them.
Another idea is pet insurance. After the vet clinic episode, with me bawling and lucking out that Darren had the money for me to borrow(at the time i had not even a spare dime to my name), i got Salem PetPlan insurance. The rates are very reasonable and stuff like this is covered.
Hope Micawber and his mommy are ok :)
Jill