vet bills

[leewayne]

hiya all,i really need some advice.My 1 year old cat got knocked by a car yesterday and have since taken her to the vets which turns out she has a broken femur and cost me 180.00 just for the x-ray and is going to cost me another 500.00 for the operation,they estimated a total bill of 1000.00,i dont mind paying that but i cant afford it in one hit,ive asked about monthly instalments but the vet is not to keen on the idea as he has had problems in the past with people not paying,i owe them money for the xray and her treatment so far but i cant pay until the end of the month as i get monthly pay,can i take her somewhere else in the meantime who will do monthly payment options,or do i have to paay them first before they release the cat,the vet has even asked me to take a loan out!! any advice,help would be appreciated,ive also tried to get funds but because i am not on benefits they cant help,many many thanks-lianne : )

[leewayne]

yes i know it does seem quite steep for an xray but i think that includes her medicine etc.Her operation is booked for friday pending he talks to his colleague regarding payments etc,ive offered to pay so much on specific dates etc but because alot of people havent paid im getting tarred with the same brush! As for the credit card idea.....i would do,but my bank wont even give me an overdraft believe it or not! I have pleaded with them,im hoping they give me the benefit of the doubt,also im going to call blue cross tomorrow to see if they can help.Many thanks for all your advice : )

[sandrajo]

Thats alot of money for an x-ray and an operation, this is why you should take out insurance....go to the pdsa they will do the operation for a lot cheaper, benefits or not!

[Ice.Maiden]

Hello max - I don't think I phrased that very well did I? I'm sure a vet wouldn't put an animal to sleep just because of an unpaid bill - that's why I said I was sure one wouldn't do anything as awful as that - by way of illustrating that most vets I know'd be sympathetic to the customer's plight, so I'm sure things'll turn out well!
Sorry leewayne, if you also misunderstood what I was trying to say.
xx

[leewayne]

No its ok maybe i wrote it wrong in the first place,i was saying how if i dont go ahead with the op because i cant afford it in one lump sum then i will have no choice but to put her sleep,which im not intending to do.....at all.I may have to take her somewhere else for treatment if they cant help me

[Ice.Maiden]

I really hope that you get something worked out soon hun - and yes, the PDSA are usually very helpful. Best of luck.

[leewayne]

i will ring them first thing in the morning,thank you : )

[persianlady]

What a nightmare! I have been in a tight spot myself over a vet bill, so I know how you are feeling. One of my persians was very ill. she had been on anti biotics for a chest infection and seemed to be getting better. But one sunday night she seemed to be having difficulty breathing. I phoned the vet and because it was a Sunday I was referred to the emergency animal hospital. I phoned them and they said that I had to pay a �1000 deposit before they would treat her. The only money I had in the bank at the time was for the mortgage. I phoned the RSPCA and they would not help me because I was not on benefit. I had a standing order in place at the time for a donation to the RSPCA every month. That was cancelled asap. I decided to use the mortgage money. I had pet insurance at the time as well, but you have to pay up front and claim the money back yourself with most vets. I phoned the building society next day and told them what i had done and explained that I would pay the mortgage when I had got the money back from the insurance. They were very understanding. The the awful thing was it turned out that my cat had a malignant tumour and had to be put to sleep. I would have given the vet my house to save her, but nothing could be done. i have no time for the RSPCA now. What I used to donate to them I now give to a Persian Rescue charity. I hope you can find a solution to your dilemma.

[leewayne]

oh im so sorry to hear that persianlady....how sad : ( I phoned the rspca too and was told they couldnt help me because i was not on benefits,im not exactly rich......far from it!!! I will get this sorted out tomorrow,i would sell my car for her treatment!! thank you for your advice and once again i am so sorry : (

[woofgang]

to show good faith at the vet (I can understand if they have been stung before, all people aren't as honest as you) do you have anything you could leave with them until you had paid like a piece of jewellery? It wouldn't have to cover the whole cost but might show good faith on your part

[leewayne]

yes i suppose i could,i would say my car keys but i need them!! I have spoken to the vets and i think they are going to give me the benefit of the doubt even thought they are not keen,i will update later once i have seen her etc.Thanks : )

[leewayne]

just an update,my cat didnt need surgery in the end and i am bringing her home today but shes still very bruised internally : ( thank you for all your advice! x

[888sally888]

Thats great news - so glad all worked out and I wish your cat a speedy recovery.

[woofgang]

delighted to hear it and thanks for the update!