ugh! "can't afford the vet"

[felisdomesticus]

on the ekkie mailing list, someone posted that his bird had lost 25 grams in a day and was lethargic, even in the shower which he usually flapped around in and generally loved.

He asks "what should I do?"---and then follows that up with "I can't afford to take him to the vet."

It drives me NUTS every time I read that.

[Irish]

Can most people really "afford" the vet? Probably not, but when you need to go, you NEED to go, as we well know here at Collie Capers. We seem to almost singlehandedly keep our vet in business--and my Mom, Dog Bless her, actually gives HER vet so much business that they send her expensive Christmas gifts, and birthday gifts to each and every one of her 11 zillion cats and 2 dogs every year!

Adult humans can make the choice not to go see a Doc, but when you're responsible for the lives of children and creatures who are wholly dependent on you, you really don't have that choice, do you? I hope that person realizes that, and gets their poor bird to the vet before it dies.... Things like that drive me nuts, too.

[basketbagley]

Me too!, me too!

[CrazyBirdLady]

What's even worse about it is most vets are more than willing to work out payment plans with you.
I once was asked by a woman in a pet store what to do to help her sick canary. My response "take it to the vet". Her response, "I'm not paying $100 for a vet visit when I only paid $20 for the canary". So I went into a rant and asked her if her dog was sick with diarrhea for days, would she not take it to the vet? Then told her if she enjoyed listening to her canary sing and his presence in her home made her life better, wasn't he worth much more that the $20 she paid for him? My final words to her were "If your canary dies, can you live with knowing by your lack of caring and in-action, you helped kill it?". She couldn't answer, but I made her cry. And no, I don't feel guilty about it, only sad that the canary probably suffered and died.

You have animals sharing your life, take care of them.

[BeckyRae]

wheres this ekkie mailing list? Me and my eek-ster would like to join... any info appreciated. thx! -becky-

[felisdomesticus]

Originally Posted by BeckyRae

wheres this ekkie mailing list? Me and my eek-ster would like to join... any info appreciated. thx! -becky-

http://www.landofvos.com/tec.html

[FeathersNFur8]

Originally Posted by felisdomesticus

on the ekkie mailing list, someone posted that his bird had lost 25 grams in a day and was lethargic, even in the shower which he usually flapped around in and generally loved.
He asks "what should I do?"---and then follows that up with "I can't afford to take him to the vet."
It drives me NUTS every time I read that.

I agree!!! But it drives me more than nuts....I have to sit on my hands, my eyes blur and I can't seem to find the "NEXT" button to save my soul.
I have read about some awful accidents and sicknesses that they noticed 2 months ago and they wonder what they should do NOW.
I spent well over 3,000.00 just in Vet bills, in a 6 month period for a rescued bird that I paid for. For crying out loud...they make me so mad. See, what did I tell ya. LOL, don't get me started, I need duct tape! HELP!!

[Lori L]

That is my biggest pet peeve or thing that really drives me nuts as well. It burns me up to no end. I can't even begin to get started on the reasons why that particular person should not have a pet. Really pisses me off!

[TooLover]

I am going to play devil's advocate as I have been there. I was 21 years old with two children, pets, and no money to even diaper my children............
hmmmm - where to start?
I can't continue this thread with personal experiences as they are somewhat touchy - I will say, however, that those of us with big hearts know that we do the best that we can do????
Sorry - maybe I should just delete this?

[Lori L]

Originally Posted by TooLover

I am going to play devil's advocate as I have been there. I was 21 years old with two children, pets, and no money to even diaper my children............
hmmmm - where to start?
I can't continue this thread with personal experiences as they are somewhat touchy - I will say, however, that those of us with big hearts know that we do the best that we can do????
Sorry - maybe I should just delete this?

Laurie, I think you said it right there, you were only 21, of course you didn't know probably what the more responsible thing to do would have been. I'll bet you that if you were in the same situation now (thank G-d you are not) you would be thinking twice about getting a pet or maybe have some creative ways to take it to the vet if it got sick. I think the thing that frustrates us the most is the kind of attitude most of these people have and th sort of throw up their arms attitude, like "well I don't have the money". And honestly, if I had a pet that was sick that HAD TO go to the vet and I just didn't have the money I would give the animal away or have it put to sleep before I let it suffer. ANYTHING but letting it suffer and slowly die. This is just my honest opinion and what I personally would do. I'm sure you did the best you could for your family, kids and pets at 21 years old. I'm glad you posted what you did