OUR SONS DOG, PLEASE READ!!!! GSD - Page 6

How do you give up on your child?  
It's just not an option.

I would say the same for my dog but it's not the same.

I did my share of praying, trust me.     The answer was no.

I felt compelled to say that but I do not want any response, I don't mean to move the thread in other directions.

But I've had my share of problems as have others in my family with our kids over the years.
I thank the people who have helped along the way, none of us ever gave up.

Moons.

As far as killing Nala is concerned:

I have no doubt that Nala would take a bullet for little Cody. This kind of loyalty should not be rewarded with death now that Nala needs help.

I would not want to teach a disabled little boy that when your best friend is in trouble and needs your help, you solve the problem by killing her and getting another pal.

I also would not want a disabled boy to later lie awake at night wondering if his parents are going put him to sleep too because his medical problems are so difficult.

This is indeed very much about the boy as well as the dog.

This surgery is nothing new.  The dog I had mentioned earlier had it done 20 years ago.  I too agree that $600 to have a couple of vet techs show someone how to hold a dog for eye drops is way out of line.  The balance of the fee had better be half a truckload of meds.  I know in the human medical field, hospitals are required to do a certain amount of charity type work per year.  Does this not apply to veterinarians?  This sure sounds like a case where someone could give them a break.

Phil, why on earth would you make up something like this:

"$600 to have a couple of vet techs show someone how to hold a dog for eye drops is way out of line."

You just made it up, for no reason I can understand except to hurt. My update made it very clear that the money paid for 6 very expensive medications plus the evaluation of one of the best ophthalmologists in the area. It was an added plus that the techs showed Nala's owners their professional restraint skills.

No one is asking you to help if you don't want to. But if you're going to make ugly things up, can't you go to another thread and pick a better target? This thread is not about the high cost of specialty vet care. It is not the fault of Nala's owners or my fault that veterinary specialists cost so much. Why not start another thread entirely for this topic?

$600 for a visit with a top-of-the-line ophthalmologist plus 6 medications

I was thinking about when I worked at the vet clinic....$600 for all that they got....really isn't that much. Not for a specialty place. I would have expected much more. I hope all works out.

Just trying to help and offer an opinion with alternative suggestions.  You seem to be doing just fine on your own, please disregard my previous suggestions, how dare I offer ideas and experience.

I don't suppose they make generics? I probably could find that out for you, if you care to PM me what  prescriptions  are required. I might have an in here, but I can't promise anything.

Many of the meds used in dogs are used in humans. Most prescriptions are expensive. In the case of vets, they often add something on top of the cost. It is a fact and they are only doing business to make a living just like the rest of us. Seeing specialists is even more costly. But it is life and it IS one of the reasons why many people I know have been unable to afford medical care for a long, long time. Personally, I dole my RXs because I cannot afford them.

There is not a single person here who cannot send $5.00, if one wants to help in this situation. It means a six pack, or a hamburger out perhaps. Or, send a dollar.  IF you don't want to do so, that is fine and no one need justify that they won't send something, now or in some other situation. But, I think that it is fallacious to suggest those who say they want to cannot send a buck, and it is equally as fallacious to say the meds and visit did not cost what they cost. This is why such situations must be carefully considered. How do we as a society allocate the resources we have? This goes too for humans. When a procedure is so costly, hard deliberations have to be made.

Susanandthek9s stepped up here to help. That act itself was above and beyond the call of duty. So I urge the rest of the people to step up too. She is going to check out all avenues for treatment and she will assist the family in making the right decision about how to proceed. None of us should second guess that effort.

I know among us when can come up with the money to fund this surgery.
Please post an update and instructions for donations.
Count me in... : ) 

Eye Care for Animals....in St. Charles, I believe. Dr. Gerding is excellent. My mom was bringing her Cocker in there for a while, and simultaneously, my ex's dog had severe eye problems, so I suggested he take him there. He was broke. His wife was pregnant and he'd just lost his job. He took the dog to Dr. Gerding, and the doctor realized by his questions that he didn't really have the money he was about to spend on the dog. He gave him the meds he needed and only charged him for the exam (which I actually paid b/c his wife was bitching about spending money on the dog- I loved that dog. ) My ex called me and said to tell the Dr. that the guy w/tears in his eyes said "thanks."

My point is....has anyone given the vets the whole story and asked if they would be willing to help out in some way to cut costs?  Some are very nice people; some are money-grubbing @$$holes.