My dog was hit by a car

[Mayer]

Long story short, our 9 month old dog is living with a friend of ours for a few months. We are having a house built and cannot have him where we are temporarily living.

Today I got the call from my friend, in tears, that the dog had got out of the house, searching for him after he left for a couple hours, and was hit by a car. He took him to the vet and they found out that he has a broken pelvis, as well as a broken femur. The vet said the pelvis will heal on it's own but the femur needs surgery. I guess it's in pretty rough shape.

My question is this...has anyone had any experience with this? I'm looking for how much I'm looking at paying if we go ahead with this. Everywhere I've looked on the internet says it varies, depending on many different circumstances so I'm not expecting a firm answer, but hearing peoples experiences may help.

[MrMastodonFarm]

[bluck]

That is a really, really sad story but good on you for trying to do the right thing and take care of the little guy. Send me a pm and i'll try and shoot ya few dollars to help cover the costs.

Bluck

[Cowperson]

Originally Posted by Mayer

Long stoory short, our 9 month old dog is living with a friend of ours for a few months. We are having a house built and cannot have him where we are temporarily living.

Today I got the call from my friend, in tears, that the dog had got out of the house, searching for him after he left for a couple hours, and was hit by a car. He took him to the vet and they found out that he has a broken pelvis, as well as a broken femur. The vet said the pelvis will heal on it's own but the femur needs surgery. I guess it's in pretty rough shape.

My question is this...has anyone had any experience with this? I'm looking for how much I'm looking at paying if we go ahead with this. Everywhere I've looked on the internet says it varies, depending on many different circumstances so I'm not expecting a firm answer, but hearing peoples experiences may help.

Call the vet and ask.

Sounds like a place for surgical specialties like Western Veterinary will have to handle it versus a normal vet.

Expect some thousands of dollars potentially.

Good luck.

Cowperson

[Travis Munroe]

Its around $1000 to remove foreign objects (including meds, overnight stay etc)which is a 10 minute surgery.
I learned the hard way and bought pet insurance right after.
My plan was to cancel the insurance once my pup was a bit smarter on his decision making skills. Your story is just another example of why pet insurance might not be a bad idea for the duration of the animals life.
I am glad your dog is going to be ok though!!!
Good luck.

[PIMking]

I'm so sorry to hear this, but your friend should pick up the tab for the dog being hurt due to their negligence. At least help you cover most of the bills. The dog is so young and it would be a shame to put them down due to injuries like this.

[pylon]

Make your decision quickly, as the dog is suffering. But remember, you will quickly forget about the couple grand this will cost you, but you will never forget putting the dog down over money, especially if you are able to afford it in the near future.

I believe they have financing if you are really strapped.

I too would be willing to throw a few bucks your way to help if needed, and I am sure there are a few other guys here that would help out.

[Regulator75]

This really sucks, I hate hearing stories like this.
As does Morley.


Puppy Dog Eyes by Witty nickname, on Flickr

[blankall]

Originally Posted by PIMking

I'm so sorry to hear this, but your friend should pick up the tab for the dog being hurt due to their negligence. At least help you cover most of the bills. The dog is so young and it would be a shame to put them down due to injuries like this.

Not sure I agree on this. Unless the friend did something totally idiotic, you have to remember he was doing a favour for you in the first place. Ultimately it's the owner who is responsible for the dog. Dogs always react strangely in new places. Especially young dogs who usually have abandonment issues. This just sounds like one of those things.

[T@T]

Originally Posted by PIMking

I'm so sorry to hear this, but your friend should pick up the tab for the dog being hurt due to their negligence. At least help you cover most of the bills. The dog is so young and it would be a shame to put them down due to injuries like this.

Would you ask a friend who did you a favor by looking after your dog to foot a vet bill because he got out of the house? What you call negligence could be simpley crap happens, when a dog is displaced they try to get home.

[Bertuzzied]

Originally Posted by PIMking

I'm so sorry to hear this, but your friend should pick up the tab for the dog being hurt due to their negligence. At least help you cover most of the bills. The dog is so young and it would be a shame to put them down due to injuries like this.

What a terrible idea.

[ken0042]

Also, if money is really a concern- talk to your vet. When I had my first rabbit he needed an emergency trip to the vet; and I had no cash. The vet worked something out for me which was affordable. Your vet may be able to do something as well.

[Mayer]

Thank you to those who offered to send me some money in this thread and in PM. I was a little taken back to see that because it wasn't my intention at all with my post. I'm not going to lie, this coudln't have happened at a worst time. I was laid off a couple weeks ago and my wife has been waiting since we got married (in November of 2011) for her BC Nursing licence to be transferred over to Alberta, so we aren't exactly swimming in cash right now. That said, I cannot ask people to send me money for this. But I really do appreciate the gesture. CP is truly more than just a message board.

Buddy, our dog, is a rescue (black lab/great dane mix) and is only 9 months old. We made the decisioin to rescue him and right after we had all this stuff happen with him not being able to live where we lived (even after our landlord said otherwise....another story).



As for people saying I should get my friend to pay, I would never do that. He's doing us a huge favor right now and I know his intentions are good. Because of Buddy's rough but short past, he has developed a seperation anxiety that can get him in trouble sometimes, and I know he probably just was trying to find my friend. This stuff just happens sometimes and as crappy as we feel right now, I can't blame anyone.

I can't even really be mad at the people/person who hit him. Buddy eventually just ran back to the house by himself so for all I know, he was hit and then got back up and took off. Whoever hit him could have very well tried to stop and do the right thing....who knows.

Anyways, he is at the vet overnight and she is going to call us in the morning when she finalizes her quote. She assures us that he is comfortable and all, she just needed a little more time to figure out exactly what had to be done and give us an accurate quote. This all took place in Three Hills, Alberta and my friend assures me she is pretty cheap as far as vets go. Let's hope!

Again, thanks for all the kind words.

[freedogger]

That sux man. Our dog has had elbow reconstruction. It happened when she was 6 weeks old. At nine years, she is still an awesome pet but has issues after she runs. Limps for a couple of days afterwards. Not a problem except that we can't take her running with us anymore. Try to get a sense from the vet about long term prognosis and complications she might face as she ages.

Don't beat yourself up if you can't make the financial aspects of it work out. You rescued the dog and gave her a good extra few months.

[Travis Munroe]

I guess there are a few genuine canuck fans.

Good luck Mayer, One never realizes how much they care about their pet until he/she is injured.

[ricoFlame]

Just awful...gonna be a bit pricy, but i know i'd be paying for sure. My dog messed up his foot on some glass at a dogpark in ranchlands several years ago...it was a pretty brutal injury to the pads on one of his feet, and with surgery and whatnot we ended up paying about $2300.

Worth it for a friend and member of the family.

[First Lady]

Originally Posted by Mayer

. CP is truly more than just a message board.

Very true.

As for people saying I should get my friend to pay, I would never do that. He's doing us a huge favor right now and I know his intentions are good. Because of Buddy's rough but short past, he has developed a seperation anxiety that can get him in trouble sometimes, and I know he probably just was trying to find my friend. This stuff just happens sometimes and as crappy as we feel right now, I can't blame anyone.

No doubt your friend feels bad enough already; no sense ruining a friendship over this.

Buddy eventually just ran back to the house by himself

I'm no vet, but I take this as a very good sign. Yes, he was likely in a TON of pain, but he had the mobility to get back to the house.

This all took place in Three Hills, Alberta and my friend assures me she is pretty cheap as far as vets go. Let's hope!

Again, thanks for all the kind words.

Rural vets are generally more affordable; one of the reasons why our vet is in Strathmore.

Additionally for large bills most vets are willing to discuss reasonable payment plans. They care just as much about the well-being of pets.

Our Stewie sends slobbery bulldog, get well kisses to Buddy.

[BEANZ]

Scary stuff Mayer. Sounds like things are going to be alright for you pup.

My Besenji pup was hit by a kid on a motorized scooter. She was knocked out cold and required surgury to repair some internal bleeding. The bill was ugly especially as it was right before our wedding. Ten years later I cannot imagine her not making my kids laugh on a daily basis, or doing any running with her not at my side.

As others have offered I would be willing to help foot the bill if you needed it. Alternatively send me a PM and let me know what type of work you are after, I may be able to help out.

[ranchlandsselling]

Well if it comes down to can't do the bill or the dogs life and you're forced to the latter I'm sure the posters that have offered, would help out. Count me in for a similar donation if it comes to that.

[linecook]

Mayer I am truly sorry about doggy. I hope he has a speedy recovery and you have a long and happy life together.

Does anyone remember the thread about losing your pet? I have a story to share but I don't want to take away from Mayer's thread.