Dog blows out ACL and all my shooting savings!

[JMich3 152]

One of my dogs, one that we rescued just a few months ago, hurt it’s leg Thursday night. Got word from our vet yesterday it’s most likely a blown out ACL. Best case scenario she has surgery, that anywhere from 6-8K. Worst case scenario she could lose the leg. I feel terrible for her but have also come to the realization that my shooting funds will be greatly impacted. It’s always something, never a dull moment.

[High Exposure 5,662]

That sucks. I hope the pup makes a full recovery and it doesn’t cost as much as you think.

Good luck

[checko 180]

That sucks. This is exactly the reason I have pet insurance

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[Ray Ray 3,566]

6 to 8K?  Not me.  

[10X 3,296]

This was 6 or 7 years ago, but when our dog blew out his ACL, our vet said she could fix it...she'd done those surgeries before, but wasn't a specialist, or she could have the local expert do it.  Difference in price was maybe 3X and the dog was getting old enough to be less active than he had been, so we had our vet do it.  It worked out fine, and I think the cost came in closer to 2K.

Lotta variables, of course, but it might be worth inquiring about less expensive options.

[Sniper 6,372]

11 minutes ago, 10X said:

Lotta variables, of course, but it might be worth inquiring about less expensive options.

That's a good point, but with a younger dog, these surgeries need to be done correctly by a good surgeon, otherwise it will be a serious problem for the dog the rest of it's life and a weak area to reinjure in the future.

49 minutes ago, checko said:

That sucks. This is exactly the reason I have pet insurance

I agree, I have the insurance too.

[Greenday 323]

$6-8k for a dog's ACL surgery? That must be an absurd amount of damage done to the leg but that sounds absurdly expensive.

[BobA 1,235]

Yup.  Those are pretty much the numbers now a days.  I've got a friend with over 25g sunk in his Shepherd. I say you'd be surprised how quick he can learn to hop on 3 legs.  But they are family.  Good luck.

[JMich3 152]

1 hour ago, checko said:

That sucks. This is exactly the reason I have pet insurance

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We have insurance on our other dog, we literally rescued her a few months ago and have been shopping for the best multi dog insurance program. I guess we took a little to long.

1 hour ago, 10X said:

This was 6 or 7 years ago, but when our dog blew out his ACL, our vet said she could fix it...she'd done those surgeries before, but wasn't a specialist, or she could have the local expert do it.  Difference in price was maybe 3X and the dog was getting old enough to be less active than he had been, so we had our vet do it.  It worked out fine, and I think the cost came in closer to 2K.

Lotta variables, of course, but it might be worth inquiring about less expensive options.

Our Vet is a close freind, he looked at it and said it was outside his realm. It’s pretty banged up

[Rob0115 1,105]

Is it a large dog?  My bullmastiff tore and ACL at just over a year.  She’s very big our vet had a specialist come do the surgery given her size.  I believe all in was under 5k. However the rehab is painstaking.  They cannot walk on that leg for an extended period of time.  I had to carry her to go outside and then, after a bit, was able to sling her backend under her belly with a beach towel and lift.  She’s 5 1/2 now and I try to keep an eye on her.  What you really need to look out for is tearing the other later in life.  

If you get advice to amputate go to another vet or an veterinary orthopedic specialist.  My big girl was hurt really badly, and all bad thoughts went through my head, but amputation was never discussed.  I had no idea that would be an option.  

[Handyman 5,682]

[JMich3 152]

22 hours ago, Rob0115 said:

Is it a large dog?  My bullmastiff tore and ACL at just over a year.  She’s very big our vet had a specialist come do the surgery given her size.  I believe all in was under 5k. However the rehab is painstaking.  They cannot walk on that leg for an extended period of time.  I had to carry her to go outside and then, after a bit, was able to sling her backend under her belly with a beach towel and lift.  She’s 5 1/2 now and I try to keep an eye on her.  What you really need to look out for is tearing the other later in life.  

If you get advice to amputate go to another vet or an veterinary orthopedic specialist.  My big girl was hurt really badly, and all bad thoughts went through my head, but amputation was never discussed.  I had no idea that would be an option.  

Our Vet is a close personal freind and has always been spot on. I think he is giving us worst case scenarios so we are prepared for anything the specialist tells us

[peacewalker 9]

I have been mulling over buying pet insurance for my 8 year old bull dog/pitt mix.  I adopted her from a shelter when she was 5 and physically she has been in awesome shape over the years, still strong and runs like a rocket when she's excited.  

I dont know if its worth it or not, to pay out $500-600 per year for coverage indefinitely or just put aside the same amount of money per month in a savings account year over year. 

Is there anyone here that is doing the later option of putting money aside on a regular basis for pet emergencies?  I've been in flux about this for about 5 months trying to figure out whats better peace of mind and meets my wannabe frugal mentality.

[Rob0115 1,105]

1 hour ago, JMich3 said:

Our Vet is a close personal freind and has always been spot on. I think he is giving us worst case scenarios so we are prepared for anything the specialist tells us

Good luck keep us posted.  Post surgery the real work begins.  

[Sniper 6,372]

49 minutes ago, peacewalker said:

I dont know if its worth it or not, to pay out $500-600 per year for coverage indefinitely or just put aside the same amount of money per month in a savings account year over year. 

Is there anyone here that is doing the later option of putting money aside on a regular basis for pet emergencies? 

It's a great idea if you can stay regimented and don't tap into those funds for some other use. Any major surgery can run into the thousands, and if you can park that off to the side, you won't need insurance.

Problem is, most people can't save like that, and will snag that saved money to buy a new AR, new playtoy or go on vacation.

It also depends on how far you go and are willing to spend to help the dog. Everyone has a different threshold and ceiling on what they'll spend to help/save their poochie.

 

[Kaiser7 33]

23 hours ago, Handyman said:

I thought I was going to be the jerk and say, "You know, 9mm is only like $0.15 a shot..."

 

I say that, but I spent over $2,000 for a cat I found outside work. The initial vet bill wasn't bad, he was perfectly healthy despite surviving in the wilderness for 6 months, walking from Connecticut to Cherry Hill NJ, just had some fleas and ticks.

But I had a friend foster him until the gf could take him, then flew him to Boston to be with her at her apartment, but then between her allergies and some work stuff we needed to have him watched for just a week, and since my mom wouldn't let me bring him in for that week I ended up giving him to a college professor of mine... So in the end I get it, that does suck though I'm surprised it costs so much.

[JMich3 152]

On 7/9/2018 at 9:49 PM, Kaiser7 said:

I thought I was going to be the jerk and say, "You know, 9mm is only like $0.15 a shot..."

 

I say that, but I spent over $2,000 for a cat I found outside work. The initial vet bill wasn't bad, he was perfectly healthy despite surviving in the wilderness for 6 months, walking from Connecticut to Cherry Hill NJ, just had some fleas and ticks.

But I had a friend foster him until the gf could take him, then flew him to Boston to be with her at her apartment, but then between her allergies and some work stuff we needed to have him watched for just a week, and since my mom wouldn't let me bring him in for that week I ended up giving him to a college professor of mine... So in the end I get it, that does suck though I'm surprised it costs so much.

Damn where are you buying your 9mm ammo for 15 cents?!?!? Lol

[Bully 749]

We just went thru this with my older Border Collie a few months ago.  

We used the Care Credit plan to pay the vet and are paying it down QUICKLY so as to not invoke the interest rate kicking in.  He's an amazing pooch and only 9, so it was our only option.  The vet and surgeon did an awesome job.  And yes, 6-8K is the going rate for this.  If the dog was a human, it would be much more.  At the end of the day, it is surgery, after all.  

Good luck.  

[JMich3 152]

1 hour ago, Bully said:

We just went thru this with my older Border Collie a few months ago.  

We used the Care Credit plan to pay the vet and are paying it down QUICKLY so as to not invoke the interest rate kicking in.  He's an amazing pooch and only 9, so it was our only option.  The vet and surgeon did an awesome job.  And yes, 6-8K is the going rate for this.  If the dog was a human, it would be much more.  At the end of the day, it is surgery, after all.  

Good luck.  

We actually already secured care credit, it was our best option too.

[Bully 749]

^^^ Good luck. 

[JMich3 152]

Ok possibly good news . My dog saw the surgeon today and the surgeon thinks there’s a good chance she can heal without surgery. There’s still a chance surgery may be needed but the somewhat bright side is that the surgery will be 4500 verses 8k

[jm1827 284]

56 minutes ago, JMich3 said:

Ok possibly good news . My dog saw the surgeon today and the surgeon thinks there’s a good chance she can heal without surgery. There’s still a chance surgery may be needed but the somewhat bright side is that the surgery will be 4500 verses 8k

That is great news!