Theres no easy answer?

Hi,I desperately need any kind of information that would be helpful. I have a 7yr old American Eskimo mixed breed,who was recently diagnosed with Glaucoma.Unfortunately the disease has already progressed to the point that both of her eyes must be removed in order to reduce a pressure that has become 3xs the normal. I have been disabled for over 10 years and on a low fixed income.Theres no possible way I could afford to pay for the surgery she needs in such a short amount of time.I would be more than happy to make a payment plan but have been denied by care credit and other lending institutions simply because of only having SSI as income and no credit or work activity in the last 10 years.I have spent almost every waking moment searching the internet ,I have made numerous calls to to different animal welfare agencies, sent out many mails to all kinds of places in hopes of obtaining anything that might help.I have called nearly every vet in the local yellow pages to try to make any type of payment arrangement ,including a vet I used prior to my disablity where I had spent thousands of dollars on my pets over many years. They knew how much my pets meant to me ,that I had never allowed the cost of their service be a mitigating factor in treatment that was needed at that time and I always paid in full at the time services were rendered,I thought for sure they would be willing to work something out with me but sadly enough they even refused any notion of a payment arrangement.It breaks my heart to think that it may just be in the best interest of my dog to put her down rather than to make her suffer ...(seems it will come to a point sooner rather than later the pressure will become so great she may end up trying to scratch her own eyes out to find relief from the pain).I just dont know what else I can do and pray if nothing else that someone will read this posting and be able to point me in the right direction to find compassion in a society that is economically driven.Its just wrong to be forced to put down your pup when they could still have many happy years left otherwise.

Try calling and talking to people at your local SPCA and City Pound. Often times they offer low cost treatment or even may help people in a situation like yours. Another thing you can try is to contact the media as a human interest story, about the condition of your dog and your disabled condition and inability to pay for the needed surgery.
You could also try calling Vets in your phone book and try to actually get the Vet on the phone, then explain your situation and see how they might help you.
Try everything first. I am so sorry for yout situation.
You could also, if you attend a church or other religious institution, talk to whomever is in charge and see if there is a way they might help you with this situation.
Just thinking of any possible means of finding help.

If you live near a college that teaches vet classes you could try them to see if they could help or steer you in the right direction

I am so so sorry for your situation. That must be just terrible to deal with. I'm in Australia, so I don't really know how your local vets and financial institutions work, so I probably will be of not much help. Have you spoken to your family? Maybe you could ask them for a loan and pay them back, just as you would have with a vet. Or maybe they could take a loan out at a bank on your behalf, and you repay them.

I hope it all works out for you.

Good luck

xo - Michele

I would talk to the vets again and ask if there are any any any charitble places or scholarships etc. ask if they know of any way to delay the surgery while saving up. Anti inflamatory drugs.... if they have any that go on the 4 dollar Walmart plan that would work for a while. Apply for credit card? rerfi house? Ask relatives for help. I thought care credit through the emergency services was pretty much a shoe in but I haven't explored it.

If I were in your shoes I know it would be hard but I would rather have the dog adopted out to a rescue group than have it suffer or put down. But Not every rescue group can handle such a thing you would have to call. Call your humane society.

Also call a vet school and see if there are any programs or reduced cost programs where they can treat the dog by students.

I wish I could help with the information you need. I know it is really hard, and in a tighter credit economy than last years.

Sorry to hear about your situation.

I was wondering if you belonged to a church or a volunteer group of any kind? If you do, maybe you can get people together to help take up a donation.

Can you have a yard sale? Sell some valuable items that you don't really need?

Can you borrow the money from friends or family?

Can you give the dog to someone who might be able to afford this surgery?

I wosh I had more options, but I don't. Hopefully other people will answer this question with some more suggestions.

Good luck

Can you ask your vet to consider a lower cost solution?

Look at this:

Intravitreal Gentamicin Injection (not recommended for cats) The antibiotic gentamicin is injected into the eye, which kills the cells that produce aqueous humor. This usually causes the eye to become cloudy, and 50% will markedly decrease in size. Occasionally, some eyes will bleed inside, but this is not uncomfortable.

While eye removal is one way of reducing the pressure, there are other ways. This way, while not cosmetically that great, has just got to cost way less than surgery.

My heart goes out to you. You are in a horrible situation.