How can I help a dog I can't? :(

[Taurus]

What an awful situation! The dog definitely needs to be checked out by a Doctor. I would call around to different vets in the area and explain the situation. My vet clinic does not require full payment right away (I think I made 5 payments over 3 months once) and they gave me a discount. I've also heard of that clinic helping animals for free when there was just no money to pay for care.
I'm sure the SPCA may be able to give advice too.
Do you need any coupons for your friend & his dog?? I'd like to help if I can!

[recessionisnotfun]

Thank you Taurus, that is very nice of you I know he has dog food, so he is good there

[MortgageQueen]

Ohhhhh Queen. I don't even know what to say to you. You totally took me off guard. I REALLLLLY appreciate your generous offer, however I will have to decline. I cannot accept money. I was just hoping for answers and suggestions as to what it might be. When I posted this thread, my brain was racked out of ideas as to what it may be, and I know there is a lot of major animal lovers on here, so thought someone might know.
Thank you Queen for your beautiful thought and gesture, I will never forget it!!!

Sorry to hear about your cat, may I ask what was wrong with her? Is she ok now??
If worse comes to worse, we will skip our morgage or bill payment if she gets worse. I will see how she does

I have a soft spot for Seniors an animals. I truly appreciate the fact that seniors make very loving pet owners but too many times they can't afford the expesive vet bills.It's so sad. The other side of the coin is these pets fill a huge void in seniors lives and are worth their weight in gold.

My little Chloe is ok now. . .thanks for asking.It's very frustrating to me because now I'm behind on my mortg. She stopped eating completely. . .wouldn't even take fish oil. Vet said she needed to do blood tests and xrays. All she found was lots of intestinal gas and what maybe. . .possibly . . potentially.. . a blockage. She also wanted to do a barium test to check for that. I was already broke. . . took her home with stomach meds and hoped for best. Got home. .. . and she started eating like nothing happened!!!!! Five hundred bucks for all that! Grrrrr. Told Chloe, "good thing ur cute". . rotten little bum. lol

[walkonby]

I just read the OP and the comments, sounds like one thing is certain.....your heart is bigger than your pocket book and so is the owner of that poor furbaby. We all face these painful decisions when we are pet owners. I sure hope some vet will take pity on his circumstance and treat the dog properly, I would hate to see him try anything himself and perhaps make it worse. Let us know how he makes out recession.

[recessionisnotfun]

Queen, I'm so glad to hear she is ok!!!! Pets are like our kids aren't they? Funny how they just seem to rebound just like that after we spend money and the next day they are fine lol. I swear they do it just to test us lol.
walk, thanks I really wish I had a heart of stone some days lol, I have tried to change that, tried not to care anymore about ppls problems as I get upset if I can't fix it. I've tried and tried to change myself. I'll say to my husband "that's it, no more" when I'm mad, and he laughs and says uh huh.
Take this example: Theres a place we go to once in a blue moon for supper. Theres a waitress there who's pregnant. I heard her talking to a regular there, her boyfriend left her when he found out she was pregnant, she's 6 months pregnant, she has no family blah blah. Now, keep in mind, I have only talked to her maybe 2-3 times. When I overheard this, instantly my head started reeling saying I've got to help her. I need to find some baby clothes etc, she's gonna have a rough time, she's gonna be alone, blah blah. Now, how stupid is that of me?? I don't even know this lady. I'm pathetic lol.

[Insane]

I agree with others here....call your local SPCA and discuss. I know several SPCA have funds for seniors, in particular, to cover unexpected vet costs and euthanasia costs. Some vets also have funds. I know my friend's vet has a slush fund they used for people in need....they donated their time for nail cutting/trimming of the pets and the money they earned from it went into the fund.

[Andit]

I talked to a groomer friend. She had a little old poodle with what sounds like a similar situation. She made a warm sitz bath (warm water with epsom salts) & had the pup sit in a basin for 10 minutes at a time a few times a day for a week or so. It helped quite a bit. Maybe your friend could try this?

[TaniaD]

It sounds like the dog might have an anal gland abcess that ruptured. We had a dog growing up that had anal gland issues and that happened, and it sounds like what you're explaining. From what I remember, it was just a round of antibiotics and keeping the area clean when he went for poops and he had to wear a cone so he couldn't lick it.

Vets set their own prices and some offer senior discounts...call around. There are also foundations set up to help people with disabilities/seniors that need help paying for vet bills.

[MortgageQueen]

Queen, I'm so glad to hear she is ok!!!! Pets are like our kids aren't they? Funny how they just seem to rebound just like that after we spend money and the next day they are fine lol. I swear they do it just to test us lol.
walk, thanks I really wish I had a heart of stone some days lol, I have tried to change that, tried not to care anymore about ppls problems as I get upset if I can't fix it. I've tried and tried to change myself. I'll say to my husband "that's it, no more" when I'm mad, and he laughs and says uh huh.
Take this example: Theres a place we go to once in a blue moon for supper. Theres a waitress there who's pregnant. I heard her talking to a regular there, her boyfriend left her when he found out she was pregnant, she's 6 months pregnant, she has no family blah blah. Now, keep in mind, I have only talked to her maybe 2-3 times. When I overheard this, instantly my head started reeling saying I've got to help her. I need to find some baby clothes etc, she's gonna have a rough time, she's gonna be alone, blah blah. Now, how stupid is that of me?? I don't even know this lady. I'm pathetic lol.

Ha ha! You just described me too. . I take on everyone's troubles. . .but especially the helpless. It certainly is stressful at times BUT like you said about your "waitress" . . some people ARE all alone and even if it's helping with just one Small Thing. . .do you realize what a difference you can make to that person?? It means a lot. . .in fact, it makes me even more sad sometimes when these ones are over the top appreciative. It just shows how little attention or help they ever get. .

How is your friend and his puppy????

[recessionisnotfun]

I haven't heard from him since I gave him all the info from here. I would hear if anything changes. I will call him tomorrow.