Topic: Some advice needed! (Read 5888 times)

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #30 on:** April 21, 2009, 08:25:52 AM »

Glad to hear it wasn't nearly as expensive as you thought.

Gillian Harvey · « **Reply #29 on:** April 20, 2009, 19:50:20 PM »

Quote from: Wayney on April 20, 2009, 19:31:18 PM

OK! Blackjack went to the vets today and woot! job done!

Unlike Clarement Vets in Bexhill who quoted £300-£400 to do the work done, but refused any treatment without full payment upfront, Senlac Vets in Battle did everything and the final price is £104!!!!!!!!!

So pleased for you and Blackjack!

Mark · « **Reply #28 on:** April 20, 2009, 19:39:35 PM »

Quote from: Desley (booktigger) on April 17, 2009, 11:00:56 AM

Glad he is eating the a/d, and good luck at the vets

MArk, please dont recommend Tesco to people, they only pay for things for 12 months, so people could still end up in this situation.

I said Tesco or similar meaning if people can only afford bare minimum insurance, then that type is better than nothing. I know it doesn't cover long term ilness but it does cover things like RTAs and one off emergencies which is better than nothing. Personally.

Wayney · « **Reply #27 on:** April 20, 2009, 19:31:18 PM »

OK! Blackjack went to the vets today and woot! job done!

Unlike Clarement Vets in Bexhill who quoted £300-£400 to do the work done, but refused any treatment without full payment upfront, Senlac Vets in Battle did everything and the final price is £104!!!!!!!!! Thats including everything, anti biotics, metacam pain relief and recovery food pack, also includes the review appointment on Friday. They accepted £20 upfront, and increase our direct debit by £10-£15 a month! The service was exceptional, they explained what had been done, and what we need to do next.

So Senlac would get my recomendation everytime.

Thanks again to everyone for the replies

Wayne.

Gillian Harvey · « **Reply #26 on:** April 19, 2009, 16:58:39 PM »

Quote from: dabs on April 19, 2009, 12:15:33 PM

What I am doing now, sas pet insurance has now shot thru the roof, is opening an account with the credit union at work.

Also as they also offer low cost loans, if heavens forbid something nasty happened such as an RTA then I can arrange a loan with them at a low interest.

Yep, credit unions are brilliant! I am saving money through one for vet bills now, rather than taking out insurance.

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #25 on:** April 19, 2009, 16:10:02 PM »

That is a good alternative Dabs, something I wouldnt risk with my track record though - I adopted a cat last year, who cost £252 in 5 weeks, luckily I had her insured from day 1 so the insurance paid everything but my £50 excess. The previous 2 years I spent over £1k at the vets each year, the bulk of it on one cat, I love pet insurance!!

dabs · « **Reply #24 on:** April 19, 2009, 12:15:33 PM »

What I am doing now, sas pet insurance has now shot thru the roof, is opening an account with the credit union at work.

It is a savings account where I will have an amount deducted direct from my wages that will sit there till we need it for vet treatments over and above routine boosters, dentals etc. As it will come direct from my salary, I will not really miss it and then when I need it I will draw out the amount minus what would have been the excess as if it was an insurance.

Also as they also offer low cost loans, if heavens forbid something nasty happened such as an RTA then I can arrange a loan with them at a low interest.

If work does not offer anything like this a lot of areas now have credit unions and the nice thing is that if it is not needed then you have money set aside for something nice and it is not dead money.

http://www.abcul.org/page/members.cfm This link tells you how they work and if there is one in your local area.

I have paid into dog insurance for 6 years which must have been an average of over £600 now and it is dead money, never claimed, but the insurance keeps going up. If it was sitting in the savings account then that 600 would be mine, all mine!

Wayney · « **Reply #23 on:** April 17, 2009, 11:18:35 AM »

We've often concidered pet insurance, but the same, its an amount we couldnt really afford having at the time had 2 dogs and 2 cats, but if we had then wouldnt be in this situation lol, So i think its somthing we will look into ago!

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #22 on:** April 17, 2009, 11:00:56 AM »

Glad he is eating the a/d, and good luck at the vets

MArk, please dont recommend Tesco to people, they only pay for things for 12 months, so people could still end up in this situation.

Mark · « **Reply #21 on:** April 17, 2009, 10:53:11 AM »

Great that he is eating

- One of mine (Willow) was on a drip last week and was recovering but had a setback yesterday. I was also glad to see her darting about and scoffing her food this morning as I expected to be booking her in at the vet again

I was talking to Sharon yesterday. We are going to make a concerted effort to encourage people to take out insurance. I know people get 4 weeks (reduced from 6 weeks recently) Petplan cover but I always recommend people get a quote from Axa or even look at Tesco or similar which can cost as little as £5 a month. Even the cheapest insurance is money well spent if an emergency happens. I did a homecheck a while ago and when I mentioned insurance, the man said he wasn't working at the moment and couldn't afford it. I asked what he would do if the cat was ill or had an accident. He said he would "sort something out" - I said maybe it would be wiser to "Sort something out" now as £1.50 a week now could save a lot of grief down the line. I don't mean to be harsh on people but things like this are a reality

Wayney · « **Reply #20 on:** April 17, 2009, 10:50:26 AM »

Hey All!

Well i gave Blackjack his AD food last night and he ate it! and then spent 30 mins bugging us for more! even jumped onto the sides and started licking the fork i used! lol so that was a good result!

Ela · « **Reply #19 on:** April 17, 2009, 01:20:38 AM »

I am so pleased that you are now getting the help you need.

Quote

Shame more vets dont have the same attitude! Especially given the current financial changes many are going through!

The main reason for this is that so many people (unlike you) repay the vet once the treatment has been completed, I know round here vets are owed tens of thousands. Our branch of CP often lend people the cost of treatments, very few pay us back and we too are owed thousands and sadly there comes a day when it becomes impossible to help others.

Mollyrock · « **Reply #18 on:** April 16, 2009, 12:46:58 PM »

So glad you got things sorted. It's such a worry.
We are in a simalar situation, because we both work full time, pay full rent, council tax, no benifits etc we can't receive any help. Can't even get free perscriptions or dental treatment ourselves. What they don't take into consideration is the CSA take nearly £400 out of my partners wage every month.

dabs · « **Reply #17 on:** April 16, 2009, 12:37:50 PM »

Quote from: Desley (booktigger) on April 16, 2009, 10:54:21 AM

Dabs - I used to think that about a/d, but I have 2 here that refuse it completely, I had to warn them not to try and give it to Sam after his dental as he wont eat it. Tino wont even eat RC Sensitive either, and that is also practically unheard of.

Well there is always one or in your case 2!

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #16 on:** April 16, 2009, 10:54:21 AM »

Dabs - I used to think that about a/d, but I have 2 here that refuse it completely, I had to warn them not to try and give it to Sam after his dental as he wont eat it. Tino wont even eat RC Sensitive either, and that is also practically unheard of.

dabs · « **Reply #15 on:** April 16, 2009, 09:53:01 AM »

I am so glad that puss is going to get the treatment he needs and it will obviously put your mind at rest as well.

I find that if you discover a good vet that does put the welfare of the animal first and money second, then you hang onto them for life!

I am glad that we could be of service to Blackjack.

A/D is a very smooth food that you can water down if need be so it slides down, it is very calorie dense so he will not need a lot in order to keep him going. I think it may be mouse flavoured as I have never yet met a cat that does not like it, regardless of how ill they are.

Hope all goes well for Monday.

Janeyk · « **Reply #14 on:** April 16, 2009, 06:55:12 AM »

Really pleased this is getting sorted I agree with Mark a bit of pain relief may help as absesses are just too painful

Mark · « **Reply #13 on:** April 16, 2009, 00:09:09 AM »

Great news Wayne - can they give you anything to manage the pain in the meantime? - it must be horrible for him. I had an absess a couple of years ago and would have happily chopped my head off to get rid of the pain. As you say, its a shame more vets aren't like that.

Gillian Harvey · « **Reply #12 on:** April 16, 2009, 00:08:48 AM »

Oh thats brilliant news!

They sound like really decent vets. So pleased Blackjack will get the treatment, he's gonna feel so much better once his mouth is sorted.

Wayney · « **Reply #11 on:** April 15, 2009, 23:22:34 PM »

Thanks for the replies!

Firstly, i spoke with the CP, they will do neuturing for cats that are homed but no surgery. RSPCA were out of the catchment area for treatment.

On a good side! I spoke to the vets who were paying off from previous work, and they have agreed if we pay £30 on monday to cover the consultation fee, and increase the monthly standing order from £10 to £20 then they will treat him! i have to stop by tomorrow and they will give me some puree food (prescription food called AD?) and hes booked in on Monday to get the work done!

So its all looking up. Although we have never missed a payment, im still chuffed to bits they are doing this! like the vet said, they are a business and not a charity but do try to put welfare first wherever possible. Shame more vets dont have the same attitude! Especially given the current financial changes many are going through!

Mark · « **Reply #10 on:** April 15, 2009, 09:30:31 AM »

Whereabouts are you? - I have been googling and RSPCA clinics say they will treat pets for people on low incomes as well as people on benefits. This is one in Cambridge but I'm sure other areas must have something similar http://www.rspca-cambridge.org.uk/clinic.html . Realistically, if there is no way of getting treatment, the kindest thing is to sign over to a rescue. I would phone your local CP and see what they advise. As local branches are self-financed (ie rely on donations), some have money and others are struggling so you may be lucky.

Ela · « **Reply #9 on:** April 15, 2009, 09:17:34 AM »

Sorry I cannot be of much help. but I too think that the quote is on the high side.

The bottom line is the little one must see a vet now, so I agree that you should have a word with the vet you are already re-paying. The only other option I can think of is having a word with your local Cats Protection to see if they can allow the little one to be treated at their vets and you re-pay them. Unfortunately not all branches will allow this as so many people have let them down.

bunglycat · « **Reply #8 on:** April 15, 2009, 02:08:35 AM »

Sorry to hear your news -but that does seem very expensive.
One of my cats recently had an abcess on her cheek - On the Monday she had a antibiotic injection and a painkilling injection , i took her back the next day ( she was due for her teeth sorting wednesday morning) Tuesday, he gave her another pain killer ( her abcess had burst Monday tea-time) kept her in the night to save me driving back again on Wednesday morning , cleaned her teeth , took 2 out , checked her face and the abcess and gave me a course of antibiotics - cost £80 .
I know he does give me a discount sometimes as ihave 5 cats and seem to be there quite often - but that was cheap .

Wayney · « **Reply #7 on:** April 15, 2009, 00:24:06 AM »

I think my first call will be the vets were still paying off, see if they can do it, add it to the current balance and maybe increase what were paying now, failing that i will speak with the PDSA and see what they suggest

Thanks for the replies and ill post any updates tomorrow!

CC & The Pussycat Guys & Dolls · « **Reply #6 on:** April 15, 2009, 00:08:50 AM »

If you get hosing benefit you will be able to get PDSA help, I think they can even do it at your own vets in some cases if your not in the catchment area. I would start by contacting them first and see what they say.

As for having no money in the mean time I dont know anything to suggest other than family.

Gill (sneakiefeline) · « **Reply #5 on:** April 15, 2009, 00:01:05 AM »

I agree with Gillian that this seems a very high figure for the work to be done.

Do you not have any other good vets in the area that can give you a quote.

Gillian Harvey · « **Reply #4 on:** April 14, 2009, 22:37:33 PM »

Yes, I agree with Dabs, I think it might be a better bet to ask the previous vet if they would be willing to add the cost to what you already owe. You might find that they wouldnt be charging as much as the other vet anyway - as £300-£400 sounds a lot to me for the work to be done. I guess it depends on the area your'e in, but I've had two cats recently needing extensive dental work and cost was just under £300 for BB who had three teeth removed, scale and polish, x-rays - and also included a small lump removed from under her tongue plus fluid therapy. George's dental was about £180 and he also had 3 teeth removed, plus the scale and polish etc and a course of antibitoics.

Wayney · « **Reply #3 on:** April 14, 2009, 21:08:42 PM »

Hi

Family/loans not an option, my mum had strokes recently, so shes just getting herself back into work so is also struggling at the moment, and im so blacklisted even high interest companies laugh at me!

I checked out that website, nearest clinic is around 60-70 miles away, so i guess ill be out of the catchment area, but ill drop them a line anyway as they also might have ideas.

Were posting the benefits App tomorrow, so 2-3 weeks we were told when we first contacted them, thats a long time for a cat thats not eating!!

i feel bad, but really am limited

I'm happy to set up installment plans, but it would have to be minimal, £20 a month kind of thing, were currently paying the other vets £10 a month! ill be contacting them tomorrow to see if they can help or not too.

dabs · « **Reply #2 on:** April 14, 2009, 20:38:43 PM »

Can you not ask family or take out a loan?

Failing that try http://www.lordwhisky.co.uk/ they do provide vet care for those on low incomes, I know that they have had a push on their finances as well, but it is worth a try I suppose.

How long would it take for your housing benefit to be sorted as this will give you some idea of how long you need to wait to see if eligble for PDSA treatment.

Who decided at the vets that they could not do payment plans, is it worth asking the head of the practice to reconsider? Can you not pay say about £100 up front as a sweetener to them, this would show that you were sincere.

If you are paying off the balance for the dog at the other vets on a regular basis then they would look on you more favourably and I would have thought not see you as a potential defaulter.

I thought sometimes that local CPL's assisted, but I could be wrong, someone would probaly clarify that. I know that on ocassions some of the smaller cat charities do try and assist, but like everyone else in these times they are struggling as well.

Wayney · « **Reply #1 on:** April 14, 2009, 20:15:05 PM »

Hi Guys

I'm hoping i might be able to get some advice. I have 2 black cats, and one of them is poorly!

We took him to the vets to be checked over, and was told he had an absess on his tooth, and a gum disease, would need back teeth removing, scaling and pollishing. all in all it would be around £300-£400. Unfortunatly after discussing our situation with them, they are unable to do any payment plans and would require full balance up front. We have another vets locally, but our previous dog has some major work doing before she passed on, so were still paying off that balance (around £900).

To cut the story short. myself and my partner both work, there for unable to claim benefits, but both just took a very hefty paycut, and although applying for housing benefits, still no guarentees we will be awarded any. therefor were struggling to pay basic bills, such as council tax, gas, electricity etc

The cat was my girlfriends mothers, she passed on 3 yrs ago, so we took him on from there, so hes like a part of her to my girlfriend... if that makes sense.

Basically ive contacted the usual sources, RSPCA, Blue Cross etc, but 1, were out of the catchment area, and 2, without being on the apt benefits. Which leaves us in a mess!

The cat (Blackjack) is around 8-9 yrs old, he was on some anti biotics for the problem for 2 weeks, since then it seems to be getting worse, last night he nibbled some of his food, today he hasnt touched it, he acts almost scared of it, you pick him up, put him by the food, and he pushes to get away.

If anyone has ANY advice, it would be greatly appreciated!

I know many out there will be saying if you cant afford to treat then you shouldnt have, which in general i agree, but at the same time, situations do change, and people would also argue if we just gave up and dropped him at a rescue cente.

Author Topic: Some advice needed! (Read 5888 times)