Comments on: Man Says Vet Refuses To Release Dog Because Of Unpaid Bill

By: the co-owner of spanky

the co-owner of spanky — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:12:55 +0000

As I read many of your stories, my brother and I have found ourselves in the same situation. 3 weeks ago, our 11+ yr old cat Spanky had fallen ill. It was rather late at night when started getting worse, and so my brothers’ girlfriend took spanky to a 24 hour vet. where they initially found he had chronic kidney failure. the vet gave her a quote of between $500-600. However, upon hearing this, i did some research on this disease. I asked key questions, and was not told that it ws chronic, but acute kidney failure. There is a big differene between what was told to my brother, and what was told to me. One means that death is soon, the other means that Spanky the cat will live, but will likely have to be given medication and have a restricted diet for some time. This particular vet also told me a different quote of around $750. Since my brother is the primary care-taker of spanky, the vet has gone as far as calling his girlfriend at work to try and collect money for the bill, but didn’t tell her the exact amount. They are not willing to work with them on a payement plan. Nor are they willing to let spanky go home, all the while charging an additional $12 a day for boarding. My brother wants to pay this bill down, we want our cat back; however, it’s especially hard to do so because finances are tight, he’s been turned down for all the loans he’s applied for, and every 8 days spankys’ at the vet, the bill goes up $100. Last night I called the vet to get the total bill amount, and was given yet another price. This time it was $587. I don’t know about you guys, but something just isn’t right about the constant price change. When I asked what will happen to the cat if the bill wasn’t paid, the receptionist told me they may keep him at the vet to live out the rest of his days, or they may send him to the humane society. At this point in time, we are both at the ends of our rope as to what to do. If ANYONE has any advice as to what avenue we should take, please email me with your advice.

By: Melanie

Melanie — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 03:21:45 +0000

Now I too am in a similar situation. My dog which is half poodle and half chinese crested was attacked by a border collie. Had 15 or 16 puncture wounds to the neck with 3 holes in her trachea.
I rushed her to the vet where they treated her and told me that I could come get her late in the afternoon after they had some time to make sure she was stable and had stopped all the bleeding. I went back at the prescribed hour and was presented with a bill for nearly $600 treatment. I have no problem with the amount of the bill considering the condition of the dog I think it is completely fair, however I am on a fixed income and can’t afford that much at one time. I paid the vet $150 and wrote checks for the balance that were to be deposited on the 3′rd of each month in the amount of $200 each. The vet office accepted these checks but then the doctor came in and made the comment that he can’t wait that long for the money and he should just take her medicine back and they had decided to just “keep her over night”. I am afraid by his comments and actions that he is going to hold my dog hostage. I have no problem with paying the bill in a timely manner according to what I can afford and $200 a month stretches me to the limits. Does anyone have any advice on what I should do now.. I tried to get a loan for the balance today but was refused because of my income. Anything that might be helpful would be appreciated

By: Olivia Sarbu

Olivia Sarbu — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 15:44:36 +0000

Can anybody help me?
I am in the exact same situation with my dog, Billy (chihuahua). I am very desperate and don’t know what to do. My dog got hit by a car so I took him to the emergency room where the doctor told me the diagnostic was hernia and they had to perform emergency surgery on him otherwise he would die. I paid $800 before the surgery and agreed to pay the remaining balance of $1700 after. They did the surgery and my dog is fine but they won’t release him to me unless I pay the full amount I owe to them. I asked the doctor if I can make payments but she didnt accept. I cant afford to pay this amount in such a short period of time and they want to put him in a shelter. The doctor told me she’s only gonna hold him for a couple more days and I am afraid they’re gonna put him to sleep at the shelter. Can anybody help me in any way? I LOVE my dog very much and I would do anything to save him. Thank you.

By: A Noun (is a person place or thing)

A Noun (is a person place or thing) — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 02:08:12 +0000

Threatening to have the dog euthanized or given away to someone else, when the owner was clearly making every effort to pay…horrible. Vile. Sickening. What goes around comes around, so I wonder what bill “Dr. Innocent” (a name that doesn’t fit) won’t be able to pay. Scum. Nothing but scum.

By: Dog Released From Veterinarian After Good Samaritan Pays Owner’s Bill | Itchmo: News For Dogs & Cats

Wed, 19 Sep 2007 12:01:28 +0000

[…] week, we brought you the story of Josh Gomez and his dog, Pilot. Gomez had an unpaid bill at his veterinarian’s office and his dog was being “held […]

By: shibadiva

shibadiva — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 11:58:59 +0000

A wonderful resolution to the story. Good for Ms. Diamantis for coming forward and making the sun shine just a little brighter.

By: Robert Davis

Robert Davis — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 02:42:29 +0000

The Kindess of Strangers

Mr. Gomez was reunited with his dog Pilot today after a stranger, Carol Diamantis of Brookhaven (a few miles from Duluth) decided to pay the remaining balance.

Carol has shown us all how strangers helping strangers is the greatest example of the human spirit. She didn’t know Mr. Gomez, but said she sure hoped someone would help her if she was found to be in the same position one day.

Thank you Carol for your example to us all. Today she showed us how to walk in someone else’s shoes.

By: Robert Davis

Robert Davis — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 02:27:38 +0000

Shibadiva - I agree :-) It’s def. a wake up to all of us to make sure we are prepared for the worst. I feel like I’ve been through a week of disaster preparedness ads from ready.gov :-)

By: shibadiva

shibadiva — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 00:20:20 +0000

Thanks for that research, Robert. It’s too bad the whole affair had to go on for so long. I hope Josh gets all the puppy shots for Pilot, and a credit card or something. And I still think the vet needs to look at himself in the mirror.

By: Robert Davis

Robert Davis — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 22:25:45 +0000

Pilot is home with Mr. Gomez. I spoke with Arthur at PetFirst24 and he said Mr. Gomez came in and paid the balance.

Robert

By: shibadiva

shibadiva — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 18:54:10 +0000

Wonder what happened. Today is Tuesday and Pilot’s 10 days are up. Is he adopted by a star client? Is Gomez still being charged for boarding?

By: Karen

Karen — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 11:58:42 +0000

Most Vets in my area are extremely expensive. If you check prices for a well human visit to a doctor versus a well pet check-up, the Vet is the most expensive bill.

This is just outrageous, I would hope the Vet. would reconsider the stand he/she has taken. I would think that the dog’s person would have a court case. How can a Vet, who is trained to help and save animals do something so inhumane? Where is your conscience.

If an agreed amount was set then it’s PAID IN FULL, however, if there is truly a balance, work payments up.

By: ellie

ellie — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 03:11:38 +0000

Robert, I’d like to second your idea of putting away money earmarked for vet expenses. I don’t have pet insurance, but I’ve been doing exactly that for years–$10 a week–and now I have I nice cushion for vet emergencies. I started just putting the money in a piggy bank, then opened a savings account. No matter how small the amount, as long as you make yourself put the money away regularly, it really starts to add up.

I’d also like to second your comments about having a good relationship with your vet. That’s really the most important thing of all.

By: Robert Davis

Robert Davis — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 23:28:56 +0000

Hi Bridgett,

Depending on how old your pet is, the rates for insurance can be reasonable and locked in for up to 8 years. I got Pet First Insurance. I have a link on my website (click my name). The insurance coverage is very good. You will certainly want to have a credit card or money saved up to pay the bill, but you will be reimbursed a good part of or most of the work done. For my Shiba-Inu, it is around $35 a month. Well worth it!
Pet Insurance is different that human insurance in that you have to send in the forms and get reimbursed. For now, if you are worried about your dog swallowing something make sure no socks or toys or anything that could be swallowed is left around the floor or on tables. You may also want to use a child gate to keep your dog in one area of the house so you can keep an eye on her.
One thing you might try to do is put a small amount of your monthly income into a savings account that you will not touch. This way it can be used for emergencies for the vet :-) $3,000 may seem like a lot not to save up….but overtime you will have it saved and be very happy you started an emergency savings plan.
I think most people on here have found vets that will offer payment plans….obtain a good relationship with your vet and talk about those kind of worries with your doctor and ask him or her if this type of thing happens, will they let you do a payment plan or what options will they allow. Explain what you have done to prep for these just in case to show that you are thinking ahead and are a client in who is willing to pay, but large bills like that can have a negative impact on you.

Just a few ideas thrown out there. I hope they help.

Robert

By: Bridgett

Bridgett — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 18:18:56 +0000

Shibadiva,

Thanks I will check into that!