Journal

I took Daisy to a different vet yesterday

They waived the examination fee because I've been having so much trouble with this

They prescribed a medication that cost $50 for the entire treatment!!! 

They saved me over $1000!!

I am soooo grateful!!!   

When do you know that you can no longer afford your pet?

I have been spending $500 a month on vet bills for Daisy.  I know I cannot afford this, but I keep thinking, next month she will be better and we won't spend as much money and I'll be able to afford groceries and I won't keep adding to my credit card debt.

But then the next month, something happens that requires a ton of money I don't have and I have to add it to my credit card.

I know what's wrong with her now, as of last month, whereas before we did not know what was wrong and we were still trying to figure it out. The downside of this is the treatment for what she does have is $200 a month.  This may last for 8 months.  

Then there are other problems, like two days ago Daisy was presenting symptoms of a  UTI (which she has had and has been treated for before).  I called her vet, asked for antibiotics, but they said that in order to dispense it she would have to have an appointment.  The cost of appointment was $41.  Ok, I don't agree, but I can deal. Then I get there, do the exam and find that they want to do a UA and a culture.  Fine, ok.  Go ahead.  Then I find out that I get charged for an Ultrasound!  Apparently to get a clean catch they use an ultrasound and insert a needle through her abdomen into her bladder to collect a sample.  So my $41 visit turned into a $225 visit!!!!

I can't afford this!  I have $4500 on my credit card from paying her bills and for things I need like food because I couldn't afford it because I had to pay the vet.

But I can't bring myself to rehome her.   I keep thinking, next month will be better.  Which I really do feel like next month it will.  But if it keeps not getting better and I keep having issues paying the bills, I will get myself in a lot of debt.  So how much debt is too much debt?  Do I wait until my credit cards are maxed out and I literally cannot afford the bills because I have no money and no credit?  If I wait till then, I might get screwed.

But if I give her away before I get to that point, every time I look at her brother I will think of her and be heartbroken because she is my baby.  And I will always think, if I would have given it just a little bit longer, maybe I would have been able to keep her.

I tried calling around to vets, shelters, and the humane society to get help paying for the bills, but nothing is available except for a credit card (care credit).  You have to pay it off in 3 months or there is a 23% interest rate.  Or if you put $2000 or more on it initially, then you can set up a 2 year contract at a 15% interest rate.  Is that worth it?

I DON'T KNOW WHO TO TURN TO FOR HELP 

Starting day 2 of school.  Discussing ethics.