My dog needs a knee surgery which would cost $ 3,000. How can I cut cost if I have no pet insurance?

I have 3 dogs and, so far, 2 have needed surgery - my boxer broke his leg falling down the stairs costing me $3,500 and my dachshund just had spinal surgery for a ruptured disc costing me $3,400. Both surgeries were done at Angell Memorial in Boston - a non-profit animal hospital. That is the key. The estimate I got for the dachshund at a VCA animal hospital was more than double the estimate at Angell for almost exactly the same line-by-line items.

If you go to more than one hospital for an estimate you will pay for the visit and diagnosis, which cost me around $160 at both hospitals. My vet does not do surgery like this, which is why I had to go to an emergency hospital - it was very important to have him speak to the hospitals that we were getting estimates from, however, because he made sure the costs and treatments were necessary and not padding (which VCA's estimate was).

Also, see if the vet accepts Care Credit. This was my lifesaver because we were able to spread out the payments over 12 months (it depends on how much is charged and how the hospital chooses to spread out payments - at Angell you could spread out $300 over 3 months and anything over $1,000 (I believe) over 12 months). You can apply online at http://www.carecredit.com/ or at most Financial Aid offices at an emergency hospital.

Talk to the vet, though, and see what they can do to lower the bill. I told Angell there was no way I could afford $7,000 that VCA estimated, but I could afford half of that amount. They were able to do a different diagnostic test to see if my dachshund did, in fact, have a ruptured disc, which significantly lowered my cost.

I hope everything works out for you and your dog.

There IS no way to cut costs on ACL injury surgery, which is probably what your dog needs.

The Traditional Surgery costs only 1/2 as much, so you could as your doctors if they would do this in place of the TPLO or TTA they have recommended.

There are some groups that offer financial assistance for major dog care. You can get that information from someone at Orthodogs Yahoo Group. There are excellent resources at that yahoo group for any dog needing any kind of surgery.

You cannot "cut cost" because it is what it is, however your vet should be willing to work out a payment plan with you. Expect to put up at least 1/2 of the total amount prior to the surgery though. I wish health care wasn't so expensive for our babies!

There is really no way to cut costs on a surgery....

Apply for a care credit and ask for payment plans from the vet if you can't afford it.

There is a link on my links page for a place called quick care. I am sure that you can still get your dog coverage. Its only $99 a year and it covers everything. They are not an insurance but a supplimental I like them better!

email me and I will give you the link

it may be cheaper to amputate that leg rather than have the knee surgery, dogs get along fine with three legs, and they adapt very fast. However, I personally would not go this route unless it was my last chance. Try talking to the vet to see if you can get on a payment plan for the procedure.

Cut cost? You can't, really.

Is this a heritable condition like luxating patellas? If so, and you used a good breeder, read your contract and see what kind of health guarantee they offered.

Otherwise, http://carecredit.com/ offers promotional no-interest "loans" to help you pay for vet bills. I think that it's up to 18 months, and of course, it's on approved credit.

Try these websites they help with costs of surgery

Angels 4 Animals

"Our services range from financial aid to complete treatment

http://www.angels4animals.org/

American Animal Hospital Association

"Through the AAHA Helping Pets Fund, veterinary care is possible for

http://www.aahahelpingpets.org/home/

Care Credit

A credit card company for health care, including veterinary care.

http://www.carecredit.com/

God's Creatures Ministry

This fund helps pay for veterinarian bills for those who need help."

http://www.all-creatures.org/gcm/help-cf.html

Help-A-Pet

"Our efforts focus on serving the elderly, the disabled, and the working poor

http://www.help-a-pet.org/home.html

The Pet Fund

"The Pet Fund is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit association that provides financial assistance to owners of domestic animals who need urgent veterinary care

http://thepetfund.com/

United Animal Nations

The mission of LifeLine is to help homeless or recently rescued animals suffering from life-threatening conditions that require specific and immediate emergency veterinary care. We strive to serve Good Samaritans and rescue groups who take in sick or injured animals. In certain cases, LifeLine can also assist senior citizens and low-income families pay for immediate emergency veterinary care."

http://www.uan.org/lifeline/index.html

Check with several vets and see if some are more reasonable. Check with ASPCA and see if they know of any help you can get.

Then you need to start having garage sales, eBay sales, clean out your junk. Have a bake sale, Have a drawing when you sell chances on a bicycle or an Ipod or something????

You can not cut cost If thats what they charge. Surgry is not cheap i paid out about the same for my dog