jack russel

[mtgoat911]

i posted a few weeks ago after my 11 pd jack ws attacked by a 70 pd german shepard, the first vet visit the doctor did a quick exam, over looked bit wound and brusing on stomach, when i retuned to my car and saw i had blood on my shirt i walked back in and told the vet, that visit was around $125, a couple of days later i had to bring him back in because the bruising was worse, the vet gave him anti-inflam and ultram to take with his anti-bs, this visit was over $200, the nest week i noticed something that could be a hernia, took him back she did a rectal exam charged me $65, explained that it did not appear to be a hernia but i would need a $80 exray, that i did not have the money for, so this week i noticed blood in his urine, today went back to the vet, had an ultra sound, exam, urine extraction, and more anti-bs, this visit was close to $400, and i still needed the $80 exray, i asked if i could pay them the 400 today and set up payments with my credit card for the 80 buck so i could go ahead an have the exray, they said no, is this common? why would someone refuse tx if they have your credit card number? i am going back monday for the test results, hoping it shows why there is blood

[mtgoat911]

we just found out that he has a hernia and has been put on meds for prostate problems, he has turned into a little old man
poor lil guy he is so tiny even for a jack, that dog attack really changed him

[netgal1]

oh ok sorry bout that, well I hope everything is fine with your dog, Jack russells are very energetic, I have 1 to,and love him.Regards Sandy

[mtgoat911]

no my dog was in their fenced in yard

[netgal1]

Have you talked to the person who owns the Shepherd, if so maybe they would be able to help out with the costs,afterall it was their dog that attacked yours. I think they should be held responsible for what happened. I had the same problem my Jack russell was attacked by an Akita for no reason, I had my jack on a leash and this happened, so I brought in the Athorities, bylaw, police. That same dog bit my daughter so now the dog was euthanized, took a bit of work but ended up getting justice, check with your athorities, to get help with this, I think they should be held some responsibility on this good luck

[mtgoat911]

thank you for your advice, i am surprised that medhelp lets you have a medical sign by your name
i am a paramedic and used the medic sign as my default picture , its the same picture i have used on internet forums for a long time and man did they have a cow !!!!!!
its odd, very selective

[ginger899]

Thank you. I understand that bacteria test better now.

[Thomas Dock, CVJ, Vet. Technician]

Just a little clarification about the second lab test with the bacteria.   I am assuming that the lab found bacteria in submitted urine sample and then the veterinarian ordered a culture and sensitivity to find out what type of bacteria and what antibiotics will work best.   Although some generic features of bacteria are noticeable under the microscope (shape and staining patterns), it is not possible to differentiate two species.  Its not unusual for veterinarians to prescribe a broad spectrum antibiotic, but you have to remember that you could end up selecting for resistant bacteria with the wrong antibiotic.

As far as looking for veterinarians who accept payments, you generally need to be a client in good standing with them before they will allow that.   What you might do is look at CareCredit (carecredit.com) and see if you can get that financing.  Then, you just need to find a veterinarian who accepts CareCredit.

Good luck...I hope your little guy is feeling better soon!

[mtgoat911]

thanks, well i cant blame the german shepard, my youngest son left our door open and my dog got out, ended up in our neighbors fenced in back yard
it has taken 3 weeks for my kids to get used to our new house, its one level and has 5 doors leading to the outside, our old house had 3 but we only used 2
oh well today my dog started is anti-bs again, hopefully he can keep them down, the vet suggested a small dose of pepto as needed

[ginger899]

I actually find that weird. That the lab. checked his urine for bacteria, found it, then they want you to pay again for tests to find out 'which kind of bacteria'. That baffles me..... possibly I am not au-fait with laboratory procedures, but I'd have thought that discovering the bacteria would automatically show what kind of bacteria they were dealing with...(?)

It is hard, finding the fees for on-going treatments like this. But that is pets for you. They are fine for ages with only a twice-a-year visit, which doesn't cost the earth, then suddenly something happens which means umpteen tests have to be run.
I hope he is ok. (poor little thing! That German Shepherd should have picked someone his own size....or preferably been controlled better by his 'pack leaders'.

[mtgoat911]

well we just moved out here a couple of months ago but we have been to that office several times,
so his test results came back for stones, and 2 types of bacterial infections, they wanted to do another test to find out what types of bacteria for $120, however i have delt with patients who did not have insurance when i worked in the er, our doctors would give a broad spec. anti-b, so thats what i asked for, i was lucky, the vet is going to try that first for the infection without the test
i really need to have an xray done on him because i think he has a hernia, the vet said she wasnt sure but it did not seem like he did
i am looking for a vets office that accepts payments, just to be sure i want the exray and maybe an ultra sound
too bad we cannot ad our pets to health insurance policy

[ginger899]

I am sorry your dog got attacked in the first place, and sorry he has on-going problems like this.
Blood in the urine could be caused by small stones.

However, although all these symptoms may be unrelated to the attack, and could be co-incidental, and the vet is not God, I do wonder why the vet didn't do a more thorough examination the first time you took your dog in?
Bruising really sets in a day or so after trauma, it worsens for a day or two, then starts to lessen. That can be expected, after an attack like that. Also maybe some lethargy, and stiffness, as there would be likely to be muscle-strains.

I'm not saying the vet deliberately dragged this out, to get more money out of you, because some of the symptoms, if at all related to the attack, could come on later, after the first consultation. But still I wonder why the vet didn't check your dog out better the first time.

I suppose different vets have different policies when it comes to payment. But surely if you have been a regular client there, and have always paid up, they should give you a little leeway on the odd occasion?