Dog + Porcupine = Vacation Woes

[intheflow]

Well, here I am, back early from two weeks of camping in the mountains because my dog decided he had to investigate that funky smell in the hollow log. So for an hour last night my son and I sat in the Wal-Mart parking lot in Frisco, CO, with newly bought scissors and pliers, wrestling our 100-lb dog to take out about 100 porcupine quills. We only got about half of them, and couldn't get near the ones in his gums and on the roof of his mouth.

Of course, we realized we couldn't get them all around 10pm. We called three emergency vets' numbers up there. One never called back (in Dillion, CO), one said it would cost $700 (in Frisco), and the Breckinridge vet said she'd charge us $350-400 for an emergency visit, but if we could wait until she opened in the morning, it would knock about $150 off because there would be no emergency fee.

:grr:

We are poor people. My son is in college and I just graduated with my Masters and don't have a job yet. So since we'd have to wait until morning anyway, we drove back to Denver (an hour and a half) to bring him to the poor people's vet hospital.

It's still going to cost between $200-275 since they have to do blood work because of his age (9 years) and they'll have to sedate him ($$$). We dropped him off at 7am. They said they'd get to him this morning, but it's now 1pm and we haven't heard back form them.

I'm totally sleep-deprived and go back and forth between being worried for the dog and being worried about how I'll pay for this. So I guess this is a shameless plea for love, sympathy, and support from my DU family. Thanks for listening.

Family Pup on Happier Vacation a Few Years Back

[ewagner]

1. Positive response

to your "shameless plea for love, sympathy, and support....

:hug: :loveya: :hi:

[intheflow]

7. Thank you!

:hug:

[djeseru]

2. Sending good vibes your way...

...in hopes things will work out for you and your curious dog. :hug:

[intheflow]

8. Aren't cats supposed to be the curious ones?

Thanks for your good wishes. :hug:

[Shell Beau]

3. Aw, that sucks! I am sorry! I hope things get better!

[intheflow]

9. Me too.

But I'll bet nobody wishes that more than the dog!

[Flying Dream Blues]

4. I'm sorry, too...what a terrible way to end a vacation.

Hugs to you and Curious George, the intrepid porcupine hunter. I'm asking the universe to help you with the $$, and sending healing energy for CG. Poor baby! Poor ITF! It will all get better soon, I hope. Somehow, this is much funnier on TV, huh.

:hug:

[intheflow]

6. My son and I were saying that this will be much funnier

when re-told as family lore in years to come.

And vacation not ended... just interrupted. Thanks for aksing the Cosmic Money Pile to help me out. :)

[Flying Dream Blues]

13. I'm glad you will get to finish your vacation. You deserve it!

[MissMillie]

5. You're in my thoughts

I know how difficult it can be when a beloved pet needs care that you can't afford.

I hope everything works out for you.

[intheflow]

11. Thanks, Miss Millie.

I'm sorry it sounds like you've experienced something similar. :hug:

[radwriter0555]

10. oh how awful... yep, those pet ER bills are EXPENSIVE... we paid $4000

for ER, miscellaneous bills and surgery last year for my 5 lb maltese after our other dog bit and broke her little leg.

We now call her the bionic bitch, since she has titanium plates the size of toothpicks in her little itty bitty leggy.

Our pets are not always cheap unfortunately.

Good luck.

[intheflow]

12. We call our dog bionic, too.

He's had both his back "knees" replaced, due to shepard-breed joint problems. Total cost there: $1200. Thank goodness that was paid for already!

[Patiod]

14. Oooo..that hurts

I thought a dachshund who ate a bee (picture the muzzle the same size as the head) was sad, but your doggy takes the prize for sad.

And you're never truly poor with a good mind and a good education. You're just temporarily cash-strapped!

[Mutley]

15. Awww poor doggy.

:hug: It'll be okay. I bet he'll never go near a porcupine again.

[abbeyco]

16. Please take care and don't worry

Sometimes these things work themselves out.

I hope you, your son and your pup all end up okay.
Please give us an update when you hear from the Vet.

[Lorien]

17. Been there, done that

with my best friend's ridgeback/ mastiff mix while vacationing in Canada. No fun!

Vet bills are outrageous these days. I'm so sorry that you and your pup are going through this! :hug:

[Cyndee_Lou_Who]

18. Awwww..... hoping all is better soon.

:( and... :hug:

[A HERETIC I AM]

19. Poor Pup pup.....

My sympathies. I too had a time with a serious injury with my dog that cost me an arm and a leg when i could least afford it. Hang tough, you'll get through it.

I hope it wasnt as bad as this poor guy;


NOT my dog, but this guy had a SERIOUSLY bad day.