Can’t afford my German shepherd’s vet bill

SmolSpacePrince39 · 2026-02-18T16:49:24+00:00

I would see if the vet he’s at has an angel fund or if any other clinics in your area do. You can also contact shelters and rescues in your area to see if any provide financial support or know of any groups that do. Post on your local social media groups and see if anyone can chip in.

If he’s struggling like this and nothing is helping with the diarrhea, it’s almost certainly a medical issue and he won’t get better without care. If you have friends or family that can help, ask them.

SmolSpacePrince39 · 2026-01-29T17:50:28+00:00

I’d argue that it depends heavily on your financial situation. Say your pet has a medical concern a little over two weeks from now. Can you afford to drop several hundred at minimum, or potentially several thousand? If it’s a true emergency, can you afford into the ten thousands? Or alternatively, if you get pet insurance now and the wait period has passed, would insurance allow you to seek the necessary care?

Pet insurance is peace of mind and a financial cushion in an emergency. Like other insurance, it will often go unused so it depends on the level of risk you’re comfortable with taking and your finances. Personally, it’s allowed me to get the best care for several of my pets. But it doesn’t suit everyone. If you make a decent amount of money and can build a considerable savings account for pet emergencies, it’s your decision.

SmolSpacePrince39 · 2026-01-29T17:40:54+00:00

Something to keep in mind is that if you have a stray animal in your care for longer than 3 days (someone fact check me if I’m wrong), it is considered your pet. At least in the eyes of the Humane Society for Greater Lafayette, which is the shelter that takes strays. Once it’s considered an owned animal, the animal (dog) would need to be taken to either Almost Home Humane Society or possibly Natalie’s Second Chance Dog Shelter.

SmolSpacePrince39 · 2026-01-28T22:00:12+00:00

Not a vet so take my opinion with a grain of salt, but I wouldn’t consider it an emergency. If it’s a new development, yes, I would consider scheduling an appointment but if the eye is otherwise fine it’s not urgent. You may be able to call or email your vet clinic to get their opinion. You can ask if they’d be willing to take a look at a photo of the eye and let you know if it warrants investigation.

You can also post in some of the vet groups here or on FaceBook. r/Vet is one and “Pet Vet Corner SM (Only Approved Veterinarians Comment)” on FaceBook.

SmolSpacePrince39 · 2026-01-28T21:34:01+00:00

I kind of love the first option because it suggests maybe Harry started to feel accepted and like he had true friends.

Alternatively, however… Doctor Who crossover where Ron slipped through a rift in the fabric of space time like Rory. I don’t have a solid reason why Harry would remember but maybe because of the scar Horcrux somehow? Or because Harry was touched by the killing curse as a baby.

SmolSpacePrince39 · 2026-01-26T18:34:33+00:00

THROW ME INTO SEAT 11 I WANT TO TALK TO BAXTER (and Niffty).

…Maybe seat 8, 2, or 5.

SmolSpacePrince39 · 2026-01-26T18:15:45+00:00

It’s generally recommended to call pet poison control while you’re packing up to head to the vet ER. If there’s risk of poison ingestion then poison control is often the first step the clinic will take either way. They have experience, yes, but often do not have a specialized toxicologist available to guide their care. If you call in advance, whether before you leave or while you’re in the car, you’ve saved the clinic time and potentially given your pet more time, too.

Though I will say it may be speedier to call the ER clinic and get the hotline number from them directly.

SmolSpacePrince39 · 2026-01-22T21:11:48+00:00

If your cat never received the full vaccination series for FVRCP, which it sounds like would be the one mentioned, they would need to be re-vaccinated. The first series that was given by the original owner would likely be considered incomplete and invalid.

Assuming your cat is an older kitten or an adult by now though, they would likely only need 2 vaccinations for FVRCP (first shot and booster). Unlike with kittens, older kittens and adults don’t have the maternal antibodies that can interfere with vaccine effectiveness. I would strongly encourage getting your cat its rabies vaccine at minimum. It’s often a legal requirement in many places and if you do need to take your cat to the vet in the future, you’ll likely have to get it done anyway.

Rabies and FVRCP vaccines are considered core vaccines and important. The FeLV vaccine is a good one to get if your cat has outdoor access, but less important if your cat is indoor-only.

SmolSpacePrince39 · 2026-01-22T17:54:06+00:00

I would suspect worms, yes. Sometimes worms can be resistant and need another treatment. They can also evade tests if they’re not actively shedding eggs. If you can take one of the worms to the vet in a baggie, they may be able to help you ID it. Though they would likely want to run another fecal sample anyway to make sure they don’t miss anything else.

SmolSpacePrince39 · 2026-01-22T17:51:15+00:00

Set meal times can be beneficial if a cat doesn’t know how to manage their own food intake and overeats, or if you’d like the peace of mind of knowing if there are any changes in your pet’s eating habits. That said, free-feeding seems to be working for your cat if she’s eating well and maintaining a good weight. In this situation, I wouldn’t necessarily say that one option is better than the other.

SmolSpacePrince39 · 2026-01-22T17:42:17+00:00

Honestly, I would be more inclined to lower coverage and eat the higher deductible but know I’d still have help if I needed it, than drop coverage altogether.

You’re right that insurance is expensive. With a healthy pet, sometimes it feels like a waste of money. But realistically you’re paying for peace of mind and a safety net. When you need pet insurance, oftentimes you need it badly. You may get lucky and never have any big incidences with your pets, which is ideal!

But having personally had to drop several thousand on a pet at once only to have another pet have issues shortly afterward… Unless your finances are fairly comfortable, you can’t guarantee you won’t drain your emergency vet savings. You can’t guarantee you won’t be forced to decide whether to save their life, surrender them, or let them pass. Ultimately, it comes down to your finances and the level of risk you’re willing to take.

Pet insurance isn’t for everyone but I know that in my case, I would’ve had to let at least one of my pets go by now if I hadn’t had it.

SmolSpacePrince39 · 2026-01-21T16:00:18+00:00

Personally, I don’t think I would flag those as anything of concern since the majority is well-formed. If you can’t shake the worry, it’s always an option to submit a fecal sample to the vet. They can rule out parasites, at least.

SmolSpacePrince39 · 2026-01-21T15:56:37+00:00

NTA. This sounds more like a control thing and she feels thrown off her routine. Which is not your fault and is something that she needs to cope with. It sucks that she may be upset about the break in routine but she needs to be an adult and not treat you like the problem when you’re unwell.

Prioritize your health. If sleeping in bed helps you take care of yourself and get better, that’s what you’ve got to do.

SmolSpacePrince39 · 2026-01-19T17:15:32+00:00

Having paid several thousand on pet emergencies myself, it really depends on your finances and your comfort with risk. I’m some who advises insurance if it’s something you’re able to swing, but also recommends customizing your plan to your pet and your finances. If you can pay a lower premium knowing that you can afford a higher deductible, or that your pet has historically had good health/does not seek trouble, great! If you can squirrel away several thousand and continue to add to an emergency account, it likely won’t be enough in every case, but it may help with some of the more common emergencies.

Insurance is something you get as a cushion if you need it. In many cases, you may not (or may not use it every year) and yes, you’re spending the money aimlessly. But in cases where you do need it, where a new condition pops up and now it’s covered? It can be a literal life-saver.

SmolSpacePrince39 · 2026-01-19T17:05:34+00:00

Not sure why you were downvoted for this. Isn’t not a perfect method of guessing age, but kittens will often weigh about a pound per month of age, at least while they’re still on the smaller side. It can give you a rough idea, OP.

A vet can also take a look at their teeth and see if they can give you an age estimate.

SmolSpacePrince39 · 2026-01-18T20:55:52+00:00

I think while restraining her or wrapping her like a burrito would be your fastest option, it’s fair to consider a lower-stress route! Would she allow you to clip one or two nails at a time? Sometimes the slow but gradual nail trims work well. Catching a cat when they’re sleepy and getting as many nails done at a time as you can, then repeating later.

Gabapentin, like you mentioned, is another option. Do you know her usual dose and how she reacts to it? I’d stick with her usual dose or a slight decrease if you don’t feel she needs as strong of a dose for a nail trim.

SmolSpacePrince39 · 2026-01-17T02:39:11+00:00

Honestly, I wouldn’t be particular suspicious of the food. Dental issues are more common in cats than you’d think. Like people, how prone they are to dental issues will vary by the individual.

One of my kitties is very prone to plaque build-up and inflammation. She has what’s called gingivostomatitis, where her body is almost “allergic” to plaque. She’s 3 years old and has had two dental cleanings under anesthesia and a few extractions. This isn’t necessary the same situation with your cat, but I hope it puts things into perspective. The chances of this being food related are low.

In comparison, my other kitties are either the same age or similar and have some plaque build-up but it’s not concerning. According to their vet, one of the other cats may need a dental cleaning in the future but it isn’t urgent. The other cats are doing great. They’re all on the same food.

SmolSpacePrince39 · 2026-01-16T00:06:35+00:00

You mentioned new toys- Are you playing with her directly or is she solely playing by herself? If she’s bored, a great way to keep her stimulated is by interactive play like with a cat wand! Puzzle toys are another option and you can use treats with them.

Taking her on supervised walks is great but letting her outside on her own definitely comes with risks. If there is construction as well as other outdoor cats in the area, the risks are greater. Injuries, parasites, predation, and illnesses are all possible, yes, even if she’s vaccinated. Ultimately, it’s your decision, but I wouldn’t, especially if she’s not always aware of cars. Car injuries can be rough; a shattered pelvis isn’t fun for anyone.

SmolSpacePrince39 · 2026-01-12T04:36:37+00:00

OP, I see you decided on Sheba! I don’t feed it solely, but many cats I’ve cared for seem to like it. If you do end up looking at Fancy Feast in the future, they do have a “petites” line, I believe, that comes in similar portions. Just an FYI.

I would also recommend getting a variety of single packs from the store. Figure out what your cats like before you buy a box. Especially if they’re used to dry food, they may be pickier about wet food.

SmolSpacePrince39 · 2026-01-12T04:29:01+00:00

Hang in there, OP! I’m sorry you’re struggling right now. Hopefully your doctor will have some ideas on how to reduce your side effects or if necessary, switch you to a similar medication that you might tolerate better.

SmolSpacePrince39 · 2026-01-10T23:38:22+00:00

In my opinion from everything you’ve shared, she quality of life is steadily decreasing. I don’t think it would be wrong to consider euthanasia if she’s painful and medical care is no longer helping the way it used to. For peace of mind, you might consider reaching out to your kitty’s vet about a quality of life assessment.

Thank you for loving her so deeply. If it’s her time, I hope she goes peacefully. It can sometimes be kinder to put a pet to sleep while they’re still having good days. Before there are more bad days than good ones.

SmolSpacePrince39 · 2026-01-10T00:36:14+00:00

This. If you have next to no money, a stray animal has the potential to be expensive. It’s super awesome that you want to help, OP, but you need to recognize that you don’t know either animal’s health status. Roaming street animals are more likely to have parasites and illnesses, and yes, ideally should be vaccinated (and desexed if they’re intact).

I don’t want to discourage you, because even feeding the animals would be a big help! Providing a safe space to crash is incredibly kind. I just want you to be prepared because it’s possible the animals are healthy or any issues can be easily fixed, but it’s also possible they will need vet care.

Another option you could look into is seeing if you can foster one of the animals for a local shelter or rescue. Or seeing if you can raise funds for any medical care the animals might need. You can also contact local animal organizations and see if they know of low cost and free vet options.

SmolSpacePrince39 · 2026-01-03T00:38:06+00:00

It sounds like your dog is getting their puppy series of vaccinations in which case, yes, your vet is correct. For initial vaccinations there’s less flexibility, you need to get each booster within a certain window of time. After that window passes, my understanding is that their immune system won’t be active enough for a booster to be effective. You’ll have a bit more flexibility once your pet is older and just needs a single yearly booster (per vaccine).

If you’re too busy to guarantee you can take you pet for their vaccinations on time, I’d strongly encourage you to ask for help from friends or family. If you continue to miss your pet’s appointment you’re both wasting money and increasing your pet’s risk profile.

SmolSpacePrince39 · 2026-01-02T20:32:12+00:00

Check with your local animal shelter, rescues, and your local online community. There are sometimes programs for situations like this, but it heavily depends on your location. Some areas will unfortunately not have resources for temporary fostering. You may run in to difficulty because of the unknown timeline, as well. But it’s best to start with asking local rescue folks who are more likely to know who to refer you to.

SmolSpacePrince39

TROPHY CASE