Free Or Cheap Vet Care For Piggy

[guineapig-al]

@Piggly Thank you so very much for showing me this shortcut. Much needed and greatly appreciated. Would you like to share your views with us about "Guinea pigs as therapy pets"?

 

[guineapig-al]

@theoretikos
@MushiiPeas
I posted a new thread, "Guinea pigs as therapy pets", I'm inviting you to share with us your experiences with these wonderful creatures

 

[Shrap]

Dear lord

 

[LydiaMinx]

I have to agree with @piggyfan on this, while I think if currently in a bad financial situation you shouldn't buy animals, situations can go pear shaped very quickly. I've personally had to get help from a local charity for my cat a few years back and I was treated with disgust at the vets! I didn't deserve it and all I was trying to do was stop my cat getting worse, I was paid the next week, offered to repay and they refused, I tried! Pets aren't just for the rich, even if in receipt of benefits you should be able to have a pet if you can provide for it

 

[theoretikos]

I have to agree with @piggyfan on this, while I think if currently in a bad financial situation you shouldn't buy animals, situations can go pear shaped very quickly. I've personally had to get help from a local charity for my cat a few years back and I was treated with disgust at the vets! I didn't deserve it and all I was trying to do was stop my cat getting worse, I was paid the next week, offered to repay and they refused, I tried! Pets aren't just for the rich, even if in receipt of benefits you should be able to have a pet if you can provide for it

My mum got awful treatment at the vets last month because neither of us drive. We went to the closest vet for the cats benefit and we are treated like scum for not owning a car! They wanted us to take the bus to their larger premises around 10 miles away. A lovely 45 minute bus journey. I'm glad my pigs don't go there.

 

[LydiaMinx]

My mum got awful treatment at the vets last month because neither of us drive. We went to the closest vet for the cats benefit and we are treated like scum for not owning a car! I'm glad my pigs don't go there.

Wow, that's such a ridiculous thing to be annoyed over too! The vet in question in my post was awful, I picked my cat up the next morning and she had poo on her face and they thought she was a stray! Thank god I picked her up first thing otherwise she may have gone to a cattery! Off topic but rude/incapable vets always rile me up, especially when there's no need

 

[Amanda1801]

I have to agree with @piggyfan on this, while I think if currently in a bad financial situation you shouldn't buy animals, situations can go pear shaped very quickly. I've personally had to get help from a local charity for my cat a few years back and I was treated with disgust at the vets! I didn't deserve it and all I was trying to do was stop my cat getting worse, I was paid the next week, offered to repay and they refused, I tried! Pets aren't just for the rich, even if in receipt of benefits you should be able to have a pet if you can provide for it

My mum got awful treatment at the vets last month because neither of us drive. We went to the closest vet for the cats benefit and we are treated like scum for not owning a car! They wanted us to take the bus to their larger premises around 10 miles away. A lovely 45 minute bus journey. I'm glad my pigs don't go there.

People's attachment to their pets is not one to be under estimated. I've been a vet receptionist for 5 years and we (at my surgery) all bend over backwards to help people who care about their animals, regardless of money, cars, whatever. We actively encourage people to seek charitable help if they're eligible as chances are, their animal will get "better" treatment, in terms of what needs to be done, rather than choosing to do A, C and D but not B because it's too expensive. I've also done emergency trips out in the ambulance to collect animals when owners have no transport (but the usual ambulance driver gets angry when you change his radio station )

 

[LeahsPiggies]

I haven't read all of the comments - but I 100% disagree with the term 'if you can't afford vet bills you shouldn't have a pet'. If like me, you have had 4 pets poorly at the same time, have already spent hundreds on medication, xrays, dental work and more to come, sometimes the added help from charities such as the RSPCA is the only place to turn to next.

Fortunately that isn't the case for me and I will be finding the money to pay for further vet bills I have coming up, but my point is, when adopting a pet, I had the idea (as any pet owner would) that my pets would recieve vet treatment when they need it, and without fail they have. But when it's an ongoing issue, money becomes tight, especially if you are on a low income or a teen who doesn't work and relies on their parents help.

Whilst I agree, that when bringing a pet home, you should be prepared for any future medical needs and start to put money aside, but sometimes, as stated above, vet bills can be very straining.

 

[LydiaMinx]

People's attachment to their pets is not one to be under estimated. I've been a vet receptionist for 5 years and we (at my surgery) all bend over backwards to help people who care about their animals, regardless of money, cars, whatever. We actively encourage people to seek charitable help if they're eligible as chances are, their animal will get "better" treatment, in terms of what needs to be done, rather than choosing to do A, C and D but not B because it's too expensive. I've also done emergency trips out in the ambulance to collect animals when owners have no transport (but the usual ambulance driver gets angry when you change his radio station )

I'm glad there's some receptionists out there who care! Every time I've been to that surgery they're rude, I've now stopped going. I now use Companion Care and while I don't like endorsing P@H they've been the most professional I've tried and the vets know piggies!

 

[salembinx]

I feel I have to say something. It looks like you will all be against me having my animals then as I use RSPCA and blue cross. I am unable to work due to having mental health conditions. The only way I can afford vet fees is through those wonderful organisations. Without my animals I would have commuted suicide a long time ago. They are the only things that keep me going and all I live for. They mean the world to me. It really saddens me to read of these judgemental posts as I cannot see any other way to live my life yet now I feel sick reading what people think of people like me who have animals yet use such organisations.

I too have a mental health condition and without my animals my life would be so much worse. I have always paid private for my animals but due to a marriage breakdown my finances changed. I do use the pdsa but I always donate a good amount and make regular donations every month. People should not be judged by their wealth but for the love and care they give their animals. Please don't judge people just because you have the abilities to pay , it's a sad world when we label people and judge people without knowing the facts

 

[Poppy'sMum]

I don't think anyone should be judged for not being able to pay; circumstances do change & none of us know what might be around the corner However it is sad that some parents buy piggies as pets for their kids without a thought about what will happen should they get sick, just to give in to their child's demands It is irresponsible to take on pets if you struggle to support your own family, especially if when they get sick the only choice you have it to pts rather than treat. That's my opinion, it's not judging anyone, it's a statement of fact.

 

[salembinx]

I don't think anyone should be judged for not being able to pay; circumstances do change & none of us know what might be around the corner However it is sad that some parents buy piggies as pets for their kids without a thought about what will happen should they get sick, just to give in to their child's demands It is irresponsible to take on pets if you struggle to support your own family, especially if when they get sick the only choice you have it to pts rather than treat. That's my opinion, it's not judging anyone, it's a statement of fact.

Yes I agree with the children thing, some people regard rodents be it piggies rats or whatever as throw away commodities , my piggies cost me more than my two dogs did before they died. It's down to ignorance not doing research on what these animals need , children do have to be taught how to care for all animals, but not on a whim. As adults we should research everything about animals needs. I researched for 6 months before getting my bearded dragon, he still fell Ill. An exotic vet is not cheap, I paid in excess of 1000 pounds to get him better and constant nursing from me , I had to find the money as charities are not geared up for exotic pets, I did pay in instalments so that was ok . It's like all things in life people have differing attitudes and thought. We have to respect that x

 

[twiams]

I think as long as you treat free vet care as a last resort then no worries, it's the people who get pets and don't worry about any form of vet bills because they know they can get PDSA treatment, where all you pay for really is neutering.

If you can't look after yourself though, you need to think if you should take on the care of another animals life, some people get pets but wouldn't dream of looking after a baby, i really wish people would see how similar the commitment is, as ridiculous as that may sound!

Also i think no matter what your situation you should always make a donation back to the charity for the care they provide, i've heard of people not donating back because they're saving for a holiday or something ridiculous!

 

[salembinx]

I will say one last thing, when I took my late fathers dog to the RSPCA , I was shocked as to how many pedigree dogs were in there. These dogs are not cheap and as with all pedigrees do suffer bad illness . My dobermans costed me 750 each. So how can they afford that kind of money but not the vet fees. Some were puppies so it's obvious really isn't it. Flip side of the coin

 

[salembinx]

I think as long as you treat free vet care as a last resort then no worries, it's the people who get pets and don't worry about any form of vet bills because they know they can get PDSA treatment, where all you pay for really is neutering.

If you can't look after yourself though, you need to think if you should take on the care of another animals life, some people get pets but wouldn't dream of looking after a baby, i really wish people would see how similar the commitment is, as ridiculous as that may sound!

Also i think no matter what your situation you should always make a donation back to the charity for the care they provide, i've heard of people not donating back because they're saving for a holiday or something ridiculous!

That's just plain naughty x

 

[twiams]

I will say one last thing, when I took my late fathers dog to the RSPCA , I was shocked as to how many pedigree dogs were in there. These dogs are not cheap and as with all pedigrees do suffer bad illness . My dobermans costed me 750 each. So how can they afford that kind of money but not the vet fees. Some were puppies so it's obvious really isn't it. Flip side of the coin

Yeah lots of people have expensive pedigrees that cost well in to the thousand mark, but claim not to be able to afford them, i think PDSA has brought in a new rule of only 1 pedigree pet per client, but then you get a lot of people claiming their dog is a cross breed, and theres not much you can do to say otherwise unless you do expensive tests to really 100% prove it!

 

[salembinx]

Yeah lots of people have expensive pedigrees that cost well in to the thousand mark, but claim not to be able to afford them, i think PDSA has brought in a new rule of only 1 pedigree pet per client, but then you get a lot of people claiming their dog is a cross breed, and theres not much you can do to say otherwise unless you do expensive tests to really 100% prove it!

Yes that is the rule and only three pets registered, people just take the mick don't they. crossbreeds have silly names now so they can charge you the earth for them . The worlds gone mad !!

 

[maxinedawn]

I'm a childrens foster carer. As a fc I go into a lot of homes, with the children to have contact with parents and family. Most have animals that they can't look after, let alone their children. But only one family that I've meet have use the PDSA. And that took alot of convincing to get them to go. Most of them wont use charitys because they don't want to be judged.
I was wondering where all these people that abuse the charity's are because I've not meet them. And you would think I would have considering I send hath my live with drug user/ alcoholics.

 

[Amanda1801]

I'm a childrens foster carer. As a fc I go into a lot of homes, with the children to have contact with parents and family. Most have animals that they can't look after, let alone their children. But only one family that I've meet have use the PDSA. And that took alot of convincing to get them to go. Most of them wont use charitys because they don't want to be judged.
I was wondering where all these people that abuse the charity's are because I've not meet them. And you would think I would have considering I send hath my live with drug user/ alcoholics.

It's v common for people to use a friends name and address and for them to claim to have re homed an animal (due to the limit on numbers you can have registered, if they have 3 registered and number 4 gets sick, they will claim one of the well ones has been re homed). I over hear a lot of discussions in the waiting room about how they can get charity assistance when the actual owner can't afford treatment yet aren't eligible for assistance themselves.