I Need Advice from Epi-Dog People, Please

Thank you all for your kind words and encouragement. I spoke with all three Vets who are involved in Spencer’s care this morning. The Neurologist who examined him told me his neurological exam was normal and asked me how he behaved between seizures (I said like a normal Sheltie who runs, plays, eats and BARKS). She surprised me by not insisting on the “expensive” tests which I can’t afford anyway and advising she didn’t feel it was a brain tumor, etc. but was, in fact, epilepsy. Spencer did have a 20 second break-through seizure at 10:00p.m. last night and so they will continue him on the continuous Valium drip for 24 hours after the last seizure. After that, they’ll monitor him for an additional 12 hours and hopefully I’ll be able to bring him home Friday morning. Next step will be doing some adjustments of his meds. I know that some of you have been through this aspect of the dreaded disease, but this is our first (and we pray our only) cluster experience. The Vets who have been involved in his care have been outstanding, taking the time to explain everything and to discuss their advice for what we might be able to do with meds to help Spencie in the future. Again, thanks to all of you!
 
So glad to hear that your ordeal is coming to an end, glad things have worked out and that the bank isn't completely brocken :smile2:

I'll keep my fingers crossed that you have no more cluster episodes and that you get his meds adjusted correctly soon!
 
That does sound like some good news, Jan! A normal exam--that's wonderful to hear. Still, epilepsy can be daunting and overwhelming at times like the two days you've had. Adjusting the meds should make a difference although it may take some tweaking, so be patient. We'll keep praying for little Spencer (and you!) It's fantastic that you have good veterinary care that you have confidence in.

Shaun, I do remember the posting you mentioned about financial help for medical care. When I -- or anyone else who'd like to -- has some time, let's dig it out and put it in the Favorites category. That's definitely one that should be there for easy reference. If I recall, it was a posting by GeeRome on a potential surgical problem.
 
It was indeed from GeeRome :yes:

GeeRome said:
Oh Hugo! I'm so sorry! That has got to be a horrible situation to be in. I've been through my share of medical issues with the dogs (Gio especially) and it has never crossed my mind to get rid of him or to not treat him. So I know where you are coming from. I'm sure you will find a way to work this out for your pup and hopefully the sticker price was just a shock to the gf and she will come around to help out eventually.

There are funding options available. Here is a list I found that details some of the organizations that can help financially. Some may not apply, but I just cut/paste the whole list to save time and effort.

In Memory of Magic (IMOM) is dedicated to insuring that no companion animal has to be euthanized simply because their caretaker is financially challenged.
http://www.imom.org
IMOM, Inc
PO Box 282
Cheltenham, MD 20623
Phone (866)-230-2164 Fax (301)-599-1852

United Animal Nations established the LifeLine fund in 1997 to aid companion animals in times of life-threatening emergencies when their caregivers, with low or no incomes, are unable to afford the entire cost of treatment.
http://uan.org/lifeline
United Animal Nations
P.O. Box 188890
Sacramento, California 95818
Telephone: (916) 429 2457 fax: (916) 429 2456

Help-A-Pet is a nonprofit organization, which provides financial assistance for the medical care of pets whose guardians are unable to afford the expense
http://www.help-a-pet.org
Help-A-Pet
P. O. Box 244
Hinsdale, Illinois 60521
Telephone: (630) 986-9504 fax: (630) 986-9141

HandicappedPets.com
http://www.handicappedpets.com
"Fr om time to time, HandicappedPets.com recognizes a caretaker of handicapped pets that need some special attention, and a little extra help. There are those who are so selflessly dedicated to their animal families that they give up a little more than they can afford."

American Animal Hospital Association
http://www.aahahelpingpets.org
"The heartbreak happens all too often ? a pet owner is unable to
afford treatment and their sick or injured companion animal pays the price. If the owner is elderly, disabled or on a fixed income, the
cost of care may be too much of a stretch for their pocketbook.
Perhaps they have been victimized by crime, property loss or a job
layoff and are experiencing a temporary financial hardship ? making it too difficult to afford pet care. And some animals, brought to clinics by Good Samaritans, don't have an owner to pay for treatment. Whatever the situation, the fact remains the same: When sick or injured animals are unable to receive veterinary care, they suffer. Through the AAHA Helping Pets Fund, veterinary care is possible for sick or injured pets even if they have been abandoned or if their owner is experiencing financial hardship."

Angels 4 Animals
http://www.Angels4Animals.org
"Angels4Animals, a non-profit organization and a program of Inner
Voice Community Services, has a mission to serve as the guardian
angel of animals whose caretakers find themselves in difficult
financial situations. At Angels4Animals we believe that animal owners should not have to say goodbye to the animals that they love. Our work is accomplished in conjunction with veterinary clinics across the country, eager to assist as many animals, and their owners, as possible. Our services range from financial aid to complete treatment to those pets and pet owners in need."

Care Credit
http://www.carecredit.com
A credit card company for health care, including veterinary care.
"CareCredit, the leader in patient/client financing, has helped more
than 3 million patients/clients get the treatment or procedures they needed and wanted. With a comprehensive range of plan options, for treatment or procedure fees from $1 to over $25,000, we offer a plan and a low monthly payment to fit comfortably into almost every budget."

The Pet Fund
http://thepetfund.com
"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. Often animals are put down or suffer
needlessly because their owners cannot afford expensive surgery or emergency vet visits. Companion animal owners must often make the difficult decision to put an animal down or neglect urgent medical needs because of the costs involved. The purpose of the Pet Fund is to work towards a future where decisions about companion animal medical care need never be made on the basis of cost."

UK Assistance with Veterinary Bills
http://www.petloversonline.co.uk
"Most of us can cope with the financial commitment involved in the
day to day care of our pets. However, how many of us come out in a
cold sweat when our pet is ill or injured and we know we have to take it to the vet? Most of us are fortunate enough to be able to afford it but, some of us who love our animals dearly cannot. Unfortunately we do not have a PDSA or a RSPCA Centre within our area, but there are a few charities who may be able to help."

Feline Veterinary Emergency Assistance Programs provides financial assistance for emergency medical care for cats.
http://www.fveap.org
FVEAP

FVEAP
http://www.fveap.org
T he Feline Veterinary Emergency Assistance Program is a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) organization that provides financial assistance for emergency medical care to cat and kitten guardians who are unable to afford veterinary services to save their companions when life-threatening illness or injury strikes.
1641 Elizabeth Lane
Yuba City, CA 95993
Fax: 888-301-4264

DISEASE-SPECIFIC

IMOM Diabetic Pet Fund
http://www.imom.org/diabetic-pets

Diabetic Pet Fund
http://www.petdiabetes.net/fund/

Special Needs Cats
http://www.catsincrisis.org/crisisFund.html

There are also some state/region specific options.

STATE AND COUNTRY ORGANIZATIONS
Arizona
The Southern Arizona Veterinary Medical Association may be able to help with vet bills. Call 325-0311 to request an application or to get more information.

California
Labrador Harbor is committed to providing assistance to Labrador Retrievers of all ages, in permanent homes or within a California based non-profit rescue organization. http://www.labradorharbor.org/guidelines.html
Actors and Others for Animals Assists with emergency medical treatment and crisis aid (Hollywood, CA) http://www.actorsandothers.com/

Georgia
Pets are Loving Support Assists people with HIV/AIDS to care for their companion animals (Atlanta, GA) http://www.palsatlanta.org/guidelines.htm
Save-A-Life, Inc. Assistance with emergency medical care of rescued and fostered animals (Savannah, GA) http://www.savealifepets.org/index.html

Massachusetts
The Travis Fund at Tufts School of Veterinary Medicine for pets being treated at their facility. http://www.tufts.edu/vet/gift/p&p.html

New Jersey
God’s Creatures Ministry (Wayne, NJ) http://www.all-creatures.org/gcm/help-cf.html

New York
NY S.A.V.E, Inc., is a non-profit organization dedicated to the aid and assistance of low-income pet owners residing in one of the five boroughs of New York City, whose pet is in need of emergency veterinary care. http://www.nysave.org/

Ohio
Good Sam Fund The MedVet Good SAM (Special Assistance and Memorial Fund) was established to create financial aid for sick or injured animals who either are stray or client-owned animals in special circumstances. (Worthington, OH) http://www.goodsamfund.org/

Pennsylvania
Animal Care and Welfare (Pittsburgh, PA) http://www.animalcareandwelfare.com/

Texas
Canyon Lake Animal Shelter C.L.A.S.S. Program for low income residents (Startzville, TX)

Washington DC
PETS-DC is dedicated to improving the health and well being of people living with HIV/AIDS or other disabling conditions and their companion pets at no cost to individuals in the Metropolitan Washington area. http://www.gvtc.com/~pets/programs.htm

Canada
Animal Cancer Therapy Subsidization Society (Alberta) http://www.actssalberta.org/
The Farley Foundation (Ontario) http://www.farleyfoundation.org/welcome.html

United Kingdom
UK Assistance with Veterinary Bills http://www.petloversonline.co.uk/financial.htm

Blind Dogs
IMOM Blind Dogs Fund:
http://www.imom.org/fa/contact.htm
Click to expand...
 
Layla, Bits and Annie send Spencer love and wags for Thanksgiving. I'll ask St Francis to lay his kind hands on Spencer and guide him through this time. Love, Chris.
 
Thanks, Calleismom for finding this, and to GeeRome for the great information. I'm going to copy it into a new post and put it in the Reference section for anyone who may need it in the future. We are probably all putting our vets' kids through college!

Jan, I hope Spencer is doing OK today and you are able to bring him home tomorrow. Please keep us posted!
 
The latest that I know about Spencer is that he had a brief break-through seizure once again last night and then another brief one this morning. So, what does that really mean? I have no idea and the Vet Neurologist has gone home for T’giving Day and, I think, also for Friday. The Vet with whom I spoke said the Neurologist is available for them by phone. The exact words used by the Vet who called me is “he’s not doing as well as they hoped”. He is, however, eating and alert. Now I wait again to hear what the next step is and also whether I can bring him home in the morning or not.
I know it can take time to figure out the best mix of medications, etc., and I will be patient. What I don’t know is how bad is it that he has had these break-through seizures while on the Valium CRI.
I do want to thank Calliesmom for finding the info on financial aid, GeeRome for posting it in the first place and Ann for making sure any of us can easily find it now.
 
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