On August 13 someone had hit my cat with their car and he was injured pretty badly. I did not realize how badly because it appeared as though his leg was broken. I spent almost all day making phone calls and surfing the internet for a veterenary hospital or clinic that offered financial assistance for veterenary help. I found "Dove Lewis" on the internet by looking specifically for veterenary places that are non-profit. This business advertises on their website, that they offer several different financial assistance programs and they are a non-profit organization. The first step to getting the financial help is applying for "Care Credit" credit card to cover expenses incurred during the care of your pet. I have heard of this credit line before, so I gave "Dove Lewis" a call. When I telephoned, the secretary stated that they do offer financial assistance, but it would not cover the initial consultation, or any x-rays. Although I did not ask how much the x-rays were, I did ask how much the consultation was at which time she stated that it was $85.00. I decided to take the 30 mile trip to this place because they offer assistance and encouraged me to bring my cat to them.By the time I had made it out to Dove Lewis, it was already 9 P.M. I was exhausted from working all day and worrying about my cat. When I came inside, the triage nurse took him into the back right away. At that time they gave me paperwork to fill out, assuming full financial responsibility for any work to be done. I then asked about the financial assistance and the secretary gave me a credit card application. I filled all the necessary documents out and signed them, on the premise that if the credit card application was not accepted, I would receive some kind of financial assistance with the cost. I support a family of four and so money is really tight. I waited for at least two hours for word about the health of my cat. The secretary brought me back to a room to talk to Mitchell Fults, DVM. He stated that the leg looked and appeared to be broken, but without x-rays, he would not know for sure. I already knew that the leg was broken it was fairly obvious to me. At this time, he was giving me options about amputation and surgery, and the cheapest option would be youthenasia. I was very upset already and he was talking so fast I couldn't think straight. I didn't feel that I needed to youthanize my cat because of a broken leg so I agreed that the x-rays needed to be taken. Dr. Mitchell then stated that x-rays are $200.00. He reassured me that he understood that I am going through a bad financial situation, but that the x-ray would tell him if the leg was broken. I then asked about the financial assistance that I had heard about and asked about on the phone. He stated that I may be able to qualify for that however, it does not cover any blood tests, x-rays, or the initial consultation. He stated that the assistance would not help with the costs for surgery, amputation, or any other procedures that my cat would specifically need except youthenasia. He then stated he would take an x-ray and it would be about a half an hour and left room. I went out to the waiting room and waited for another hour. Dr. Mitchell then took me back to a room where him and I reviewed the x-rays via a computer image. It was very clear to me that the leg was severely broken, and Dr. Mitchell stated that the x-rays told him it is not a simple break. He stated that the break would require major surgery and my cat would not regain full use of his leg even after healing. He then repeated everything he had already stated in our first conversation. I became very upset and began to cry, because I don't believe in killing animals when they break their leg. It just didn't seem right to me. I decided that the best thing would be to take him home and see if I could come up with the funds to take him elswhere to get a second opinion. I asked if Dr. Mitchell could purscribe medication to make him comfortable while I decide what to do. He then stated that he would and it would take about a half an hour to get my cat ready. I waited for another hour in the waiting room when they finally brought my cat out. The secretary gave me a billing statement and an x-ray disc. The bill totalled $376.00. I paid using my debit card. After the payment went through the secretary looked at me and stated the doctor noticed on the x-ray that he has a punctured bladder and so he will not survive more than three days with out treatment. I was so upset that they had not told me this prior to letting me leave with him. My cat is suffering, and I gave this hospital almost all my money in my bank account. I don't understand exactly what kind of help I recieved from them. I did not know until after I paid them, that he was dying from internal bleeding.
0 comments