It’s official. I hadn’t added everything up since the end of June, but I did on Friday, and we topped $15,000 in expenses to treat Lilly’s severe rabies vaccine reaction. To be exact … $15,095.01. People have been asking, so I’ve again set up a chip-in, if you’re so inclined. No pressure. No expectations at all.
When you take into account the $3,000 we got by maxing out Lilly’s pet insurance policy and the nearly $2,200 we received via another chip-in earlier this year, that’s $9,915.89 out of pocket for us so far this year … with no end in sight.
If you are new to our story, you can see all the blog posts on the topic using this Adverse Vaccine Reaction – Recovery from Meningoencephalomyelitis link or the pull-down category menu in the right-hand sidebar.
We posted a 5-part Adverse Vaccine Reaction FAQ a while back, but keep in mind that was before this most recent (and much more severe) relapse a few weeks ago. Originally, her prognosis was good. Now … I just don’t know.
We’ll meet with Lilly’s veterinary neurologist again next week. In addition to her many daily immune-squashing medications, the latest idea is to give her a chemo drug called cytarabine (a powerful anti-inflammatory) 2 days in a row every 3 weeks.
Otherwise, I have no real recovery news to share. Lilly is about the same — weak, tired, a little dull mentally at times, totally incontinent, etc.
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Several people have asked about another chip-in, and now that I’ve seen the total, I could certainly use some help before my next batch of credit card bills arrive.
The chip-in will live on the main Champion of My Heart page at the top of the right sidebar.
I’m also posting the widget here:
If for some reason you cannot see it or use it, there is also a stand-alone chip-in page (separate from our main site).
The email I use for paypal is writehawn@earthlink.net … if you prefer to find me that way.
I understand about the medical expenses. I did the same thing when our Summer had liver cancer. I spent lots of money…not $15,000 but pretty close…so I understand where you are coming from and what you are going through. I hope it all works out for you and Lily and that she beats this!
We are keeping our paws and fingers crossed hoping for the best.
I’m so sorry to hear about Summer. For me, this would be *somewhat* less complicated if we knew for sure this was fatal. We don’t. It might work out OK. It might not.
I really wish I could win the lottery, Roxanne, and none of us would have any worries. You’ve done so much for your girl. My thoughts continue to be with you.
Finally got my Paypal account to work, so I chipped in a bit. I am sure sympathetic to veterinary costs, and I know that Lilly needs the best care. I hope you at least recoup some of the cost! My best to you, Tom, Lilly and Ginko. Hugs and love.
Hope things start to loosen up for you all Roxanne. However it sounds like Lily is going to need continuing treatment and healthcare. $15K is a lot but you have been able to take care of it with your credit cards and you are fortunate that you have those to use. So many don’t have that much credit extended to them and have to make decisions to let their furbabies go. Only you will know when enough is enough for your family financially. Until then wishing you well.
Egads, Roxanne.
You might wish to know what the other side of this coin is like. I am 73 years old, profoundly deaf, and have one dog, Stella. She is a blessing to me, she tells me when someone is at the door and the TTY phone is ringing. If this horrible event would happen to Stella as is has to Lilly, I would have no choice but to put her down, to provide her with a gentle death and trip to the Bridge. My vet would tell me that she would have little chance of being a dog again and this would be the kindest thing I could do for her. No canine neurologists in my town to consult and no money to pay them if there were.
I live on Social Security, fairly comfortably, but there is little there for extras. No one would loan money to someone my age for a terribly injured dog.
I wish you all the very best, but I cannot offer you even a small amount of money to help you. I hope you understand.
Jo and Stella
I completely understand. Thanks for dropping by and sharing another perspective. I am indeed quite lucky that I’m at a place where I’ve been able (barely) to use credit cards and other pockets of savings to keep Lilly afloat.
$15,000?! Ye gods. The mental and emotional anguish is enough, but to have a bill like that as well? Ugh.
Hi Y’all,
Paws still crossed.
Hawk aka BrownDog