March 23, 2011

A Broken Nail

Monday morning I was dealing with AT&T about my crappy internet connection and running late for a meeting.  I fed the dogs and realized Sammy, my pug, was bleeding from his foot.  I realized it was coming from his nail and knew he must have cut the quick.  I grabbed the powder that I had to stop the bleeding and poured it on his foot.  It seemed to do the trick, and I was able to make it to my meeting on time.

Fast forward to last night, Sammy started walking on only 3 legs and not putting any pressure on the foot with the injured nail.  I was worried and looked up info online.  Basically everything that I saw told me that he'd probably have to have the nail removed by a vet.  He fractured it right up at the base of the nail.

So this morning I brought him into the vet.  All my dogs are due for the yearly vaccines, but that is a job I'm leaving for Pat since he's coming home soon.  However, I figured since I was going in anyway I would have Sammy's shots taken care of.  They are smooth talking at this vet to get you to spend more money.  I agreed since Sammy is 6 years old, I'd pay for extra blood work.  They took Sam to the back room to cut his nails and do some test.  They brought him back to me, and the tech said they didn't see much of a fracture on his nail so he must be okay.  I asked if he was in pain since he was not using that leg, and the tech said to ask the doctor.  When the doctor came in we looked at his nail again and sure enough it was fractured at the base.  She also said that he needs dental work done, and we should do both together.  At first I was thinking this was one way to get a boat load of money out of me.  She said she'd go get an estimate.  She comes back and tells me to do it all it would be $545 (unless they find more dental work to add on to that!).  I grimaced at the total, but I knew it would be high.  She explained since Sammy is a pug he needs "high risk anesthesia" which is a lot more expensive than other dogs.  He would need that anesthesia to just do the nail though too.  I asked what it was without the dental and it was only about $78 for the dental itself.  If I'm going to be spending upwards of $500, then I might as well spend another $78.  Since he'll need antibiotics already for the nail, we won't need any additional medications after the dental.  So in a very expensive way it is saving me money to do both procedures at once, but it is quite a high price to pay for what started off as a broken nail.

So now my little puggy is at the vet being taken care of.  I'll get him home tonight and you better believe he'll be treated like a king, at least for a little bit.  

9 comments:

Christina said...

Wow that bill would practically cover a root canal. Is this the vet on post? Of course no matter where you go it will cost a fortune, but since Sammy is part of the family what else can you do. I feel for you but I know I would of done the same thing. It would of been nice is your husband was home, but you know how that goes. Sammy sure it a cutie.

Lisa said...

Poor Sammy! And poorer you! That is a huge bill! We don't have our dog anymore, but when we did, I was constantly shocked at the vet prices!

The Fischer Family said...

Oh how I feel your pain! We had a Himalayan cat once. We had to pay $800 one year when he swallowed a Christmas ornament hook. 6 months later he got attacked by a raccoon and had an abscess that required work (another $500). A few weeks later he ran off! The nerve!!! lol...oh the things we do at for our pets! I hope Sammy is OK soon!

KAE said...

Uhhhh.......VETS! They got us both today! They also showed me that my cat has a lot of gingivitis on her tooth and wanted to clean that....I told them that would just have to wait. Do you think its easy to brush a cat's teeth? I am about to find out!

Dr. Army Wife said...

I just got a wonderful schnauzer/yorkie from a rescue. We took her to her first vet appointment and of course he pointed out that she has terrible teeth. We need to put her under anesthesia for $400 worth of dental work. Welcome to the dog owning world, right? Ha it's ok though because she is awesome and we love her AND I need to get rid of her stinky breath. It could make you pass out.

I"m your newest follower :)

Always Kara said...

Sorry to hear that about your dog! I get so upset when animals are injured or don't feel well.

You have such a beautiful blog so...I awarded you a stylish blogger award! Check out my blog for details!

Thank you,
SAHM and Marine Wife

Dana K said...

I have 3 dogs ~100lbs each. Every vet bill is like a human ER visit. It's terrible! I totally feel ya', but we keep on paying lol.

I hope your Sammy feels better soon!

found you through the milspouse roundup

Megilon said...

Hope Sammy feels better!! I feel your pain every time I go to the vet I spend a ton of money on the dogs. And Ares went to the animal er in January...crazy.

beth @ {expeditionaryfamily} said...

poor little guy :( glad that you're able to get him taken care of! vet prices really are outrageous...sometimes i feel like it's a luxury to be able to afford a pet!

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