All Life Insurance Tips - I have a 9 yr old lab who, every few months, has mini fits lasting about 20 minutes then he is OK?

I have a 9 yr old lab who, every few months, has mini fits lasting about 20 minutes then he is OK?

Lately these fits are happening a lot more frequently and the Vet has now put him on pills that he has to take twice a day. Problem is these pills cost £25 a month and he has to take them for the rest of his life which could be another 7 or 8 yrs. I am a Pensioner and having to pay £25 a month for the next 7 years is going to be a very great hardship. I love my dog to bits and if necessary will go without eating, but is there no cheaper way to deal with this? I have Pet insurance but that doesn't cover this long term treatment. Shannon. Yes I did all the food checks for allergies. He only eats the best quality dog food. Different types and makes for variety.

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ask your vet for other options or something cheaper if not and you cant support meds you may need to talk to someone who can give him a home where they can support him, im not saying you dont care or anything its just if you are financially strapped you may want to go that route.
Is there something you can eliminate from your life (newspaper, magazine subscription, etc.)? I have made greater sacrifices for my animals (ie:selling several gold coins from my collection when our dog needed surgery).
From one Lab owner and lover to another - check out your dog food. Often Labs can have allergies to their own food which causes a range of medical problems. Make sure you are feeding a high quality food such as Eagle Pack Holisitic and try to stay away from chicken and chicken by-products as many Labs are highly allergic to them (including my own Labs). Good luck and dont give up!
Try approaching the PDSA to see if they can help out - they do offer assistance to people who struggle to pay vet bills and treatment. I would consider cancelling your pet insurance or at least call the insurance provider to check that your labby still qualifies for any cover given his condition. You may find that as your dog has an ongoing medical condition, it will nullify any future claims. Good luck. PS - try searching the internet for websites where you can buy the drug directly - there are some out there and where the exact same drug is avaible for a fraction of the price.
It seems the dog really needs these tablets . The pet insurance should cover it if you have full cover insurance but if you don't you might have to put down the dog or give it up as you shouldn't (and can't ) go without food
your lab probaly has epalepsy my dog had the same symptoms, and was put on the pills too, there is nothing you can really do except se if there is anything cheaper
You could ask your vet for a prescription so you can buy the medication online, where it's ALWAYS cheaper. But, be very careful - some sites are dodgy and you'll end up with fake or expired medication. Don't use anything that doesn't come in a sealed container that looks exactly like what you've been using, and check the expiry dates. Als don't buy from anywhere that doesn't demand a prescription! Have a look online to see what prices you can get the medication for. You can also ask your vet to match or at least lower their price. Some vets will do this rather than lose your business or have you risk buying dodgy stuff. Chalice
i would talk to your vet about it. that is alot of money, and im sure there is a cheaper way. at least your dog is healthy now. good luck!
noooooooooooo it definately is NOT ok!!! my dog had epilepsy and he died last summer he had fits too which lasted about 30mins luckily my dad is a doctor and was always there so he knew what to do if he did have fits, he used to inject him. my dog was only 7ish and he's half labrador and half golden retriever. i'd get an appointment to the vet IMMEDIATELY if i was you!
Talk to your vet and see if you cant work something out. I have a min pin and he has seizuers maybe every 4-5 months and after he has one I give him a baby aspirin and that seems to help. Like my vet said he didnt want to put Duke on the meds unless he has them 3 or 4 times a week because the med for dogs is the samething they give a human that has seizuers and then the goverment gets involved and you have to have your drivers liscense on file at the vets for the medicine
Fits lasting 20 minutes are NOT 'mini fits'. If the cost of keeping your dog fit and healthy is only £25 a month, count your blessings! 12 years ago my old dog was put onto medication costing £50 a month-and my husband and I had an income of only just over £400 - we didn't have reduced rent/bills, and have never claimed any benefits, nor was she insured. I didn't think twice - my priorities went rent, dog, everything else. She cost us that every single month for five years. I am now in a better financial position, and, this past month one of my dogs has cost me over £1000 in vets fees - and will be having her eye removed next week. Another few hundred. I just thank him up above that she CAN be 'fixed'! I do empathise - but, what choice do you have? If you can't afford a simple £25 a month, then, I am sorry, but you don't deserve your dog, who has given you his undivided love and attention for the past 9 years. The moral of the story? Make financial provision for your pets. If you choose to insure them, take independent financial advice, and get a decent policy. Sorry to be so blunt. I do feel for you. But when I think what I could moan about right now, I WISH it was a mere £25 a month! The very best of luck to you both. xx
I hope that you explained the financial pressure to your vet, maybe there is a cheaper medicine? I had a cocker who had seizures and a stroke. He became ill at five years old. I gave him fish oil supplements and that seemed to help him over time. His seizures almost went away, maybe one or two episode a year. I don't know your dog, though. I hope you find some help.
This is why people say you need to understand when you get a dog that it's a very expensive thing, and it could last for 15 years!
Check with your local animal rescue group to see if they have sources to buy the meds at a cheaper rate or if they have funds available to supplement/cover your expenses. You might also check with local service groups (Soroptimist, Lions Club, Rotary Club, etc.) to see if they are able to contribute to the expenses. Try youth service groups (Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Rainbow Girls, etc.) also. They may be able to hold a fund raising event for you. You never know, these ideas may raise awareness in the community. I'm sure you are not the only person with this difficulty. Going without eating so that your Lab can have his meds is not in the best interest for either of you. If you don't eat, you will become ill and not be able to care for your Lab who depends upon you for his needs. Exhaust all other possible avenues.
We had a lurcher bitch who had fits, the first 4 months the cost of the pills included the vet consultation i wonder whether this is the case with you, once the vet was happy that she was on the right dose we only had to pay for the pills on like a repeat prescription basis every month, but every 6 months we had to take her for a check which included blood tests to check her liver function as the pills can have an affect on it. Have you asked your vet for a breakdown bill to see if you're being charged consultation fee, if this is the case ask if you can just get the pills without a visit and the cost this way. I wonder whether you may be entitled to some support from PDSA or RSPCA, i would ring around as the PDSA would i'm sure only charge for the pills and £25 for a month sounds very expensive. Failing that ring round the vets to see how much they'd charge for the same amount of said pills as some vets can overcharge. I wonder also whether the insurance plan you have has any benefits other than emergency ops etc? check out the small print as this may be a saving you could make. I feel for you and hope something turns up, hope the pills settle the fits.
Trevor we took in a retired guide dog at 8 years old and they said she would live to between 14 and 16 sadly she died at 10 when I asked around this is about the age a big dog tends to survive to I know exactly what you mean about going without food yourself to look after your dog we had two at the time my wife had to have one put to sleep while I was away and a fortnight later I had to take the lab and have her put to sleep after a heart attack what a I would have given to make them well again is unbelievable but be brave and just enjoy him while he's here ....regards another animal lover
Sounds as though your dog is epileptic. I have a 7 year old Dobe who has epilepsy and buy the drugs from a company based in London who supply by post. You have to get your vet to write a prescription for the drugs which they can not charge you for. Then send the prescription with your order to the company and they will post the drugs back to you. I place my order on line and get them back within 2 days post free. We save about 33% on the price that the vet charges. The company's web address is www.petmeds.co.uk so check it out.