What if your pet becomes sick or is critically injured, and they need expensive care that you can't afford?

What can you do? What WOULD you do? It's not something that's pleasant to think about but it is a reality that people do face. And veterinarians face it almost every day.  And trust me, it is not a problem that we take lightly. Veterinarians would rather work on making your pet better, not deal with the financial issues that involve good pet care-or have to give anything other than the best care because of expenses. What's even sadder is when owners put off taking their furry friend to the vet in the first place because they fear they won't have enough money to treat the condition. While I understand why someone might do this, it really isn't a good choice-and can end poorly for your dog. Do you know how to recognize a canine emergency?  Some conditions can cost an astonishing amount to treat. A glance at this list of the most expensive pet conditions shows totals upwards of thousands of dollars. So, what can you do if your pet has a problem that you can't afford to treat? I'll give you some tips. 1. Credit cards and checks: Consider asking the clinic if they accept checks and credit cards. Many do, and if this is a financial possibility it can help the situation. 2. Care credit: Ask if the hospital accepts "care credit". Care credit is a line of credit that you can apply for on an emergency basis. It's designed for medical needs and it can give you immediate access to more funds through a credit line (often at a fairly reasonable rate).  3. Ask for help: Most vet hospitals will give you time to make calls to family and friends or to visit a bank to come up with the required resources or deposit. 4. Arrange a payment plan: Some clinics will let clients arrange a monthly or weekly payment plan. This has the advantage of spreading the total amount due over a longer period of time, lessening the financial impact of expensive treatments. 5. Consider other options: Now is not the ideal time to make a new budget, but cutting some expensive lifestyle choices can free up the funds needed to treat your pet. You might also find that a local mobile pet care clinic or veterinary hospital offers the same treatment at a less expensive rate than your current clinic.