Recently in veterinary costs Category

For real -- $20 veterinarian visit vouchers being offered online (click our link) by Bayer HealthCare. Available from Feb. 16-28.

Log in between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. eastern time for your chance at one, they're giving 80 vouchers per hour.

The site also features money-saving pet care tips.

As we reported Sunday, an elderly woman suffered serious injuries when the home in the 2900 block of Dalmead was destroyed by fire.

But this e-mail was forwarded from a block captain, asking people to not only help the family, but also the family pet, which was also seriously injured.

This is the e-mail:

Thankfully, the family survived the horrific fire, but their home was destroyed and they LOST EVERYTHING!.  The family dog, Gemini,  barely survived.  The fire department carried Gemini out of the home and neighbors came together to resuscitate the dog. The fire department then stepped in and gave Gemini oxygen.   A neighbor volunteered to take the dog to the vet.   Gemini was taken to Animal Emergency, 3511 PCH, 310-325-3000.  The medical care for Gemini will be expensive, but necessary.  The family loves this dog.

Gemini's lungs were filled with smoke, he was wet and dirty and had a gash on his nose.  The vet, Dr. Brown, said the next 48 hours are crucial.  He  is not eating, but is doing well considering what he's been through.  He had high levels of carbon (I'm sorry, I forget the long word the Vet used) in his blood and received 6 hours of oxygen treatments. He has already had one x-ray and will need another in 48 hours to determine if there is permanent damage to his lungs.  The low end of Gemini's medical expenses will be $1,976.69.  The bill can get up to $2,474.66.
 If you would like to contribute to Gemini's medical fund, you may go directly to Animal Emergency at 3511 PCH.  Please tell them that you are there to give a donation to Gemini Cummings.  Or, you may leave a check at the home of Susan Burns 25215 Weston Rd. Please make checks out to Animal Emergency.  If you donate, please let us know so that we can properly thank you.

The family is well, from what I understand.  Everyone is alive.  Mrs. Cumming's sister is stable but is 85 years-old.  Doctors are concerned about her lungs and the threat of pneomena.  Keep the family in your prayers.



This is a list of donations that the family needs, put together by Valerie and Patrick Carnaham, who live two doors down from the Cummings.  Both children have special needs.  Josh is Autisic and Laurie has Down Sydrome.  If you can help with any of the items listed below, please leave them on the Carnaham's door step with your name and address.  They live at 2822 Dalemead  THANK YOU!!!

RICK, YOKO, LAURIE AND JOSH CUMMINGS

CLOTHING AND SHOE SIZE

YOKO - TENNIS SHOES 7.5 TO 8 WOMENS

PANTS - 12 WOMENS

TOPS - LARGE

 

RICK - SHOES 11 WIDE/FLIP FLOPS

T SHIRTS - XXL

 

LAURIE - SHIRTS 16

YOUNG MISS MEDIUM TO LARGE PANTS OR SHORTS

TENNIS SHOES - 4 WIDE /FLIP FLOPS (SLIP ON ONLY)

TOYS - DISNEY MOVIES VHS OR DVD/BARBIES/ETCH A SKETCH

 

JOSH - PANTS AND UNDERWARE - BOYS 32

TENNIS SHOES - 6-7 /FLIP FLOPS (SLIP ON ONLY)

MEDIUM SHIRTS

 

NOTE: JOSH IS AN EXTREMELY BRIGHT AUTISTIC YOUNG BOY AND LIKES TO SPEND TIME ON THE INTERNET, THE MOTHER (YOKO) IS ASKING IF ANYONE HAS A LAPTOP W/WIRELESS CAPABILITY FOR TEMPORARY USE.

Writer Vicki Constantine Croke writes a moving piece in the Boston Globe that weaves in the story of opting for cancer treatments for her 2-year-old goose Boswell against the backdrop of how veterinary medicine has changed, forcing the question: How Far Should We Go?

From kidney transplants to brain surgery, from chemotherapy to pacemakers, the best medical care is available today for our pets.

.... how do we approach these life-and-death decisions? Is it as far as our credit cards will stretch? Is it the pet's quality of life? Or our own quality of life? With the super-sophisticated, super-expensive medical diagnostics and treatments now available ... the answers are not always so clear.