Well, no that's not interest free. That's with their 14.90% fixed rate of interest. They don't offer interest free over that long of a payment period. But I think (and maybe I'm wrong, I've not researched it much and try to have as few lines of credit as possible) that's about as good a rate as you will find on a credit card. And you don't have to worry about the company jacking up the rate in the next few years while you are trying to pay it off. I'm looking at about the same cost of surgery for my Ozzie, so I really do feel where you're coming from in some small way (I don't have any personal medical costs that I'm dealing with though).

Put the surgery aside for a moment, though. I know, it's the big looming stressful thing that's hanging over your head (like I said, I know that feeling well) but there's other things that will come before that. There's no minimum amount for using CC, it doesn't have to be saved for a major procedure. And like I said earlier, their interest free offers are for any time you use the card, not just the first time or the first few months. What I did was applied for the amount that I think Oz's surgery will cost, since that's the largest amount I expect to spend at one time, hopefully ever. But now I have it for any time I don't have the cash upfront for a trip to the vet. You could use it to get the x-rays done (a couple hundred dollars, right?) and have 6 months to pay that off with absolutely no interest. You could use it for the initial evaluation by the specialist (again, another couple hundred bucks most likely) and have 6 months to pay that off too, again with no interest. And then at least you could know what you were dealing with, plan accordingly (perhaps beginning to specifically put money away to put toward the surgery) and hopefully come up with a good plan to help manage her symptoms in the meantime. Just something to think about.

Julie, Jersey and Oz

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Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this post are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of any family members or of Ambika Golden Retrievers.

Thank you for all the food for thought!! I guess I need to take one step at a time and not project so much. That's a great idea to get the cc and use it for the xrays and specialist charges then go from there.
I was hit hard by the vets news yesterday and was completely unprepared for the prospect of surgery on both legs that I panicked. Thanks for being the 'cool' head for me

No problem, glad I was able to help. I think it's natural to focus on that one overwhelming aspect of it (the surgery). I was the same way the second I heard the words "hip dysplasia." I've posted 2 threads on this forum that pretty well highlight the worst of my freaking out over it. It's now been almost a year since Oz was diagnosed. We've been doing what we can to manage it, keep him strong and bide our time. Our next step is a trip to an orthopedic specialist. Hopefully that will help us come up with some sort of plan for what comes next.

Again, good luck and keep us updated. My boys and I are pulling for you and your girl!

Julie, Jersey and Oz

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Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this post are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of any family members or of Ambika Golden Retrievers.

So Crazy!! Roxy had surgery for a luxating superificial digital flexor tendon years ago. Shes 10 and was a pup when she had surgery. I think it cost about $1600 . Last time we were at the Vets, I told him about her surgery and he said how uncommon that was.

Really? Wow how did Portia get so lucky to have it in both legs? Has Roxy been problem free since the surgery? It may be a year or so until we are able to do the surgery. I need to pay down some of my own medical expenses. Right now Portia seems to be doing fine. You wouldn't even know she has a problem until you look at her hocks and see they are a bit swollen. In fact you notice it less now that both hocks are involved. When it was just the left leg you certainly could see the difference. She isn't even limping and hasn't had any pain meds for two days now. She is happy and playful which we have to stop her when she gets carried away just so she doesn't do further damage. I even took her on a short walk today. She hadnt been on a walk in 6 weeks.

I agree with Jerseys Mom.. Take it one step at a time. Use the care credit card for the diagnosing. My hosp offers 18 months no interest over $300. Some hospitals offer the same if not more, some are less. You can always talk directly to care credit about the no interest period. We also called for a client to increase their credit limit so it would cover for their animals surgery and care credit did so the dog could get it! They are very nice to deal with and are a good backup plan to have.

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Alison and 2 Furry Kids and 2 non furry kids

Lilly- Golden DOB 1/28/11
AKC name: Goldridge Lights Action Lilly RN CCA
http://k9data.com/pedigree.asp?ID=433352
Sanford- JRT DOB-9/5/06

Bridge dogs
Toby-Boxer 10 yrs. old (rescue) 9/17/2002-11/1/12
Charlie- Boxer (1st "child" together)2/19/02-3/18/12
Julie- golden retriever ( my heart dog) 5/6/96-3/3/07
Ruby- terrier/chow mix (my 1st dog) 8/1/90-1/15/05
Rusty-shih tzu (million dollar dog) 2/5/99-1/20/04