dog behaviour, sudden change.

Question
My dog is acting very strange! For the past few days he is almost acting depressed? Looks very sad and pitiful, walking slow, his head is always down, ears back, no interest in playing, toys, activities, treats, NOTHING.

This has been going on a for a few days. My mother recently became a nanny of a 4 month old baby, so I had a thought that he was acting weird because of that, but my mom told me today that he was absolutely normal while I was at work. I got home, and he started to come to me, like he always does, but after a few steps, he turned around and hid behind the dining room table!! ??? Doesnt make any sense! I treat my dog with so much love and compassion I have never laid a hand on him for spanking or anything, so i dont know why this behaviour, and only to me?!

I am so worried but I simply cannot afford to take him the vet, and I honestly dont know what to. I sat and watched him lay and I cried.. This is beyond frustrating and heartbreaking and i need advice..

Please help.

Answer

Hi Nina,

It sounds like your dog is indeed acting lethargic, but only a vet exam can give you answers.

Providing health care for your dog is a responsibility of owning a pet. There are options for affording veterinary bills. The simplest way is to talk to your vet about paying the bill off over an agreed upon period of time. Many vets are open to this, if it's discussed before treatment begins. Another option is to apply for a special line of credit to pay the medical bills (including veterinary bills) read about them here:

http://www.carecredit.com
http://www.healthcard.citicards.com

Have you asked family members for a loan to put towards the vet bills? Have you spoken to your employer about getting an advance on your salary?

Your could ask your veterinarian to submit an assistance request to the American Animal Hospital Association's (AAHA) "Helping Pets Fund." In order to qualify, your animal hospital must be AAHA accredited. To learn more about the program visit the AAHA web site. To find an AAHA accredited hospital in your area, search online at

http://healthypet.aahanet.org/eweb/startpage.aspx?site=HealthyPet

Read more about the Helping Pets Fund, here:

http://www.aahahelpingpets.org/how_it_works.html

Check with veterinary schools in your state to see if they offer discount services to the public. You can find a list of veterinary schools in the Education section of the American Veterinary Medical Association's (AVMA) website, www.avma.org.

Yet another option would be to contact your local animal shelter or Humane Association.  Some shelters operate or know of local subsidized veterinary clinics or veterinary assistance programs, or know of reduced cost veterinary clinics in the area.

Best of luck,
Patti