Paul Bridgewater, Flickr
The Vietnam vet told TV station WPRI he didn't have the money to pay a vet for the dog's care, but he didn't want 14-year-old Nakita to suffer. Using what he says was training from the Army, MacQuattie injected the dog with Lanacane to numb her pain and got to work removing a cyst on her hind leg.
When animal control and representatives of the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RISPCA) received reports of the at-home surgery, they showed up at MacQuattie's Barrington home and found Nakita with a wound on her right leg. The group's chief doctor told WPRI "poverty is no excuse" for what MacQuattie did.
The dog was taken to a local animal hospital where a second surgery was performed, while MacQuattie has pled no contest to charges of unnecessary cruelty to animals and unauthorized practice of veterinary medicine. But he maintains what he did was the humane thing -- and animal control has allowed him to have his best friend back.
Estimates from Consumer Reports put the average cost of a vet visit for an older dog or cat at $340, but there are options out there for pet owners suffering in this ailing economy. The Humane Society of the United States maintains a list of organizations that offer everything from pet-food assistance to offsetting medical bills.
Some veterinary schools also run low-cost clinics for pet owners. Check with the American Veterinary Medicine Association for one near you.
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ive pulled teeth with pliers, no biggie
I have stitched up minor wounds, and also removed them.
I have used lidocaine and then stitched up my old "tom cat" more than once. It is not like he removed an internal tumor or something.
Wonder if he would like his neighbor to do the same for him. hmmm
It is NEVER ok to do surgical procedures on animals yourself. Veterinarians go through rigorous schooling, just like medical doctors, to learn how to care for all species properly. You could create further infection, inflammation or induce unwanted side effects if you do not get your animal properly treated. There are low cost clinics, and if you are unwilling to pay for veterinary care, then maybe you should think about not owning an animal.
love them so much