Track and plan your IMHA treatment costs with the same system that helped us manage Stella’s $15,000 journey
IMHA Cost Planning Worksheet.pdf.pdf (211.1 KB)
Why I Created This Worksheet
When Stella was diagnosed with IMHA in January 2019, one of my biggest stresses (beyond her health) was the complete uncertainty around costs. The vet said “thousands of dollars” but that could mean $3,000 or $30,000.
After spending over $15,000 on Stella’s treatment at NC State Veterinary Hospital, I wanted to create something that would help other IMHA families:
- Plan financially before treatment starts
- Track expenses as they happen
- Make informed decisions about treatment options
- Prepare for hidden costs most people don’t expect
This worksheet is based on our actual experience and includes every cost category we encountered.
What’s Included in the Worksheet
Emergency Preparation Checklist
- Financial preparation steps to take immediately
- Emergency contact templates
- Insurance verification forms
Phase-by-Phase Cost Tracking
- Emergency Diagnosis Costs (what we spent: $1,500)
- Stabilization Treatment (blood transfusions, hospitalization)
- Ongoing Medication Costs (monthly tracking)
- Regular Monitoring (blood work scheduling)
Real Cost Comparisons
- Specialist hospital vs. general practice pricing
- Medication cost comparison across pharmacies
- Insurance coverage calculators
Medication Management
- Dosage tracking and tapering schedules
- Pharmacy price comparison charts
- Generic vs. brand name options
Hidden Costs Tracker
- Parking, gas, time off work
- Comfort items and home supplies
- Complication costs (blood clots, etc.)
Summary & Planning Tools
- First-year cost totals
- Year 2+ maintenance planning
- Cost-saving strategies checklist
How to Use This Worksheet
Before Your Dog is Diagnosed:
Use the preparation checklist to get CareCredit, verify insurance, and set up emergency funds.
During Crisis Phase:
Track all emergency and stabilization costs as they happen. This helps with insurance claims and budgeting.
Long-term Management:
Use the medication and monitoring trackers to optimize costs and catch any changes early.
For Cost Planning:
If you’re newly diagnosed, use our actual cost ranges to budget and prepare financially.
Our Actual Numbers (For Reference)
Here’s what we spent on Stella’s IMHA treatment:
| Treatment Phase | Our Cost | Typical Range |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Diagnosis | $1,500 | $1,500-3,000 |
| Blood Transfusions | $2,500 | $800-3,000 each |
| Initial Hospitalization | $3,500 | $2,000-8,000 |
| Surgery (blood clot) | $4,300 | $2,000-8,000 |
| First-Year Medications | $2,100 | $1,800-3,000 |
| Monitoring/Follow-ups | $1,100 | $2,000-4,000 |
| Total First Year | $15,000 | $10,000-25,000 |
These numbers are from NC State Veterinary Hospital in 2019. Costs have increased 20-30% since then.
Download the Worksheet
[
IMHA_Cost_Planning_Worksheet.pdf] (Click to download)
The worksheet is 8 pages and includes fillable sections for tracking your specific situation.
How This Worksheet Helped Us
Financial Peace of Mind
Having a system to track everything reduced our stress during an already overwhelming time.
Insurance Claims
Detailed records made insurance claims much easier and faster to process.
Cost Optimization
We identified opportunities to save money (like using Costco pharmacy for medications - saved us $90/month).
Treatment Decisions
Clear cost breakdowns helped us make informed decisions about specialist vs. general practice care.
Future Planning
Understanding the cost patterns helped us budget for potential relapses or ongoing care.
Share Your Experience
If you use this worksheet, I’d love to hear:
- Which sections were most helpful?
- What costs did you encounter that we missed?
- Any money-saving tips you discovered?
- How your actual costs compared to our ranges?
Your feedback helps me improve this resource for future IMHA families!
Questions About IMHA Costs?
Reply below with your questions! Whether you’re:
- Newly diagnosed and scared about costs
- Currently in treatment and tracking expenses
- A veteran IMHA family with cost-saving tips
- Considering different treatment options
This community is here to help each other navigate both the medical and financial challenges of IMHA.
A Note About Costs
Every dog’s IMHA journey is different. Costs vary based on:
- Geographic location
- Severity of condition
- Treatment complications
- Hospital choice (specialist vs. general practice)
- Insurance coverage
This worksheet gives you a framework to plan and track, but always discuss treatment costs with your veterinary team before making decisions.
Stella is now 6+ years in remission and living her best life on three legs. The $15,000 we spent gave us many more years together - and continues to pay dividends every day. 
Remember: You’re not just paying for treatment, you’re investing in more time with your beloved companion.
Tags: #IMHA #IMHACosts #DogHealth #VeterinaryCosts #PetInsurance #StellaStory