I see this every day...

Caller: Hi - my dog is sick. What could it be?
(Somehow expecting a diagnosis over the phone without a proper exam by a professional doctor)
Hospital: If you're concerned, you should come right in.
(This is always ignored. If it was their child, they'd be in the car in no time, right?!)
Caller: Well, what is this going to cost me?
(while the pet is probably laying there, breathing its last breath, or is in severe pain)
Hospital: (explains fees, stresses the importance of not letting the dog suffer & that it could be an emergency)
Caller: Well, I can't afford that. (hangs up)

It's very simple:
If you are truly concerned about your pet - you'll get in the f'ing car and take it to a hospital! They will always work something out with you if you let them know your situation. (Talk specifically to the doctor, privately.)

If worrying about the money is more of your concern, then please just don't call. There are plenty of people who desperately need directions while on the road to the hospital trying to save their pet, who need us over the phone and you're blocking the line for them.

What always gets me is how an owner will neglect the health of the animal, ignore the advice they do get over the phone, don't take the poor animal to the hospital, let's the animal suffer needlessly because of their own egotistical fears, then the animal dies in their arms.

THEN: "Gee, I wish there had been a vet around...."

If you can't care for them, don't own them.

Oh honey, don't I know it! My personal "favorite" is the owner who has a sick pet, it's been sick for a couple of weeks before they finally bring it in, and it dies as the vet is examining/treating it. And it's the vet's fault the pet died!

I also get a lot of requests for diagnosis from friends and family members when I'm out and about. "My dog has this lump. What do you think it is?"

My response is always the same; "I think it's a very good reason to see your vet."