How far are you willing to go for your pet?

JNettie73

When it comes to my babies (2 cats, a turtle and bird) I spare no expense to improve their quality of life. If after consulting with my vet, there was a chance to improve his/her quality of life I wouldn't bat an eye. I made a commitment when I adopted each one of them to give them the best possible care for the rest of their lives. I don't put a price tag on a life.

michael1976_ca

if i had the money no dout i'd spend it on my fur babys. my oldest is an 18 year old cats. past cats we had 5 included past away i wish i could of save them. but i didn't have the cash. i payed to have them cremated when i make it home i'm going to burry them with my dad. theres no other option there family and staying with us

UpEarly

I have a 13 year old pug (Yoda). He's ruptured discs twice. The first rupture happened when he was just three and caused paralysis from mid-back down. Basically, he dragged his hindquarters like a seal. He spent almost a month at Virginia Tech's veterinary teaching hospital. He did recover about 80% of his mobility, but he trots oddly. The second rupture was less severe and he was able to recover with a few weeks of crate rest. He's also had bladder stones that obstructed his urethra four different times - all requiring major surgical intervention. Last year, he had cancerous tumors removed from his chest.

Despite all these issues he's endured, he's a happy, frisky, comfortable dog. We love him, but he's been very, very expensive!

Our other two pugs have been pretty much trouble free and we don't have children, so it's worth it to me to put extra money into Yoda's care.

angel79202

Well let's see in the past week, I paid $1400 for my schnauzer to have surgery to have a pea removed from up her nose..yes..a pea..in April, same girl was about $1000 to have a malignant tumor removed..when her sister schnauzer was less than a year old we paid almost $3000 to have her double cataracts removed..
my pets are my children

cmriverside

emmydoodle, Good for you for having the means to help your dog. A young dog, and a knowledgeable owner led to this decision.

I'm also with ldrosophila who railed at the breeders. Across breeds there are many genetic errors and it becomes exceedingly difficult for potential caretakers to make good medical decisions. There is no standard solution. Each caretaker has to make his/her own decisions on major medical. No one decision is right or wrong.

I'm glad your pup is on the mend.

crista_b

My fur babies are my babies and always will be. For me it's no question, and I'll spend anything I have to for them. At the same time though, this is why I only have a cat right now. My boyfriend and I plan to get a doxie (rescue, not a breeder) when we can afford to have a savings account for him to pay for the vet bills. Even just having my cat gets expensive considering he has a habit of eating absolutely anything - his favorite being hair ties - and that causes his stomach to get blocked up. Not too fun paying those bills, but as hard as I try to get him not to eat things, he does it anyway, and I'll continue paying to fix it as long as he's not suffering.

I had to put my first cat down at 6 years old when she got pancreatic cancer. It took a long time for the vet to determine what was wrong but in the meantime, we did xrays, meds, etc. and never once did money come into play in those decisions. I only put her down when nothing would work and she was so skinny from not eating that I knew she was suffering.



Sidenote, I think I'm going to come steal Dexter, OP. Hope you don't mind. He's adorable!!! My boyfriend and I are obsessed with dachshunds. The picture over our mantle is a doxie; we have a doxie pillow on our bed; I have a doxie necklace, etc. They're the best.

Glad Dexter is doing well. I hope you get to have a long time with him.

helpfit101

I'd put it down. Not spending $5,000 on a pet.

What he said.

Rosieannaxo

I would spend as much as I need to for my pet. When I first decided to adopt my pet, I made a lifetime agreement with my pet to take care of him and treat him well. He became my responsibility and since I absolutely love my pet, I would do anything to better his situation if he were to ever get injured. In my opinion, animals shouldn't be pushed into homes or be euthanized every time they become an inconvenience to their owner. I know the popular opinion in that human needs overpower animal needs. But pets are part of the family and their needs count equally to that of humans. I mean, if you don't want to take care of a pet and take responsibility of him/her, then don't get a pet! But on another note, I'm glad your doggie is getting better

cjsroute24

Wow. $5,000. I love my dog and cats, but Wow. $5,000. I have to say that I can guarantee that my husband would no way no how let me spend that kind of money. If I was single and could in any way, shape or form afford it, yeah, I would. Since I have a husband and kids and that $5,000 is not just laying around collecting dust, I just don't know.

Luckily, my sister is a vet, so I only have to pay cost on things she uses, so the 3 surgeries she's had to do on my animals cost very little. Thank goodness, because my husband does not really like animals and would get mad if I had to pay full vet prices!!

CLL1001

I am with the OP, I would do whatever I could if the dog or cat would be able to live a happy life. They are family.

I agree. We had an American Bulldog who got cancer and we ended up having him euthanized but only because there was only a small chance he would have even made it through the surgery because of his age...and even then if he survived his quality of life would have been very poor. But if they would have told us he would most likely be fine after surgery there is no doubt that we would have spent the money, even if it meant having to use credit to pay for it. We spend almost $1000 in tests just to find out what was wrong with him.

Ang108

Hello there,
So recently I had a situation where my dachshund (5 years old) slipped a disc and became paralyzed from the waist down making surgery his only real chance to walk again. I know everyone is different and has different opinions on what they would do for their sick or injured pet. For me there was no question about the money(it was less than $5000) To have him be able to walk again and pee on his own. Keep in mind these dogs are happy and healthy and can live perfectly happy lives, as any person in a wheelchair can. Just more work for you and there is really no reason to euthanize, most vets dont' consider that an option, unless there is pain or suffering. So what's your limit, how far will you go? My husbands friend was raised on a farm and said you can buy a lot of dogs with that money, I of course feel that Dexter is only 5 and I certainly can't just go out and get another Dexter. I dont' care much for money and would much rather have my happiness from my dog, can't really snuggle up to the cash. So what kind of pet owner are you?

also I was very surprised to find out that most of the people I talked to that have money and I do mean HAVE money, wouldn't really spend much to save/help their pet.

I have never been confronted with such a situation and don't know what I would do. I did however knowingly adopt a ten month old Rat Terrier who was abandoned because she was blind and had the equivalent of juvenile diabetes. I spent what needed to be spent each month on insulin, syringes, and lancettes for the glucose meter. I had Rubi for almost nine years and during that time I did not go on any fancy vacation ( not even not-so-fancy ones ) because the vacation money I spent knowingly/willingly each month on Rubi. It was a choice I made and I understand fully that others might make a different one. I now have dog insurance for my healthy dog that covers sudden illness, trauma and emergencies, but not month-to-month vet care and yearly check-ups and vaccinations.

Candi_land

Tomorrow morning my almost 10 year old cockerspaniel is having surgery to repair a cranial cruciate ligament rupture (for the past week I've had to carry him outside and hold up his hind end so he could use the bathroom). Even with pet insurance, I still have to shell out hundreds of dollars for the deductible. I can't afford it, but found a way to pay for it anyway (I'm picking up extra shifts waiting tables). I'm a student, with an unpredictable income from a series of odd jobs, and I have lots of bills. But my dogs are my babies, I don't believe in euthanasia unless the animal is in pain and clearly suffering without any hope. If there is a chance for them to have a long happy life, even if it means extra work for me.. I'm all for doing whatever is necessary to make it happen.

Ophidion

Have spent literally thousands on my animal friends, good on you OP.

AestheticStar

I've always done whatever I could to help my pets, as has my family. My cats are my children basically, & I adore them to pieces. I'd never want to lose them, but I know it happens unfortunately. I guess it depends on the situation, where their health is like, & if it's something that can be helped or fixed. Some situations, there really aren't any options unfortunately. But I'd definitely do what I could to help them.

zumbaforever

It truly depends on quality, age, projected diagnosis and everything. It is not always a money matter with me. My extended family includes 4 ****zus, one takes monthly shots for arthritis And meds his thyroid. And prescription food. Another is 12 and in good health. The baby, who is 7 is also in good health. The 8 year old we inherited when he was five. He has Addisons disease and takes daily meds. They all go to their groomer every other Friday. Then there is my almost healthy 16 year old kitty. He is long haired and needs a bath. Any volunteers? And the oldest, also inherited, 20 year old kitty. He is a twice a day insulin user. Also on prescription diet. We also have a salt water tank. My life revolves around their care and happiness.

They are all boys, I so am out numbered here. And one kitty and three pups sleep with us every night. They are our kids. Hugs to them all.

Shelley

__Di__

People shouldn't have pets if they aren't prepared to spend that money on them.

You wouldn't have kids then decide when they need money spent on them that you can't afford them anymore and put them down, so it shouldn't be this way with pets.

Well they probably would never expect to have to pay that amount for crying out loud!!

And believe it or not, yes people do indeed have kids when they cannot afford it, but that is not what you are doing presumably because you sound as though you have tons and tons and tons of dosh, so this doesn't apply to you does it :mad:

In answer to the OP, not everybody can afford that sudden outlay and a medical condition such as a slipped disc on a dog is not something that can be put aside and be told to wait, I felt for your dog when you said what he/she had wrong with them. I sincerely hope all went ok.

mrsslls

I'd do anything for my dog, it's a family member rather then a pet to me.

^this! She provides me with unconditional love, I won't let her down if she needs me. I understand that people may not have a spare few thousand dollars just lying around but monthly pet insurance is very affordable, it's part of being a responsible pet owner.

hararayne

People shouldn't have pets if they aren't prepared to spend that money on them.

You wouldn't have kids then decide when they need money spent on them that you can't afford them anymore and put them down, so it shouldn't be this way with pets.

Our whole society tends to THROW PETS AWAY. So guess what. Honestly, if the surgery was that expensive, I kind of doubt I would pay for it for my dog. I love both my pups. But there are 1,000's in shelters in my state alone. I might adopt a new animal and care for it if the condition was too uncomfortable for my animal, or if it would decrease their quality of life. I'm fairly certain that my golden will have hip displacement within her lifetime, and typical age of golden's dying these days is between 6 and 8 years old. If she was close to that I would probably cut my losses and save another animal. It doesn't mean I don't love her. It means that I understand our society is one that often throws things away. Living things. I have to make my own decision on how to balance out that negative part of American life. Having been to kill shelters vs no kill shelters, I'd also vote for the kill shelter.

Why? Because in a no kill where everything is run on donations they are often kept in squalor, have fleas, are subject to getting into fights with other dogs they are kenneled with, and often do not have a chance of being adopted. What kind of life is that? It's not.

All the kill shelters have been clean, have several volunteers to walk dogs and do grooming, but get a bad rep because they kill the animals we decide we don't have time for. I don't see any decent way to get people to stop breeding, and indeed, I HATE most liscensed breeders because I can't afford 1200 or more for a dog, but I can pay for food, walk them and get them preventative vet care. I also don't want to deal with the problems that inbreeding causes. Give me a mutt any day and don't try to sell it to me as a "designer hybrid".

soldiergrl_101

Hello there,
So recently I had a situation where my dachshund (5 years old) slipped a disc and became paralyzed from the waist down making surgery his only real chance to walk again. I know everyone is different and has different opinions on what they would do for their sick or injured pet. For me there was no question about the money(it was less than $5000) To have him be able to walk again and pee on his own. Keep in mind these dogs are happy and healthy and can live perfectly happy lives, as any person in a wheelchair can. Just more work for you and there is really no reason to euthanize, most vets dont' consider that an option, unless there is pain or suffering. So what's your limit, how far will you go? My husbands friend was raised on a farm and said you can buy a lot of dogs with that money, I of course feel that Dexter is only 5 and I certainly can't just go out and get another Dexter. I dont' care much for money and would much rather have my happiness from my dog, can't really snuggle up to the cash. So what kind of pet owner are you?

also I was very surprised to find out that most of the people I talked to that have money and I do mean HAVE money, wouldn't really spend much to save/help their pet.

My dogs are my best friend and I would do anything for them. i ran into a situation similar to yours two years ago, and i didnt have that kind of money. I suggest looking into Speaking for Spot, they paid my hole surgery for me and did the surgery itself. This hole throwing their pet away if their broken idea makes me sick, some people should not have pets!

CollieFit

Hello there,
So recently I had a situation where my dachshund (5 years old) slipped a disc and became paralyzed from the waist down making surgery his only real chance to walk again. I know everyone is different and has different opinions on what they would do for their sick or injured pet. For me there was no question about the money(it was less than $5000) To have him be able to walk again and pee on his own. Keep in mind these dogs are happy and healthy and can live perfectly happy lives, as any person in a wheelchair can. Just more work for you and there is really no reason to euthanize, most vets dont' consider that an option, unless there is pain or suffering. So what's your limit, how far will you go? My husbands friend was raised on a farm and said you can buy a lot of dogs with that money, I of course feel that Dexter is only 5 and I certainly can't just go out and get another Dexter. I dont' care much for money and would much rather have my happiness from my dog, can't really snuggle up to the cash. So what kind of pet owner are you?

also I was very surprised to find out that most of the people I talked to that have money and I do mean HAVE money, wouldn't really spend much to save/help their pet.

I haven't read the other responses before replying.

Our dog (collie) is very very loved and I would do anything within my power to maintain her quality of life or reduce her suffering if she were ill or injured. I don't care what it would cost. I would use our savings, sell jewellery, even the car if I had to. She's a living thing, she is family and that's that!!

However, I would not extend her life if it meant continued suffering and poor quality of life for her only so that I could keep her with me for longer. Sometimes it's a tough call to know when that point comes and it takes great courage to put their needs before yours and let them go. x

Both my dog and cat have their own health insurance and I made sure I read the small print, so life long conditions they may develop are covered. It's under £20 a month for them both and that's cheap for peace of mind.

CollieFit

Give me a mutt any day and don't try to sell it to me as a "designer hybrid".

Too true!! :laugh:

CollieFit

People shouldn't have pets if they aren't prepared to spend that money on them.

You wouldn't have kids then decide when they need money spent on them that you can't afford them anymore and put them down, so it shouldn't be this way with pets.

Well they probably would never expect to have to pay that amount for crying out loud!!

And believe it or not, yes people do indeed have kids when they cannot afford it, but that is not what you are doing presumably because you sound as though you have tons and tons and tons of dosh, so this doesn't apply to you does it :mad:

In answer to the OP, not everybody can afford that sudden outlay and a medical condition such as a slipped disc on a dog is not something that can be put aside and be told to wait, I felt for your dog when you said what he/she had wrong with them. I sincerely hope all went ok.

And that's why you should have insurance, so you don't have to find thousands of pounds/dollars when something goes wrong.

wistera

Tomorrow morning my almost 10 year old cockerspaniel is having surgery to repair a cranial cruciate ligament rupture (for the past week I've had to carry him outside and hold up his hind end so he could use the bathroom). Even with pet insurance, I still have to shell out hundreds of dollars for the deductible. I can't afford it, but found a way to pay for it anyway (I'm picking up extra shifts waiting tables). I'm a student, with an unpredictable income from a series of odd jobs, and I have lots of bills. But my dogs are my babies, I don't believe in euthanasia unless the animal is in pain and clearly suffering without any hope. If there is a chance for them to have a long happy life, even if it means extra work for me.. I'm all for doing whatever is necessary to make it happen.

I'm a vet student and I always, always try and encourage student pet owners to get insurance. Yes, it's another monthly expense. But you can budget for it, unlike emergency situations that can happen at the worst time, and it changes the cost of such things from thousands -> hundreds of dollars, which is much more doable.

Thank you (and everyone else here) for doing all that you can for your pets. It gets really heartbreaking really fast (for everyone) when we have to put down pets who have treatable conditions.

bernied262

I am with the OP. My dog was diagnosed with Bilateral elbow dysplacia when he was 22 months old. It required surgery and a lot of rehab. Total cost was close to £8000 (around $13000). The insurance only covered 25% of the overall cost. Thankfully,i had just received my bonus from work so I was able to cover the rest. However, if I didn't have the money, I would have found it from somewhere. The only time I would consider putting my dog to sleep is if his quality of life was gone. He is 5 now, and doing just great

CollieFit

I am with the OP. My dog was diagnosed with Bilateral elbow dysplacia when he was 22 months old. It required surgery and a lot of rehab. Total cost was close to £8000 (around $13000). The insurance only covered 25% of the overall cost.

Oh that's naughty!! :grumble: If you're responsible and you pay for your insurance then they should pay up when you need them to. Glad he's ok now. x

brevislux

I would spend what I could.

Unfortunately I would not have 5000$ to save my kitty, though. But if I were rich, I'd spend it on her.

__Di__

People shouldn't have pets if they aren't prepared to spend that money on them.

You wouldn't have kids then decide when they need money spent on them that you can't afford them anymore and put them down, so it shouldn't be this way with pets.

Well they probably would never expect to have to pay that amount for crying out loud!!

And believe it or not, yes people do indeed have kids when they cannot afford it, but that is not what you are doing presumably because you sound as though you have tons and tons and tons of dosh, so this doesn't apply to you does it :mad:

In answer to the OP, not everybody can afford that sudden outlay and a medical condition such as a slipped disc on a dog is not something that can be put aside and be told to wait, I felt for your dog when you said what he/she had wrong with them. I sincerely hope all went ok.

And that's why you should have insurance, so you don't have to find thousands of pounds/dollars when something goes wrong.

Unfortunately, the OP did say further back that insurance did not cover that condition in her dog

CollieFit

And that's why you should have insurance, so you don't have to find thousands of pounds/dollars when something goes wrong.

Unfortunately, the OP did say further back that insurance did not cover that condition in her dog

Yes, the pre-existing conditions clause in SOME insurance policies is unfortunate, however this does not negate the overall principle value of having insurance in place.

And there are also policies which include pre-existing conditions.

mrsamanda86

If I were rich, the amount I would pay to help my dog, as long as there was a good chance their outcome would be great, would be limitless. As I am sadly not rich, I would probably have to cap out around 5,000 and that would be only with a loan. I love my dogs like crazy, and my oldest is only 7, who should live until 15-20 years old easily(hes a jack rat terrier). As long as they weren't too far gone to have a chance at a good quality of life, or too far into old age to justify the costs, I would do whatever I could within our means to help my animals. I tear up just thinking about the day that will eventually come when they either pass away/we have to make an awful decision.

bernied262

I am with the OP. My dog was diagnosed with Bilateral elbow dysplacia when he was 22 months old. It required surgery and a lot of rehab. Total cost was close to £8000 (around $13000). The insurance only covered 25% of the overall cost.

Oh that's naughty!! :grumble: If you're responsible and you pay for your insurance then they should pay up when you need them to. Glad he's ok now. x

The insurance company was just awful, we had the right level of cover but they disputed pretty much all costs. It took them over 12 weeks to pay up. I would never insure anything with them again, they were absolute sharks!
Now, I do still have insurance for him, but I also have what I call my 'Harvey fund'. I put money into this every month to cover any additional medical costs that may/will come in the future.