How Far would you go for your pet?

bmqbonnie

I own a ferret and a horse and have owned dogs and cats in the past. I've had a lot of housing opportunities say no to me due to my pets, and recently I was working for an abusive boss but would not leave until I got my horse out of there (I was working for a training facility and my horse lived there with me).

That said, I do not believe in going to great lengths while prolonging an animal's suffering. I was a pre vet student volunteering at the large animal hospital and will never forget a dying foal that the vets recommended be put down but the owners insisted on making the 5 hour drive to see it first. It's a horse; it does not care if you're there and all it knows is that it is in pain.

I was reading an article recently on treating leukemia in dogs and it had a couple case studies in it. It was very interesting and talked about the incredible advancements we've made in veterinary care. HOWEVER, the treatment is lengthy, painful, and involves keeping the dog in quarantine for months on end. The dogs get cured.

Do the ends justify the means? Yes, the dog was saved in the end, but in the meantime it was taken to a strange place to have strange and painful things done to it while it could not have much if any social interaction at all. All the while the dog has no idea what's happening or why, all it knows is that life sucks. It's different from treating a person because you can explain to the person that they don't need to be scared and that it will all be worth it in the future. The dog is not thinking about the future, it is thinking about the pain and suffering it is going through now. Now imagine doing the same to a cat that would be even less tolerant of a strange situation.

I recently put my Sheltie down. She went to the vet for other reasons and it was discovered that her liver was failing. She didn't seem to be suffering yet (had some symptoms like weight gain despite eating less, being a little listless, but she wasn't despondent) but I chose to put her down that very day. I would rather stop the suffering before it begins than wait until it would be cruelty not to do it.

So yes, an ear sounds like a minor problem but it is making the cat miserable. If there's nothing that can be done, I'd choose to put it down too. Or, even if there is something that can be done but the friend can't afford it/ won't do it, better that she put it down than let it keep being miserable.

Doing "anything" for your pet is noble and all, but question whether it's really for the pet's sake or to make you feel noble or because you aren't willing to let your pet go.

People in our society fear death too much. There are fates worse than death.

Sockimobi

I'd do anything for my pets! I have them all insured which has been worth every penny.

<

---

Look at my fluffy boy, I could never let him be put down unless it was the kindest thing to do for him.

I have even stopped in rush hour traffic to fetch a cat out of the road that had been run over (it was dead) so I could take him to the vets to be identified before he got squished beyond recognition. He was returned to his owners as it was microchipped.

My next door neighbour had her cats ears removed as it got skin cancer (he was white with lovely pink ears!). I think I'd try anything if it didn't cause unnecessary suffering... and probably blub my own weight in tears whilst I was at it.

LisaF1163

I have even stopped in rush hour traffic to fetch a cat out of the road that had been run over (it was dead) so I could take him to the vets to be identified before he got squished beyond recognition. He was returned to his owners as it was microchipped. .

You know, we've been reading about some really wonderful acts of kindness around this thread, but this is making me totally tear up. I'm not even kidding, I just grabbed a Kleenex before my co-workers saw me! What an incredibly kind, compassionate thing to do - I'm sure his owners were very grateful.

hikeout470

Would go to great expense to help my pooches, and have. Do not believe in extending life in pain and suffering.

That said, some people create such drama over things that could be corrected. Just remove the cat's ear tissues, or whatever the procedure that is available instead of multiple visits, creams, etc.

I now a lady who had cat drama once, I swear she was the cause of it. After extending her finances she elected to put the fury ones down instead of having a simple operation to physically correct the problem.

aj_31

I spent $2,000 on my tea cup yorkie's broken leg. She just turned 1 and she slipped on our wood floor as she was jumping down from my hand and broke her leg in 2 places. She now has a plate and screws in it. I love her more than anything. A lot of people told me that they would have put her down but what sense would that make after only having her for 1 yr and having paid for her and all her vet bills already. I'd have to start all over with a new pup and that would cost me almost the same amount.

Now she's better than ever! I couldn't imagine my life w/out her.

How can you say no to this baby??

Sockimobi

I have even stopped in rush hour traffic to fetch a cat out of the road that had been run over (it was dead) so I could take him to the vets to be identified before he got squished beyond recognition. He was returned to his owners as it was microchipped. .

You know, we've been reading about some really wonderful acts of kindness around this thread, but this is making me totally tear up. I'm not even kidding, I just grabbed a Kleenex before my co-workers saw me! What an incredibly kind, compassionate thing to do - I'm sure his owners were very grateful.

Thank you. I was blubbing like a child myself at the time - poor thing was in the middle of a dual carriage way outside a school (I nabbed him before the children started arriving). I am just glad his owners weren't left wondering where their kitty had got to.

Sorry to make you tear up at work :flowerforyou:

Sockimobi

I spent $2,000 on my tea cup yorkie's broken leg. She just turned 1 and she slipped on our wood floor as she was jumping down from my hand and broke her leg in 2 places. She now has a plate and screws in it. I love her more than anything. A lot of people told me that they would have put her down but what sense would that make after only having her for 1 yr and having paid for her and all her vet bills already. I'd have to start all over with a new pup and that would cost me almost the same amount.

Now she's better than ever! I couldn't imagine my life w/out her.

How can you say no to this baby??

OMG. I wouldn't say no to that little bubby!! How adorable. I hope she lives forever!

springermad

oh my days, I have on going problems with my bramble she has major ear problems and they wanted to remove her ear drums and canals at one stage (TECA) but when they went in they noted that the infection had not affected the bula and she was to be reffered to a dermatologist when we saw him he said that she has allergies which is most likely causing the infections he ran a panal and she has a list so long what she is allergic too, I have to inject her every 4 days with specially made vaccine and insert ear drops into her twice a day.

I have to drive 150 mile round trip every 4 weeks to see the specialist and I wouldnt have it any other week PTS is not an option. so far I have spent over £6,500 I would rather go without then make her go without.

We take these animals on regardless of there problems and you as their owner should do everything you can to help them. how would you like it to be PTS if you are ill NO you wouldnt, LOL sorry rant over

I drove 800 mile round trip to get her and nothing will make me give her up, she is the love of my life and she needs me as much as I need her xx

Alliwan

Our pets, and by extension all life, are our babies. Daughter and i BAWL if we accidently hit something on the road. We live out in the country and takes forever to get to town during frog season becasue we'll get out adn move the frogs off the road so we dont hit them. We drive soooo slow so we dont hit the fox, raccoon, possum, muskrat, bird, and the deer.

Our 'bugout bags' are outfitted with cat and ferret pouches and food, so our babies will go with us if we have to leave or 'bugout' in a hurry. they're our babies, life wouldnt be worth it with out them.

but if it comes down to end of life, we also wont prolong it for ourselves. Ferrets are notorious for getting a type of cancer because they're destunk and neutered so young. so we know we will face taht decision one day, but we spoil them rotten until then.

hollyeverhart

I would do more for my cat then I would pretty much all people. Once you adopt/get a animal they are your responsible to make them as happy/comfortable as you possible can, if you are not prepared to do that & make sacrifices for them don't get a pet! I would do anything in my power for my cat, take out loans/credit cards for any surgery/medication/etc. I love him & any pet I've ever had way to much & I want them to be happy, healthy, live long lives. I am a crazy animal lady I have NO respect for people who abuse/neglect animals.

hollyeverhart

im not an animal person.....which is why i dont understand the money that people spend on animals...i overhear a lady saying she spent $6000 on her dog for surgery....if i had $6k...there are way more things to take care of with than animals...but thats just me.

Would you spend $6000 on a child? well my cats like my child & hes worth more then any amount of money. I would gladly go into debt to keep him healthy & happy, he adds so much happiness to my life everyday so he deserves the best care I can give him.

dakitten2

I have a shih tzu and yorkie who are kind enough to let us stay in their house and sleep in their bed. One is 10 and the other is 13. There is nothing we havent or wont do for our fur babies. They cuddle with me when I am sad and crying. In the worst period of my life, my older dog (yorkie) was there waiting at the door for me when I came home from work as soon as she heard the garage door opener. I take them to the vet, just like I took my kids to a doctor.

Our shih tzu had to have a major surgery and there was never a question whether or not to have the surgery done. We simply took the cash out of our vacation account, cancelled our cruise, and used the money to cover the surgery. I figured cruises will always be there but my furbabies wont.

In our family, everyone has dogs, there are 5 grown children and our parents and between us we have 20+ dogs. I think our family creed regarding our babies are all the same, you hurt one of my furbabies and I will promise that I will hurt you.

Our dogs have flown all over the world with us, we prefer to take them with us on vacations than leave them at a friend's house or a kennel. We get pulled every single time from boarding for inspection of our dog carriers, which is OK because I know there are cruel people in the world that would use an animal to hide a bomb or explosive.

So in short to answer your question, there is nothing we wouldnt do for our pets and the darn little critters know it too!

matchfitin5

I would do anything for my cats and my dog. My one cat is very old, around 17 and has had many health issues as of late. She is now a diabetic and must have insulin injections twice a day and needs special food. It was very difficult getting the right dose for her and she has had diabetic shock many times because she will refuse to eat. She goes to the vet every other week and has become quite the regular there. Its very hard to care for her but the bottom line is that she is part of the family, she was born 2 days after my first birthday right in my closet. Her brother died from FIP (he was 14) and her mother died a month ago from cancer (she was 19). She now only has an older sister (Ilsa is very healthy and is at the ripe old age of 18). I would do anything for the humans in the family so why shouldn't I go the extra mile for the felines and canine members too.

weighlossforbaby

My malamute/german shepherd dog named Bear, 2 goats called Leah and Alex, and kitty named Paul are my kids. I would do anything for them. Leah's mother Lucy was my first pet ever and I lost her to tetanus (it hardens the muscles for 3 days til it takes over completely) so I was living out of state and she was living on my parents farm and my dad went every where to get medicine for her but it was too late. She left behind leah who was 5 months old at the time in July 2010. My mom texted me saying Lucy was gone and my life hasn't been the same.

MyFeistyEvolution

We woud do as much as possible for our pets up until the point we can safely know their quality of life would suck. My first cat Toby had a blood clot go up through his brain. At first he showed no long term effects but then after a simple vet visit, hi health plummeted. He spent 5 days in the hospital while someone traveled up to do a heart xray ultrasounds an all sorts. Those 5 days costs us 2600 dollars...and then it was confirmed he had heart disease who knew what his life would be like. We chose to put him down.

I really do understand the frustration you feel but not everyoe views their pets like that or puts them at the same level as humans. It sucks but it is what it is.

Hopefully she will get a second recommendation.

gatorgirlyyy

I would do anything for my pet's. Put it this way... if it came down to me eating tonight or my dog, my dog would eat.

Just two weeks ago while in the backyard I rescued a baby Robin and have been his "Mother". This consist's of formula hand feeding every hour.... very time consuming. I do it because he deserves a chance.

Two weeks later this is my little guy, Dexter. Sweet as can be and healthy.



He's even learning how to eat solids slowly.

So, all in all, I would do anything... for any pet.

& no, putting down the cat wouldn't even be a thought in my head until all resources were used.

rachleb

If the chance is great enough that I can save one of my pets, I would do whatever it took as long as I was able. One of my cats had Feline Lipidosis, but the doctor said with the correct care she could pull through. I had to feed her through a tube every three to four hours (I would wake up in the middle of the night) for 6 weeks. A year later, she is very healthy and doing great! Definitely worth the $$ I spent getting her diagnosed/taken care of.

The year before last, one of my dogs stopped eating and was very lethargic. We took him into the vet and they did several stomach x-rays and couldn't find anything. They kept him for a week and fed him through an IV. Finally, at the end of the week they went to do exporatory surgery because he wasn't recovering. It turns out he ate something (they never found out what) that had perforated his intestines. The doctor said that they could try to fix it, but there was less than a 25% chance he would survive. I had to make the decision right then, while they were doing the exploratory surgery. This was the best dog ever, but my husband and I elected to put him to sleep because we didn't want him to suffer if the surgery did not work. That was a hard decision to make, but if the chance of his survival was greater, I think we would have made a different decision.

budhandy

So, first. To answer the question - how far would SOMEONE ELSE go for your pet?

When I was a teenager my puppy walked out onto an ice covered dugout with an aeration system. The ice was weak. The water ice cold. The puppy fell into a hole in the ice near where the aeration tube was. A complete stranger who was passing by crawled onto that ice and pulled the puppy (I couldn't swim). That was damned risky but he did it...

The puppy died on the way to the vet.

As to the second, REAL question. I don't think you should EVER put your family at financial risk for a pet. If you have the money to have the work done then go for it but if you just can't afford to have your pet's pain relieved without making your family suffer financially then I don't think you're a bad person for saying no to the work.

my thoughts also! i

Meg177

She might be fearful to travel so far on her own. She could have an issue she hasn't even identified with taking her animal to a hospital like that because you lose control of the situation very quickly with those kind of doctors. How many people wait to get their own issues looked at by a doctor fearing that it could be cancer. There are many feelings a play and you can't guess what they are and she probably doesn't know either.

Can you go to the hospital with her? Does she have to leave the pet overnight or is it just an mri where they go home together the same night with more information and better treatment options? She can clarify these questions with her regular vet when she gets the referral.

ETA: Just saw the post saying kitty has ear infection. Hope all is OK soon!

BCKS

Our dog was diabetic and eventually went blind. My parents faithfully gave him insulin shots twice a day, eye drops, etc. He lived an additional eight years!

Unfortunately, too many people would not have dedicated the time and money involved to help a dog like this. Thankfully my parents did. He was the BEST dog ever!! He was a fighter and gave everything he had to the very end.

The day finally came when he just couldn't go on any longer (age 16). When we were getting ready to take him in to the vet, he was taking a nap and peacefully went in his sleep instead. So thankful!!

xHelloQuincyx

ive paid thousands to save my pets and upkeep them
my cat that i had since i was 4 recently died (im almost 20) and i used to spend 20 dollars a week on special cat food for her since she got sick. gave her baths, and rocker her / kept her warm after. all of the routine took me about 2 hours or more, but she was my best friend.

my mom has stayed up many times with sick animals, nursing them. my boyfriend calls her the cat whisperer. my bunny got into some poisened carrots (or something from a farmer feild) and went blind in one eye and could not move one side. that was a year ago and now she has him walking around and he can move fast with some of the caterax gone. she used massage therapy, so that shows the time she would put into it. also the time it takes to rid a house of fleas if one cat catches them, we wouldnt just get rid of the cats because of it. that makes me SO mad when people give an animal up because it has fleas and they didnt know before they got it or something.

brian1229

I spent $2k on emergency surgery to get my cat's urinary blockage unblocked at the emergency vet hospital. If it is something where my pet has a fighting chance of making it, you better believe I am going to do whatever I can to help him. I did go into debt for this, BUT, I knew my DH and I could pay the debt off within a few months, and we did.

Meg177

Oh...what would I really do?

I once paid $5000 for a cat to get care at a specialist hospital for a week. It was 3.5 hours away one way. I went to vist every second day (about 5x total including the day I drove him in). He died there. I paid for it for 3 years. One of the saddest days of my life, besides the day he was taken from me, was the day of the last payment. It was like losing him all over again.