How far are you willing to go for your pet?

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Grimmerick
Grimmerick Posts: 3,344 Member
in Chit-Chat
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.
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Replies

  • Mobilemuscle
    Mobilemuscle Posts: 945 Member
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    As soon as the dogs name changes to "Bill".....you gotta end it
  • WeepingAngel81
    WeepingAngel81 Posts: 2,232 Member
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    I just couldn't jusify spending that kind of money when there are things my kids need. I love my kitty, but he would either have to go to a family that could afford that kind of bill or he'd have to be put down.
  • seltzermint555
    seltzermint555 Posts: 10,742 Member
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    There would be many factors involved in my decision. $5,000 would be too much for me at this point in my life. A few years ago it would not have been as I was in a marriage with two much larger incomes than my current household has. I hate saying that but yeah...$5,000 is more the amount to keep me in transportation, insurance, and possibly pay medical bills for my husband and I but not for a pet.

    Under $1,000 though...there would be no question, I'd do it automatically. I have been in that situation before w/ pets several times and did not hesitate even when I was in my mid 20's and spent my $900 tax return on a pet's vet bill.

    If the dog was older, say 10+ then I'd have it put down.

    Btw though...I love dachshunds. So clever and sweet. I hope Dexter's surgery went/goes well and he's back to his old self or almost.
  • downinaggieland98
    downinaggieland98 Posts: 224 Member
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    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.
  • ames105
    ames105 Posts: 288 Member
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    Its a personal decision for each person. I love my kitties and would do whatever I could for them, but I don't have $5000 at all so I couldn't justify it. It would just about kill me to put one of them down, but I wouldn't have a choice. However, if you have the money and the inclination to do it, go for it, its your business, your decision. Good luck!
  • twinketta
    twinketta Posts: 2,130 Member
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    Do you have pet insurance?
  • TheRoadDog
    TheRoadDog Posts: 11,793 Member
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    I'd put it down. Not spending $5,000 on a pet.
  • Mobilemuscle
    Mobilemuscle Posts: 945 Member
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    I love my furbabies more than anything

    it really comes down to their quality of life

    I had my cat on lactaided ringers for his kidneys and was artificially keeping him hydrated the last few years of his life...ultimately he just was ready to go....it was my own selfishness who was prolonging his pain....
  • bronnyd
    bronnyd Posts: 278 Member
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    $5000 is too much for me at this point in my life which is exactly why I do not have a pet yet. I would love love love to have a dog, but I know that if anything unexpected happened, I would want to do anything I could to help/save the dog, but at this time I would be unable to. So I have resolved to wait until I am more stable.

    It's hard to say what my limit would be. It depends on the age of the dog, the prognosis and all that. Based on your story I'd say I would have done the same thing if I were in your situation.
  • lavieboheme1229
    lavieboheme1229 Posts: 448 Member
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    I'm the crazy pet mother who would jump in the middle of the road to stop my dog from being hit by a car.

    With that being said, I also don't have kids. Priorities may change. But right now, I'd do anything for her.
  • Grimmerick
    Grimmerick Posts: 3,344 Member
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    I guess my thoughts when I hear people say "it's just a dog, just a cat, just an animal"
    My thoughts are "They become your family and it's just money, what do you make money for if not to spend it on things you care about?" assuming you have enough to cover expenses otherwise it isn't really a choice.
  • bkw99508
    bkw99508 Posts: 204 Member
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    I would do most anything if quality of life would be greatly improved. I spent over $5K to keep my Samson with me for another year. However, when it go to the point where he was suffering, I made the decision to let him go. Best $5K I spent and probably ever spend.
  • Grimmerick
    Grimmerick Posts: 3,344 Member
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    Do you have pet insurance?

    looked into this, it's genetic they don't cover it...........weirdly they also don't cover Nuclear War (yeah they really said that)
  • ThePlight
    ThePlight Posts: 3,593 Member
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    I try to find alternatives before deciding what to do. Our cat had a broken bone and we were quoted $5,000+ for his surgery. Fiance's dad said "put him down" and we're all "no way, we rescued him as a feral kitten and he deserves a chance at life"..
    We decided to get him painkillers and keep him confined, the next vet we visited was kind enough to give us meds that would make him sleepier and keep him calmer while he healed.
    He healed naturally and can walk and run just fine. He's a beast climber. He limps when he walks, but when he runs, you can't even tell. If you touch the area that was affected, you can feel where the bone is thicker, but at least our grouchy baby got to keep his leg.. AND stopped being so grouchy, he's a sweetheart now.
  • acheron03
    acheron03 Posts: 27
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    Some of my decision comes down to how much 'X' service is going to be. I don't have the means to provide a 5k operation so it just couldn't happen. On the other hand i just forked over $450 bucks for meds and x-rays for my german shepard. So it's about can i afford it and what that will do to my family because at the end of the day my wife comes first, then my family, then me, then my dog (order of whose health I care most about)
  • KatrinaWilke
    KatrinaWilke Posts: 372 Member
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    I would do just about anything for my dog! As long as she was able to live a happy life! If she was going to suffer, I would consider euthanization.
  • AlongCame_Molly
    AlongCame_Molly Posts: 2,835 Member
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    I am not in a financial position to pay anything more than about $1,000, and even them I'd see what I could do to finance it. In a few years when we are better off financially, I think I'd probably do it.
  • dawlschic007
    dawlschic007 Posts: 636 Member
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    We went through this with our dachshund a year ago. He wasn't paralyzed because we caught the signs early enough, but he was in severe pain from it and would have gotten to that point if we didn't have surgery for him. He was only 6 years old at the time and had no other health issues to speak of. We paid to have the surgery for him without even a thought about putting him down. Yes, it's a lot of money, but he made a full recovery and is running around and back to his usual self. He does have days where he's a little stiff, but other than that he's fine. The recovery was tough for him because they have to spend so much time in the kennel.

    Now, if there was only a slim chance of recovery or that the dog wouldn't make it through surgery due to age, etc., then yes, we'd definitely consider other options.

    I really do think that people who decide to have dogs like dachshunds need to budget for back surgery or large expenses when they are deciding what type of dog to get. This is a VERY common issue for dachshunds because of their length.
  • CharlzO
    CharlzO Posts: 96 Member
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    I'd die for mine. However, there does come a point, where no amount of money is going to do anything but prolong their suffering. I've had to put two dogs down over my lifetime, my first ever was an Akita, Gracie. And the last, my Pit. Had him since he was a year old, rescued from a shelter, he was the best dog I've ever had the pleasure of being allowed to be with. I didn't own him, he let me be his. But when he had his stroke, and there was nothing that could be done...Could've tried steroids, but it would have, if anything, only gave him a couple months more, and he would've been in agony most of it. My sister is a vet, so she came to the house, so that I could hold him when he went. Hardest day, I think, of my life.

    If it comes to injury, or illness where there's a good chance to recover their function and live a fully healthy life with little/no restriction, then there is no price tag for me. I'll find a way to do it, if I have to eat Ramen for the next two years.
  • alettep
    alettep Posts: 56 Member
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    If I had the money of course! We had to recently put down our cat who had gotten hit by a car but he was 16 and the vet wasn't sure what he could do for him-we didn't want to see him suffer. Now same cat 6 years earlier-we did spend quite a bit on for some other injury, including me giving him antibiotic shots!

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