General Discussion

Myrina

(12,296 posts)

86. I love my furr babies more than I love humans, but ...

Wed Mar 27, 2013, 02:46 PM

Mar 2013

... no.

I've been in situations over the past couple years with (1) elderly and (1) terminal dog, and the vet was recommending expensive treatment/therapy (an MRI for one and water/laser "aerobics" for the other) that would have run into the thousands for each of them.

I've got a bum Achilles that should be MRI'd and operated on.
I've got horrible uterine fibroid cysts that should be removed.

I'm not going to pay thousands to have those procedures on myself, and I opted not to have the procedures for the dogs.

One is still with me, 3 years after vet admonishment that he neeeeeded an MRI and all kinds of meds for congestive heart failure. I took the other to the Rainbow Bridge in Feb when it was clear his DM was making his life hell & his personality started to change for the worse because of it.

Do I wish I could do more? Sure. But then there's a mortgage to pay, other dogs to feed/care for, oh - and groceries for myself every so often to think about. You gotta draw a line somewhere.

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Old Dog Needs $6,000 Surgery. What Do You Do? [View all] Liberal_in_LA Mar 2013 OP

My first reaction would be yes, spend it, then right after that, I'd say, 13 years old? joeybee12 Mar 2013 #1

The age issue would give me pause. Gormy Cuss Mar 2013 #8

Well, I'm crazy, because I'd spend anything on my cats... joeybee12 Mar 2013 #18

People come from a wide variety of economic geek tragedy Mar 2013 #2

What I would do is ask several different vets how much they would charge LiberalEsto Mar 2013 #3

The article said that it was a specialized surgery -- they might not have had a choice of good vets. pnwmom Mar 2013 #91

I've lost a dog for being fundamentally too poor for its meds. Robb Mar 2013 #4

Some pretty screwed-up priorities in this world. earthside Mar 2013 #5

+1000 Go Vols Mar 2013 #27

Almost all of us has spent at least $6000 over the past year on frivoulous crap. Liberal_in_LA Mar 2013 #31

and for me that represents 1/3 of a years pay RedRocco Mar 2013 #43

Yep. progressoid Mar 2013 #47

I'm an avid dog lover and I could afford the 6 grand. However, I don't think any reasonable ladjf Mar 2013 #88

Thank you, Liberal. narnian60 Mar 2013 #45

To most dog owners, dogs are their "children". darkangel218 Mar 2013 #36

....oh fergawd sakes. alphafemale Mar 2013 #41

I hope you're living in the shittiest home geek tragedy Mar 2013 #44

I spend whatever it takes to make my pets comfortable Skittles Mar 2013 #52

Nice ego-centered opinion. Thanks for sharing. n/t flvegan Mar 2013 #66

None here in the U.S. It's a good thing to save lives, if someone is willing to pay. Honeycombe8 Mar 2013 #68

If there is anything in your home that is not necessary to your survival... LanternWaste Mar 2013 #78

This message was self-deleted by its author Floyd_Gondolli Mar 2013 #79

You have a point. It's just not very pointy. sibelian Mar 2013 #85

that's some stupid shit, children aren't dying because dogs are getting treatment JI7 Mar 2013 #98

How much are you spending on internet access? Skip Intro Mar 2013 #100

Depends upon how rich you are. GreenStormCloud Mar 2013 #6

I could afford the six grand... Bay Boy Mar 2013 #7

Age of the dog would definately be an issue. GreenStormCloud Mar 2013 #16

For Some Guilt Would Be A Factor grilled onions Mar 2013 #9

The age of the animal has to play some role in the decision SoCalDem Mar 2013 #10

Had a cat with congestive heart failure Freddie Mar 2013 #53

13 Years Old.... rsmith6621 Mar 2013 #11

A rough situation guardian Mar 2013 #12

I would let him go as peacefully as possible Marrah_G Mar 2013 #13

I would pay it if I had it Worried senior Mar 2013 #14

It too bad that Politicalboi Mar 2013 #15

I'm facing this with my diabetic bichon who is going blind with cataracts. broiles Mar 2013 #17

I hope you have many many more years with your dog. Liberal_in_LA Mar 2013 #29

how are you managing his blood sugar? Demonaut Mar 2013 #113

Special diet, insulin twice daily, no treats. broiles Mar 2013 #117

it's tough, lucky to get it in a rough 250 range..btw, my dog developed cataracts too Demonaut Mar 2013 #121

Thanks, I'll look for a lighted ball. broiles Mar 2013 #122

I have lived on a farm pipoman Mar 2013 #19

Depends on the procedure. postulater Mar 2013 #20

That's a tough one Warpy Mar 2013 #21

Age aside, if you are a pet owner its your responsibility FreeState Mar 2013 #22

which pet insurance do you have? shanti Mar 2013 #69

Be careful -- the policies have lots of exclusions. Gormy Cuss Mar 2013 #99

I have Petplan - regardless of which company you get, I urge you to research pet insurance DeschutesRiver Mar 2013 #119

My dog, I come up with the money. tabasco Mar 2013 #23

For my family, I am the Pet Grim Reaper. randome Mar 2013 #24

Not my son, article from NY times. Thanks for your input. Liberal_in_LA Mar 2013 #28

Whoops. randome Mar 2013 #34

That's me, too. Mariana Mar 2013 #65

You have it right, IMO. randome Mar 2013 #74

I'm the biggest dog lover out there..... llmart Mar 2013 #25

Your Delphinus Mar 2013 #49

Thank you.... llmart Mar 2013 #58

Try another vet newfie11 Mar 2013 #26

I love my dog but 6 grand is 6 grand. MrSlayer Mar 2013 #30

Pony up, that's what I would do, MadHound Mar 2013 #32

If it were me, I doubt I'd spend it. a la izquierda Mar 2013 #33

Somewhere along the lines you hit the point of diminishing returns Lurks Often Mar 2013 #35

I would have done the same thing she did. forestpath Mar 2013 #37

Our household income is less than 30K per year susanr516 Mar 2013 #38

I feel ya SmileyRose Mar 2013 #75

My old dog had emergency abdominal surgery for bloat and two days undeterred Mar 2013 #39

That was my initial thought. a la izquierda Mar 2013 #118

I have a 16 yo dog. MissB Mar 2013 #40

Well, in 2005 the splenectomy cost $5000 truebluegreen Mar 2013 #42

yay for your dog Liberal_in_LA Mar 2013 #109

Thank you! truebluegreen Mar 2013 #111

I'm into my little dog for $4000 bahrbearian Mar 2013 #46

If you have the money, then it is well spent on a precious member of your family! txwhitedove Mar 2013 #48

If I could come up with the money sweetNsassy Mar 2013 #50

don't listen to people who question what you spend on your pets Skittles Mar 2013 #51

people spend more on whom they love than abstract starving children La Lioness Priyanka Mar 2013 #54

I spent 6k on my dog 7 years ago and I'm glad I did... winstars Mar 2013 #55

My 22 year old cat HockeyMom Mar 2013 #56

When making life and death decisions like this for pets MidwestTransplant Mar 2013 #57

Love has no price. n/t Gore1FL Mar 2013 #59

A member of the family. shenmue Mar 2013 #60

Do what your heart tells you to do. Loki Mar 2013 #61

Entirely reasonable -- it's the author's money to spend as zie pleases. politicat Mar 2013 #62

I lost my Rottweiler when she was almost 13 years old. RebelOne Mar 2013 #63

We have what my husband refers to as the $5000 kitten. ... nessa Mar 2013 #64

gosh Liberal_in_LA Mar 2013 #107

She really has. My young son was diagnosed with autism when he was three... nessa Mar 2013 #112

Wife and I have discussed this - our limit is $3,000 for our 8 year old lab mix. cbdo2007 Mar 2013 #67

That's what money's for. Given the age, I don't know that I would have. Honeycombe8 Mar 2013 #70

When my 13 yr. old Shepherd, Lab cross mix got hit by car many years ago, I would have Zorra Mar 2013 #71

Why would you ask? flvegan Mar 2013 #72

We recently had to do the exact same with our 13 yr old Louise Dragonbreathp9d Mar 2013 #73

Whatever your choice, please remember Max's dignity. sadbear Mar 2013 #76

Speaking only for myself. Helen Reddy Mar 2013 #77

I spent $2,500 for an operation on my desert tortoise aint_no_life_nowhere Mar 2013 #80

Much as i dislike dogs. jambo101 Mar 2013 #81

I spent $22,000 over 2 years Floyd_Gondolli Mar 2013 #82

I spent over $10,000 treating my dog for diabetes, Cushing's, lupus, and sinkingfeeling Mar 2013 #83

Are you glad you spent the money? Liberal_in_LA Mar 2013 #110

Absolutely! She got to live her full life span and little bit more. sinkingfeeling Mar 2013 #116

I think we would do it. MoonRiver Mar 2013 #84

I love my furr babies more than I love humans, but ... Myrina Mar 2013 #86

Lot of interesting posts to this OP. I'm with the consensus, if at all possible, get up the money ladjf Mar 2013 #87

Those are always very difficult decisions. MineralMan Mar 2013 #89

Interesting story. I'm glad the cat lived a long, pain free life after his injury Liberal_in_LA Mar 2013 #106

Some people don't understand that the family pet is one of the kids. AndyA Mar 2013 #90

If you could save either your dog or your human child from a burning house, which would you choose? Orrex Mar 2013 #92

I hope you don't have any pets. AndyA Mar 2013 #94

I have owned pets and I have been with them as they died. Orrex Mar 2013 #95

I did. AndyA Mar 2013 #96

I answered the question that was asked. I also replied to you. Orrex Mar 2013 #97

Not everyone has children. AndyA Mar 2013 #104

I'm sick to death of people equating their animals with other people's children Orrex Mar 2013 #105

I would not pursue surgery for the dog Orrex Mar 2013 #93

I don't consider paying high vet bills to be "flushing it down the toilet" Liberal_in_LA Mar 2013 #108

I wouldn't do it because of Max's age moobu2 Mar 2013 #101

It depends. Possibly - TBF Mar 2013 #102

I usually tell my clients to "take the money out of the equasion" and think about your pet... Walk away Mar 2013 #103

Depends on the animal and outcome. Zoeisright Mar 2013 #114

Somehow, I am reminded of this song: Art_from_Ark Mar 2013 #115

Two places in Denver that subsidizes pet health care costs. Tender to the Bone Mar 2013 #120