Are You Ready For This?

That's a question that should be posed to potential pet owners. Many have no idea what may happen with their pet health wise. I'm not even sure that when they are mozing around the adoption centers they think of the cost of caring for and the possibility of catastrophic health expenses.

Our pets are our family, just like kids. They become flesh and blood the day we bring them home. We have had some very expensive health care situations. We had a cat named Cleo, that at about 10 years of age was diagnosed with diabetes.

The Vet didn't give her a good prognosis. My wife being a licensed nurse asked if prescriptions for insulin could be obtained. Well, with daily care and a close watch on the dosage, Cleo lived another 6 years.

Another case in point. One of our German Shepherds named Shadow, was a rescue from Animal Control. An extremely active dog and an ardent hunter. She injured a back leg (tibia ligament), and required TPLO surgery ($3200). She was not AKC, but a pedigree that needed a good home. The operation was successful.

Two years later, she developed a tumor on a front leg ankle. Our Vet did the surgery and removed it ($900). One year later, it grew back and he removed it again (another $900). He said that if it grew back again her leg would have to be amputated.

Well, it did grow back again. A friend told us of her Vet, and he removed it (About the same money...I lose track). That was 3 years ago. It hasn't grown back and she is now 11 years old and still acts like a puppy.

We aren't rich people. I can understand that some may have different views on how to care for pets. Whenever I hear of stories about how pets get the short end due to their caregivers I get upset. The question is how far should or can a caregiver go with their pet.

Personally I don't see any other venue than providing the best life possible. If we weren't able to write a check, or charge the expenses, we would still come up with the money somehow.

Hubby and I feel the same way. When you bring an animal home, it is a lifetime commitment to them. We have had two cats who we had to make that dreaded decision for. Max was 12 years old when he developed acute renal failure. We did what we could over a several day period at the vets for him, hoping he would recover. But it became apparent he was suffering and getting worse. So we let him go. In January, Speedboat developed unknown problems, low WBC, low blood platelets, kidney problems, and finally anemia. The vet was thinking cancer, but he said even ultrasound might not be definitive. He was 14 and had had a wonderful life. His bloodwork was so bad, and he had quit trying to eat. I was having to assist feed him. Rather than put him through biopsies and more tests, we let him go. Neither was an easy decision. If we could have had any assurance that we could prolong his life with any quality, we would have. There just comes a time when for the pets sake, you have to learn them loose. Also, I think for everyone there is a line financially on what is really justifiable. At least there was for us.

I don't think it is fair to suggest that people with more modest means shouldn't be pet owners. I'd rather see a cat get 10 years of love and be pts if cancer treatment is too expensive for a family than see that same cat pts at 6 months because of a surplus at the shelter.

I spend a fortune on my pets ($1500 a couple of months ago on sugery for Jack) and am glad I can do it, but there are limits to how far I will go and that does not make me a bad pet owner.

Everyone has a "limit" of what they can or will pay for their animals. I was told once that I should have my 1 year old cat put to sleep (by a friend) because she had broke her pelvic. I wouldn't do it. The vet said she should heal and if not she'd need surgery, she healed and never needed the surgery but if she had she would have gotten it. If it is treatable then they should be treated. If it's not then they still deserve to live if they aren't suffering but if they are suffering then they should be put to sleep (and that's not an easy choice to make). That's my opinion and we all know that we each have our own opinions on all issues.

Originally Posted by jenwales

I don't think it is fair to suggest that people with more modest means shouldn't be pet owners. I'd rather see a cat get 10 years of love and be pts if cancer treatment is too expensive for a family than see that same cat pts at 6 months because of a surplus at the shelter.

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I agree with you. Six months is a stretch in this area. In fact in Shadow's case she had about 2 days left. Scary thought.

Originally Posted by jenwales

I spend a fortune on my pets ($1500 a couple of months ago on sugery for Jack) and am glad I can do it, but there are limits to how far I will go and that does not make me a bad pet owner.

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I'm sorry if you took what I said that way.When the time comes to make the decision on how to handle a certain condition, of course we try to make the most viable choice. Cases where pain or discomfort are a question, a PTS decision is probably the best choice. I do think our own guilt plays into make the decision to keep the pet alive, but in the best interest for the pet it may not be. Fortunately, I've never had to make the decision to either feed my family or get the pet surgery.

Dogs and cats differ somewhat in their attitudes in my opinion. Cats seem to be independent and only crave attention when they want, and we can take a flying leap otherwise. Dogs on the other hand transcend a different emotion. When I look into our dogs eyes as they sit there staring me in the face, they seem to be saying that we are all they have in life. They need us for everything...to feed them, exercise them, play with them and care for them at a moments notice.

But, having both types of pets teaches me that they are and become an extension of our personalities. They become how we treat them. I think I need them more than they need me.

Our lovely Lucy was like that. We had her for 14 wonderful years. She was a rescue and probably around 22 when she passed to the Bridge last year.

5 years ago, out of the blue, she took a really bad dose of cat flu. She was an indoor cat only and our vet said she probably had cat flu as a kitten, years before we got her and it had lain dormant then flared up as it often does.

We are not wealthy people but we scraped up the money to pay for her vet bills. I very nearly bankrupted myself for her but we had an extra 5 years with her. In that time, she did have a few more episodes of cat flu and also 3 strokes. With good vet care, determination from us and her own feistiness and will to live, she recovered until last week when we all knew she would not recover.

Her little body simply gave up and so, sadly she was PTS. I had her cremated and will have her ashes back in the next day or two.

We are very lucky as our vets know we don't have a lot of money and if we can't quite meet the bill at the time, are happy for us to pay later. They know also that we are honest people who keep their promise.

I think, with every pet, whether you are wealthy or not, you have to weigh up whether the animal is going to suffer or not, whether the quality of life is going to be affected.

I once had to take that awful decision.

Apart from cats, I have also had German Shepherds for the past 20 odd years. Our first GSD, Tara lived until she was 15 years old (she was another rescue).

We were asked to take on a young, approximately 18 month old GSD who had been abandoned in an industrial estate. He was found in appalling condition. Literally skin and bone. He was given to a GSD breeder who got him fattened up then looked for a home for him. She asked us to take him in, which we did. He was a lovely boy, despite such dreadful neglect, was very friendly and loved to be cuddled and made a fuss of.

Unfortunately, it became apparent within a few weeks that all was not well.

At that time we lived very close to a beach and would take the dogs down there where they could run around and chase waves. Tara, at that time was about 6 years old and could run around with no effort. Sam, on the other hand would only run a few hundred yards and be really panting for breath - and whining. When we took them home (we lived about 1/4 of a mile away), Tara was fine but Sam would pace the floor for hours on end before finally settling down.

Then, even taking him a short walk was producing the same results. This happened in a space of only a couple of weeks, so very concerned, we took him to the vet.

These are not the same vets as we use today - I have since moved 500 miles away. Anyway, to start with they thought it could be a hormonal thing and recommended castration. As he was a rescue and we were never going to breed from him (Tara was already spayed), we agreed. It made matters, much, much worse. We were advised to wait a few weeks to allow the hormones to settle down.

One Sunday morning (my husband was at work), I let both dogs out in the back garden. Poor Sam did what he had to do, then lay down - panting really heavily. I took the dogs inside. The whole day, he would stand up, sit down, go round in circles, cry, whine, come up to me for comfort. It got so bad that in the end I phoned my husband at work. He managed to finish early. This went on all evening and all night so first thing in the morning we made an appointment with the vet.

This time the vet took blood tests and sent them off for analysis. At that time, they didn't do the tests in-house. They had to be sent away to the Veterinary College for analysis so it was about 5 days later we got the results.

They were not good.

It turned out that poor Sam's vital organs were shutting down. His heart was failing, his kidneys weren't working properly and his liver was also not working. An 18 month old dog with the internal body of an old dog.

We asked if anything could be done. The vet said we could probably extend his life by 4 years using medication but he would have to be kept quiet, never allowed off-lead to play, only ever go for very short walks.

We felt it would be cruel to keep a young dog, who should have been able to run and play with his older friend. It wouldn't have been a life for him, so there and then, I took the decision to put Sam to sleep.

At least he passed to Rainbow Bridge with people who loved and cared for him but I hope whoever neglected and starved that poor boy burns in hell.

After receiving the results of the blood tests, our vet said that the organ failure was probably a direct result of malnutrition.

Sometimes, even all the money in the world is not enough.

RIP Sam. Hope you're playing at the Bridge with Tara, Sadie (our other GSD who lived to 13 years old) and all my cats

I spent over $2,000 on my two cats medical expenses in the first year. My first adoptee had been improperly spayed before I got her then my second adoptee had a severe stomach problem that landed her at the Vet's for 3 days. My Vet undercharged me considerably.

They're family and THE TWO BEST CATS IN THE WORLD, I wouldn't skimp on their care.

Originally Posted by jenwales

I don't think it is fair to suggest that people with more modest means shouldn't be pet owners.

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Thank you, jenwales, for pointing this out. I positively ADORE my three cats, but wouldn't have thousands to spend on surgery, treatment, etc. And I'm certain that we folks of more modest means love our pets just as much as those who can afford the best care.

I think that every true animal lover does the best that they can for the animals they care for. I think as long as you love them and do your best it's really all that can be asked of us. I also think that without our pets life just wouldn't be as good. They teach us to love unconditionally. I have both dogs and cats and they are a great comfort to me. I don't think I could go without having a couple of babies to take care of me.

I thankfully had a credit card those years ago when Boo had the struvite blockage and needed the P/U Surgery and bladder surgery. I think it cost nearly 2 grand, and I shouldn't have even paid the ER clinic because they nearly killed him, not to mention what other horrors may have happened to him in there. Those docs were nuts.

I don't believe people with modest means should not own pets, but should be very aware of the tough decisions that would have to be made if they could not afford to do some surgery or something if it happened. I am shocked at some people who take a pet just to have a pet. Like the rare person I met years ago who wanted a rabbit, ferret, dog (chained to a tree 24/7), 5 cats and then wanted to get a cockatoo! There are limits, Otherwise, I am one of those modest people and have bills and a home to take care of. I don't have children, so Boo is nearest to a son that I have, and I will do everythign I can for him short of torturing him. When it comes down to it, letting him go would be more loving of me to him than keeping him going when he is feeling horrible, or trying to keep him going improperly when I do not have the means to do it properly.

I agree that we animal lvoers do the best we can with what we have. Most are very compassionate people, rich or not.

it is getting late and I have to go to bed... but I just wanted to point out that for those who can not afford these large expenses.... why not think ahead and pay a little bit a month towards pet insurance? As much as $13 a month per cat can save one's cats life in a situation when you have no money... At least that factor is out of the way...

I was unemployed for a long time, and one thing that I made SURE I would not skip was their health care - and thank goodness for that, because they needed it...

I have three cats - they were insured the next day they came home. IMO, once you take the responsibility of having a pet, you are doing the whole thing... For good and for life. If there weren't a choice out there, sure... but there is - it takes thinking ahead though, and a lot of people do not think that expensive medical issues will ever happen with their pets... So they don't save money, or don't get insurance, etc...

I think of my cats as my kids... Would I let my kid die without treatment? I don't think so... Of course I wouldn't have a vegetative cat, on life support and such... But if there is a treatment, a cure... My kitties are getting it... They trusted me with their lives... They depend on me and no one else...
That is the way I feel...

I can't get insurance for my cats. Pre-existing conditions don't apply only in human health insurance.

Maude was put down because Paul couldn't afford the treatment, but really her liver was too far gone for her to have any quality of life. She was suffering and chances are wouldn't have survived anyways, so it came down to financial and the fact that Maude was suffering. She had let Nuts groom her the night before she had to be pts, normally she wouldn't have let Nuts near her much less let him groom her. Normally the vet involved cat gloves scratches and bites, and restraining her on the exam table, this time she sat in Paul's lap and let them do whatever they wanted to her. That wasn't Maude.

It just depends on what it is doing to the animal.

I have to say that honestly if Attitude or Nuts has cancer I'm putting them to sleep. If it gets that bad then chances are their leukemia is going to be so advanced it wouldn't be worth it to put them through the suffering. Yes, cost is a big thing but it also has to do with quality of life.

Taryn

I would do anything for my pets but I think there needs to be a balance of responsibility and love. On one hand, if you're deciding to get a pet, you should think about the costs, including emergency costs. At the hospital where I work, a mother and son came in with a kitten with a fish hook stuck in its cheek. We quoted them for $300 and they said they couldn't pay that so we reduced it to the bare minimum to $150. They freaked and accused us of animal cruelty and gave us the excuse that the son was only 16 years old. Then the mother went on a rampage and called the doctor some racist names and started yanking the stethoscope around the doctor's neck. So in this case, why did these people get a kitten when they can't even spend $150 to get the hook out of the kitten's cheek? Is that not animal cruelty in itself? The boy even threatened to yank the hook out (if he did, I would have called the police and made him sign over the cat to us). But on the other hand, there are cases where even though an owner could afford the treatment, you have to consider the quality of life that the animal would experience. If any of my animals had cancer, I don't think I would put them through chemo as I have seen the agony it causes. And since cats in particular, do not show illness until it's too late, they would already be suffering by the time the cancer is discovered. However, there are some pet owners who are just too ignorant that a huge vet bill may teach them a lesson.

So while I agree that you should consider the cost of pet ownership when getting a pet; the issue is not so black and white to make such a blanket statement.

Originally Posted by SweetPea24

I would do anything for my pets but I think there needs to be a balance of responsibility and love. On one hand, if you're deciding to get a pet, you should think about the costs, including emergency costs. At the hospital where I work, a mother and son came in with a kitten with a fish hook stuck in its cheek. We quoted them for $300 and they said they couldn't pay that so we reduced it to the bare minimum to $150. They freaked and accused us of animal cruelty and gave us the excuse that the son was only 16 years old. Then the mother went on a rampage and called the doctor some racist names and started yanking the stethoscope around the doctor's neck. So in this case, why did these people get a kitten when they can't even spend $150 to get the hook out of the kitten's cheek? Is that not animal cruelty in itself? The boy even threatened to yank the hook out (if he did, I would have called the police and made him sign over the cat to us). But on the other hand, there are cases where even though an owner could afford the treatment, you have to consider the quality of life that the animal would experience. If any of my animals had cancer, I don't think I would put them through chemo as I have seen the agony it causes. And since cats in particular, do not show illness until it's too late, they would already be suffering by the time the cancer is discovered. However, there are some pet owners who are just too ignorant that a huge vet bill may teach them a lesson.

So while I agree that you should consider the cost of pet ownership when getting a pet; the issue is not so black and white to make such a blanket statement.

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I think each case has to be judged in it's own right.

Take my late Lucy for example. 5 years ago she nearly died. Thanks to good vet care, her own will to live and determination from me, we were blessed to have her for another 5 years. Sadly, nothing lives forever, be it human or animal and Lucy reached the end of her wonderful life. The hardest decision I've ever had to make was to have her PTS but I knew she wasn't going to get better. What I didn't want for her was to suffer or lose her dignity. We might have been able to extend her life by a few days but that would have been selfishness on my part and so, my heart breaking, I let her go to Rainbow Bridge with all my love. She was a great age, approximately 22 years old. I had her for 14 glorious, wonderful years and I will always miss her.

Vet care is expensive and we are far from wealthy people, but whenever any of our (many) cats and dogs have needed vet treatment, they have got it. I also believe in nipping things in the bud early, so if any of them look off-colour or have something wrong with them, it's straight to the vet. Early intervention can save the animal a lot of suffering - and a huge vet's bill.

Insurance is also a way of offsetting any vet bills but be careful of the small print. There are a few really good pet insurance companies here in the UK - but also a lot of bad ones who really should not be allowed to operate as insurance companies.

Another thing many people don't take into consideration when getting a cat or a dog is holidays. Boarding at a kennels or cattery is very expensive and you need to make sure it is a good kennel or cattery that operate to very high standards but these tend to be expensive.

Personally, we wouldn't go anywhere we couldn't take our dogs. We're in the fortunate position of still having son at home so he's always more than happy to look after the cats if we go somewhere. He wouldn't dream of tagging along with us

I'd much rather have my fur and scale family than a holiday that lasts a couple of weeks and is quickly forgotten.

If Attitude or Nuts got a fish hook caught on them I would want it out and pay them for it happily. Maybe they should of had a fish hook stuck in their cheeks and see how it feels. Geez, some people.

Taryn