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.
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.