How much would you spend on medical care to keep your pet alive?

[dunno513]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17538058/



Where do you fall...?

[OurFirstBug]

We spent $1300 to keep our cat alive would have spent more if needed. I belive pets are like kids you are responsible for there well being

[dnyed]

If I had resources, I would spend whatever was needed. I believe that "pet health insurance" should be made available, from many different companies, for healthy competition.


As it stands at this moment, it would have to be less than $100.

[FlwrPwer]

My dog, may she rest, Nina, had two collapsed lungs. She survived for 4 weeks like that because the vet diagnosed her wrong. When they finally figured out what was wrong, they didn't understand how she was still alive as she had no lungs and was just inhaling air into her chest cavity.

We had to take her to a specialist to crack her chest. They told us it would cost $4,000. As she was 11 at the time, my parents wanted to put her down. I told them that if it was her time...she would've died weeks ago, like the vet said. Needless to say, she had the surgery and lived for another 5 years. She passed away, on her own, at 16.

In addition, she survived Cancer 3 times and we did everything we could to save her up until the very end. I guess I would fall in the whatever it takes category.

This dog was my angel. She was bought for me at a very hard time in my life as a Christmas present. Her surgery for her lungs, was on Dec. 26th. In essence, my parents gave her to me twice for Christmas and up until this day she is the best Christmas present I have ever received. I truly believe she passed because I told her it was okay. She waited until I moved out and had a pet of my own at my new apartment. She knew I would be okay.

[bugfreak]

$20 - $50


but we spent $500 on kitty surgery one time. then the cat ran away the following year

just spent $270 on another stupid kitty cause my husband couldn't wait 2 days to take him to the SPCA vet. therefore the cat probably got a better doctor than my human child did for the first year of her life when she was on medicaid. stupid cat!

i take care of my animals but i don't see the point in spending exsessive amounts of money. a low cost clinic like the SPCA is all i'm willing to pay for.

[Breez]

Originally Posted by bugfreak

$20 - $50

That doesnt even cover many vet visits Im not judging... just confused.

[Breez]

I would spend a few thousand dollars.... if it seemed that it would be in the best interest of the pet. I think you would have to look at the situation, but I only have a few pets because I want to be a responsible owner. I try to keep a little bit of money aside for Vet checkups and also emergencies.

[GINA]

As much as it takes. God knows we've dropped an enormous amount of money into Archie, he's a medical nightmare. But he's like a brother to me My family has always done as much as it takes to care for the pets.

[hestersu]

Depending on the age of the animal, I would spend as much as it takes. I've spent several thousand on a mare to save her after running through a fence during a thunderstorm. I can't even guess how much I've spent on my husband's horses for their various wounds. I spent over $5,000 trying to save a grandson of 2 famous race horses. Unfortunately, we had to put him down. That was an emotional loss.

I spent big bucks to save my Blue Heeler after she was hit by a car. She has lived 8 years so far since then though I fear the end is near. I'm keeping her comfortable.

In the first 24 hours of owning my Chihuahua, I spent over $250 to save her life. She is now healthy and a joy to be with. She will be a year old on 4/4/07.

I wish there was some insurance as well though I fear that prices will go up drastically.

[dunno513]

Originally Posted by bugfreak

$20 - $50


but we spent $500 on kitty surgery one time. then the cat ran away the following year

just spent $270 on another stupid kitty cause my husband couldn't wait 2 days to take him to the SPCA vet. therefore the cat probably got a better doctor than my human child did for the first year of her life when she was on medicaid. stupid cat!

i take care of my animals but i don't see the point in spending exsessive amounts of money. a low cost clinic like the SPCA is all i'm willing to pay for.

Don't feel bad I'm also in that top bracket.. I watched as my parents poured money (7-10k) into our poodle (AKA feed for real dogs )Just kidding poodle owners.. Granted it lived for many more years, but it's quality of life suffered at the hands of my parents love.. I actually felt bad for the dog, but I was just a kid and had no say.

Back surgery, slipped disk, required a manual walker for the next 2 years, then dislocated a hip... back in the walker for another 2 years.. Had no control over his rear feet (legs worked, but sort of together so he was almost a three legged dog) so they were always torn on the top side, and had no bladder control.. yes that freekin dog wore a diaper... (gosh that was embarassing as a kid...."your dog wears a what" )

This traumatic experience is probably why I only have a cat.

Eww... gross story I just remembered.. My parents had 3 poodles thru the years.. (all 3 for a very short period, RIP) and one was running full tilt in our house and caught the drawer pull to a bottom cabinet. Tore a patch of skin and fur the size of a small envelope off the poor dog's side.. looked like one of those corpse exibits they have on display now.. Easily "repairable", but... OUCH!!! These dogs were all related by lineage as uncle/cousin from one to the next.. And I swear they all had the same "mentally challenged" gene...

[bluebeetlebabe]

I would spend as much as it takes! I love animals! Ive had to do mouth to snout before to try and keep a pet alive yeah I know thats gross but you do what you can if you really love them! yeah I think that $20-$50 is outragous if thats all you would spend that is insane

[missruby]

Just as we were lining up for the parade of colors at Roswell in 2004, we got a call from my friend who was checking in on ours dogs - our oldest was in the emergeny animal hospital. After speaking to the vets, she was stabilized, but her prognosis wasn't good - we authorized whatever it took and raced back. Needless to say, we left right away and raced back.

When we got there, we were pretty much told that she probably didn't have much time and we should take her home and make her as comfortable as possible; they even helped to get us in touch with an individual who would come to the house when the time came.

Well, that was over 2 1/2 years ago; it was the best $2,500.00 we ever spent!

[jazzcat]

as much as it takes..our cats and the bird are our babies(until the real baby comes )then there is going to be a whole lot of spoiling going on in the metzger household

[JenBug]

I would fall in the "whatever it takes" category...
If she was injured or got sick, I wouldn't hesitate to help her out...she became a member of the family when she came home! I love my bichon! :-)

I figure, if I can't afford to take care of her needs, then I shouldn't have bought her. Now, if she were old and very sick, it's a different story, but she's 5 months old and deserves to live a full and happy life.

[BettyBug]

Originally Posted by JenBug

I figure, if I can't afford to take care of her needs, then I shouldn't have bought her. Now, if she were old and very sick, it's a different story, but she's 5 months old and deserves to live a full and happy life.

Right on! I have spent A LOT of money in vet bills over the years - here's a quick breakdown:

1) Guinea Pig when I was 11 - had to have skin grafts - Don't ask.
2) Yorkie when I was 16 - had to have chemo MANY times - was worth it, in the end, he was a happy boy who died of old age.
3) Boxer when I was 20 - broken leg - $500.
4) Wire Fox Terrier (current pet) - shattered his elbow when he was 4 months old. They told me my options were to repair it, amputate, or put him down. I gladly paid the $3000 for the surgery - he's now a happy and healthy 2 year old.
5) Miniature Schnauzer (current pet) - Crystals formed in his bladder and block his urethra - $2000.

I would do it all over again - if you're not going to care for them, I really feel you shouldn't have them. Animals are expensive - and TO ME they are like children. If I had a kid that broke it's arm, I wouldn't put them down, or amputate it.

[Lnzbug]

I would spend whatever it took. My four legged children deserve the same care as my two legged If you don't take care of your pets you don't deserve to have them. I hate people that starve or abuse animals. I will stop there because this is a subject I feel very strongly about and I don't want to hijack the thread.

[Shay]

I would spend whatever it takes to save the life of one of my dogs, They are going to be 6 in may and they hopefully have at least 10 years left of life.

I have always had a dog and my old dog at the age of 1 was diagnosed with Cancer and my mom and dad spent the money to save her life... through the years she had many scares but at the age of 18 we finally decided to put her down because she couldnt walk without crying...

5 days later we brought home Bengi and Zoe
not to replace Gingi but to help us mourn.

[LadybugEwa]

I'm very attached to my Lhasa Apso girl - Nuka. She's 9 now, and we've been though a lot toghether. I would spend all the money I have to get her well, I'd even *gasp* sell my bug if it was necessary.

[GINA]

Let me put it this way - we spent $800 on a stray cat and his broken leg. Kitty eventually became our outdoor cat, especially after that whole ordeal.

Our old Golden, bless his heart, had cancer when he was a pup. It eventually came back to kill him when he was only 9, but we certainly took care of his expenses until then. He was a good boy Our current Border Collie has some weird disease that requires all this special food and daily medicine, but he's a happy guy. You gotta do what you gotta do. I agree with the rest, if you can't afford the vet bills, you shouldn't have a pet. That's part of the package. Same as with a kid - if you can't afford it, don't have one.

[from Margaritaville...]

Originally Posted by GINA

You gotta do what you gotta do. I agree with the rest, if you can't afford the vet bills, you shouldn't have a pet. That's part of the package. Same as with a kid - if you can't afford it, don't have one.

...and if you can't afford to own a Beetle, buy a Honda...