Man’s Best Friend
How much is that doggy in the window?
The one with the waggley tail may seem like a bargain these days compared to the dog with the $3,000 pacemaker. Or the cat with the $8,000 kidney transplant. Or the pet chicken undergoing radiation therapy after cancer surgery.
Medical care for pets now rivals medical care for humans, with veterinary oncologists, neurologists, cardiologists and other specialists providing high tech, big-bucks treatment for Fido and Fluffy.
But when cats have chemo and dogs have dialysis, their owners have something too: unexpected ethical issues triggered by enormous medical bills.
“Is the 15-year-old tabby worth $12,000 in dialysis?” asks a newspaper story with the nagging headline: Do some pet owners go a little too far?
“I admit sometimes questioning the reality of spending $11,000 on my cat when there are greater human needs,” said a California college professor, who readily paid for feline chemotherapy and pancreatitis treatment.
U.S. pet owners will spend more than $24 billion this year on pet medical care, an amount greater than the gross domestic product of more than half of the world’s countries.
But when man’s best friend is a integral member of the family, the question of whether it’s appropriate to spend top-dollar for animal medical care is often more emotional than financial. With the unconditional love, friendship, and support of a beloved companion at stake, many pet owners feel they don’t have the option of not providing—and paying for—expensive medical care.
It’s not a simple issue, said one veterinarian. When you hear of a medical bill of $14,000 for a dog, he explained, people ask, “Should you not just buy a new dog and give the money to charity? That, I have to say, is a non-starter of an argument. You then have to ask all sorts of questions about how people spend their money—should they spend it on big cars?”
Tell us what you think: When it comes to expensive veterinary medical care, is it more responsible to pay for a pet or perhaps give the money to charity instead?
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ARE YOU OK
This has cancer and broken leg that is sad i wil make sure i could love it as we all love god
dog lover199 | 3 months, 3 weeks ago
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my love
i will save your dogs life!
amanda goetz | 3 months, 3 weeks ago
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help dogs
i want to help dogs
sarahcalaway | 3 months, 3 weeks ago
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Heart Worms
I need HELP!! My 4 year old dog has heart worms. I lost my job in April 09 and haven’t been able to find another. Anyway, I live in Ft Worth Texas is their anyone out there that can point me to some HELP??? I have very little income for my niece and I to live on. The Vet said “Cooper” our dog need medical attention for the heart worms and the cost could be from $1000.00 and up. I don’t know where to turn. He cry’s at night and I don’t want him to be in pain nor can I put him down. SO CAN SOMEONE HELP ME FIND HELP FOR HIM/////
Glenda
thegoodwitchis@yahoo.com
Ft Worth Tex
GLenda | 3 months, 3 weeks ago
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Let him go
Sometimes you have to do a little tough love on yourself, Glenda. The kindest thing you can do for Cooper is to put him down. Heartworm is not easy to cure even in younger dogs, and given your financial situation and his age, it’s time to let go. If you can’t afford to put him down, please call your local animal control and explain the situation. I understand your agony and I pray for you.
Mareaux Furchins | 3 months, 3 weeks ago
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teacher
3 years ago we lost our dog, Star to cancer. She was the best dog ever. We did seek extensive care such as acupuncture and specialized cancer testing. It did take a toll on our finances. I’m not sure we did all the right thing? I still miss her so much!
Susan Scaggs | 3 months, 3 weeks ago
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omg
what happend how did it get like that is it ok
brianna barbera | 3 months, 3 weeks ago
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pets
i love dog.
madison | 3 months, 3 weeks ago
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ANIMALS ARE FAMILY
Our animals are family;how can we treat them as anything less?
JohnCharles robinson | 3 months, 3 weeks ago
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i love yo spirit
glad you said that becasue often times people do tend to forget what is called one’s business and showing a personal interest that often times the 2 aspects crush and if you arent strong enough, then others as always will control yo actions….make you be the keyboard as they are the CPU….ALL life is sacred and as far as we can, all of us have got the obligation to care for the various lives we have by oursides regardless of the degree of pet one has got, because life is supposed to be honored and respected. nothing can be exchanged for it, nowonder its described as a gift from God. glad for you and keep on the strong and courageous spirit…for your efforts are worth the endevor my friends.
icelandton | 3 months, 3 weeks ago
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