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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money spent for animal care
God gave us free will, and He also gave us animals. We have an obligation to
help them the very best way we can. Animals are not “throwaways”.
If we choose to have them in our lives, then we must offer the best care.
If you do not want the responsibility, don,t get an animal.
Dolores Eboli | 3 months, 2 weeks ago
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Age & conditions for spaying..
My dog was born04-13-09 and weighs 8#. Just last night she started spotting, and having female dogs before, i’m pretty sure she is getting ready to go into heat, Is is possible to spay her during this time? This is her first heat cycle.
Bonnie East | 3 months, 2 weeks ago
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The value of a life
I don’t think that it is a fair argument in question here. What would people do for a family member who, let’s say, needed thousands for cancer treatment? would you just decide that the money would be better spent on a cancer charity? In all probability, if the owners of the pets did decide not to spend the money on their pet’s medical expenses, they most likely wouldnt feel inclined to donate it to a charity. I think the real question here is more about the value of an animals life versus a human’s life. But honestly speaking, why should the life of an animal be regarded as less worthy that that of a human? I have a beautiful dog called Honey who we rescued along with her brothers an sisters. As puppies, they were carelessly dumped at the side of a country road, left to die. My mum and I found them and brought them to a dog rescue charity called Dogs In Distress, who do great work. Not a day goes by that I don’t realise how lucky I am to have Honey. She’s not just a pet, but a member of the family; my mum even going so far as to jokingly call Honey her dogter. Even though we’re not a very well-off family, we wouldn’t hesitate for a second if Honey needed expensive medical care. Will having a bigger bank account ever compare with having your loyal, faithful companion alive and well beside you? I think not.
Amanda Hamilton | 3 months, 2 weeks ago
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MY GERMAN SHEPARD
WE HAVE DID HIP REPLACEMENT ON OUR PUP AND SHE HAS SEZIERS. SHE IS ONLY 5 YRS OLD AND HAS DEVELOPED A TUMER ON HER LIP THAT WE CANT AFFORD TO GET REMOVED. PLEASE HELP US SAVE OUR DOG. THE BAKERS
nancy baker | 3 months, 2 weeks ago
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hi
what is a squrrels illness?
Lexi Elizabeth Reaux | 3 months, 2 weeks ago
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waggely
i think that it is sad that waggely had a kidney transplant.
josh | 3 months, 2 weeks ago
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waggely
i feel very sad about wagely.i have had a dog pass away. it is so sad.
henry | 3 months, 2 weeks ago
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fell bad for sick dogs
i fell bad for sic pets they can die forme being sick.
victoria lena ruiz | 3 months, 2 weeks ago
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Pet Owner
I think it would be very hypocritical to criticize anyone for spending money on medical bills for their pet. Everyone has the right to spend their disposable income as they see fit. Every person has to make their own decision considering so many factors: the prognosis of the animal, the cost of treatment, how much pain and stress the animal will have to endure by prolonging their life and the age of the animal as well as the person’s own financial situation. A few years ago I spent $1,500 on a beautiful coat that I have only worn a few times. I love that coat and have never regretted buying it. So, now that my 5 year old cat is very sick, even though I have limited funds, I do not hesitate to spend money on her medical bills as she brings me so much joy every day. Her companionship is much more valuable to me than any material item! Where to draw the line?… it just has to be decided on a case by case basis When someone decides that spending is not the appropriate thing to do…that is their right, and as a pet owner, the decision most likely was weighed very carefully.
Patricia Edwards | 3 months, 2 weeks ago
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GGGRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i cant belive you people.just think about it a pet is a living,breathing creature and if you cant pay his/her bill then y get a pet in the first place?!Just imagin if that pet u have is your child or a close relitive!If ur not gonna help ur child or close relitive then y did you get a life companion?imagin throwing a dog on the street or at a pownd is like kicking a helpless 3 yearold out or droping them off at an orphanage.
sheila may alexander | 3 months, 2 weeks ago
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