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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interceptor
how much?
sanvil coffell | 3 months ago
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asdfghj
GIVE ME A DOG I ONE A DOG WHEN I AM 3 AND I AM 9
ttrn | 3 months ago
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coco bear
my mom adopted a family of chihuahua’s from the local animal shelter about a year and ahalf ago. 6months later one of the pups coco bear began walking funny so we took her to the vet and her hind knee caps are lodged out of place. the surgery is $2,400. At the same time my mom is also hobbling around and we come to find out she needs a knee replacement. By the grace of god my mother has insurance and has since had her surgery and is now recovering. poor coco-bear is still on pain meds twice a day, there is no way for us to pay for her surgery. my mom feels as though she is a bad mother to coco-bear, we have tried to find organizations that will help with financial donations with coco-bear but have had no luck. We are at a loss for what to do. I think animals health is just as important as our own, they were blessed with a soul and the gift of life just as us humans. I wouldnt want someone else to have the right to end my life just because I could not represent myself with speech. Coco-bear wants to live and be able to walk right and even though im sure she is in alot of pain it doesnt stop her from following my mom everywhere, hoping and swithching of hind legs to walk and jump with. She still gets just as excited to see my mom and go places with her as her mother and brother. So what do we do? If anyone has anyclue how to help us out, contact me. shannon :; riskyztkn@yahoo.com ( In California)
shannon roberts | 3 months ago
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Cat rescuer and owner of one cat.
I think everyone who owns a pet should do everything possible to keep the pet healthy if they have the money. It is no ones business how we spend our money. I have done without for years, no vacations, buying clothes on sale,etc. I couldn’t care less what other people think.
Gilda Provenzano | 3 months ago
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Cat rescuer and owner of one cat.
I think you did the right thing. As tough as it was.
Gilda Provenzano | 3 months ago
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aysdhfuaishfaksd
I am srry about our dog
macl;agasjdskdlghjas | 3 months ago
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srry
I heared bout ur dog i am srry 2 hear ur dog is sick.
Mackenzie Bingaman | 3 months ago
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sory
sorry
vanesa lopez | 3 months ago
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SORRY ABOUT YOUR DOG
IM am so sorry about what happend to your dog im in love with all dogs if i known you i would have surely help with the accident so if you have any qustions email me!!!!!!!!
jaenette | 3 months ago
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none
we feel bad for you!!
can we donate money to you? PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE raise money!!!
we love animals TO!
please i’ll cry if you dont.
we will halpe you.
I got tow cats it is hard to take care of.
I love animals with all my haert!!!
so plaeas can we halpe!!
I have an idea start a foundation for animals in medical care.Try to get $100,00
Trinity Resch & Shianne Peterman | 3 months ago
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