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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It is responsible!!!!!!!!!!!!
I would say that it is responsible to pay a large amount of money to make sure that your animal is alright and in good health. The reason that I believe this way is due to the fact that my 9 year old German Shepherd just died today. She got very ill and would not eat, so we took her to the vet and they said that they were going to try to figure out what was wrong with Cheyenne. They drew blood, gave her pain medicine, tried to make her comfortable, and tried to do something or figure out something that would heal her. Their efforts were appreciated yet it still was not enough and she passed away at 1:00 pm today. Cheyenne was like another one of my parents children and she was also a sister to me. The way that I look at it is like this, Animals are like humans they just walk on 4 legs and cannot talk the language like we do. When we get a pet we get the pet for better or worse thru thick and thin. Its not like a toy when it is broken we just replace it. Dogs and animals have all of the same organs that we do. Would you as a parent say oh well my daughter or my son is sick so lets just make a new one and let he or she just suffer and die? Would you be miserable, suffer, and die instead of getting medical attention? NO YOU WOULD NOT!!!!!!!!! So we should not do it to the animals that trust us with their lives we should take care of them and provide for them just as we would do for our child(ren) or ourselves. RIP CHEYENNE
Amanda Sutton | 2 months, 3 weeks ago
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Vet tech and multiple pet owner
Dear Amanda I am sorry For the loss of your dog I can tell your pet was deeply loved and I want you to know that I posted my response before reading what everyone else had written. there was a poem my mom found for me when I was little and my cat had died called over the rainbow bridge I don’t know who wrote it but it really did help to know my pet was waiting for me
Lauren Smith | 2 months, 3 weeks ago
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Vet tech and multiple pet owner
Many people think that if the vet says it then you have to follow to the letter that is not really the way. Any good vet will work with you if you speak up.Most pet owners do not ask Why they need certain tests and what will they show you? Many owners do not ask if they can wait on the results of the first test before moving on to more expensive testing. And they rarely ask about all treatment options. Before I began in this field I did the same. I have owned everything from Diabetic cats to three legged dogs, featherless parrots, and a guinnea pig with a tumor the size of a large marble. I loved every one like a child, and love every pet I have today the same way . But, I don’t spend as much anymore because I don’t believe in subjecting my geriatric pets to multiple tests and X-rays unless they are absolutely imperitive (ie: surgery,emergency) and I give them a DNR after a certain point not to help me but for them. I will not prolong an illness when their comfort or quality of life is at stake. when my 16 yr old cat who’s kidney’s are failing has no interest in playing, hunting socks, or eating and drinking anymore or his pain can’t be controlled then I will let go. and when my 19 year old blind golden mix can’t walk few feet anymore and has no want for food of can’t wake up to go. then that will be her time. And I would want someone to do the same for me, the thought of prolonging something when there is no hope of recovery is painful. But on the same note if there was anything saying that Recovery could happen I would go for it and do what I could to afford it.
So now I spoil my elderly pets rotten give them whatever they want because this way we enjoy their limited time together and when the younger ones get there I’ll do the same for them .
Lauren Smith | 2 months, 3 weeks ago
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Vet tech and multiple pet owner
Ask your vet for a fecal exam please do it through your vet because the stuff you get at the pet store usually isn’t stored properly and doesn’t work plus there are other worms besides tapes most common being round worms which can be transmitted through saliva, So if you are tight with money just bring a fresh baggie of poop to your vet and he can tell you over the phone if the dog needs to be seen
Lauren Smith | 2 months, 3 weeks ago
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coco
i loved her
layla castillo | 2 months, 3 weeks ago
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My Life, My Money, My Love
I see articles like this everyone once in a while and it still amazes me that there is even a debate on this topic. No one debates when Bill Gates built a house for so many millions of dollars that I don’t think I would get the right amount of zeros correct. Sure he has his charity but most people who love their pets give to charity too.
I don’t think anyone has the right to dictate to me or anyone else how I should spend or not spend my money that I earn.
I have two dogs and a cat. They are getting older and I will continue to give them all the care they need to the best of my ability. It’s my money, my life and my love that I can choose to bestow as it suits me.
Evan Sidelli | 2 months, 3 weeks ago
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want to know about the animal medicin
Dear Sir or Madam
I would like to know about the good medicin tha are good for treat the animals. and I would like you to recomment me about how to get success of treating the animals diseases. I’m thanks for your never mind to teeling me.
Chea Sovannara | 2 months, 3 weeks ago
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xedicgh,k
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nbcnazhgkfvsjfk | 2 months, 3 weeks ago
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poor dog
i feel sorry for the puppy and i would like to know all about him….
taylor morgan garrett | 2 months, 3 weeks ago
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wow
this story leaves me spechless
chelsea weiss | 2 months, 3 weeks ago
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