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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Comments
my pets love to play
i will all was take care of my pets
chiquita | 2 months, 4 weeks ago
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mans best friend
i feel sorry for what happend to your dog.Is there something we can do foryou like
give you some money for you to take him/her to the vet hostipital for dogs.
khailya | 2 months, 4 weeks ago
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sheep dog
you don’t give good info
selena matews | 2 months, 4 weeks ago
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Cat Lover
YES THEY SHOULD…the animal “soul” is as precious as a human – many more times than lots of people! Many times I have believed cats and dogs are absolute proof of God.
Susan Martin | 2 months, 4 weeks ago
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cute puppy
hey that picture is so cute
chasity rollins | 2 months, 4 weeks ago
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pour pooch
so sorry about your dog.
Ricki.Tyasia.Millner | 2 months, 4 weeks ago
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pitbulls
i need a dog that cost 56 dollars or lower please help me.
jojuan isaha brown | 2 months, 4 weeks ago
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retired
Today, I and my spouse drove two hours to a vet opthomologist for our little 11-year old shitzi. She is is good health other than the fact that she has advanced
cataracs in both eyes. We knew a year ago that some day we would have to make a decision as to whether or not we would spend the $5000.00+ to repair her eyes. After seeing her run into the wall many times, we could bear it no longer. Our hearts were broken everytime she bumped her pretty little head on the door or other objects. She is scheduled for surgery next Monday. We hope and pray that she will do well, because neither of us feel like we could bear the loss of parting with her at this time. We are both near 70 year old, and have never had children of our own. This little dog has given us more happiness than any money could buy. She goes with us everywhere – even shopping in the electronics store where we purchase computer supplies. Everyone knows us as the couple with the sweet little dog. We have committed to doing whatever we possibly can to keeping her happy and healthy. We know that eventually we will have to part with her permanently, but we dread that day. A monetary value cannot be placed upon the love and joy that she
provides us.
Wendi Neufeld | 2 months, 4 weeks ago
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why hurt animals, they didn`t hurt you?
I might only be 10 years old but that is sad .Why don`t people care? I don`t understand.
lexie charlton | 2 months, 4 weeks ago
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HEIP SAVE DOG ?
I have a cockier spaniel that needs surgery, I just lose my job and need help getting
basis to the vet , If you know anyone that can help me please e mail me asap.
douglas van luine | 2 months, 4 weeks ago
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