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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Of Religious Persecution, My Part
It was stated above that there were some that seemed to be picking on religious people. I for one may have been one of these, but it just is a blaring example pertinent to this post in my personal experience. There are people in all parts of society that will treat pets like toasters or worse, and criticize how one will spend their money and affections on said animals. I personally apologize for any hurt feelings to anyone of religious conviction and of good heart I may have incurred, but on the same note if my point was not made before then I will once again point out that many people hide behind religion to cover-up, excuse, or justify their bad behavior. This is a sad fact of life, and one that would drive many conflicts between people spending money on their pets and critics.
I am glad that no one has came out in support of shooting their sick cat in the head and sending the money to the Red Cross, but they are out there. Though MOST that I would put into this category are not quite as stark and extreme as my example is. It is the ones that have the EXTRA cash and do not care for their pets that are the worse, and yes they exist and do donations, or buy new RV’s or such. I can also tell that many people that have posted here seem to have had experience in being criticized about what they spend caring for their pet(s), well stand your ground, spend your money as you wish, the critics do! Plus they have funny hair!
Roy Jarrett | 1 year, 7 months ago
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hingham
To euthanize or not to euthanize. a very personal decision. let’s not judge one another.
elaine adele | 1 year, 7 months ago
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Medical Care & Pets
How much we spend on the medical care of our pets is a personal decision as is how long and when to quit.
I personally find the idea of letting ones pet suffer and die because somehow that money would be better spent on charity offensive. The idea that a much loved family member is less valuable and not worth helping and that pouring ones money into a charity to take care of strangers seems very cold and actually unethical to me.
However, every family and situation is different and this is what I will share with you from my extensive experience on the topic.
First I will say that your best bet is Pet insurance and I wish we had it. There is a new one called “Embrace” that is supposed to be pretty good. Get the insurance. It will save you money over the long haul and may save your pet’s life. No matter what consumer reports etc. says about pet insurance, I can tell you from personal experience – get the insurance.
Some other things I’ve learned from my experience. My very much loved 6 year old tabby was suddenly diagnosed with lymphoma. We think this may have been caused by his vaccination. We spend close to $10,000 on radiation and chemo. He did have a remission, but he only lasted for 5 months after his diagnosis.
We cashed out retirement accounts, used all our savings, were completely broke, and it was never enough. The vets always wanted more and I have no confidence in the care he received.
I believe he died of a respiratory infection he could not fight because he was on prednisone.
If I had it to do over again, I would take him to the best Vet that does acupuncture and homeopathy that I can find. And, I would do exactly what they tell me. I would be okay with paying them because it would be the best care, but less expensive than chemo and radiation.
Now that is what I would do. Every case is different and there are cancers with an 85-90% cure rate with radiation. Cats and dogs are different too. Get a good vet and do your research.
Another example: Sometimes the problem of cost is because the vet isn’t diagnosing right or chooses the wrong treatment. My cat had eaten a toy mouse and they think it was floating around in his stomach for two months. In the mean time we spent $2,200 on tests, rehydration, antiobiotics, an ultra-sound of his heart, and acupuncture.
Finally, he obstructed and required emergency surgery. Another $2000 we could not afford. None of this was his fault. It may or may not be the vet’s fault for not finding the problem sooner. However, once the surgery was done, he recovered in a week or two. He gained his weight and strength back. He is healthy and happy. He has a great spirit and our family is blessed. We are lucky, he is lucky.
Get the pet insurance.
For us it was clear that it wasn’t about us, it was about our beloved pet. For me there was no choice and we went into a financial hole to take care of them. However, we also assume that we will recover financially as we would from any other financial loss. We can make more money even though it’s though now.
To us pets are not amenities to be discarded if they are sick so you can go pick up a new one.
We have relatives and friends who all have a great deal more money than we do. They live in big houses, etc., but they would never spend the money we have saving one of their pets. I personally think they are selfish. They thing their money is better spent on themselves.
I live in one of the most affluent areas or the United States and I never cease to be amazed at how much money people spend on themselves and how little they are willing to help a sick pet.
Another issue is with the vets ordering worthless tests and charging too much. I think the vets are part of the problem. They don’t refund your money when they misdiagnose, they just charge you more.
Sidney Overland | 1 year, 7 months ago
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How much is too much?
Depends on a LOT of things: how much money you have; how much longer will your pet enjoy life if you spend it; how old your pet is; but mostly, if the owner feels that it will be worth it and can afford it.
There comes a time when you just have to say good bye to your beloved friend to let him/her rest in peace. You can’t keep pumping money into your pet for selfish reasons, if the quality of life is gone, then you should let them go, no matter how much it will hurt you.
Donna Trevino | 1 year, 7 months ago
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Pets are Family Too!
I appreciate that many people question the money we spend on our pets. However, we accept a responsibility when we acquire a new member to our family and they deserve to be taken care of.
Unfortunately, the cost of veterinary care has become way to expensive. It costs more to have my pet treated than it does to have myself treated, often for the very same tests/procedures. I think some amount of reason needs to be reintroduced into the process and veterinary expense, because many of us are being priced out of the ability to take the appropriate measures when our pets become ill or injured.
We have become too much of a throw away society and people seem to think that should also include our pets, its okay as long as they stay healthy and uninjured, but is another story if we choose to have them cared for.
Sandi Paton | 1 year, 7 months ago
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hingham
People who consider animals to be throw away just don’t get it.
And from my recent personal experience, it seems that veterinary medicine is just big business these days; that instead of offering support and comfort when it’s obvious you are distraught over your decision to euthanize, instead, the vet goes in to the “big sell” mode.
I miss her.
elaine adele | 1 year, 7 months ago
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A right to live
I do not think it is crazy to spend any amount of money on a pet you love. I would do it in a heartbeat for my two Labs. If my veterinarian swore that it would be best to put my dog down because there was no way to save them, then I would do it. But if there was some kind of surgery or medicine to help heal them, I would do anything to help them. They are like my children. They get everything they need and more from me. I know some people say it is crazy to fork over more than dog food and water for them, but that should be each person’s own decision. The article says that why should you spend $12,000 on an animal that is 15 years old? Then I say why should you spend $30,000 on your 85 year old parent, or grand-parent? To me it is the same thing. If you are willing to do it for one – why not the other? Just because they are animals, does not mean that they don’t deserve the right to live.
Jenny B | 1 year, 7 months ago
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A Better Question
I was thinking about the question and I think I came up with a better ethical question.
We live on a creek and our county approved building permits to put 4 monster homes on 2 lots.
So now we have a few people living in 4 monster homes next to a creek and speeding down our street in their SUV’s.
Now we have to worry about them running over the many cats in our once peaceful woodland neighborhood.
These people don’t need a houses that large or cars that big. Wouldn’t it be more ethical if they lived in smaller homes, not on a creek, and drove smaller cars?
Wouldn’t it be more ethical if they gave all of those extra millions of dollars to charity?
The more I think about the question posed, I don’t really think it’s a good question. While it promotes discussion, it is difficult to take seriously in the grand scheme of things.
My response to the question is “give me break”.
Sidney Overland | 1 year, 7 months ago
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It's Also a Matter of Fairness
Animals like dogs, cats, rodents, have given their lives to enhance and discover new medical treatments in labs over the decades. They should be entitled to use them low cost, in my opinion. I believe that veterinarians who have any ethical responsibility to their patients should keep this in mind when establishing fees and not base it on the “emotional factor” which many seem to do. An injury to a cow is treated more cost effective than that of a horse because of this, I have seen it personally.
I will spend what it takes to extend the life or keep my animals companions alive and well. Of course, quality of that life will be a factor in my decision as well.
I give hundreds of dollars to charities every year and as we all know, sometimes we don’t always know where that money ends up. I will put my money where I want to.
I do believe that an effective, low cost health insurance should be provided for pet owners. At this point in time, it seems very expensive and per pet, the monthly premiums would add up to more than what you might spend on vet bills normally unless some catastrophic disease was the issue.
Our companion animals are not throw away entities. They feel, they love and their loyalty knows no bounds. We should show them the same regard and consideration.
Anyone who believes otherwise, should not be graced with the companionship of any animal, big or small.
“I’ll trust a feline, canine, bovine, porcine, or equine any day over a human.”
Y. D. Murray | 1 year, 7 months ago
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Humans Can Take Care of Themselves
Humans can take care of themselves and should do so. Animals rely on us. I’m taking my cat to the cardiologist next Friday, and I can assure you I don’t have the slightest qualm — as a matter of fact, I feel it would be immoral for me not to do so, as I adopted him and he is my responsibility. I spent more than $2,000 on radioactive iodine treatment for hyperthyroid in another of my cats this time last year, and I’d do it again.
It is my duty to maximize the length and quality of life for the animals I adopt. It is NOT my duty to give my money to someone else. I work hard for my salary and have a right to spend it as I wish.
Kathi | 1 year, 7 months ago
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