Pets to the Vet

[countrygirl12]

Personally for me it would depend on the age of the dog.  If you have a pet, that comes with responsibility.  And finances to take care of that pet properly is are part of the responsibility.  Obviously you have the funds to cover the cost of procedures.  You are the owner of this pet and the one that loves it more than any other outsider could ever relate to. So you did what you had to do.  And that's your business.   Now if you're married and the $700 is both you and your spouses $$$ than the conclusion and agreement would be between the two of you... so bug off to those giving you flack.  You're not owing them $700 right!

Actually, I don't "have" the funds. I am putting it on my credit card.  He is 12. But I can't just let him die. He has responded really well and can come home this evening. But if he can live 2 more years or even one more year then it is worth it.

[countrygirl12]

If those people have the audacity to tell you that what you did was wrong, perhaps, reconsider whether those people should be in your life.

I have paid that and more for my furry family. Pets are family, and they trust us to take care of them. I love my pets, and my pets love me. They bring me more joy and comfort than any human being I have ever known.

If you listen to other people, you will regret it, and will have this unimaginable guilt that will never go away. By then, the deed will have been done. However, I doubt you will ever regret paying the money to help your pet.

Just take the flack. Pets are worth the heat.

I spent thousands on a dog that died a couple years ago over the years of his life on his medication to keep him alive.  No, I don't regret it at all.

I have, unfortunately, paid much more at one time for vet care.  I had a dog who had cancer and we drove to Philadelphia 60 miles one way for chemo every week.  We then drove there for radiation everyday for 3 weeks straight.  He then had surgery.  He alone cost tons of money, but he was not the only pet we encountered huge bills for.  I believe pets are your responsibility, you have to provide food, water, housing (indoor), and vet costs.  I fully understand some people cannot afford a lot of money for vet bills, but please at least try to help them.  If you cannot possibly pay a amount for their care, please put them down and don’t let them suffer a painful, long death.  As far as you countrygirl, don’t let people tell you what to do or how much to spend.  I applaud you for paying that, you are a great fur mommy.

I had one to have cancer too. But when we found it she died about 6 months later. It was already in the lymph nodes. They gave her 3 months but thru research and things I done on my own she lived for 6.  He has heart worms. If I done nothing he would suffer and die slowly.  We started treatment yesterday.  It is costly but highly effective.  If we get thru the weekend we should be home free.  He made it thru yesterday and is doing great. The vet says they have a high success rate and for some reason in my area he said he is seeing a huge jump in heart worms.  No, I don't have $700 but I have a credit card. And right now have a promo with 2% interest so that is the route I am taking.  I thought about setting up a go fund me account but I doubt anybody would donate to it. :*

[countrygirl12]

our cat needed surgery cost 660.00 we paid she had an infection on her face probably from a swipe from our other c at.it was ok cost was bad but not that bad. ive watched shows and read about people who pay 6000.00 or more for their pet dog or cat. people tell them to get pet insurance ok 6000 we couldn't afford.

I can't afford pet insurance. Esp if you may never use it. I could not do $6000. There is just no way. But I will find a way to swing the $700. And that is minimal.

I have paid much more more for my fur babies and would still pay it.

Yeah this trip total will be around $1000.  We already paid over $200.  For the blood work and test and x-rays to find out what was wrong.  We paid over $3000 when he was a few months old where he got hit by a car. :*(

I get that some people don't want to spend a lot of money on an animal but I am not an idiot for not just letting him die.

[tantricia44]

I did pay for my cat’s test after test hundreds of thousands of dollars finding nothing wrong! When it came to having her stay at the hospital for observation & stick a tube down her throat (they think it’s a gastro issue) which may cost over a thousand dollars! I said no! I was going to take care of her in the best comfort I could give her! That happened in 2016 & today she’s still kicking!
Countrygirl12 don’t even bother with those who look down on you because of your love for your pet! It’s understood your pet is family! No questions asked!

[countrygirl12]

I did pay for my cat’s test after test hundreds of thousands of dollars finding nothing wrong! When it came to having her stay at the hospital for observation & stick a tube down her throat (they think it’s a gastro issue) which may cost over a thousand dollars! I said no! I was going to take care of her in the best comfort I could give her! That happened in 2016 & today she’s still kicking!
Countrygirl12 don’t even bother with those who look down on you because of your love for your pet! It’s understood your pet is family! No questions asked!

I also understand there is a point when you have to say it is enough or you just can't do it. If I didn't have the credit card to fall back I would be in trouble. I have some other things going on which make people more critical. But still my choices were to treat him and pray he responds to treatment or let him slowly die and they give him meds and treat him for heart failure and eventually he will die and it could be painful. You can google heart worms in dogs to get a more clear picture. 

I have a friend who has told me he would not spend that kind of money on any dog or cat. Let them die or shoot them and move on.

[bshee58]

I don't have a certain Vet for my cat, so just take to any Vet.

[countrygirl12]

I don't have a certain Vet for my cat, so just take to any Vet.

I have used the same vet since I was a kid. I really like them.  They really do care about the animals.  And when I had to have a really sick dog put to sleep mom said there were tears in his eyes when he got up.  He hugged me when he finished and I was crying and mom said you could tell it really bothered him.  It was the same with a co-vet of his when we had to put another to sleep.  She had cancer and probably wouldn't have lived thru the night anyway but she was struggling to breath and it was really bad.

That's what I am saying - I know sometimes there is a point when there is nothing else you can do and it isn't right to let them lay there and suffer. But if I can help them I feel like I have to.  That and well I get really attached to my pets.

[kaat1220]

Countrygirl:

It's nice to have the same vet, isn't it? They know your pets' history. Yes, we all will get to a time when we know that nothing we do or spend is going to help. Only then, do we make that difficult decision.

However, if your pet can live even six months longer and have a decent quality of life, it is worth it.

It's amazing that people do not question paying for human medicals bills, but then balk at paying for the furry members of their family.

I don't understand the point of having a pet if someone looks down on their pet or considers them "less than." I mean, what's the point?

Pets love us, trust us, and understand us. They give us what we want or need when humans do not.

I have never regretted spending money that I do or do not have on my fur babies.

We are not haunted by things we do, we are usually haunted by those things we should have done, but did not.

 

[countrygirl12]

Countrygirl:

It's nice to have the same vet, isn't it? They know your pets' history. Yes, we all will get to a time when we know that nothing we do or spend is going to help. Only then, do we make that difficult decision.

However, if your pet can live even six months longer and have a decent quality of life, it is worth it.

It's amazing that people do not question paying for human medicals bills, but then balk at paying for the furry members of their family.

I don't understand the point of having a pet if someone looks down on their pet or considers them "less than." I mean, what's the point?

Pets love us, trust us, and understand us. They give us what we want or need when humans do not.

I have never regretted spending money that I do or do not have on my fur babies.

We are not haunted by things we do, we are usually haunted by those things we should have done, but did not.

 

As long as they are not suffering then I would say let them live until they die. If they are in excruciating pain and there is nothing you can do then it is up to the person to make the decision if they want to put them to sleep. I would not look down on someone for that. 

And I know people, actual humans, who do not have medical procedures because they absolutely cannot afford it. Or they put off going to the doctor because they cannot pay for it.  If I knew that my dog would die in a month anyway no I probably would not spend the $700 that it will probably take a year to pay off.  But I don't know that. He could like another 1 - 2 years.  So yes, it is worth it.  Even if he did die next month anyway - no I wouldn't regret doing this.

There are 3 different kinds of people in the world :

*those who like animals
*those who dislike animals
*those who put animals above people

[NRAJOE]

I took in a stray cat that just strolled up the driveway and latched onto me for some reason.
After a month noticed a lump on her side.
Went to the vet and they said she was around 17 years old and the tumor was cancerous.
Would of cost too much vs. how old she was.
About 6 months later it was the size of a baseball...vet said she wasn't in pain so I let her hang out with me until she passed away.
It was weird, the night before she died she stuck to my side like glue.
She laid next to me in bed and when I woke up she had died during the night next to me.
Not a big cat fan but it was still kinda heartbreaking after I took care of her for a year...

[countrygirl12]

I took in a stray cat that just strolled up the driveway and latched onto me for some reason.
After a month noticed a lump on her side.
Went to the vet and they said she was around 17 years old and the tumor was cancerous.
Would of cost too much vs. how old she was.
About 6 months later it was the size of a baseball...vet said she wasn't in pain so I let her hang out with me until she passed away.
It was weird, the night before she died she stuck to my side like glue.
She laid next to me in bed and when I woke up she had died during the night next to me.
Not a big cat fan but it was still kinda heartbreaking after I took care of her for a year...

I have been with more than I care to remember when they drew their last breath.

[dwggs]

I think the decision is up the the owner and other people who don't agree with your decision should keep it to themselves.  People are all different and deal with their pets differently.

When my rescued dog was 1 1/2 years old he  ruptured his ACL .. It cost me $3000 and I was told at time that the other knee would probable rupture at some point in the future.  Well at 3 years old the 2nd knee went and I paid another $3000 to get that one fixed as well. 

He will be 9 this year and is an awesome dog.  If I had to make that decision again ... I would spend the money all over again. 

[countrygirl12]

I think the decision is up the the owner and other people who don't agree with your decision should keep it to themselves.  People are all different and deal with their pets differently.

When my rescued dog was 1 1/2 years old he  ruptured his ACL .. It cost me $3000 and I was told at time that the other knee would probable rupture at some point in the future.  Well at 3 years old the 2nd knee went and I paid another $3000 to get that one fixed as well. 

He will be 9 this year and is an awesome dog.  If I had to make that decision again ... I would spend the money all over again. 

And that is totally your choice. I had to go today and get some meds for him.  My vet is awesome. They called me today to see how my dog was doing. He seems to be showing improvement at times but it's going to be a long road. If he dies next month I still will not regret trying and spending the money. Not at all.

[heidi0902]

If you can afford it then I think you should pay it. Second would be to put them down. The only option I really disagree with is just letting him die after being told he is in pain.

[brian8713]

I had to pay over $500 for shots for my cat, and totally honest, I'm not even crazy about the cat. She likes to scratch me!! But yes, I'll pay money to give a living creature a shot at life. I understand why others wouldn't, but I really identify with animals -- dogs and cats in particular -- so they're something I'm willing to spend a little money on.