How much Would You Spend for Your Pet?

1. 59

   Ruben Riveraposted 13 years ago

   So I spent about $500 on my Black Lab.  Her leg got stuck on a fence and she had a deep cut so they had to keep her overnight so now she's doing well.  Though it got me thinking what if t was something far more serious, I'm talking about thousands of dollars, would I spend that much, I have two black labs, both are three year old and they are like part of the family but I hope I don't get to the point of deciding if I spend or not.
   
   What would you do for your pet?

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   1. 57

      Esoriposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I have this figure in  my head of either $1000 per year of expected life expectancy, or $1000 per year of remaining life expectancy. I personally wouldn't take out a second mortgage on my (non-existant) home if that's what you're wondering.
      
      That's my figure for a dog/cat. I don't know if that number is realistic for a smaller pet such as a bunny or a hamster . . .

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   2. 0

      Stevennix2001posted 13 years agoin reply to this

      i spent pretty close to like 3000 dollars on my dog to keep him alive before i had him inevitably put to sleep when it seemed like all hope for him was lost.

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   3. 59

      Ruben Riveraposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I know a lot of people would say "why spend so much money on an animal instead of a relative or something else". all I can say is that most times if not all the time our pets are the ones giving us unconditional friendship, ok maybe they want a treat or belly rub, simple things, so I understand those who are willing to spend good money on their pets.  Once you establish a strong bond, our pets become part of our family, in fact as I write this one of my labs is right next to me, and the other one is with my wife, always there.

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2. 58

   evvy_09posted 13 years ago

   I spent about $350 when my border collie went into several seizures and my husband rushed her to the emergency vet.  We lived next door to the dog that attacked her as a puppy several times and they got in a fight through the fence separating them just before it happened.  It cost me another 100 or so in medicine for that as well. Hate to say it but I didn't mind when the other dog died about a year later because mine hasn't had a seizure since.

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3. 94

   thooghunposted 13 years ago

   I'd spend as much as I had to to see my Jack Russel back on her feet and tearing up the house. I haven't had to yet, beyond check-ups and some allergies.

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4. 72

   lorlie6posted 13 years ago

   I'm not sure it's possible to assign a dollar amount to the 'value' of a pet.  I don't think that's what you're saying, but essentially that is what it comes down to.  I am a notorious pet lover and have spent more than I ever thought I would when faced with pet illness/injury.
   I have found that it's always an individual situation.

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      mythbusterposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      *hugs*

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      1. 72

         lorlie6posted 13 years agoin reply to this

         *right back at ya*

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5. 89

   gracenotesposted 13 years ago

   I don't have unlimited funds.  I'm not sure how far I'd go, but I'd probably dip into some savings if I had to  -- even if I had to pay a penalty to the IRS.
   
   My little dog died in Jan. 2009, very suddenly.  From the time he was ill and dehydrated five weeks before that, to his death at the emergency clinic, I spent about $1200, and I consider that pretty cheap.  In his original illness, XRays were done, but the mass that grew very quickly near his spleen, and within weeks killed him, was not detected with imaging originally -- and I'm not sure anything could have been done anyway with a fast-growing malignancy, even if detected early.

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6. 72

   Maddie Ruudposted 13 years ago

   I think the main concern for me would not be the money, but whether or not keeping the pet alive was really in his/her best interest.  I've seen many people spend thousands to keep a pet alive simply because they (as owners) could not face losing said pet, despite the fact that the pet was no longer living a happy, painless life.  I think that's selfish, and I would have to think long and hard about my motivations before making any decisions as to whether to unnaturally prolong my dog's life.

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7. 84

   Whitney05posted 13 years ago

   My parents and I have spent over $15,000 in medical expenses for our APBT since 2008.
   
   She had two surgeries (1 was a biopsy and the other was an amputation)- both were about $2000 each ($4000)
   
   She had 6 $400+ chemo treatments ($2400)
   
   $289 a month on one medication November 2008-August 2010. ($6000ish)
   
   $300-$400 a month on regular bloodwork and prescription refills for two other medications. ($2800ish for 12 months)
   
   Every third month the vet bill is about $400-$500, as it includes chest radiographs. ($2700ish)
   
   There were a few emergency trips to the vet, where she quite eating and became lethargy, but that wasn't caused by the chemo but BBQ chicken skin that upset her stomach severely. There were also two cases that she had to get hydration pumped under her skin.
   
   I have no clue what the expenses have added up if you include diet change (Nutro to EVO) and supplements, or the initial diet change that included tuna, can food, sardines, etc.
   
   
   
   
   My 18 month old Pit Bull was diagnosed with bone tumors. Not only was it rare that a dog her age have the tumors, but that she had two in the same leg. The vets all said that they have seen a few cases of two tumors but in different parts of the body, almost never in the same leg. Because of her age, the vets gave her about 6 months to live (younger dogs have more aggressive cancer, and her cancer was an aggressive type as it was), and she's made it over a year and a half since her amputation (two years come Feb 2011).
   
   My family and I agreed that because of the temperament of this dog and how special she was to our family, we were doing anything we could to help her; as my dad put it to one of the vets, "money is not a concern."
   
   Her quality of life has never faltered, and she's just as crazy as she was before.
   
   We got really lucky that we were able to afford all the treatments, medications, and surgeries. For the most part, I took care of the surgeries, half the chemo treatments, most of the monthly pills (rapamune), and every third visit.At this point, my parents pay for one visit, we split the second, and then I pay for the third (her big one).
   
   My parents are upper-middle income family with a good eye for saving. I afforded most of my portion via online earnings and good saving tactics I was raised with.
   
   Her expenses will be a lifelong deal for her and us.

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8. 59

   Ruben Riveraposted 13 years ago

   I think if I was told my pet only had a few months to live with the help from medications and with pain until death, I would probably let my pet have a peaceful end.  Sometimes I think we have to let nature run its course because at that point in my opinion we are keeping our pet alive for us not for the pet's well being.
   
   Just my opinion of course
   
   Thanks for all the replies

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9. 90

   wordscribe43posted 13 years ago

   No doubt about it, quality of life has to be first and foremost.  I said this on a hub I read by lorlie, but when I put my cat to sleep a few months ago I said to my vet:  "This must be the hardest part of your job".  I was sobbing and making a huge snotty mess.  He said:  "No, actually, the hardest part is when people need to put their pets to sleep, but do not."  That really stuck with me.
   
   That said, I have had a cat with diabetes and a cat in kidney failure...  I spent more money on them than I have on health care for two out of three of my children.  If the money is there, and not affecting the quality of life of the humans in my family, I will spend it. 
   
   I found out my cat in kidney failure also had oral carcinoma.  I brought her in thinking she had a tooth abscess and she was put under general anesthesia to deal with the abscess.  I got a call from my vet a few minutes later telling me it was not an abscess, but oral cancer that was rapidly spreading.  Ugh, I though, I'm not prepared to let her go TODAY.  I was crushed and said, "What now?"  He said "I'm in the business to keeping animals healthy and happy.  When I cannot do that with a pet anymore it's time to let them go." 
   
   He asked if I wanted him to bring her out of the anesthesia so I could say goodbye to her.  As much as I wanted to hug her and hold her and tell her how much I loved her and to thank her for being such a wonderful part of my life, I knew it was selfish for me to do so.  I told her to just let her pass.
   
   Okay, off to cry again.  Crap. 

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10. 83

    Maria Ceciliaposted 13 years ago

    as much as I can I afford it even if I can't afford I will try to look for ways especially if it is an emergency case. My dog with perineal hernia had undergone six surgeries, with 3 months as the longest interval of one surgery to another,the shorter is less than a month, the most frequest is every month for the next three months... so definitely I spent that much I dont want to mention the figure maybe it is still cheaper as compared to other ailments.  that is jsut for his ailment alone.

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11. 60

    Lifeallstar1posted 13 years ago

    I bought two persian kittens from a breeder. They were brother and sister, both pretty much identical looking. They cost roughly 2,000. I was able to take them home when they were about 4 months old but the boy wasn't growing as quickly as the girl. I brought him to the vet and did all kinds of bloodwork. They found something wrong but wasn't positive and after a short while he became even more sick so I had to take him for all kinds of crazy tests. Even a MRI for a cat with a neuro specialist! I first laughed when the vet told me I needed to see a neuro, I swear I thought she  was joking. Didn't know that existed for animals. 6,000 later I find out the cat would be in pain and there was no cure so after all that I held him in my arms as they put him to sleep. Saddest day of my life! Looking back if I had to do it all again I would have chosen the same road because I honestly thought they were going to be able to cure him. Once I learned they couldn't and he was suffering I put him to rest. He was such a special little guy and I'm glad I had him for the short time I did. His sister is healthy and very happy. I hope she's around for a long long time!

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12. 89

    Deborah Demanderposted 13 years ago

    I've had lots of pets. The best ones have been free.
    Namaste.

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    1. 72

       lorlie6posted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Shelter pets are incredibly wonderful creatures, but in the end, ALL animals need rescuing, no matter how they come into your life.

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13. 83

    psycheskinnerposted 13 years ago

    I have a savings account put aside for my dog's possible emergency needs.  It is a few thousand dollars now.

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14. 60

    Bail Up !posted 13 years ago

    I spent $1600 about 10 years ago when my mixed breed was hit by a car. She was protective of my children growing up and truly a member of our familly. She spent two weeks at an animal hospital and had surgery. She was never the same again as her leg would not bend. She hopped along with a stiff leg for about 3 years after. Good money spent!

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15. 0

    Toby Hansenposted 13 years ago

    For me, the question reads "How much would you spend for your child?"
    
    If it would keep my Lab X, Rusty, alive without putting him through unnecessary suffering, there is no amount of money that I would not spend.
    
    Rusty is not only a loving and loved companion and my closest friend, he is the child that I could never have.

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16. 84

    camloposted 13 years ago

    I'd even take out a loan for Nero, my cat. Money is immaterial as far as she's concerned.

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17. 93

    habeeposted 13 years ago

    See the two big furkids to the left? I'd probably spend everything I could get my hands on to keep them alive and healthy!

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18. 68

    Donna Janelleposted 13 years ago

    I hope I never have to find out how much money I would be willing to spend! But if anything every happened to my dog, I would want to do everything that I could for her. I've never really thought about an exact numerical amount before though.

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19. 60

    libby101aposted 13 years ago

    Oh wow! I remember my dog Katie, A golden retriever, had to have a blood transfusion when she was younger. I remember the vet telling me I'd have to pay $400 down and the remainder of the bill later. Then she told me that there was a high chance, I believe it was 68 or so percent, that the transfusion may not save her. She ask me if I wanted to spend the money and try or just have her put down. I looked down at my dog, and she looked up at me with such sad eyes. She stared right into my soul. There was no way on earth I could have had her put down. I remember going back day after day... she was there about 9 days total... one day they finally had her out walking around.. and she had an IV attached and she was dragging it along walking like a person in the hospital... it was so cute!
    
    She lived through it all...and in the end it cost me $2340. and it was well worth it!
    
    That girl saved my life... so she repaid me in more ways that one! She died two years ago and it felt like one of my kids had died. If someone had been near me when she passed away.. you would have thought a person had died! To me, she was family! I had her for 12 years! I bought her and picked her out before she could even walk! Well actually she picked me out. I went to the breeder and had my pick because I was first and she wobbled over to me and her little tail was wagging...none of the rest of the pups did that! So I picked her! And I loved her with all my heart! It breaks my heart typing this because it reminds me of her!!!

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