Have you ever had to pay a big vet bill?
@keelymcilwain (797)
Canada
December 7, 2008 9:38am CST
Have you ever had to take a pet into the vet and end up coming home with a huge bill? When my oldest dog was about 2 she got a bladder infection. She was peeing thick red slop. It was the middle of winter and It looked like I killed someone in the front yard. When I brought her in to the vet they said she would have to under go blood tests, and be watched for a day, then take medication for a week to clear it up. When I got her back the next day she was in the same condition as before, still peeing blood. It cost over 100 dollars just for the pills. Never mind the 400 dollar vet bill to come with it. My dogs are like my children. I love them to pieces and will go to high costs If I had to, to have them fixed up and better. When is the point where it gets to expensive? For me it would be if the dog needed regular treatments for say a cancer or disease. I would not be able to afford this and knowing how good these dogs have been to me I think that's when I would retire them and let them rest in peace if they were that sick. I know for me if I'm that sick and guaranteed that I was to die I would just want it to be over now. They have been good to me and I owe them my life in some cases to them. They have all done there jobs that dogs do, being a great companion, being great protection for many times, and just of all having them to love and making me feel useful for once.
7 responses
@smacksman (6053)
•
7 Dec 08
Pets are a responsibility and it is hard to say no to an expensive operation. In a way it is easy for us as we don't have a lot of money so if that situation arose the answer would be forced on us.
But there is nothing worse than raising your hopes with an operation only to find out later it was a waste of suffering, time and money and the inevitable had to happen.
@grandpa_lash (5225)
• Australia
8 Dec 08
We've spent over $1000 on our dog in the past 10 months, to a vet who very kindly gave us big discounts because we're on pensions. I hate to think what the real cost could be. But from what I gather talking to Americans about the medical system there, it would cost that much to get medical treatment for us humans if we lived there. That makes the dog as valuable as a human, and I have to admit there are times when I wonder what I might do if he gets that sick again. That $1000 represents 5 weeks pension for me, a tenth of a year's income.
Lssh
1 person likes this
@theembittered (1025)
• United States
8 Dec 08
Yeah the past month my little babie was sooooo sick and i feel so bad :( because he doesnt get well :( and we go to the veterinary and one week later he wow just change a lot he just get well maybe the bill was sooooo high but i love my little dog he is just my babie and i love it so much!! and i dont know what i will do it if he will be sick again!!! well have a nice day and hope you will have a very good week ;) see you soon and bye bye.
1 person likes this
@simlock (28)
• United States
7 Dec 08
We have a pug and of course they're known to be high maintenance. Even with a monthly health plan we still had to pay close to $1200 to have kidney stones removed...and of course the "free" vet visits are never free. $100 for antibiotics is pretty routine.
The sad truth is once it's too expensive, it's too expensive - it has nothing to do with the desire to maintain a good quality of life. I wish it did. But I think there's a point where quality of life is not going to be maintained regardless of how much money is spent. It's not easy.
@mentaloriental (17)
• United States
8 Dec 08
I've been hit with big vet bills in the past. But I think the more you visit the vet and develop a relationship with them, the more likely they are to cut you some slack. I just took my dog in to get the vet's opinion on something. Turned out to be nothing serious (whew!) and the vet waived the charges for the visit.
But you are right, it can get crazy expensive. Is there a pet health insurance, like there is for people? I'd gladly pay a little each month, in case something big happens down the line.
@drvikramsamal (29)
• India
8 Dec 08
I have been very lucky in that matter,touchwood..I hope any time such doesnt arise..
@sharra1 (6340)
• Australia
8 Dec 08
Yes vets do cost a fortune but that is because there is no health care for them. In Australia we have health care for people but pets you pay the full cost. I have spent money on dogs trying to save them because I could not bear to see them die but I lost them any way.
I am more realistic now. I know how much I love my dog but I will not spend money on medical treatment that will not save him. If I had to make the choice I would and it would break my heart.
I got my first credit card because a vet insulted me because I had no money to pay him on the spot. He did not send bills. I paid him the next day but there I was upset because he was putting my cat to sleep and he was cross because I had no cash to pay him.
I got a credit card so I would never have to go through that again.
