Among Friends

[Kachina624]

Vet and animal services charges are now comparable to those for people.  I got a dog from a rescue group that developed an autoimmune disease right after I acquired her.  She was treated by a canine internist at a specialty clinic and her bills exceeded $10,000, which the rescue paid.  After fighting for 14 month I lost her.

I also had an older Sheltie, also a rescue.  He had no medical problems but due his age, the vet wanted $600., to clean his teeth.

I've had three dogs that required surgery.  In all cases the bill was a little over $1500.  They both spent one night with the vet.

I've boarded dogs at the least expensive place i could find and felt like I should get a deed to the place rather than a receipt when I paid the bill.

Pet ownership is definitely a luxury.  My annual bill for shots and a cursory exam for two dogs each year is $300+.

[hckynut]

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@Anonymous032819 wrote:

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@mspatmac wrote:

I have pet insurance but what does one do if they don't have the means to pay these prices for a senior ill dog, are seniors themselves on a fixed income and no family to help? I worry about that.

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@mspatmac 

Simple, they have the vet put their pet to sleep.

@Anonymous032819 

Simple?  I have no clue how many furry ones you've had where you had to make that decision, but. Simple is not a word I would ever use, or care to see others so casually make such a statement.

I am guessing you aren't aware of the many "No Kill" Shelters around the United States. Many do not care about the age or illnesses of the animal brought into their facility.

Personally know many my wife drove to other states to pick up for a forever home. Those homes were in yet another, state, not ours, where those people wanted them, and could afford their care.  I am talking close to 100, maybe more, over several years.

Still shocked to see such an unfeeling response, especially by you.

hckynut 

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[hckynut]

@mspatmac 

You too?

I have said all that needs be said about this to @Anonymous032819 . 

Disgusting!

hckynut 

[kivah]

I live close to a non-profit veterinary clinic. My lhasa apso is 12-1/2 yrs old and has never been sick. Going to the clinic for shots, check-ups has been inexpensive. Not sure why veterinary charges have gotten so expensive. Stay away from Banfield (in PetSmarts) - a truly criminal enterprise. They print out all ur dog's information - always shows lots of issues - which they make it up - then sell u their Wellness Plan (which is not insurance - but they tell u it is.) Banfield has lots of complaints on-line - across America. They're owned by Mars Candy Bar. Forgot to say that I took my previous lhasa there for 7 years -- and they Ripped-Me-Off for a few thousand dollars - and my dog was healthy until the last few months. That's when I googled Banfield and learned the truth about them.

[SeaMaiden]

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@kivah wrote:

I live close to a non-profit veterinary clinic. My lhasa apso is 12-1/2 yrs old and has never been sick. Going to the clinic for shots, check-ups has been inexpensive. Not sure why veterinary charges have gotten so expensive. Stay away from Banfield (in PetSmarts) - a truly criminal enterprise. They print out all ur dog's information - always shows lots of issues - which they make it up - then sell u their Wellness Plan (which is not insurance - but they tell u it is.) Banfield has lots of complaints on-line - across America. They're owned by Mars Candy Bar.

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@kivah   I have read rave reviews and poor good reviews with Banfield.  Like any medical place....human or animal...there are good and bad vets....good and bad doctors.  To call them all criminal is just not fair.

[mspatmac]

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@hckynut wrote:

@mspatmac 

You too?

I have said all that needs be said about this to @Anonymous032819 . 

Disgusting!

hckynut 

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@hckynut  Me too what?  I have pet insurance, always took good care of my pets and have spent thousands on them, dogs, cats, birds and even a ferret over the years.  I am down to one dog who lives and eats like a king. Of course when he was a teen trips to Urgent care  as well as vet. Gets wellness checks in addition to his yearly checkup.  I saw my DD lose two dogs to natural causes still cry when she sees pictures.  Other DD, held her beloved dog in her arms as he was terminal and in pain and put to rest.  That's what I meant by quality of life., perhaps I wasn't clear enough in my post. That's what I meant by decisions. Took me over a year to pay off a vet bill one time, but he had surgery and was fine. So please, just because of a question I asked think of me as heartless. I'm not!

[ECBG]

They're highly trained, giving meds and doing surgeries.  Their training wasn't free!

That's our babies!

[red&curly]

@mspatmac I understood your post.We do everything we can do for our animals but the end is there for all of us.

I do alot for animals & a pet sitter for over 20 yrs.but I'm no different than you for your love of animals.

[Anonymous032819]

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@hckynut wrote:

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@Anonymous032819 wrote:

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@mspatmac wrote:

I have pet insurance but what does one do if they don't have the means to pay these prices for a senior ill dog, are seniors themselves on a fixed income and no family to help? I worry about that.

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@mspatmac 

Simple, they have the vet put their pet to sleep.

@Anonymous032819 

Simple?  I have no clue how many furry ones you've had where you had to make that decision, but. Simple is not a word I would ever use, or care to see others so casually make such a statement.

I am guessing you aren't aware of the many "No Kill" Shelters around the United States. Many do not care about the age or illnesses of the animal brought into their facility.

Personally know many my wife drove to other states to pick up for a forever home. Those homes were in yet another, state, not ours, where those people wanted them, and could afford their care.  I am talking close to 100, maybe more, over several years.

Still shocked to see such an unfeeling response, especially by you.

hckynut 

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@hckynut 

Don't you get on your moral high horse and scold me and @mspatmac !

If a pet is sick/injured, no matter how much you want to have the vet make your beloved furry family member better, the cost is just too much, especially if the bill is in the thousands of dollars.

Not everybody can afford that, and the kindest thing to do instead of letting the fur baby suffer is to have them go to the Rainbow Bridge.

So don't you dare lecture me, because you don't know squat when it comes to not having the money to afford vet bills.

[Anonymous032819]

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@mspatmac wrote:

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@hckynut wrote:

@mspatmac 

You too?

I have said all that needs be said about this to @Anonymous032819 . 

Disgusting!

hckynut 

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@hckynut  Me too what?  I have pet insurance, always took good care of my pets and have spent thousands on them, dogs, cats, birds and even a ferret over the years.  I am down to one dog who lives and eats like a king. Of course when he was a teen trips to Urgent care  as well as vet. Gets wellness checks in addition to his yearly checkup.  I saw my DD lose two dogs to natural causes still cry when she sees pictures.  Other DD, held her beloved dog in her arms as he was terminal and in pain and put to rest.  That's what I meant by quality of life., perhaps I wasn't clear enough in my post. That's what I meant by decisions. Took me over a year to pay off a vet bill one time, but he had surgery and was fine. So please, just because of a question I asked think of me as heartless. I'm not!

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@mspatmac 

Don't listen to him.

He doesn't understand that not everyone can afford the exorbitant vet bills, and that it is kinder to have the pet cross over to the bridge than to let them suffer.