What Choice Do You Make When Your Pet Needs Expensive Medical Care?

There is no reason for exorbitant pricing as seen by Dr. Jeff on Tv. He takes whatever you can pay and he has been in business for over 20 years and is doing very well. The vets who over charge are just greedy and have no business being in business. Yes, insurance is one thing but it just adds to the greed. Shame on them.

Preventative care is the best, for pets as well as humans! Also, do your own research when it comes to your pets symptoms, and come up with a natural remedy by way of diet, supplements, herbal tinctures, etc. Z

Rule of Thumb, "Pharmaceuticals are not conducive with true Health!"

Eight months ago Bailie was coughing with asthmatic symptoms, was throwing up a lot, and even had two seizures - I thought I was going to loose him. Of course I took him to the local vet ASAP. The vet wanted to do a lot of expensive tests, and as for the asthma, he just wanted to give him some kind of drug to breath?!?!? I DID NOT want anything to do with drugs that would simply mask the issues, I wanted to know what was causing all of this, so I did a lot of research.

I got rid of the clay cat litter, (use clumping walnut based) and I quit "cat food" unless it's organic, it's absolute cancer causing CRAP! For a long time now I have been making my two male Persian cats baked ground chicken with water, vitamins and probiotics. (Gold Label Coconut Oil is good to add as well, great for the brain and their coats)

Bailie is and has been doing GREAT! Just needed to get his gut flora in order with the probiotics, senior vitamins, and feed him baked ground chicken!

Yippy, saved a ton of money, stayed away from Big Pharma drugs, AND both my boys are truly happy & healthy!

Pay it even if I go into deb

In the past 6 months, i've spent about $1,000 on my senior kitty, not including the change to an all wet-food diet. He was recently diagnosed with diabetes, and before the diagnosis, he was sick twice with kitty colds. The insulin is expensive. So as of right now, i guess i haven't reached my limit.

I have a wonderful client who is starting a web platform for special needs pets. The premise is so wonderful and it offers choices that are affordable in the care of those pets. I am helping this wonderful man succeed, and this is where I see the future headed. Affordable choices for our furry friends.

Helping my dogs is always a choice. I often find Vet offices willing to break the payments into 2 or 3 payments to make it easier. It doesn't hurt to ask. I once had a cat with a diseased colon who had to have surgery that cost several thousand dollars. They said it would give her a good year more to live. Sammy, 9 years at the time, was worth it to us. Sammy lived to be 19 after the surgery, so money well spent! When these things happen there is always a way. Go Fund Me is also a great site where you can ask friends, family, and coworkers to donate and share, to help with the costs. You would be surprised how many people care and want to help!

There are several issues I have with the question - first of which is "buying" an animal rather than adopting. We are or should be aware that "purebred" animals from the start are not as heathy as rescues. A majority of those $1,000+dogs are from puppy mills, which at best are filthy, lacking conditions.

I agree, many vets prices are ridiculous. While I understand the expenses involved there is no reason a neuter should be several hundred dollars. These speciality hospitals - who for the most part do save lives, however its literally many, many thousands. As another point - I have seen purebred dogs, being driven around in a BMW pulling up to a low cost clinic meant to hel

This is a very difficult topic in that there is no black and white answer.

When buying a pet try to be sure to have enough money put aside for emergencies. Also pet insurance is a good solution. On the other hand I feel that veterinarians are far too expensive possibly overcharging and the pet industries is worth billions.

Because we want to keep them healthy and alive as much as possible we pay whatever is needed however if the animal is in pain then putting them down is the selfless action to take

i make the best choice possible. Animal care can be expensive and medical costs are something you need to be prepared to handle just like for ones self. Pets are a part of your family and unexpected costs and situations are something one must be expected to handle. I personally have a credit card dedicated to pet care.

If you aren't prepared then you have a life changing problem.

Slight re-framing of the question, since I don't always make the same choice:

"What factors influence the life-and-death Choice(s) you make ... about your pet?"

Statement of Principle: I love my fellow critters (as a rule, tho I make conscious exceptions) - the ones in my family, the ones I meet casually, the 'wild' ones in nature. I enjoy eating (some of) them. Generally, I wish them to enjoy life as I do. I do not wish them to suffer. That said:

Quality of Life : If there is suffering, there is an implicit choice. The decision - not to be cruel - is something of a cost/benefit analysis. When alive, my parents assured me that they loved life. They also did not wish to be a burden. Makes sense.

Survivability: Some stuff - like 'old age' - is inoperable. My recent critters-of-choice are cats ... and rats.

The rats (introduced by my son) were a delightful surprise: They are social, very intelligent, "fast learners", soft 'n cuddly, and remarkably affectionate. They just don't live very long (3 years is a good run) and are very susceptible to tumors and respiratory problems. They're also quite small and few veterinarians have experience in care or invasive procedures. There usually isn't a lot that can be done.

The Value Proposition: Let's face it - Some of our fellow critters aren't highly valued. The folks at the local PetCo were delighted when my son and I selected a new rat to join the family (Rats are social animals and are happiest when they have company). The PetCo folks both appreciated that rats are pretty decent companion animals - and knew that most of them would be sold as 'feeders' for other critters.

There are no rats in my house these days. PetCo had - I am told - an outbreak of 'rat scratch fever' in one of their stores and decided not to carry rats any longer. Just business. Nothing personal.