Don't judge me!!!!

[wolfy-hound]

Well I think the issue is not, would you prolong the life of the pet even though quality of life was very poor... but rather if the treatment would FIX the pet, would you drop a unending amount of money into doing so?
While a lot of us would say yes, or no.. you don't know until it happens(asin most theorectical discussions). I will not endanger my home to fix a pet. I won't begger myself, and be unable to pay my bills, to fix a pet. I will spend whatever money I CAN to fix a pet, and if the vet will allow payments, I will run up a REASONABLE bill to fix the pet.
I think that most of us differ merely in what we consider reasonable. I would hope that no parent would take food from their child's mouth to fix a pet. I will discontinue luxarys(i.e. tv, internet, etc) in order to pay for a pet's care. I won't turn off my electric. And again.. there's a limit to me. I rarely take MYSELF to a doctor over anything. Superglue and ibuprofin work on me for most injurys.

[vangarret2000]

As far as I'm concerned if you can't, or won't, pay the bill then you shouldn't have the animal.

I was just wondering what you mean by "can't"? Do you mean if you can't afford it?

[dizzy]

Well so far I've only had one sick snake. Rogue, me normal rescue just recently had a gastro intestinal infection and I spent almost $200 on his vet bills. I guess that's much more than he technicaly worth from a breeders stand... But my snakes are definitely pets first and in a couple years probably also breeders... I would have to say I would spend as much money as I was able to on my pet if need be... But I don't have much... So I fear if expensive surgery were needed then the decision would not have to be made. I don't have a credit card and I don't have a thousand bucks just laying around. If payment plans were an option with the vet then I guess I would spend almost infinite amounts of money on a beloved pet.

But I don't have a family to support, or a car loan to pay or anything... I have rent to pay, a cheap car and a pretty crappy job so my idea of alot of money and my idea of priorities are much different than alot of people...

[Patricia]

Glad this was BTTed as I wouldn't have otherwise seen it.

Seeing as how ALL our pets have been rescued and/or from the pound, i.e. worth just about zero dollarwise, and that routine vaccinations cost a fortune, it's easy to say yes, we spend more than what the critter is worth.

In general, ditto what Frankykeno said. It's a tough decision, made while looking at the overall picture. Our pets are beloved members of the family, even our new BP, but they are also just critters. We won't lose the house over them.

[ssballow]

If I raised them for a living, I would make wise business choices. I will do whatever I can afford to take care of my pet, however. I hope it does not go further than feeding him mice.

[TheOtherLeadingBrand]

Yes. I would. We have- many times! lol

I would do it as a pet owner or breeder. I don't think there is a difference.

I would spend more on a dog than I would on a snake, if money was tight. I'd sell my soul to save my dog if he had a chance at quality time and life. Basically, I'd go without food for myself if I had to, for my dog (and I have in the past, thankfully those days are long gone and over)- but he's one very special critter!

My animals' values to me are not in their price tags- I'm a bleeding heart!

[trott]

I agree with Teresa. I try not to use an analogy of choosing between the life of a person and a pet because i would think/hope that ultimate situation wouldn't arise.
But we just had this conversation in my office where a sales rep i deal with set a $1000 limit on their new 8mo lab pup. He and his wife both do very well financially. They just felt anything more than that was crazy.
So my take on it was that it's hard for me personnally to put a limit on it. I'll spend 5k on a bicycle or materialistic things but not spend it on my dog ?
A broken leg can cost over 1000. I told them they could not spend the 1000 and spend 1500 on a new marble counter top the very next week ?

I know worst case, i throw it on a card and figure out how to pay for it later. Keeping the animals best interest in mind. Obviously I wouldn't spend 5k in chemo on a 15 yr old dog for example.

Now i know that not everyone has the same financial means, and i understand that. But like i tell the woman i work with (single mom,2 kids). Animals arent cheap, even the free ones, so if you can't afford the expenses don't get the animal.

I just discussed this topic with Brian a few weeks ago and he wants to cover it on a SB episode

[TheOtherLeadingBrand]

Yeah, for me my pet is worth a thousands times more to me than any vacation, new car, fancy house, designer clothes, TVs, etc could ever be. I'd gladly have no TV, computer, CDs, car, etc before I'd give up my dog. But, this is a 12 year old dog who has been my only true friend for all those years. Only a cold hearted person indeed could turn his back on such a loyal companion. That said, I would not subject him or my wallet to the trials and costs of extensive and painful treatment at an old age that would likely do nothing but prolong suffering (ie, chemo in a 15 year old dog- I agree- I'd never do that).

[jglass38]

For me it's animal by animal. They're not my dog, no matter how much I like them they don't care whether I come or go, he does, hence a difference of treatment between them.

Way to go, really.

I agree completely, Wes.

My dog comes before any of the animals. She is my child (since I don't have nor want children, a whole 'nother discussion). My cats are important to me and I would likely spend what I needed to within reason (once spent $3000 at an emergency vet on my cat that ended up dying the next day). The reptiles get the best possible care and its case by case. I consider myself pretty experienced with reptiles and I have a good feel for when a vet is needed. I had a Leo that had a large obstruction in it's vent. Most people I asked said take it to the vet. I felt that it was something that could be taken care of. I gave the animal a soak in warm water and was able to push out the obstruction (which was a large block of urates). I know that some people take their rats to the vet if they get sick. I have to draw the line somewhere. I bred rats for a long time and sick ones got humanely euthanized. It's a fact of life. I now have a couple pet rats and as cute and cuddly as they are, it's unlikely that they would ever see the inside of a vet's office. Does that make me uncaring? I don't think so but some would.

In the end you have to do what's right for the animal as you see it.

[trott]

Yeah, for me my pet is worth a thousands times more to me than any vacation, new car, fancy house, designer clothes, TVs, etc could ever be. I'd gladly have no TV, computer, CDs, car, etc before I'd give up my dog. But, this is a 12 year old dog who has been my only true friend for all those years. Only a cold hearted person indeed could turn his back on such a loyal companion. That said, I would not subject him or my wallet to the trials and costs of extensive and painful treatment at an old age that would likely do nothing but prolong suffering (ie, chemo in a 15 year old dog- I agree- I'd never do that).

Yeah, my guy(lab mix) is 11 and he goes with me everywhere. People say they're like kids, but i would call him a great friend. I have a alot of great friends and i would do alot for them. I think i have a pic of him on my profile.