Costly Animal Care

How much is that doggy in the window?
The one with the waggley tail may seem like a bargain these days compared to the dog with the $3,000 pacemaker. Or the cat with the $8,000 kidney transplant. Or the pet chicken undergoing radiation therapy after cancer surgery.

Medical care for pets now rivals medical care for humans, with veterinary oncologists, neurologists, cardiologists and other specialists providing high tech, big-bucks treatment for Fido and Fluffy.
But when cats have chemo and dogs have dialysis, their owners have something too: unexpected ethical issues triggered by enormous medical bills. “Is the 15-year-old tabby worth $12,000 in dialysis?” asks a newspaper story with the nagging headline: Do some pet owners go a little too far?

“I admit sometimes questioning the reality of spending $11,000 on my cat when there are greater human needs,” said a California college professor, who readily paid for feline chemotherapy and pancreatitis treatment.

U.S. pet owners will spend more than $24 billion this year on pet medical care, an amount greater than the gross domestic product of more than half of the world’s countries.

But when man’s best friend is a integral member of the family, the question of whether it’s appropriate to spend top-dollar for animal medical care is often more emotional than financial. With the unconditional love, friendship, and support of a beloved companion at stake, many pet owners feel they don’t have the option of not providing—and paying for—expensive medical care.

It’s not a simple issue, said one veterinarian. When you hear of a medical bill of $14,000 for a dog, he explained, people ask, “Should you not just buy a new dog and give the money to charity? That, I have to say, is a non-starter of an argument. You then have to ask all sorts of questions about how people spend their money—should they spend it on big cars?”

Tell us what you think: When it comes to expensive veterinary medical care, is it more responsible to pay for a pet or perhaps give the money to charity instead?

COMMENTS:
"We need to let vets know that they are getting out of hand as are hospitals. The only reason people can get health care is through insurance, which is a scam that overpays and encourages ridiculous drug costs! Now the vets are angling towards getting a piece of this larceny by selling pet health insurance. Pet owners pay more money for pet care than any other hobby. We need to stop this overcharging thing before it gets out of control. If your vet is starting to overcharge, take your animal to alternative practictioners-they have chiropractic and acupuncture for animals now. Feed dogs foods high in assimilability, and glucosamine for joints. They are more expensive, but will keep the doctor away longer. Brush your animals teeth. There are products out there that make it pleasant and easy, you won't have to pay for cleanings as often."
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"REMEMBER WHEN VETS USED NATURAL CURES (DIET, HERBS, ETC) BECAUSE PEOPLE WOULD NOT PAY EXHORBITANT FEES FOR ANIMALS. THEY JOINED THE ALLOPATHS (MODERN MEDICINE) AND BECAME FOCUSED ON EXPENSIVE AND UNNATURAL TREATMENTS: DRUG, CUT, AND BURN. WHY DID ANIMAL HEALTH CARE BECOME AS UNNATURAL AS HUMAN CARE? BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE THE BIG BUCKS ARE! HAVE YOU NOTICED THAT THE HEALTH CARE REFORM IS CENTERED ON 'WHO WILL PAY' RATHER THAN IF THERE IS LESS EXPENSIVE HEALING AVAILABLE. ALLOPATHIC MEDICINE IS ULTIMATELY UNSUSTAINABLE BECAUSE IT IS UNNATURAL AND FINITE."
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"I am a sixty year old, disabled woman that lost my home, all material goods, my daughter and granddaughter in hurricane Katrina. I live on $600.00 A month disability. When the only thing I have left in this world ;my cat Serenity became ill, I sold everything I had to pay a $2,000 vet bill. He still needs more vet care. Where do you find low cost vet care? Without Serenity I am alone in the world."
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"Wow! I'm in Windsor Nova Scotia, Canada. I sure could have used one of those free clinics! It was $1250. for my Chihuahua to have an emergency C-Section, and they threw the Hysterectomy in for free so that she would't go thru that again! In the same month, my other pup was in pain and lame so next there was a Laminectomy and a Orchidectomy(sp.) that cost over $1323. I love my pets. It doesn't make sense, but neither did putting them down!"
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"I have read that many of the health problems our pets face like cancer and hearth disease were not as common 20-30 years ago. I have read that many health problems can be prevented or reversed through diet. There is a lot that you can do for your pet. Read books on holistic pet care. Also, there is a problem with vaccines causing cancer. What your vet won't tell you is that most vaccination actually last 7 years and it is unnecessary to vaccinate pets every year. One of the largest mainstream Veterinary Clinics in my area only vaccinates kittens and they have stopped vaccinating cats because they are convinced over vaccinating pets caused cancer. I think the real problem is that we have so many sick pets and we have to ask ourselves why? They are smaller and lower on the food chain than we are. They are the indicator that tells us what is going on in the food supply and our environment. We need to step up in all ways. We need to not clean up our food supply, our water, and our environment."
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"I have no problem with obtaining the best care you can afford for your pet but since when could only 'rich' people own pets? We have a responsibility to love and care for our animals but not put so much money into pets that our children, spouses, homes and well being are put in jeopardy. When we are so stressed out about spending exorbitant money on 'human grade' medical care, which will be willing to step up and adopt all the wonderful pets in shelters that so desperately need homes and someone to love?... Pets require time, love and care for their natural lives - if you can afford more care and the animal is not suffering greatly. If not, help keep another animal from spending another lonely night in a shelter kennel. It is a heart breaking decision to euthanize a beloved pet but one we must often face. I have seen animals suffer way too long because the owner didn't have the courage and compassion to say good-bye. That's my opinion after working at an animal shelter and seeing so many healthy animals put to sleep. Don't make people afraid to open their lives and hearts to a needy animal! That sweet little old lady on the fixed income would be a God send to that homeless, lonely animal on the street or in the shelter."
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"Pet insurance, yes VIP and others are making an attempt to make caring for our extended family members and obtain the best care - however - after insuring ALL my pets on it - dogs, cats and birds it was time to get some help for my Pom. Her knees and trachea are bad. Guess what? Not covered!! They screen the most common aliments for small and large breeds and exclude the treatments your pet will most likely need. Answer - take that premium you pay each month and put it in a savings account.... If my pet is at the end, no longer happy, hurting and the look in the eyes tells me it's time to let go I will. No hospitals, tubes or cutting for me or mine when the outcome is not a good chance of recovery and a quality life."
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My very much loved 6 year old tabby was suddenly diagnosed with lymphoma. We think this may have been caused by his vaccination. We spend close to $10,000 on radiation and chemo. He did have a remission, but he only lasted for 5 months after his diagnosis. We cashed out retirement accounts, used all our savings, were completely broke, and it was never enough. The vets always wanted more and I have no confidence in the care he received. I believe he died of a respiratory infection he could not fight because he was on prednisone. If I had it to do over again, I would take him to the best Vet that does acupuncture and homeopathy that I can find.... I live in one of the most affluent areas or the United States and I never cease to be amazed at how much money people spend on themselves and how little they are willing to help a sick pet. Another issue is with the vets ordering worthless tests and charging too much. I think the vets are part of the problem. They don't refund your money when they misdiagnose, they just charge you more."
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The Responsibility Project