How much is too much?

talentedbutslow · 03-03-2007, 15:57

Some time ago, there was an article in the weekend Australian Magazine on pets and just how much owners are willing to spend on vet bills.

One women spent $8000 on cancer treatment for her dog. Another took out a loan to help cover a $4,500 bill!!! One women estimated it cost her $18,000.

A friend of mine spend hundreds of $$$ on cancer treatment for her dog. She eventually had to have the dog put down. The dog was considered part of the family. The whole family was present when the vet euthanased the dog - they had the dog cremated and now the ashes are kept in a special container in the house.

How much is too much???? Is it obscene to spend such large amounts of an animal?? Would these peope ever have considered donating such large amounts to a charity if they had been asked....I doubt it.

Tal

chav1 · 03-03-2007, 17:01

want to save extortionate vet bills then heres an example of my service , destruction and disposal

20 quid for a labridor , 10 quid of the local kebab shop

30 quid for me

everyones a winner

jambutty · 03-03-2007, 18:18

What people spend on their pets is no one’s business except theirs.

Margaret Pilkington · 03-03-2007, 18:23

I think it is very hard to generalise. To some people their pet is the only family they ever see. Pets do give unconditional love. Personally, I would spend whatever it took to make my pet well again. If the condition was hopeless, then I would probably have the animal put to sleep to save it suffering.

I lost my beloved pet Monty just two weeks ago today, and I know that pet owners DO feel bereaved when they lose a pet.

Gayle · 03-03-2007, 20:31

In the last couple of years of my cats life I spent a lot on him.

Felix cat pouches are £2.50 for 12 but my cat had to have special renal catfood that cost £7.20 for 12 pouches. In the last couple of weeks I took him to the vets to see if there was anything we could do and spent a couple of £100 on treatment. As it happens there was very little that could be done other than making him a bit more comfortable for the last couple of weeks - if it had carried on longer I would have happily carried on paying.

Doug · 03-03-2007, 20:35

It's a matter of personal choice I feel. If my dog needed treatment he would get it

grego · 03-03-2007, 20:36

Its a difficult one because pets are like family and though I dont have any pets now you do get emotionally involved and will pay whatever it takes.

junetta · 03-03-2007, 21:29

I feel that if you take on an animal...dog, cat, hamster or whatever, it' s your choice to look after it and care for it's vets' needs. If you don't feel that you can afford that, don't go there.

We made the choice when we bought our Topsie and have cared for him for over ten years. He has been healthy and happy for most of his life but I know that at some point he may need some help from the vet. It's scary but, I will pay out for him to lead a good life. If it comes to spending thousands for an extra couple of months.........I don't think so.

As much as I love him, I won't put him through any suffering just to keep him alive for me.

WillowTheWhisp · 04-03-2007, 00:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by junetta

If it comes to spending thousands for an extra couple of months.........I don't think so.

As much as I love him, I won't put him through any suffering just to keep him alive for me.

That sums up my feelings exactly. I don't think it's in the best interests of the animal to prolong their life if they are terminally ill. I would do all I would to ease their suffering but accept that sometimes it's kinder just to let them go peacefully.

cashman · 04-03-2007, 00:45

agree with junetta n willow, have spent a great deal on oscar this last 12 months, and will continue to do so, but if it was terminal , gutting it would be,but would have to be Goodnight Vienna. couldn,t see him suffer just for my sake.

shillelagh · 04-03-2007, 01:03

http://www.rosspetcrem.co.uk/

You can also be buried there when you die in the same plot as your pet. The only thing i can see wrong with that is what happens if you have had 6 dogs buried up there - all in different graves which one do you choose?

junetta · 04-03-2007, 01:06

I suppose that some folk would do that. Not for me though.

Gayle · 04-03-2007, 11:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by junetta

If it comes to spending thousands for an extra couple of months.........I don't think so.

As much as I love him, I won't put him through any suffering just to keep him alive for me.

Well, I agree and although I spent a fortune over the last two years on cat food, when the end came it was relatively quick.

But I would have paid for a miracle and I did ask the vet if there was one up her sleeve.