Will you spend whatever it takes on a pet?

[Dentam]

We have 3 very happy cats living in the lap of luxury. They aren't even aware that they have no insurance, and thankfully nobody is charging us a fine for not carrying pet insurance on them. 2 were rescued from the pound. The other was an abandoned kitten from a rural area just outside town.

You added this after your original post it looks like. I don't have insurance on my cats either and both are happy, healthy rescues. I do for my dog since her breed is more prone to expensive issues and to be honest I am more attached to her. Which is why I said that it depends on how much you value your pet. No judgement, just a statement of fact.

 

[mom2rtk]

You added this after your original post it looks like. I don't have insurance on my cats either and both are happy, healthy rescues. I do for my dog since her breed is more prone to expensive issues and to be honest I am more attached to her. Which is why I said that it depends on how much you value your pet. No judgement, just a statement of fact.

For you it might be a matter of how you value our pet. For us, it's pure economics. We value all 3 of our cats equally.

 

[Dentam]

For you it might be a matter of how you value our pet. For us, it's pure economics. We value all 3 of our cats equally.

Sigh. You're not really understanding my point but that's fine.

 

[Lillychilly]

We have pet insurance so a lot was covered but I was glad we made decisions based on what was best for our pets. We've paid:
Dog one: Over 12 years
Bowel obstruction-$3500 cured
Bowel obstruction-$4000 cured
Oral surgery for tumor-$3000 ok for 3 months was expected to cure
End of life diagnosis/attempt to cure/acupuncture/laser -$1000


Dog two: 15 years old, current expenses
Prednisone, supplements, acupuncture-$250 per month
Occasional lab work-$200
Indoor swimming-$50 each

It is a lot of money.

 

[nkereina]

This is a question I always ponder when I drop my dog off at his Vet for boarding. One of the questions they ask is if they are permitted to treat the dog in an emergency situation and if so, is there a limit up to which they can treat him. Not sure I'd spend thousands at this stage of his life, unless the prognosis was good, so I don't want to tell them to treat him with no limit. BUT if I put a limit of say $1000 and the bill would have been $1100, I don't want my dog to die over a $100. So I'm always torn!

For me, it all depends on the circumstance, the prognosis, quality of life, etc. I can't imagine spending thousands on a procedure that may or may not even work.

 

[DawnM]

This is a question I always ponder when I drop my dog off at his Vet for boarding. One of the questions they ask is if they are permitted to treat the dog in an emergency situation and if so, is there a limit up to which they can treat him. Not sure I'd spend thousands at this stage of his life, unless the prognosis was good, so I don't want to tell them to treat him with no limit. BUT if I put a limit of say $1000 and the bill would have been $1100, I don't want my dog to die over a $100. So I'm always torn!

For me, it all depends on the circumstance, the prognosis, quality of life, etc. I can't imagine spending thousands on a procedure that may or may not even work.

Interesting. When we have boarded (and we haven't for a while because the neighbor comes and feeds/waters our pets while we are away now), they just ask for a number to call in case of emergency. It is quite possible I signed a "in case of emergency, allow treatment" clause and don't remember, but I do know I have never put a $$ amount on there. I would remember that.

 

[nkereina]

Interesting. When we have boarded (and we haven't for a while because the neighbor comes and feeds/waters our pets while we are away now), they just ask for a number to call in case of emergency. It is quite possible I signed a "in case of emergency, allow treatment" clause and don't remember, but I do know I have never put a $$ amount on there. I would remember that.

We board our dog at his Vet which is also an emergency vet clinic, which may be why. I think they are just covering all bases - we can check a box for them to call first no matter what, treat up to XX amount, or treat with no limit. I think the last two are just prior authorizations so nothing is holding up treatment. We're going on a cruise in a few weeks and won't be easy to get a hold of, so I've been trying to decide what to do with this question!

 

[pryncess527]

I won't say "whatever it takes", but I also don't have a pre-set number i'd cap care at either. It would depend on too many factors.

We did choose to spend money on 5 rounds of chemo for a dog. It extended her life by 12-18 months and was worth every penny.

We also looked into pet insurance, but chose to self insure instead. Based on the insurance options available to us that was the more economical choice.

 

[Lillychilly]

Before trips we always had an exam done and the vet asks how far to go if sitter brings them in and we can't be reached. I say do what you would do for your own dog. I trust him to do what is best for my dogs.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I understand why they have it, but I think it's really dumb to put it that way on a consent form, because, as we've seen here, most of the time, it just depends. I think it's ok, and I believe I've written it that way myself, that if there were an event to please call me to discuss as soon as possible after initial treatment is given, or something to that effect. If you can't be contacted, you could always put down the name of a proxy, ie someone you know and trust to make decisions for you, in the event of an emergency. Just make sure that that person knows your wishes and how you would likely proceed if something were to happen, and will respect them. I just think it doesn't have to be as black and white as a dollar amount. That's awful when you're talking about a life.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I also think that the likelihood of a devastating medical event happening is probably fairly low. More likely it might be something relatively simple. If anything - smh at having to choose a dollar amount on paper. Hopefully on many of the forms out there, it's explained a little bit better. I think this is one of those times that having a good, and personal professional relationship with your vet, is helpful, and like Lilly mentioned, having a conversation about it with him or her. I realize, though, that some kennels or other pet places may use a different vet, in which case I think it's still ok to write down your thoughts about it.

 

[Lillychilly]

Since our dog is old (15) we would get an exam, senior blood panel and ua done a week before travel. I felt better knowing he was in good shape before we went. We also switched from sitter to overnight sitter, I couldn't stand the thought of him alone all night if something happened. He's so old we are not traveling now, and we have a puppy as well.

 

[nkereina]

I understand why they have it, but I think it's really dumb to put it that way on a consent form, because, as we've seen here, most of the time, it just depends. I think it's ok, and I believe I've written it that way myself, that if there were an event to please call me to discuss as soon as possible after initial treatment is given, or something to that effect. If you can't be contacted, you could always put down the name of a proxy, ie someone you know and trust to make decisions for you, in the event of an emergency. Just make sure that that person knows your wishes and how you would likely proceed if something were to happen, and will respect them. I just think it doesn't have to be as black and white as a dollar amount. That's awful when you're talking about a life.

Our Vet has the form written more tactfully than I've worded it in my post. They do permit an emergency contact to be listed if we can't be reached. But the point of the section on the form is for you to pre-authorize an amount since you won't be present. Under normal circumstances if you are there, they'd present you with an estimate first to sign off on before they proceed. This is their way of doing that ahead of time so they know what kind of an estimate you'd be comfortable with, financially.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Our Vet has the form written more tactfully than I've worded it in my post. They do permit an emergency contact to be listed if we can't be reached. But the point of the section on the form is for you to pre-authorize an amount since you won't be present. Under normal circumstances if you are there, they'd present you with an estimate first to sign off on before they proceed. This is their way of doing that ahead of time so they know what kind of an estimate you'd be comfortable with, financially.

I took it to mean more than a pre-authorization since you said your pet could die over the difference of $100. I just think those are situations that may need more than a dollar amount; they need a back and forth about this, that, and the other thing. Well, we could try this first, and if this doesn't work, then we could do this; or let's wait and see, send off bloodwork, etc. It's so rarely a black and white issue.

 

[nkereina]

I took it to mean more than a pre-authorization since you said your pet could die over the difference of $100. I just think those are situations that may need more than a dollar amount; they need a back and forth about this, that, and the other thing. Well, we could try this first, and if this doesn't work, then we could do this; or let's wait and see, send off bloodwork, etc. It's so rarely a black and white issue.

I've never selected that option, so I don't actually know what would happen if the treatment price was only slightly higher than my limit. I've never inquired, but it would be a good thing to know. Perhaps they'd call first in a situation like that. The Vet is really good so I'm sure there's some fluidity with all that, they understand the best!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Oops wrong thread sorry

 

[TuckerforLife]

This is a short summary of our journey with lymphoma so far, and what has worked for us. Our dog Tucker, a 9 year old yellow lab, was diagnosed in early December 2016. We got the typical diagnosis of 1 month to live if untreated, 3-6 months with prednisone, and 6 months-1year with chemo. We decided to wait to see the chemo specialist before putting him on prednisone, however they could not see us for two weeks (busy schedule) and Tucker went downhill quickly. His breathing became very laboured, and he lost his appetite completely. His nodes were about the size of golfballs. We were sure he would die in the next week if we didn’t do something, so we decided to forego the chemo and go straight to prednisone. It took effect fairly quickly, and within 2-3 days he seemed like his old self again. We monitored his lymph nodes and would “up" his dosage whenever they seemed noticeably enlarged. He has had a great last 5 months, coming up on 6, and we are convinced that the prednisone as well as our extra care for him has gone a long way in prolonging his life…


We put Tucker immediately on a high protein diet, with ground beef, and beef liver mixed with a high quality dog food. We also give him at each meal a mixture of supplements including: Omega 3 fish oil capsules (his coat has never looked so shiny and felt softer, and the omega 3 is very beneficial for the body overall), Turmeric capsules (great for anti-inflammation), and Milk Thistle (helps regulate the liver, as the steroids are quite hard on the liver). We mix it into his food, and he gobbles them all up with every meal. The prednisone seems to give him a constant appetite, so we have never had any issue with him eating his pills. I’ve also been cracking a few eggs into his food a few times a week for extra protein. The cancer cells feed off carbs, and don’t like protein, so a low carb, high protein diet is key. This, along with the supplements has done wonders for our special boy, and we hope it will continue to carry him through for a significant period of time to come. Hopefully some of this information from our experience can help with any of you who are wondering what to do with your precious pup

 

[paisleys]

We just found out that our 15+ (we adopted in early 2004 as an adult stray--she could be 17 for all I know) Rott mix has cancer. She has a tumor that is blocking her urination so she has the sensation that she needs to pee constantly, and when she does there is blood in it. The vet recommended I take her to an animal oncologist to go over her options. Surgery (no-even if she was young it would be very risky due to the location of the tumor), radiation 90 miles away (no) and chemo. The Dr. said the chemo 'might' buy her 6 months by temporarily shrinking the tumor (40% chance). The cost was around $400 a week, indefinitely. And good news--they had an opening and could start chemo right now (it felt like I was buying a car). Luckily I was able to reach my husband at work who talked me down from it all. We've opted for pain meds (for her arthritis, the tumor is not painful according to Dr) and to just take things as they come. Right now she is doing great, perky with a big appetite. Eventually the tumor will block her urination and that's the end. With chemo it would be the same death. The $400 a week is just too much for a temporary reprieve Before we came to this decision, the vet read the oncologist's report and absolutely agreed with us. She also thought chemo would ruin her quality of life as she is not the friendliest dog. Subjecting her to treatments each week would have been hard on her.

 

[Klayfish]

I know it sounds harsh, but my answer is heck no. If/when our dog has that situation, we'll evaluate it based on what we know, but I can say for sure we wouldn't spend whatever it takes...or even close to it.

 

[Kathy D]

I would spend a lot if the treatment provides an ultimate resolution. I don't have any 'set' amounts in my head; the circumstances would dictate what I would do. Age would play into it.

Same here. Just spent a lot of $ after my dog was hit by car. But I knew he would be okay so it didn't bother me.