Would you spend $2500 on your dog? (Good Update Pg. 3)

[MosMom]

Our golden puppy has an impacted intestine. She is in bad shape and currently at the vet. They have given her a strong laxative hoping it will move but I am facing surgery which I was told will likely cost around $2500 for surgery & recovery. We love her but we will have to scramble to find that kind of money this fast. The vet does not do payment plans and will take a downpayment but full payment must be made when we pick her up.

I have always felt that animals are not disposable and a big responsibility. I feel like I would be doing her a great disservice to not at least try my best to save her. Money would normally not be a huge issue but we have had so many major expenses lately...not to mention E is having surgery the week after next.

I am so stressed out right now I just want to curl up in a ball and go to bed.

What would you do? Some people scoff at spending that on a dog....I feel like she is a part of our family though.

 

[Jolie C]

I have spent a LOT of money on my dog. The alternative was too horrible. Good luck with your sick pup.

 

[Beauty]

Oh wow!! You know I'm thankful that our vet does take payments. My Maine Coon Minnie had major surger to the tune of $3,000 when she was only two years old. Thankfully I paid it off around $100 dollars a month and then finished it off at income tax time. I didn't think twice about saving her and she is now a big fat spoiled rotten six year old.

That being said I honestly don't know what I would do if we had to pay it all at once. I know we would find the money even if it meant dipping into college savings and then replacing the money when we could.

How old is your dog and with the surgery what are her expectations?? What if she passes during surgery (asking because I had a kitten who passed during neutering) will you still owe the full amount? I would take alot of things into consideration. When my kitten died during surgery I was not charged one cent. Again I have the best vet in the world and thought that was over the top nice.

Honestly if the outlook is for a normal, healthy life after the surgery and she is only a puppy then Yes I would definatly find the money.

 

[Melora]

Can you find a vet that DOES take payments?

I would spend the money but right now, money isnt an issue for us...

I dont know what I would have done when I was with my ex and we were SO poor.

 

[Christine]

I would do it in a minute (and have had to do it more than once). Yep, it is hardship. But the alternative is feeling bad for the rest of my life about it.

I pulling for you that your dog won't need the surgery. My friend had this problem with his golden (it was actually a toy that got stuck but they didn't know it until it was over). The dog stayed at the vet for a few days, blocked up, and it finally came out. They were also facing the expensive surgery that you are. I hope it works out for you.

 

[Lanshark]

Try to find a vet that does take payments. With that kind of money at stake I would also want a second opinion.

 

[MosMom]

Well, we aren't poor...normally, we could handle this no sweat. However, we just shelled out quite a bit for several different things and I know we will be paying more for Elliot's surgery. I'm going to call the bank in the AM about a small personal loan.

I telly you what....after all this I am going to be surgeried out!

 

[neosnightmare]

sorry to hear that. i hope the laxitive works.

 

[Micca]

Surely there is a vet in your area that would take payments

 

[Crankyshank]

This is why I have health insurance for both my pets. It sounds silly, but mine have a tendency to get into things they shouldn't. There is no way I could afford an expensive procedure at this time- for the dogs or for myself.

One time, my older dog got pancreatitis and tore the lining in her esophagus. That cost us $900. Since then, I make sure they have pet insurance.

But for your problem, if your vet doesn't take payments then I would call and ask for one that did. Or check with a local vet school, usually they do procedures for cheaper. or call your aspca and see if they can recommend someone.

 

[beattyfamily]

I didn't read any replies. I would in a heartbeat if I had the spare money, unfortunately we don't have that kind of extra money lying around. Even if we did, I don't think my DH would let me unless we were RICH.

The most I've spend on one of our dogs, I think, is $800.

It's so sad to even say this because I LOVE my dogs as if they were human, my kids. I would do WHATEVER I could but there's only so much money we have and I'm so sorry to say that I think our limit is $1000.

I really wish they would make it affordable and easy to get pet insurance.

Maybe you can find a nicer vet that will take payments and also get a second opinion.

 

[poohbear1029]

I would spend the month in a heartbeat. I loved my dog! I would say that there would be several conditions to my spending that kind of money. That I had the money and it would not impact my ability to provide for my family. That the dog would be likely to survive the surgery and have good quality of life afterwards.

We were faced with that decision last winter when they thought our pooch had a slipped disc and the surgery would be about $5000...and that would have been after 10 days cage rest at the vet hospital. Luckily he did not have the slipped disc and that problem resolved, but in April we had to put him down for other reasons. So, I understand both aspects of this decision and the heartache.

If you decide to spend the money, great! If you are unable to and decide the alternative, do not allow anyone to make you feel guilty. It is a heartwrenching decision that is not made lightly, and ultimately your family and their needs come first. (this is from a woman who put her dog in doggy day care daily to help ease his separation anxiety - I am an animal lover, please dont flame!)

All that aside, I hope the laxative works so you and your pup dont have to go thru these decisions.

 

[MosMom]

cranky, I JUST told Chris not more than a week ago we should get health insurance for the animals and I was going to look into it more. Gotta love Murphy's Law.

As far as finding a vet that takes payments...she is not at our normal vet. Our normal vet doesn't do major surgery. They do , neutering but not major sugery. I was referred to an emergency clinic that does this type of surgery. Does the typical vet not do this type of thing? So, I'm not sure the pool of vets that can do this is very big. I really have no idea though. I'm just hoping it passes.

I'm sure we will have the surgery but the way some people were acting today about spending that much on a dog I started to think perhaps I was out of my mind.

The thing is...I don't even know what she got into. I KNOW she chews and I take every precaution because of that. I treat her like I treat my 2 year old. I simply don't let her out of my sight long and whenever we are gone or sleeping she is in her crate. She gets a hold of things but I get them away quickly.

The vet said it could have been something awhile ago that partially blocked it and over time has built up a full blockage. *sigh* I just feel horrible for her.

 

[Crankyshank]

Poor puppy Good thoughts for you and for the pup.
emergency clinics are normally more $$, in my experience. are there any vet schools in your area?

 

[I_Know_You2!]

Is there a vet school nearby? I am afraid that $2500 would be too much for our family. That is the food budget for the year, and we choose not to live in debt. I hope that your puppy gets better, and you have my prayers for the right decision for your family.

 

[poohandwendy]

We just found out that our 13 yo golden has a tumor the size of a large softball on his spleen...he unfortunately, is not a good candidate for surgery due to his age and other health problems.

I would pay anything to ensure he had a chance at a longer healthy life. Given the circumstances you have mentioned, I would definitely have the surgery performed. I also agree with trying to find a vet who will accept payments.

That's a shame, I hope your puppy is feeling better quickly!

 

[Pembo]

I agree with the others, call other vets and see if they do this type of surgery and if they have payment plans. Just because your vet doesn't do this surgery doesn't mean others dont.

I've always said there was a limit to what I would spend on the dog but I think that would change if we were ever faced with a real crisis. I love that stinky golden.

Good luck to you and the dog!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Good wishes, Bridget, for your puppy, hope she does well and does not need surgery. Some good suggestions here.

I know we have spent some serious money years back on both our Siberian Huskies, and currently, Vince is spending seriously big dollars on Doc's chemo treatments, knowing well that the long term prognosis is not good, but giving him more months of an enjoyable life while in remission.

My best, Bridget.

 

[helenabear]

I will say I haven't read any replies so if this is a repeat, sorry First I would find out if my vet would do a payment plan of sorts. I know ours hints that they are willing to and I would bet that they would be willing to do a plan where I pay by the end of the year if need be. If not, I would definitely find myself a new low interest credit card, get it and do it. So yes, I would do it, no doubt about it in my eyes. I would spend as much possible to save one of my babies.

Good luck to you and wishing you and your pup all the best

 

[elgerber]

I would spend the money as well. I have had several pets with major surgery bills. They are family to us. If we had to live with some small debt, then so be it.

I would, though, call around and see if you can find someone who will make payment arrangements though, it seems really cruel to me, that they will not do it unless you can pay in full at pickup time.

Erika