I have spent thousands, am now pet-free. You spend what you have, same as for any family member - there's such a thing as pet health insurance, you know. That having been said, if there's no hope, you're keeping the pet alive for yourself and that sucks.
As much as was realistically possible, but only if there was a hood chance of said pet overcoming whatever injury or illness caused such a life or death situation in the first place. It really depends on what the quality of life for the pet would be.
Sometimes the kindest thing to do is to euthanize.
I pay pet insurance so my part puts me in a position to pay as much as I can even if I have to get a loan. If the quality of life is compromised (cancer, intractable pain), then best to let go.
A lot. Lol. We never gave a second thought to the expenses incurred for our late dog. She was an important part of the family and we viewed her as one of us. Through eye surgery, diabetes, and seizures we did everything we could to keep her alive and comfortable. Owning a pet is an investment that can't be taken lightly, but I try not to judge people whom make different decisions.
@austin: my heart & my mind w/ u; have a wonderful friendly/smart/funny westie boy (6 y.o.) & (10? y.o.) adopted calico girly-girl cat (very talkative & elegant looking)... P.S. husband wants to spoil them rotten (to make 'happy'), i try to make some structure & healthy diet...
i have spent thousands. Once an anonymous angel donated some money to my dog, which inspired me to start a fund to help lower income people with vet bills. I managed to help 5 dogs and 2 cats. (the fund is pretty dry now) I will spend thousands again I am sure before the end. If anyone wants to see the FB page for the fund, it is Chewy and Milo Animal Fund. :)
I still feel guilty for letting my cat live too long. He was struggling to balance, couldn't keep food down and was wasting away. I was very sad and wanted to give my friend every chance, but putting him to sleep was the right thing to do and regret not doing it 3 days sooner. Pushing 20 is long for a stray turned house cat.
I don't have any pets (but sometimes I let my neighbour's orange cat come into my room through the window—but only for a short while at a time, I don't want to get emotionally-attached).
P - I will be hitting up your FB page today! That is a brilliant idea and I will help.
Two weeks ago we had to euthanize my baby. We spent a lot of money trying to help her. In the end, her tumor split open and nothing more could be done. While my head said it's time, my heart wanted to keep her with me as long as possible. We took a week and spoiled her more than ever. Did all her favorite things and spent every moment we could loving her. When we took her to the vet, we held her as she left us. We had to do what was best for her, not us.
I think Austin summed it up well at the top of the comments. It took a year for me to grieve the loss of my last cat. It was harder then losing my parents, getting a divorce, etc. There is something about a cat or a dog and the way they love you when you are at your worst. I bet a lot of the celebrities we speculate about think their only true friends are their pets.
Until I am literally broke. I am in the middle of this right now. My 7 year old cat has terminal kidney disease. I have spent all of my savings/checking/credit cards. And I am now almost to the limit of my Care Credit. My friends convinced me to finally do a Go Fund Me and that has helped getting him into a much healthier state....but I still know it's only a matter of time. It's so difficult because he's only 7 and my 2 cats (brother and sister) are almost all I have!!! :(
So sorry you're going through this. I lost both my cats about a year and a half ago within 3 months of each other. The older one (17 years) had chronic pancreatitis and then developed kidney disease. The younger one (13 years) was his sister (obtained from the same breeder as him). She suddenly fell ill and passed the following day. That came as a total shock because she never had any heath problems, and then ended up passing several weeks before her ailing brother. I always assumed she'd be there to console me when he was gone. You just never know. I've had a hole in my heart I just can't assuage ever since.
As much as it takes, although if quality of life wouldn't be there anymore, I'd opt for allowing a peaceful passing. No sense in prolonging misery.
ReplyDeleteI have spent thousands, am now pet-free. You spend what you have, same as for any family member - there's such a thing as pet health insurance, you know.
ReplyDeleteThat having been said, if there's no hope, you're keeping the pet alive for yourself and that sucks.
As much as was realistically possible, but only if there was a hood chance of said pet overcoming whatever injury or illness caused such a life or death situation in the first place. It really depends on what the quality of life for the pet would be.
ReplyDeleteSometimes the kindest thing to do is to euthanize.
Everything I had. I wish I had every one of them back with me again.
ReplyDelete*good chance
ReplyDelete+1 I heart your sentiment
ReplyDeleteI pay pet insurance so my part puts me in a position to pay as much as I can even if I have to get a loan. If the quality of life is compromised (cancer, intractable pain), then best to let go.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a kid, the family dog saved my toddler brother from drowning, so yeah I would spend all the money I have to safe my pet.
ReplyDeleteIt's heart breaking. You get it..
ReplyDeleteI don't have any pets.
ReplyDeleteBut through the years, I spent more than $100K on my daughter's horse.
(I know: I am a fool and my money...for my BPD afflicted daughter.)
I don't know about animals, but I can get Anderson Cooper to squat on his hind legs and say "woof" if I promise him a Milk Bone.
ReplyDeleteIf my pet us young and quality of life good, any reasonable amount. If cancer, i would not prolong the suffering. Miss my dogs too.
ReplyDeleteMy sister has dogs with health problems. She spent 20k to keep a dog alive for one year who had stomach cancer.
ReplyDeleteThat said, she's told me if I ever get in the hospital, for anything, she's pulling the plug.
"Head off into the light! Go be with Jesus!"
"sis, it's a broken arm."
A lot. Lol. We never gave a second thought to the expenses incurred for our late dog. She was an important part of the family and we viewed her as one of us. Through eye surgery, diabetes, and seizures we did everything we could to keep her alive and comfortable. Owning a pet is an investment that can't be taken lightly, but I try not to judge people whom make different decisions.
ReplyDelete@austin: my heart & my mind w/ u; have a wonderful friendly/smart/funny westie boy (6 y.o.) & (10? y.o.) adopted calico girly-girl cat (very talkative & elegant looking)...
ReplyDeleteP.S. husband wants to spoil them rotten (to make 'happy'), i try to make some structure & healthy diet...
i have spent thousands. Once an anonymous angel donated some money to my dog, which inspired me to start a fund to help lower income people with vet bills. I managed to help 5 dogs and 2 cats. (the fund is pretty dry now) I will spend thousands again I am sure before the end. If anyone wants to see the FB page for the fund, it is Chewy and Milo Animal Fund. :)
ReplyDeleteFunny you should ask. I just spent $4000 on assessments/antibiotics/eventually surgery for my cat. Never. Again. Sorry, just not worth it.
ReplyDeleteI still feel guilty for letting my cat live too long. He was struggling to balance, couldn't keep food down and was wasting away. I was very sad and wanted to give my friend every chance, but putting him to sleep was the right thing to do and regret not doing it 3 days sooner. Pushing 20 is long for a stray turned house cat.
ReplyDeleteI don't have any pets (but sometimes I let my neighbour's orange cat come into my room through the window—but only for a short while at a time, I don't want to get emotionally-attached).
ReplyDelete$1000 would be my spending limit on a pet.
ReplyDeleteMy pop once spent $2500 to have spinal fusion done on a dog, but he had turned down $6k for the dog. $10k probably would have been the # for a sale.
I hear you. Their innocence and unconditional devotion has a way of creeping deep into the heart over time.
ReplyDeleteP - I will be hitting up your FB page today! That is a brilliant idea and I will help.
ReplyDeleteTwo weeks ago we had to euthanize my baby. We spent a lot of money trying to help her. In the end, her tumor split open and nothing more could be done. While my head said it's time, my heart wanted to keep her with me as long as possible. We took a week and spoiled her more than ever. Did all her favorite things and spent every moment we could loving her. When we took her to the vet, we held her as she left us. We had to do what was best for her, not us.
I think Austin summed it up well at the top of the comments. It took a year for me to grieve the loss of my last cat. It was harder then losing my parents, getting a divorce, etc. There is something about a cat or a dog and the way they love you when you are at your worst.
ReplyDeleteI bet a lot of the celebrities we speculate about think their only true friends are their pets.
Until I am literally broke. I am in the middle of this right now. My 7 year old cat has terminal kidney disease. I have spent all of my savings/checking/credit cards. And I am now almost to the limit of my Care Credit. My friends convinced me to finally do a Go Fund Me and that has helped getting him into a much healthier state....but I still know it's only a matter of time. It's so difficult because he's only 7 and my 2 cats (brother and sister) are almost all I have!!!
ReplyDelete:(
So sorry you're going through this. I lost both my cats about a year and a half ago within 3 months of each other. The older one (17 years) had chronic pancreatitis and then developed kidney disease. The younger one (13 years) was his sister (obtained from the same breeder as him). She suddenly fell ill and passed the following day. That came as a total shock because she never had any heath problems, and then ended up passing several weeks before her ailing brother. I always assumed she'd be there to console me when he was gone. You just never know. I've had a hole in my heart I just can't assuage ever since.
ReplyDeleteRe: "It was harder then losing my parents, getting a divorce, etc."
ReplyDeleteYep, it's like losing a child when they've been a part of your life long enough. Best wishes.