I haven't posted on the cost of pets in awhile and had actually grown tired of the topic (haven't I beaten it to death in the past?) Then I get this email from my wife:
Our neighbor [name removed] just came over to tell us that their dog [name removed] is in the emergency room. They returned from vacation to find out that he accidentally ate most of the bottle of his arthritis medication (70 pills or so). They aren't sure what to do at this point. It's $400 a day to keep him there -- he's on an i.v. and kidney dialysis.
This is a sweet dog in our neighborhood and very nice neighbors, and I feel for them. What a tough decision to have to make. On the financial side, my guess is that they can afford his care as long as they need to, but the bigger question is should they keep it going. He's very old (can barely walk) and was literally on his last leg before this accident.
Let this serve as another example to all the others who may get a pet without thinking about the potential costs -- pets can be very expensive! It doesn't take much for several hundred dollars to go away very quickly in pet medical bills. Or, as illustrated in this case, several thousand dollars (one week in the condition this dog is in would run $2,800.) The solution? Beef up your emergency fund.
If you can't afford pet insurance or big health expenses, don't get an animal.
Posted by: nooney | August 06, 2009 at 03:59 PM
My shar-pei "China" just had $1200~ in 30~ hours hospitalization this week! Fever, IV's, meds, DR's rounds, etc., she was "fine" prior but, illness struck Sun am. Still since: won't eat, lethargic, drinks and urinates and seems nausea as vomits often, eating grass, etc., fever is down (was over 105'F) but, reoccurs at lower levels w/ shivers, raspy breathing (common for her 'cept can't break through it this time...). She's resting as/where she desires but, also oesn't seem in serious pain/discomfort. However, I understand no appetite means the end may be near. She's had the SP "fever" all her life but, this time seems to have maybe meant at her age, 12 years/5 mos it might be over. I'm considering euthanizing in 2-3 days if no response to favorite foods (little interst so far) and medications...thoughts and prayers please...
Posted by: jeffinwesternwa | August 06, 2009 at 04:30 PM
Almost sounds like the dog knew what it was doing
Posted by: JoshuaMichael.net | August 06, 2009 at 04:49 PM
Doesn't sound like an example of pets being expensive to me. Sounds like a case of stupidity (no offense to your neighbors) being expensive. If they'd left their child at home while they were on vacation and come home to find he had eaten a bottle of pills, would you have posted something about the potential costs of children? I'm guessing maybe not. =)
That said, I hope that they can come to a decision. I've been in a similar situation a couple times in the past, and neither choice is easy. No matter to choice you make, they are both very difficult. My thoughts are with them.
Posted by: aaron | August 06, 2009 at 05:04 PM
It's a dog. Old Yeller him. Donate 400 bucks a day to a food bank.
Posted by: Traciatim | August 06, 2009 at 09:09 PM
What happened to the dog's other three legs??
Posted by: spivey | August 06, 2009 at 09:25 PM
We learnt this lesson a few years back with one of our cats. Thankful for the reminder however :)
Posted by: Pippa | August 07, 2009 at 05:03 AM
It's tough to have to choose between your pet and your finances... a dog this old was most likely with the family for many years so they are probably too attached just to put it down unless he is suffering. Another good example why pet insurance is a good idea ;)
Posted by: Sarah | August 07, 2009 at 01:21 PM
Pet insurance is a bit of a rip. You're probably better off to set aside money each month toward the inevitable gigantic vet bills, which sooner or later come to all humans who take in pets.
BTW, a dog is not a child. The implied comparison in the suggestion that after all, one would never complain about the cost of medical care for a child that consumed a bottle of meds fails on that account. However, no question that your neighbor is paying some dumb tax. Seems to be paying compound interest on the dumb tax by keeping a dying dog alive to the tune of $400 a day.
One of the ways we are able to show greater kindness to our pets than we do to our fellow humans is that we do not have to force them to suffer the tortures of the damned as their lives wind to an end. Nor should we...
Posted by: funny about Money | August 09, 2009 at 11:52 PM
I love animals...we have two dogs of our own (Dachshund mutt and a Pug). I just paid $600 in vet bills to have a general checkup, two growths looked at, one removed, a dental cleaning, and 5 teeth extractions on the 6 year old Pug we rescued this year.
That said, I would have an older dog that is on dialysis put down. The emotional and financial costs outweigh the benefits...especially for the poor dog.
Posted by: Crystal | December 22, 2009 at 05:07 PM