What is the life of your dog worth?

[SimpleMan]

My seven year old dog suddenly became very sick recently. We brought him to an after hour emergency room service, which charged approximately $2,000 to stabilize him for a two day period.

I then brought him to a local vet who diagnosed him with a bowel obstruction. The vet told me it would cost approximately $3,500.00 to stabilize him for surgery, to perform the surgery, and then monitor him post-surgery.

I said to the vet that IF I were to ask my kids to choose between their dog and Disneyworld, I have no doubt they would choose their dog. Therefore, I said "I have no choice”.

The vet then said to me “You always have a choice, but it is not always a good one”.

I found the vet’s words to be profound, and I will carry them with me forever. However, I still would rather go to Disneyworld (JK!).

My "puppy" is doing great and everyone is happy.

[vmtcmt]

From 1999 to 2011, I have easily spent more than price of a new car on my dogs. Put two through chemo, after I swore I would never do it again after the first time.

FWIW, I'm driving a 9 year old truck w/over 200K on it.

[OH UNCLE PAUL]

I am happy with your choice for it is what you chose for yourself.

For myself though, if it comes down to a pet or doing better for my family in the long run the choice is clear. It's really just a question of what you can afford without taking away from your family.

[Dan 0351]

It's somewhat relative; for you, $5500 was a question - for others $500 might be too much and still others $25,000+ might be OK to spend for their dog's health - depending on their economic standing.

[TTSkipper]

My dog turns 7 in august. I am seriously considering buying some dog health insurance so that those decisions are easier to make.

[SimpleMan]

I get what you are saying OUP. We will probably go to Disneyworld again. Instead of spring break, it may be in August when the weather is just right

[GettingFedUp]

Last week in August is EMPTY by comparison. Wait times for the biggest rides are 10 minutes. One day we rode Rock-n-Roller Coaster 5 times in an hour.
You are going to sweat buckets anyway, might as well be on short lines.

[M-14BULLETTS]

a dog to a dog person is not just a dog, they are family . what i have spent on my dog is only money , what my dog has given me unquestionable love

[Huntington Guy]

Our dogs are a part of our family. We love them and they love us in return. Every persons financial situation is certainly a factor, like Dan said. If there is a reasonable likelihood that money spent would allow my family dog a shot at recovery and quality of life, I'm in for I don't know how much. If there is an upper limit and I'm sure there is, we have never encountered it. We have invested heavily over the years on our last dogs health care. It bought us an extra year or two with him until it just wasn't fair to make him endure any more.
Very often, even if the money is not the object, we make selfish choices based on what will make us feel better and we don't always consider the dogs true wellbeing.

[OH UNCLE PAUL]

Our dogs are a part of our family. We love them and they love us in return. Every persons financial situation is certainly a factor, like Dan said. If there is a reasonable likelihood that money spent would allow my family dog a shot at recovery and quality of life, I'm in for I don't know how much. If there is an upper limit and I'm sure there is, we have never encountered it. We have invested heavily over the years on our last dogs health care. It bought us an extra year or two with him until it just wasn't fair to make him endure any more.
Very often, even if the money is not the object, we make selfish choices based on what will make us feel better and we don't always consider the dogs true wellbeing.

Your last sentence if I could figure out how to bold it on an iPad is very true. I had to fight with my wife for over a month till I finally put my foot down.

[Jeff_C]

Been there and done that...but it had to be done. $7,000 for back surgery for my dachshund. He was almost 8 and we weren't ready to say good bye.

[FUAC]

I'll trade you vet bills any time. Just say the word. But my dogs are worth it.

[Barnslayer]

Besides the money you have to figure out if your dog will truely benefit from a medical procedure. We've had heroics done that in retrospect were more self-serving than anything else. You have to evaluate what will your dog's life be like during and after recovery?

[Noarguy]

a dog to a dog person is not just a dog, they are family . what i have spent on my dog is only money , what my dog has given me unquestionable love

Well said

[Mad Russian]

When the vet said "...between $7 and $8K..." I signed on the dotted line. Overall she cost about $15K in vet bills. Buy the insurance.
She was worth every penny...

[disturbed0013]

I've spent almost $10,000 on my 5 year old lab and it was money well spent.