What’s a private vet??

Anonymous wrote:OP, I think I would. It is hard to really say what one would do without being in the position you describe in the current moment.

I think that OP's question is as much about a person's pet as it is about their personal relationship with money. And the money piece is always so complicated and varied from person-to-person. I have dogs and I SPOIL them to no end. They are part of our family and on some days, the absolute best part.

But as they age I find it extremely stressful to see their veterinary care increase with every year. I worry about what is to come as one of our dogs is about to turn 12 and is having more critical and expensive issues. We will absolutely do everything we can to give her a joyful and comfortable old aged life but will we spend thousands of dollars to prolong it? I am not so sure. One of my friends just spent over $6k to treat their dog and just the thought of that kind of money causes me great anxiety. I am one who worries about money so does that mean I should not have a dog? Maybe. But then there are so many dogs that need good homes ... it is all so personal and complicated.

Yep, we just did this for our 11 year old dog in the past year. At the time we were dealing with an acute emergency, then one night in the animal hospital turned into another... She is now stable and happy, though much slower than before the emergency, and her ongoing medical management only costs around $100/month. We are DCUM poors, but actually middle class, and can keep up her care until it gets significantly more expensive ($300-400/month for the first few months was really hurting) or she starts to fail.

And seconding the private vet suggestion. Ours works with us as much as possible to minimize the expense and has been preparing us that we'll need to make the decision when it gets to the point that she's suffering. Which will happen eventually, be it in two months or two years from now.

Anonymous wrote:Only if you would do the same for parents or your children or spouse. You'd do that, right?

What a ridiculous response. Off the wall.

If you don't want to put the dog down, but can't afford the care...you could try reaching out to rescue to see if they might be able to help. Some rescues help pay to keep dogs with loving owners and others may be able to find a family who could adopt the dog.

Anonymous wrote:Good luck finding a vet who will euthanize a sickly and aging but not yet terminal pet. Our 19-year-old cat stopped eating and drinking and started having trouble walking, so we took him to the vet to be put to sleep. They wanted to do $1000+ of tests, so we brought him home. He resumed eating and drinking (not much) and is still hobbling around and sleeping all the time. I guess the idea is that he has to suffer more before he can be put down, because that is humane?

I'm so sorry PP. I bet Lap of Love would help you. https://www.lapoflove.com

Anonymous wrote:A lot of people don’t have a good understanding of animals. I have spent a lot of money on pets (just spent $3k on an old cat) but I know what the outcomes were like and I can afford it. I would not judge someone for putting down that cat. I have also euthanized a horse for aggression issues (you think a dangerous dog is bad? Imagine if your cute horse tried to kill people!) and I know several people who judge me for that. They have Black Stallion Syndrome and think they are the special ones who could have saved her. Well, if she killed them I’d have to live with it and I was not ready to take that risk. I’d seen her in action.

Animals are complicated and OP, if you really feel it is best for your situation, go for it. I judge a lot harder people who keep them alive too long selfishly. Animals live in the now and their suffering is something we can control to some extent.

This is exactly right. People don't understand animal psychology, and anthropomorphize their pets to a seriously deranged degree. Particularly disgusting is breeders who try to capitalize on this by pursuing appearance over QoL-- did you know that pugs are deliberately bred with those round flat faces to resemble human babies?

Anonymous wrote:Good luck finding a vet who will euthanize a sickly and aging but not yet terminal pet. Our 19-year-old cat stopped eating and drinking and started having trouble walking, so we took him to the vet to be put to sleep. They wanted to do $1000+ of tests, so we brought him home. He resumed eating and drinking (not much) and is still hobbling around and sleeping all the time. I guess the idea is that he has to suffer more before he can be put down, because that is humane?

Find an independent vet. The one you went to was almost certainly owned by a private equity firm. You saw firsthand that their commitment is to profit, not to you or to your pet's quality of life.

Good luck finding a vet who will euthanize a sickly and aging but not yet terminal pet. Our 19-year-old cat stopped eating and drinking and started having trouble walking, so we took him to the vet to be put to sleep. They wanted to do $1000+ of tests, so we brought him home. He resumed eating and drinking (not much) and is still hobbling around and sleeping all the time. I guess the idea is that he has to suffer more before he can be put down, because that is humane?

A lot of people don’t have a good understanding of animals. I have spent a lot of money on pets (just spent $3k on an old cat) but I know what the outcomes were like and I can afford it. I would not judge someone for putting down that cat. I have also euthanized a horse for aggression issues (you think a dangerous dog is bad? Imagine if your cute horse tried to kill people!) and I know several people who judge me for that. They have Black Stallion Syndrome and think they are the special ones who could have saved her. Well, if she killed them I’d have to live with it and I was not ready to take that risk. I’d seen her in action.

Animals are complicated and OP, if you really feel it is best for your situation, go for it. I judge a lot harder people who keep them alive too long selfishly. Animals live in the now and their suffering is something we can control to some extent.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No, you don’t murder your pet because they need medication and occasional vet visits as they age.

+9000 there are some ruthless people on this thread.

Some people just have a different view on non-humans. A friend of mine had a rule that $1k was the max he would spend on a vet issue for his dog. Anything more, the dog would have to live with the issue or they would put it down. It was probably a good negotiating strategy with the vet at times but I think he was serious about it. I’m a bigger sucker for my pets but I don’t think his position is unethical.

PP, you are right on all fronts, but don't engage the bots please

Anonymous wrote:Only if you would do the same for parents or your children or spouse. You'd do that, right?

Not OP, but my children have a life expectancy of more than 60 more years. My dog has a life expectancy of another 2-4 years. My children can communicate to me exactly how they feel and what ailments they have. Animals are stoic and try to hide pain and discomfort. My children understand that uncomfortable medical treatments are intended to help them. My dog doesn’t.

My father received an unexpected diagnosis of a very aggressive terminal cancer seemingly out of the blue. He declined so rapidly, he died 45 days later. It was astonishing how quickly the cancer took over. It was traumatizing to watch this transformation. My father had long been a supporter of the movement to give people the right to assisted suicide when they have terminal conditions. Unfortunately, most states do not grant this right, and he did not reside in one that does. He suffered mightily and I am brokenhearted that I could not give him the death he deserved.

We have much more control over the end of our pets’ lives. Having watched my father suffer, I truly believe it will be kinder to my dog to end his life gently slightly earlier than is absolutely necessary than to wait until it’s obvious he is suffering. I owe him the best life I can give him, and that doesn’t include additional days of pain, discomfort, confusion, and fear.

Anonymous wrote:No, you don’t murder your pet because they need medication and occasional vet visits as they age.

"Murder" only applies to humans. "Animal cruelty" is the term for animals, and it's cruel to keep a suffering animal alive as your own emotional crutch. Seek therapy.

Anonymous wrote:No, you don’t murder your pet because they need medication and occasional vet visits as they age.

+9000 there are some ruthless people on this thread.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would euthanize if I could not afford the medical care for my elderly pet. Perhaps you could make a "gofundme" page and all of these generous PPs can donate to the cause.

Excellent idea! OP, please post your gofundme here, so that the previous posters can put their money where their mouths are.

+1

If only the judgment of strangers paid the bills...