Vet bills

[melodys]

I am not a happy camper this week. I took my dog in for a checkup a few days ago and a teeth cleaning was recommended. Turns out that my little furball needed four teeth extracted and my wallet is $1000 lighter.

I adore my dog, otherwise he is in good health, and I did have money in the bank to cover it. But ouch that really blew my budget.

Any thoughts on budgeting for vet bills as pets get older? Also, thoughts on where to draw the line in the sand between escalating costs and care for beloved pets?

[Jayne]

So sorry your fur baby has teeth issues Ask around people you know if they know of a vet who may be less expensive. We changed vets because the one we were using was ripping us off and giving poor care.Our dogs are old and she was playing on that.

We will not do expensive heroics to keep them alive. Don't get me wrong, we love them very much, but I feel that sometimes it is more humane to euthanize when they get older than put them through all kinds of treatments.

[shoiji]

I agree with Jayne as far as not trying to go through extraordinary efforts to keep a pet going. My concern is always that animals will often hide how hurt they are and since they can not literally speak to say what is going on I find it more humaine to put them down at a certain point.

My cat is getting up there. Can't help but wonder how I will handle it once the day comes. Try looking around for vets to get an idea on price. Also speak with the vet to see if the spray that is used on dogs teeth would help to keep the plaque down. Or you could try brushing your dogs teeth with a dog toothbrush or gauze wrapped around the finger. Probably sounds easier than it is. Trying to check the cats mouth is like trying to open a vise.

Try investing in good quality dog food. You may want to start setting aside money for vet bills. Speak to the vet on ways for helping you aging dog, such as a comfortable bed, good dog food, teeth maintenance, etc. I think alot can help pets just like humans as far as preventive maintenance.

[OOwl]

Always compare pricing on dentals and extractions because one vet here out in the country does them for $95 and $25 per extraction, and the other one (in town) does it for, like yours, ten times that. I don't really think the extra money really buys increased quality of care; I think vets just sometimes charge what the market in their area will bear. Out where I live, country folk/farmers love their animals, too, but absolutely cannot afford to be overcharged. Thus, the vet office out there charges less (across the board on all services, products, and surgeries). I love my dogs and spare no expense for their comfort and happiness but I drive them to the country vet for their care; then I pocket the savings for spending another day to possibly save their lives.

[bumplett]

I worked for one vet that openly admited to me that his prices were higher than the average area "to keep the riff raff out"

I do think that some vets prey on a client's willingness to do whatever they are told is best for the pet -

[Josephhgoins]

For me price will not come into play at all. If I blow the budget then it is blown.

However, when his quality of life gets too low, I will say goodbye.

My Cousin had a dog, that was blind in both eyes, deaf, had joint problems, no teeth and dimentia. He would walk under a table and when he couldn't find his way out would bark until someone came and got him. He could only eat soft foods and could no longer go outside. He died at the ripe old age of 22.

My opinion was that his quality of life had gotten to almost 0 years and years before that.

I am not sure where I will draw the line with Thomas, but money won't come into play with it.