Posted on 06/28/2006 9:00:54 PM PDT by Huntress
Dear Pukin Dog,
It was a joke.
I couldn't resist.
So sue me.
;-)
sitetest
Some vets use Care Credit. Might be an option?
A few years back we had the same decision to make when our cat needed treatment. We had no other available credit, but I worked out a payment plan directly with the vet. The cat completely recovered, but he's a lot more starved for attention. We joke that he knows he's down to eight lives. The debt has long since been paid off, and the cost seems irrelevant now.
The state of Alaska spent $40,000 restoring ONE sea lion to health after the Exxon Valdez oil spill. When they released it back into the sea, with fanfare and children watching, it was quickly eaten by a killer whale.
Get a new cat.
That is a worm on the line. I am a nurse.
Can you get a loan? Credit Unions will loan you the amount you have on deposit. That may make it easier financially.
He has a urinary tract obstruction. The vet has tried twice to dislodge it without surgery and is going to try one more time in the morning before removing it surgically. My vet's prices are on the high side, but I have been taking my cats to him for years and trust his judgment.
Not enough information.
What is the presumptive diagnosis and what is the proposed surgery that will allegedly save the cat's life?
(I am not a real veterinarian and I do not play one on TV but I am a real M.D.)
I have to say only you can make the choice, but you already knew that. You're looking for other opinions, so don't feel you have to give one more weight than another, since yours is theo nly one that matters.
I personally think $1800 is criminal to spend on a pet's health since there is no guarantee it will survive, PLUS you've said it will be a burden financially.
I think people put far too much emotional investment into their pets, when they could use that time to relate to human beings. (And yes, I have had many pets.)
If you had the money to spend on this, or on a bigscreen TV or something else, there wouldn't be an issue. But you don't.
The question comes down to how much it will be a financial burden, and are you willing to suffer that burden. Five months from now when you're eating peanut butter for lunch AGAIN will you be glad you made that choice?
The question isn't about the cat's quality of life, but YOURS.
Good luck on making a decision that's right for you.
I have two dogs who are valuable and beloved companions.
I love them, but they are animals.
If I were facing your decision I would separate myself emotionally and consider what the financial cost would be.
The bottom line for me would be that, while I have a responsibility to take care of the animals I own, my much, much heavier duty is to the humans who are affected by my financial well-being.
Unless I could easily afford such an expensive surgery I would hug my little dog, make him as comfy as possible, tell him I love him, hold him in my arms, and have him put down by the vet - which, by the way, is very fast and painless for the animal.
As far as feeling guilty goes, I would remember the good times and the love and affection shared with my beloved pet, and know that I'd taken the best care of him I could, within reason.
Several years ago, we spent about $1800 on three cat surgeries -- one cat had two, the other had one. The cats were otherwise healthy (an important factor in our decision) and both are still with us. I'm not the big cat lover in the family, buy I'm glad we did it.
????? The vet is ripping her off? Is that what you mean?
That is the same surgery my 6 year old female had last year. She's spunky as h*ll now and rules the roost over the other two. And no further problems. Just our story.
to everything there is a season
a time to sow
A time to reap
a time to live
a time to die......
sometimes it's just dyin time, you can cry on my virtual shoulder if you want, you got friends here
Put the cat down.. Find a needy family give them $100 or more.. (as a gift).. Go to the city shelter get/save another cat..
So far you're the only one who's mentioned Chinese restaurants, in the context of warning her about the rest of us.
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