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$10,000!?!

3K views 28 replies 11 participants last post by  Gypsiemouse 
#1 · (Edited)
Just watched a movie yesterday, "5 Flight's Up" starring Morgan Freeman.

So so of a a movie, and too PC for my taste.


But, in the movie, for this NYC couple, there much older 12 year old dog ruptures a disk. $1000 to do a CAT Scan, then when they get the diagnosis it is $10,000 for the surgery! $11,000 total.

Now, I am sorry to say this, but unless you are extremely rich, I cannot see paying $10,000. No freaking way would pay that much. Now, if it was my parents, well of course that is different, they are humans, I would pay no matter what the cost to prolong their life. But a dog is a dog -even though they are a great companion, friend, worker, protector - we still sometimes have to sit back and put things in perspective and say it is a "dog".

I am sorry to say, that if that came down for Mr. Hank, as much as I like him, he is going to have to be put down. Not spending $10,000 on Hank. Dogs live in the here and now.

It gets to a point I think where one has to weight the financial and be realistic. I know for example a friends of mine's Mother, had an older dog (a beagle) that was blind, deaf, could hardly move- yet she was prolonging it's life and spending several thousand a year (which she did not really have). I wonder too, how many times some Vets are leading others to prolong this, for their financial advantage. When the responsible thing, for both the dog and the owner, would be to put the dog to it's final sleep. And then look at getting a replacement puppy or younger rescue dog.

I now people and families become very attached, but there is a line. I know my brother has basically said with his dog (Short haired pointer), if it cost more than $2,000 - then that is the end.
 
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#3 ·
How many times do you see on television or some type of media a dog that no one thought would ever make it due to severe neglect or abuse. They end up being given the chance and turn out to be loving dogs that turned around completely. For instance the dog Caitlyn whose new owner had taped her muzzle shut with electrical tape with her tongue stuck between her teeth. I know that an owner has not paid the vet bills but came from donations. The vets were not sure the outcome but decided to do everything possible to try to save her tongue and have restored her muzzle. She had surpasset what they expected.
 
#4 ·
I cover my dogs with pet insurance so the decision is much easier... less about the money and more about whether the procedure will prolong (and better) their life.

But, having said that, purebred boxers usually require higher premiums for insurance coverage, so that can get pricey.
 
#5 ·
I probably know about 20 personally friends, or family, that own dogs, and no one I know has pet insurance. Yeah, it would be the way to go, but that is out of the budget for most, as I did price it, and it was going to be close to $80 a month.

Mu personal budget right now is no more than $100 a month for Hank, to cover food, treats, worm pills, etc. Hec, have already (or will come the neutering) spent close to an extra $600 on toys, shots, training (waste of money), and Vet exam, neutering.


Now, if Hank ever requires a $10,000 vet bill, I will be sure to advertise on here he is up for adoption if someone wants to take him and foot the bill, instead of him being put to sleep.
 
#6 · (Edited)
I work in the veterinary industry and I'd say we have about 30% of our dog clients covered under pet insurance (it's not so common in cats). It takes away so much of the stress when you animal gets sick. I couldn't fathom getting a breed like a boxer that has so the potential for so many health problems and not have pet insurance (or a large sum of money in a savings account!). If you budget $100 per month for your dog, are you not putting away any money to save for unexpected vet bills? Sedation/anesthesia for porcupine quills is around $500 minimum (can be much, much more depending on the extend of the quills, we spent 10 hours in surgery a few weeks ago removing quills from a pit bull, needless to say their bill was much more than $500). A simple broken leg that does not require surgery will be a minimum of $1000. It always blows my mind how many people are irresponsible enough to get a pet with no plan on how to pay for unplanned vet bills, and then expect the vet to do everything for free.

The thing I love the most about pet insurance is that it is allowing the veterinary industry to expand into providing so much more care. Prior to insurance, the vast majority of people would not pay $10,000 for their pet, so it was not economical for a clinic to invest in advanced equipment like a CT Scan. Now people with insurance are able to go ahead with diagnostics and treatments that can save (or greatly prolong) their pet's life, so we see fewer euthanasias and many more success stories. There are tons of pet insurance companies out there that you can get different quotes from, but boxers will always be one of the most expensive breeds to get insurance for because their owners are highly likely to make many claims.

I have been in the industry for a very long time and I have NEVER known a vet to push a procedure on a pet owner just to make money off of them. They may suggest some optional procedures that will need to be done at some point anyways so we might as well do everything in one go, but I have never known a vet who would put an animal through undue pain or suffering just to make money off of them. Vets really don't make that much money considering the cost of their education and running a clinic. If they were just in it for the money there are plenty of other industries they could go into where their education would be cheaper and they would make tons more money. Sometimes we do think a pet should be euthanized, but the owner refuses and so we must give them options to make their pet comfortable even if we don't think it's the best course of action for the pet. Bottom line is we have to do what the pet's owner wants, we can't just decide that it would be better to put the animal out of it's misery, and then euthanize it against the owner's wishes. There are so many misconceptions about vets, one of the worst thing about being in this industry is constantly being accused of not caring about animals because we have to charge money for the services we provide.
 
#8 ·
Well, that is for you to do. Personally, I think spending $50,000 on a dog, would be insane. Better to put the dog to sleep and give that $50,000 to a child that needs some type of specialized corrective surgery.

Unless you have couple hundred million in the bank, then I could see that. Maybe you do? :cheers:
 
#10 ·
Pets are like kids, the money adds up.
Our Maggie is 7 and Mongo is 6 - I just added up all their vet bills.
The total is $10,037.96 and that is just vet bills. Doesn't include food, treats, toys, crates, bedding, training class, collars, leashes, original purchase price for them. And I consider myself lucky - no major surgeries, illnesses.
If I added everything else in that price would easily be double - probably close to triple.

:)

And I would gladly spend more than that if necessary.

:)
 
#11 ·
I just look at it different. The dog is there, I like him, he is fun, a good friend and enjoy him. I am letting him be a dog. When it comes too expensive, Vet bill wise, it is time to let him pass on and get another dog. Will I miss Hank? Of course, it will break my heart, but after a few days a new dog comes along.

Again, if someone wants to adopt him, when the Vet bills come up, or pay for my Vet bills they are free to do so. But, when the Vet bills start getting over $2000, time to consider alternatives.
 
#16 ·
two years ago when we hummed and hawed over getting a dog I sat down and calculated monthly expenses, unexpected expenses and all that jazz, They may be just a dog in your eyes, but to most of us here they're like children, I knew going into owning a boxer they do come with more health risks (I did my research) so we decided on pet insurance! It's a peace of mind to be honest... obviously if we come by a life threating issue, that truly can't be fixed I don't think I'd put him threw the pain of keeping him alive for my sake.. BUT if there is problem that can be fixed, and I know it will make him better I will do it... When we decided on owning a dog I knew my monthly expenses for owning a dog was just the bare minimum, I put aside extra money for unexpected expenses... I could never say $80 is it for the month, because I know being a pet owner isn't cheap.. I went in expecting the unexpected.. Obviously if you can't afford more I guess there is bottom line, but you do the best you can with what you have..but I can't help but think a boxer was the wrong breed for you.. Did you do any research on the breed?
 
#20 ·
hmmm...Yeah. Most I know that have boxers are of the same mind set, financially in the same class as I am as well. But, some of these post, border on "elitism". Oh, you cannot have a dog unless you are very well off financially and willing to pay high amounts of money. Blah blah blah. Most people have dogs, and have for decades, including boxers and are not that way. So you can take your elitism and snobbishness and keep it to yourself.
 
#17 ·
I would do anything within my power for my dog. I spent 33,000$ on my car. I rescued Wrangler for 250$. What one brings me more joy? Wrangler. I think of it as yeah it would be lovely to have more money but what Wrangler brings me is so much more than that. I would spend the money on her in a heartbeat.

I also have pet insurance though. I got it after her first vet visit (Where everything was in the all clear, so she was a clean slate, where as they tend not to cover pre-existing conditions). I pay 48$ a month. They cover 90% of any costs with no limit. All I have to pay is the vet exam fee and 10%. Accidents and illness covered. Just not shots or spay/neuter. I consider this a pretty great way to go about things. Also my vet works closely with this one company so I don't have to pay the total cost and then wait to get reimbursed. I only pay my portion and the insurance company directly reimburses the vet.
I was hesitant to do this as I have had pets before and considered it a waste of money, but, I can not have 100% of any possible accident in a savings account at one given time, this way I don't have to worry. I just need to put approximately 500$ in an account and that would have me covered for a $5,000 procedure (More or less). If that makes sense? When you look at it that way it's worth it in my eyes.
 
#19 ·
I consider the boys my children and would spend anything I had to, but would never let them suffer. my boys are so spoiled, I worry about them and have ran out in the middle of the night for them.. In fact last year I was sick for days and was finally eating a piece of raisin bread I wasn't paying attention and popped a piece in mason mouth, as soon as he swallowed it I realized it too late, ran to e-vet, 300 dollars later and still sick mason was all good....anything for my babies
 
#23 ·
The reason that our shelters are full and 1.4 MILLION dogs are euthanized each year is because people just want that cute little puppy and don't give any thought to the cost of vet bills, food, training, potty training, the fact that this cute little puppy will grow up and become an adult dog. Because people are irresponsible and think of their pets as disposable things that they can just discard when they become too expensive or an inconvenience, the animals suffer for no fault of their own.

What was trying to be said is that people need to be responsible and make sure they have the time and finances to take care of their pets.

If your dog is only a few years old and the costs would cure him of whatever illness he had, you would just euthanize him? I'm not saying that everyone can afford $10,000 in care (or the ability to finance the amount) - however, if you don't have the funds, but there's a positive prognosis for your pet if they do receive that treatment, they should not be euthanized. You should hand your pet to your local Boxer rescue organization, let them give the dog the treatment they need and then adopt them out into another home. Why should the dog pay with his life if there's a chance for life?

We don't have a lot of rules on the forum, but one of them is not to personally attack members. I do think that name calling would be considered a personal attack.
 
#24 ·
I'm thinking I need to look into pet insurance. When I first heard about it a few years ago, before I acquired Amor by default (she was my daughters dog and she left the dog responsibilities up to me), I thought pet insurance was a gimmick. I'm now learning different. My dog kinda chose me. I will do anything it takes to give her a good life because she gives me more than I could ever give her. Shoot I moved away from my friends, quit my job of 10 years all so Amor could have a yard to play in and not have to be crated all the time so that I could work just to pay rent. I work at a fast food place, I don't have a lot of money but I'm fortunate that I don't have to pay rent at my parents and they are home all the time. She is much happier here which makes me happier. She has not had to be crated for 9 months now.
 
#25 ·
Since when is being educated and prepared prior to making a 12 year commitment considered snobbish and elite? No one is saying you have to spend $10,000 on your dog, what everyone is trying to point out is that when you choose the luxury of owning a pet, it is your responsibility to make sure you are financially able to provide for that pet's needs including unexpected vet bills.
 
#26 ·
And my point is, what if those Vet bills are $10,000+? Does that mean only people who can afford a $10,000, or more, Vet bill should own a dog?

At what level of finances should someone be then to own a dog? Only those people that can afford $500 a month? See, that is being snobbish/elitist, and most people own dogs, probably do not spend more than $50-$100 a month on their dogs, their dogs enjoy their life, the owners are responsible and have good dogs, and when the dog dies, they get another dog and drive on. People have had dogs on their farms, etc, for years. Let a dog just be a dog and do not baby it. It is an animal, a dog, made to serve us, not the other way around.
 
#28 ·
leopardprey
I understand you think a dog is just a dog but to many of us they are family, I believe you care for hank but you need to respect your fellow forum friends, most f us would starve, not pay a bill and/or lay our life down for our dogs, boxer or not, so why do you incest in baiting us, you know how most of us are yet you continue to act the way you do, why did you join the forum? just to poke fun at us crazy boxer loving fur mommies
 
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