Would you pay for surgery on a dog?

SB.... that sounds just like Pete's problem!! He has been in agony all week.. litterly screeming in pain.. refusing to walk.. Hubby has had to carry him out to the yard to do his business.. He is on Tramadol, Gabapentin, robaxin, carprofen. When the vet called he told me he increased his gabapenitn (neurontin) from 100 to 200.. and gave him some antianxiety med.. and he was able to walk. Maybe he won't need surgery after all.. keeping my fingers crossed.
 

I'm sure Pete would be pleased by the well wishes!! Thanks..\

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I hope all goes well with the surgery and care. It is very very expensive. I think vet care is in general. Best wishes with what's ahead.

I treated my cat with diabetes for 11 years. She lived to an old age. I agree with others it's the pet, their quality of life and if you have the money. I resent not one penny I spent of my diabetic kitty. I'm grateful I had the money. If I quit my job in nursing in the next year, my finances would be different. However I'll keep my license current until I fully retire and if a pet emergency came up, I guess I could go back to work for a few months. Long term care always hires.
 
Many years ago we had a cat which was ailing. My husband took it to the vet and was told it had kidney problems and need regular dialysis, it didn't come home!
 
The animal would be humanely put down and the money better spent on humans who are living under less tha humane conditions, so, no...
 
Don't you think that conflict crossed my mind? I told the vet that Yes we have the money to spend on a dog... Yet there are people that can't feed their kids. So what is the solution? Communism.... ??
 
Well, just giving some of that money that you would have spent on your pet to your favorite charity would do without changing our form of government...
 
Ok.... you are right... just made the call to put Pete down... Thanks to you Ralphy and your perfect insight! I'm making a donation to Planned Parenthood in your name.
 
I think that each person has to decide what to do, based on their finances and the pet's age and condition. If the operation will fix everything so they can live a long and happy life, and you can afford it, then I would dfinitely be in favor of doing the operation. In my case, the $5000 is about my yearly SS income; and they usually want the money right up front; so it literally would not be a possibility for me, no matter how much I wanted to have the operation done. If I were in a financial position to do it, I would not hesitate to have the pet operated on as long as it would be better for him than having the pet put down. If they are only going to live in pain afterwards and then die anyway, it would be a hard decision, but probably better to have them put to sleep rather than prolong suffering.
As far as all of the starving people in the world being a better place to give money to; that is true, but they were all starving before the dog got hurt, too. So, I think that since you can afford the operation , then that is absolutely the best choice to make in this case.
 
Good Morning. Tough, tough decision you have had to make. I've been in that place many times (we had a farm, so there were many animals of all shapes and sizes running around.) I made my decision always on just how much pain etc will the animal have to endure after the procedure and wil his life be better. Never an easy one though.

I have a friend who is currently dealing with a similar situation. His dog is his life and he will do anything for her. She is a beautiful, loving animal. My heart truly goes out to him.
 
I think if you can afford it..fine..

Here we have Blue cross or the RSPCA who will operate on your dog/cat for free..as long as they don't think it is a waste of time..

I remember seeing a man who's pedigree German Shepherd's hips had gone..even after an operation..it was pitiful to see them walk..
 
Pete is having his MRI tomorrow. The neurosurgeon examined him and feels that he either has a ruptured disc.. or a torn muscle on the inside of his thigh. The MRI will tell. She is not going to rush into surgery for the disc at this time... the torn muscle (if that's the problem) will have to heal on it's own with complete bedrest. He is going to be hospitalized for the next 7 days, as my husband and I cannot care for him at home at that level of imobility. They will be adjusting his medication during the next week to see what helps him the most and he will be going home on that.
 
I cannot believe just how difficult it's been. Hubby and I have not really slept well in over a week.. with Pete crying out in pain most of the night everytime he moved.. THen having to carry him out to the yard and having him snap at hubby and scream all the while. Timing his multiple medications and trying to get him to take the pills.. And of course the concern over what is wrong and how much it's going to cost adds to it.

As for whether or not we should be doing this... We simply can't NOT do it. I can't put down a young otherwise healthy animal. I have had to make decisions to put animals down in the past.. it's always hard but it's based on compassion for the animal... not my bank account.
 
QS, so sorry for the physical and emotional pain those involved in this awful situation are going through. I'm hoping your pet finds relief in whatever way turns out to be most suitable for him and that you and hubby's hearts find peace and comfort either way.
 
I love my dogs very much and I have paid for surgeries for them. For me, it largely depends on the general health of the animal, how old the animal is and the expectations of recovery. My Suzie (black lab, now gone from old age) years ago ruptured her ACL at the age of about 2. I had it surgically repaired and she went on to live a long and happy life until she was about 14. Well worth it for her and for me and the happy years that followed.
 
I just joined in on this thread and let me tell you that in the past year, our dog has undergone just over $5,000 worth of surgery.. Pomeranians are noted to having bad knees which was the problem..

Now, we have doggie insurance so our total cost was just under $200.00.. That's for EVERYTHING including laser treatments, X-Rays, medication, and all follow-ups..
The annual premiums cost us $379.00 for coverage per year..
Our limit is $5,000.00 per year of claims and then we are on our own till next year when we start all over again with another $5,000 of coverage.. premiums will NEVER go up as long as we own the dog and they won't cancel our policy as long as we pay our premiums..

What a bargain and a great investment ....
 


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