The thread takes off:
Thanks for your
"medications" and the price of the new medications are soaring). Had I known of the costs beforehand, it would have probably given us pause or even dissuaded us from getting our Dolly, but the treasure of her companionship and devotion and love certainly outweighs all of those things which if considered alone are daunting.
As I write this, my Dolly (I ended up keeping her after my relationship dissolved) is soon turning two and in excellent health. I do worry at times what I'd do if something like a terrible injury or illness overcomes her, but then she looks at me with her big brown eyes and gives me a sloppy kiss and I kick that can down the road. As to the E-Collar – you really can't get more Elizabethan than a Corgi wearing one, so I've included this great photo from when my former partner picked her up after her spaying. The look is adorable, pathetic, and priceless all at once.
Another writes:
Your post was timely. We just spent over $2000 on dental work for two small terriers earlier this week.
The four-year old had 12 teeth extracted and I can tell that he's already feeling much better. It cannot feel good to have that many rotten teeth, not to mention the horrible halitosis. We are fortunate that we can afford the cost. Now we're struggling with attempting to brush his teeth to preserve the remaining 30 or so – he darts under the bed at first sight of the brush and don't even think about getting it into his mouth. (I've heard that Martha Stewart brushes her cat's teeth … I truly hate her.)
Another:
A month or so after I took in a cat, my coworker's girlfriend cat-sat for me during a business trip. She did this as a side job, so she had a questionnaire ready to be filled out. One of the questions was "How much am I allowed to spend in the event of an emergency?" I told her around $125-150. She put on a very serious look and asked if I was sure about that low number. My only response was "I am not missing a car or house payment because of a pet I've had all of a month or two." We discussed it a little bit more, and she said it was a conflict she had with her boyfriend, too.
I've had that cat about eight years now, and might go up to $400 or so, but if the cat gets A Dreadful Disease and will need more help than that, I will do what is necessary to make sure I still have a house for my other pets (and me). It might also cost $30 for a bottle of booze to help fix me after making that decision, but as wonderful as pets are and as much as I baby them, I cannot bring myself to break the bank for one.
Another:
At present we have three dogs and four cats, with the cat total at low census from our previous high of 10. Some of our animals have had typical age-related conditions but have generally lived long, healthy lives. Last year however, one of the cats was diagnosed with a rare type of cancer that ultimately cost well over $5000 to treat. We never added up the entire cost, thinking we did not even want to know. After a couple surgeries and chemo we lost him to the disease.
We have had conversations since about whether we should give ourselves some kind of guideline as to what our upper limit for medical costs would be if we find ourselves with another animal that needs extensive vet care. We have never come up with a number that is the "do not spend more than this" line we will not cross, but your post brings me back to those thoughts.
By the way, we recently found inflatable collars when one of the dogs was spayed. It worked great until she chewed in to pieces. I recommend you try one for your dog - maybe she will be a little more comfortable if she can see where she is going and can eat and sleep in more natural positions.
The Dish 