Yes, if you have pets, you have to find whatever you dropped out the medicine cabinet. I'd kind of forgotten that but it's back in front of my mind now. I had a friend who's dog found a dropped Aderall. It was a very expensive situation that involved a trip to the emergency vet.
The cost of Pet Care....wow!
- Thread starter Franklin
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Yes, if you have pets, you have to find whatever you dropped out the medicine cabinet. I'd kind of forgotten that but it's back in front of my mind now. I had a friend who's dog found a dropped Aderall. It was a very expensive situation that involved a trip to the emergency vet.
We were going to go cat free after our last rescue passed. That lasted about 2 months until someone was trying to place a found kitty. We've now had Gabby for nearly 6 years. Had to have a fuzzy kitty head to kiss! She's the smartest cat I've ever had and she's a treat to have around....except at 4:30 am.
She's been pretty cheap to keep. Our vet used to do low cost vaccines. Unfortunately, prices have gone up significantly in the last two years so I have been using the mobile vaccine service. They do a great job and the price is right.
I think we have been lucky. We took our 2 Goldens (mostly Penny the Red) to the Emergency vet a few times. We came away saying we got off cheap! It turned out the Emergency Vet was cheaper than our regular Vet. That was when we switched vets. We had been regulars for years. He even came in on his Anniversary day off to euthanize our first Golden. But he was trying to retire & brought in a rotating staff that was actively "suggesting" more tests and procedures. We could hardly see the same vet twice in a row. This was like a 4 vet office. We spoke with the original vet about it but he didn't make any changes.
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Franklin
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OP here ....yes it goes without saying so Thanks for the defense ...some peoples post just amaze me with their arrogance. Never ever suggested it was the dogs fault.
OAG
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
My buddy is a 5 year old Miniture Double Golden Doodle F1B. He is more commonly known as either Knocklehead or Miki. I have had him since release from the breeder as he was a gift from my kids to "keep Dad busy" after DW passed. By far the best gift I have ever received (and I have owned several Dogs and Cats in my 75 years before Miki, all of which died a natural, at home, death). I use a full service Animal Hospital here that provide all medical serivces including Grooming (DD don't shed but need periodic haircuts) and boarding (about 7 days in 5 years). He is extremely healthy, never a sick day, never a remedial medical cost (except when his human panics). Last time I thought about it I estimated his cost has been well over $10K for 5 years. Sort of high since most estimates I have seen a well cared for dog will probably cost that amount over 10 years, not 5. The question is, with me being 80 this year, and he being 5, who checks out first - he probaly has the odds in his favor right now - he will be more than happy to live with my DD and SIL if that plays out.
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We were going to go cat free after our last rescue passed. That lasted about 2 months until someone was trying to place a found kitty. We've now had Gabby for nearly 6 years. Had to have a fuzzy kitty head to kiss! She's the smartest cat I've ever had and she's a treat to have around....except at 4:30 am.
She's been pretty cheap to keep. Our vet used to do low cost vaccines. Unfortunately, prices have gone up significantly in the last two years so I have been using the mobile vaccine service. They do a great job and the price is right.
Unfortunately, we had Tony put down this afternoon. The vet examined him and said that he had many things going wrong for him. He was blind, deaf, hind legs were having problems probably due to arthritis and a low grade heart murmur, that was probably causing his coughing or it could be cat allergies. He said that his pupils did not constrict when he shined his light into them and that he could not hear when he snapped his fingers by them. He said that he could do blood work and x-rays and maybe give him a pain medicine for his arthritis or we could do the euthanasia if we wanted. My DH said he wanted to let him go. They did let him into the vet's office to be with him. I combed him this morning and gave him his treats and said my goodbyes, because I was fairly certain this would be the outcome. When I checked our records, Tony would have been 19 years old July 19.
Trixie will be 17 years old August 30.
My son has always driven to our house and taken care of our cats for us. When we are able to travel freely, I don't want to have to ask him to keep taking care of our animals. Also, we are 67 and 68, and do not want to have our animals outlive us. Both of our children have 2 dogs and 1 cat each and do not want to take our animals if we pass. I have thought of fostering cats, when we are done traveling. We will have to see.
Teacher Terry
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Dreamer, I am so sorry. Your baby had a good long life.
Boose
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Dreamer, I'm sorry you had to say goodbye to Tony. That's a great cat name, and I'm sure he was a great cat.
I've had bad luck with a string of indoor-only tuxedo cats (tail amputation due to self injury, plus chronic pancreatitis; kidney failure while owning only one kidney; now taking care of a 9 y.o. with small-cell lymphoma). May Gato is officially our Last Cat until I'm in the rocking chair. She cost us $1600 last year and over $3000 the year she was diagnosed!
I've had bad luck with a string of indoor-only tuxedo cats (tail amputation due to self injury, plus chronic pancreatitis; kidney failure while owning only one kidney; now taking care of a 9 y.o. with small-cell lymphoma). May Gato is officially our Last Cat until I'm in the rocking chair. She cost us $1600 last year and over $3000 the year she was diagnosed!
This is just awesome that you did this!
CardsFan
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Our dogs have been worth every penny we spent.
Number 1 was a mixed Spaniel. Pound rescue. Escaped from the outdoor kennel and got hit by a car while we were trying to corral him. We saw it happen, car never stopped. Ruptured diaphram. Surgery for about $600 (1985). Follow-up surgery 3 years later to remove the stainless staples. She wasn't supposed to last 3 years. Lasted about 11 more.
Number 2 was a pure bred Corgi. Great dog, very protective of DW, but for those that have not had one, Corgis have ATTITUDE. Lymphoma at about 9. Did Chemo to give her another year.
Number 3 and current, another pound puppy. Part Corgi, part who knows what.
no big issues with her, but she has had to have many teeth removed. She is 13 this year, so time is short.
All in, I am sure we have spent more than $30k over 40 years for the 3 dogs. Counting vet costs, food and kennel time.
$750/year for a best friend, PRICELESS
Number 1 was a mixed Spaniel. Pound rescue. Escaped from the outdoor kennel and got hit by a car while we were trying to corral him. We saw it happen, car never stopped. Ruptured diaphram. Surgery for about $600 (1985). Follow-up surgery 3 years later to remove the stainless staples. She wasn't supposed to last 3 years. Lasted about 11 more.
Number 2 was a pure bred Corgi. Great dog, very protective of DW, but for those that have not had one, Corgis have ATTITUDE. Lymphoma at about 9. Did Chemo to give her another year.
Number 3 and current, another pound puppy. Part Corgi, part who knows what.
no big issues with her, but she has had to have many teeth removed. She is 13 this year, so time is short.
All in, I am sure we have spent more than $30k over 40 years for the 3 dogs. Counting vet costs, food and kennel time.
$750/year for a best friend, PRICELESS
I just bought a sack of diet/weight loss cat food for $75. It think it's 17 pounds of food. The first four ingredients are grains, they don't get to any meat (chicken) until the fifth ingredient. So I basically bought a ****ing sack of oats and barley for $75 because the vet told me to. I'm sure you'll agree with my cat that she's smarter than I am.
MarshaSGreen
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I have two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels - my first dogs and they bring me such joy that I never knew I needed. That being said, Cavies are known for their various health problems and I will be taking my precious boy, Finn, To the Vet toMorrow for the 4th week in a row. Diabetes diagnosis 4 weeks ago and now he’s got something wrong with his eyes. My rescue girl, Molly, has a leaky heart valve which will entail very costly testing and treatments as it progresses. They are both on prescription foods and Finn gets insulin shots twice a day. They are worth every penny that we spend on them as they make me so happy and give me a purpose outside of myself.
our last collie passed away last October.We had him for a few months over 12 years.
I kept every single receipt from the vet and it totaled close to $14,500.
So averaged approx $100 every month the entire time,
This was just the vet and didn't include everything else including expensive food, toys . treats. beds. kennels etc.
Probably totaled more like $25k over those 12 years but to us two dog lovers it was a bargain. We were never able to have kids and therefore the dogs filled a big void and were constantly at our side.
Having said all that our latest puppy is really trying our patience. It may be because we are now in our 60's and less patient. He is 8 months old and 63 lbs of raw strength and non neutered energy. hopefully he will mellow out like the last 3 collies we have owned.
I kept every single receipt from the vet and it totaled close to $14,500.
So averaged approx $100 every month the entire time,
This was just the vet and didn't include everything else including expensive food, toys . treats. beds. kennels etc.
Probably totaled more like $25k over those 12 years but to us two dog lovers it was a bargain. We were never able to have kids and therefore the dogs filled a big void and were constantly at our side.
Having said all that our latest puppy is really trying our patience. It may be because we are now in our 60's and less patient. He is 8 months old and 63 lbs of raw strength and non neutered energy. hopefully he will mellow out like the last 3 collies we have owned.
Fermion
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
We fed our two cats (a purebred Bengal and Siamese) IAMS food that had been tainted with melamine from China (to make the protein register higher) and it destroyed the kidneys in both of them. We had no option but to put them down and it was still over $750. IAMS finally came through with a small check that did not even cover the $750, much less the initial cost of the cats. They didn't even give us a coupon for more food either.
NateW
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Here are pictures I took of the veterinarian invoices. The first one is the ER clinic (total was almost $3400 and not $3600 as I originally stated) and the second one is the follow up with our regular veterinarian (tap the images to open them so you can see them clearly).
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NateW
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I am so sorry to read this Fermion. Please accept my condolences.
Elizrogers
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This is long because I want to respond to all I’ve read and comment on my experience with everything from the deception and lack of care from shelters to how much faith to put in one vet. My bottom line advice is pets are worth whatever you spend on them, but if you aren’t willing to go in debt, skip a luxury or postpone a vacation if you have to for them, then please don’t get one.
Pets are like children. You may have happy, healthy ones that never see a doctor, but something can always happen and then you must do whatever it takes to keep them from pain, discomfort and misery, without thought to how it costs you. I have owned cats for over 40 years. Usually, one at a time, but currently have 3 due to rescuing from shelter and people who couldn’t care for them after taking them.
I would like to say that the right Vet can make all the difference and all do not know or think the same, no matter how caring. Just as you would get a second opinion on any major illness or treatment, it is okay to do the same for your pets. When my 19-year-old baby, who I’d had since he was 8 mos old, passed away, I decided to have no more pets for awhile. I decided to donate cases of leftover food to the local shelter and while there, saw two cats with euthanasia dates set just 3 days away. I asked why they were being put down and was told they’d been there over 6 weeks and that was too long. It was winter, there was ice and snow out and no one was going to be out looking to adopt. There were also empty cages, so there was no need for the space. I tried to negotiate to pay daily boarding fees if they’d give them a couple more weeks, but there was nothing I could talk them into, so I decided to rescue them.
One was 6-9 yrs old, the other was 12-15. I felt like a senior should spend his golden years in comfort and love, even if only for a short time. I was told they were healthy, but that the old one had a slight cold and wasn’t eating well, because he didn’t like dry food. Of course, I always take them for a full exam before ever bringing them home. It turned out that the older one did not have a cold, but an upper respiratory infection, an ear infection and only 25% kidney function. I didn’t care. He deserved better treatment in his final years than he’d obviously had. We cleared up the infections, but his kidney function wasn’t diagnosed until I changed vets, but it was irrepairable and could only be treated. He went in periodically for IV hydration, until it got so frequent that I began giving it daily at home. It was much cheaper to order the IV and saline online and do it myself. He never liked it, and when it got up to 3 times a day and he no longer seemed to enjoy anything in life, of course, he was put down. That was 4 years after I brought him home, so he had a few good years.
The younger one is the cautionary tale that demonstrates not to totally trust just one vet. I was taking them to a very well-known and popular vet. They were one of the more expensive in town, but touted as the best. The younger one had an issue with bowel movements that looked more like mini-cow patties. Very wet and odorous. They diagnosed him with Coronavirus (not the type we’re having in people now), which is usually a pre-cursor to FIV. It is very contagious, so I kept the two cats in separate areas of the house for a long time. I eventually cleared up the bowel problems with a pro-biotic I discovered through a cat forum online. When I had to take an unexpected trip, I needed to board them and their rabies shots were not up to date. I had to get them shots on a Sunday in order to meet the boarding requirements of 48 hours prior to boarding, so had to go to a different vet, who was open on Sunday. This vet gives you a first exam for free, so even though I only needed rabies shots, they both got full exams. This vet noticed something in the young one’s eye that didn’t look normal and suggested an ophthalmologist. Long story short, he had a disease that could have taken his sight, and eventually had surgery and is now (6 yrs later) fine, but gets an eyedrop daily. My vet had seen him monthly for over a year and never noticed anything. I asked about the coronavirus also, because the two cats had managed to get together and now lived side-by-side, but the older cat had not contracted it. The vet said they could run a test that would definitely tell for $150. I did it and he did not have it. So, the highly recommended vet that had been treating him at 3x the cost of this vet had not caught a very serious eye condition, couldn’t clear up the diarrhea and misdiagnosed him with Coronavirus. So, I accidentally found a new vet, who wasn’t any more caring, or smarter, than the previous one, but was just more knowledgeable or alert to different things and caught them. The new vet also was open 7 days a week, charged less, and was willing to offer less costly treatment options and be honest about what to expect with each. So, no matter how much you love and trust your vet, if something really serious and expensive comes up, it wouldn’t hurt to just see if other vets concur with him or have other options to suggest.
My main complaint is the cost of boarding. I do not have friends or family to watch them when I'm gone and past experience with paid sitters was not good, so I don't trust them. I won't leave them in a wire cage for 23 hours a day, as most cat kennels/condos are. There is only one place in our area that provides them an actual room, with a climbing tower and shelf to hang out on. They require me to provide all their food, and though not required, I provide litter and box because theirs are too small little boxes that my cats, especially my 20lb older cat, would find it hard to go in, and certainly not big enough for 3 cats. So, all they do is provide the room(s), put your food out 3x a day, and clean litter box periodically. For that, it costs $45 per room/day. If I put them all in one room, it's $45 for the 1st one, $36 for the 2nd and $24 for the 3rd, or $108/day. That's just absurd. So, now that I'm retired, I'll not be taking any overnight trips. But it's a sacrifice I'd make for a child, so am happy to make for my fur babies.
Pets are like children. You may have happy, healthy ones that never see a doctor, but something can always happen and then you must do whatever it takes to keep them from pain, discomfort and misery, without thought to how it costs you. I have owned cats for over 40 years. Usually, one at a time, but currently have 3 due to rescuing from shelter and people who couldn’t care for them after taking them.
I would like to say that the right Vet can make all the difference and all do not know or think the same, no matter how caring. Just as you would get a second opinion on any major illness or treatment, it is okay to do the same for your pets. When my 19-year-old baby, who I’d had since he was 8 mos old, passed away, I decided to have no more pets for awhile. I decided to donate cases of leftover food to the local shelter and while there, saw two cats with euthanasia dates set just 3 days away. I asked why they were being put down and was told they’d been there over 6 weeks and that was too long. It was winter, there was ice and snow out and no one was going to be out looking to adopt. There were also empty cages, so there was no need for the space. I tried to negotiate to pay daily boarding fees if they’d give them a couple more weeks, but there was nothing I could talk them into, so I decided to rescue them.
One was 6-9 yrs old, the other was 12-15. I felt like a senior should spend his golden years in comfort and love, even if only for a short time. I was told they were healthy, but that the old one had a slight cold and wasn’t eating well, because he didn’t like dry food. Of course, I always take them for a full exam before ever bringing them home. It turned out that the older one did not have a cold, but an upper respiratory infection, an ear infection and only 25% kidney function. I didn’t care. He deserved better treatment in his final years than he’d obviously had. We cleared up the infections, but his kidney function wasn’t diagnosed until I changed vets, but it was irrepairable and could only be treated. He went in periodically for IV hydration, until it got so frequent that I began giving it daily at home. It was much cheaper to order the IV and saline online and do it myself. He never liked it, and when it got up to 3 times a day and he no longer seemed to enjoy anything in life, of course, he was put down. That was 4 years after I brought him home, so he had a few good years.
The younger one is the cautionary tale that demonstrates not to totally trust just one vet. I was taking them to a very well-known and popular vet. They were one of the more expensive in town, but touted as the best. The younger one had an issue with bowel movements that looked more like mini-cow patties. Very wet and odorous. They diagnosed him with Coronavirus (not the type we’re having in people now), which is usually a pre-cursor to FIV. It is very contagious, so I kept the two cats in separate areas of the house for a long time. I eventually cleared up the bowel problems with a pro-biotic I discovered through a cat forum online. When I had to take an unexpected trip, I needed to board them and their rabies shots were not up to date. I had to get them shots on a Sunday in order to meet the boarding requirements of 48 hours prior to boarding, so had to go to a different vet, who was open on Sunday. This vet gives you a first exam for free, so even though I only needed rabies shots, they both got full exams. This vet noticed something in the young one’s eye that didn’t look normal and suggested an ophthalmologist. Long story short, he had a disease that could have taken his sight, and eventually had surgery and is now (6 yrs later) fine, but gets an eyedrop daily. My vet had seen him monthly for over a year and never noticed anything. I asked about the coronavirus also, because the two cats had managed to get together and now lived side-by-side, but the older cat had not contracted it. The vet said they could run a test that would definitely tell for $150. I did it and he did not have it. So, the highly recommended vet that had been treating him at 3x the cost of this vet had not caught a very serious eye condition, couldn’t clear up the diarrhea and misdiagnosed him with Coronavirus. So, I accidentally found a new vet, who wasn’t any more caring, or smarter, than the previous one, but was just more knowledgeable or alert to different things and caught them. The new vet also was open 7 days a week, charged less, and was willing to offer less costly treatment options and be honest about what to expect with each. So, no matter how much you love and trust your vet, if something really serious and expensive comes up, it wouldn’t hurt to just see if other vets concur with him or have other options to suggest.
My main complaint is the cost of boarding. I do not have friends or family to watch them when I'm gone and past experience with paid sitters was not good, so I don't trust them. I won't leave them in a wire cage for 23 hours a day, as most cat kennels/condos are. There is only one place in our area that provides them an actual room, with a climbing tower and shelf to hang out on. They require me to provide all their food, and though not required, I provide litter and box because theirs are too small little boxes that my cats, especially my 20lb older cat, would find it hard to go in, and certainly not big enough for 3 cats. So, all they do is provide the room(s), put your food out 3x a day, and clean litter box periodically. For that, it costs $45 per room/day. If I put them all in one room, it's $45 for the 1st one, $36 for the 2nd and $24 for the 3rd, or $108/day. That's just absurd. So, now that I'm retired, I'll not be taking any overnight trips. But it's a sacrifice I'd make for a child, so am happy to make for my fur babies.
Amethyst
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What a sad, sickening story. I doubt you'd want their food coupons, after such a horrible experience.
ExFlyBoy5
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Our animals are pretty much like our children...well, except they never grow up. Nonetheless, this is one category of expense I don't even look at. It's not cheap in any way, shape, or form to properly take care of pets and the costs aren't something I consider. I don't run the numbers because, well, it would be A LOT!!!
Nonetheless, this is one category of expense I don't even look at. It's not cheap in any way, shape, or form to properly take care of pets and the costs aren't something I consider. I don't run the numbers because, well, it would be A LOT!!!Elizrogers
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I was complaining once in my youth about not being able to do something I wanted, and was given some wise insight. I was told that we decide where to spend our money, and if we really want something we will make it a priority and give up other things for it.
I choose to keep my cats happy and healthy, because it makes me happy and are my entertainment. If sometimes I have to forego dining out, buying a new appliance or some other non-necessity, or even have to go into credit card debt for awhile to do so, then that is what I choose to do. There are years when nothing other than routine expenses (food, toys, general vet exams) come up and then there are years when there may be an emergency or major illness. But on average it balances out and it is not any different than the unexpected events that happen in all families and we just adjust and deal with them as we have to.
If you don't feel that way, then you are probably not meant to be a pet parent, so shouldn't get one. And there's nothing wrong with that.
I choose to keep my cats happy and healthy, because it makes me happy and are my entertainment. If sometimes I have to forego dining out, buying a new appliance or some other non-necessity, or even have to go into credit card debt for awhile to do so, then that is what I choose to do. There are years when nothing other than routine expenses (food, toys, general vet exams) come up and then there are years when there may be an emergency or major illness. But on average it balances out and it is not any different than the unexpected events that happen in all families and we just adjust and deal with them as we have to.
If you don't feel that way, then you are probably not meant to be a pet parent, so shouldn't get one. And there's nothing wrong with that.
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