MONEY MORAL DILEMMA: Pet versus debt?

Cacran

I had a dog for 12 years. The dog had had a number of lumps of different sizes removed, by a trusted vet. I was told that if she got anymore, would be best to bite the bullet, so to speak. The vets practice was taken over by a bigger company. My dog, Sally, rapidly got ill. Her torso was swollen, I was sure she had a tumour or something. She was unable to stand and was so weak I took her straight to the vet. Explained how she had got poorly so quickly and that I wanted her putting to sleep. The vet said that he thought it wasn't as bad as I thought and that he could operate but couldn't guarantee that she would be okay. He made me feel guilty for opting for her to be put to sleep so I let him operate. He said that she would be in overnight. If anything untoward happened to her he would phone me, if not, I was to phone at 3pm the next day and collect her. The day passed and I told the children that Sally must have been okay as we hadn't heard. I phoned the vet at 3pm to be told that sadly she had not recovered from the operation and had died that morning. Obviously I had to pay the bill. I felt very cross, not that she'd died but that I didn't follow my instict.(and that they didn't let me know).
Ayear later, my older dog (17) who had been incontinent for a number of years, causing me lots of work and distress, deteriorated rapidly. she was almost blind and often had funny 'do's, like fits when she went peculiar. I had had her to the vets before and was told that she was just nervous. Once she had a fit in the car after having an injection at the vets. I took her straight back in, as at first I thought she was dead, she was foaming at the mouth. He legs went rigid. the kids were with me and we were told to wait in the waiting room. I explained to the children that I think it was the end and not to be upset, when out came Gemma with the nurse looking as thought nothing had happened. I asked if it was a fit and she said she had probably just fainted. anyway, I digress....... On day I got up to find her staring at the wall and shuddrering. I let her out, she walking in a straight line over planters and other obsticles, very strange indeed. I decided that this was the day.... took her to the same vets (silly on hindsight) I asked him to put her to sleep and he said he wouldn't do it, he was here for the pet and not the owner and that a course of tablets might do the trick. I was so upset that I cried all the way home. I couldn't look at Gemma I felt so guilty, though I must admit that she had recovered and was her usual self when we had got to see the vet. You would have thought though that he would have understood that after having a dog for 17 years, I would not be doing this lightly. I was distraught. Phone RSPCA who said they would have no qualms about putting Gemma to sleep but that I would have to leave her there and they would do it after surgery. I couldn' t do that, I wanted to hold her. I phoned another vet, which I should have done years before instead of going to the one on the doorstep. there was no problem there. He agreed that the dog had little quality to it's life, let alone us as a family with it's bladder problem. It was almost blind, almost deaf and was most likely epileptic. That was the day that she died. Now, as I said in my last post, I am in a moral dilemma again. this dog We have had for 10 years, he is about 15 and very frail. Because of my last experience, I am not knowing how the vet will be with me when I ask the ultimate question. I do not want to go through the same guilt trip as before. what doas anyone thinK about this???

everythingblogcast

That is sad, how could the vet not ring you up if she was going to make it so you would be with her. ((((hugs))))

VincentVega

Wasn't this an episode of the Simpsons?

I'd try and find an alternative home for the pet - be it a charity, or another home. At least the children could visit it every so often and know that it was being looked after.

The family would need to weigh up the choices. Would the debts be crippling? Would they be able to pay them back? Would they be prepared to make the sacrifices (no Xmas presents, etc) to service the debt? If not, then they would have to think the unthinkable and have the pet put down. They could always get another pet in due course, when finances have improved.

The family ought also to consider why they haven't got insurance and why they haven't put money aside for such an eventuality. They don't have to own a pet, after all.

jessicar

When anybody goes to a rescue to rehome a dog, they're made aware of how much a dog or cat costs for just these reasons.

If somebody can't afford pet insurance they shouldn't take on the responsibility of looking after that animal in the first place, because they have an obligation to pay for vet's bills, not put it to sleep rather than spend the money.

It's very likely that at some point in that animals 10 - 15 years lifespan, that animal will require treatment.

If somebody can't afford to look after their pet, they should get it rehomed, instead of putting it to sleep. I help rescue animals and I'm shocked by the callousness and selfishness of some people I've dealt with.

There are dogs in rescue centres right now who have been abandoned there because people have left them at vets and disappeared as they weren't prepared to pay vet's bills.

It should be made harder to own pets in this country, so that pets can't be acquired on an impulse by people who haven't thought it through. It's the animals who suffer in the end.

madasahatter_2

Much as I love my dog I would not put my family at risk of debt to save her unless it was a guaranteed solution which in this scenario it is not!
I would have her humanely 'put down' and be grateful for the happy years she has spent with us!

dogmad_2

My husband & I have a farm, with working dogs who are more than "just pets", they are our legs for rounding up sheep, our protectors of our children & our stock. Personally I would spend as much as was needed to repay something that makes our life easier to live, we love our dogs but not in a sentimental slushy way, we respect them, obviously as with any operation/illness percentages come into it & if a vet said anything less than a 50/50 chance then that is very little chance & we'd make our decision on that. It's just unfortunate that with animals we have the luxury of making a decision about that animals life in times of serious illness, it's a shame humans aren't afforded that luxury about their own life when confronted by terminal illness.
My gran has a little dog who is her lifeline to the outside, she is a pensioner on only a state pension but I know that she would do anything for that little dog, He is with her 24/7 and as I say I think he gives her the will to go on each day. How can you put a price on that?

everythingblogcast

I like you name. I cant believe some people dont care.

shamendave

its a trickey one this. but if the prognosis is not good even after the treatment, what quality of life is there for the pet?

it may be easier to address the situation if the financial implications came second to the welfare of the animal.

i say this having a pet of my own, and on the understanding that i am responsible for the pets welfare today, and in the future.

xx

Saucepot

I think the dogs gonna have to take one for the team.

£900 is more than a new dog.

lisawood78

Saucepot wrote:

£900 is more than a new dog.

I really think you are missing the point here
The cost of a 'new' dog is irrelevant, he's not a dishwasher or a car. The fact that the people obviously love the dog, and don't want a 'new' one makes this dilemma a painful and heartbreaking one.
Just last week our English Toy Terrier was referred to a cardiologist for tests on a heart murmur and persistent cough (he's 10 months) He's insured thankfully as are all our animals but we wouldn't think twice about the money regardless, we are a childless couple and I can honestly say without embarrassment he is our small furry son. The tests including x-rays, cultures, GA, a camera down his throat and a lung wash (yuk!) showed nothing more than a minor valve leak (no treatment required) and a bacterial infection (£9.50 ant-biotics to treat) The total cost of tests that day, including petrol to and from the cardiologist? £1025. Yes, we'll get it back but the peace of mind knowing that my boy won't die of heart failure tomorrow is completely priceless.
Although I can see the sense in some of the other replies on the reverse side of this discussion, for me the pet wins out every time, but of course only if treatment stands a reasonable chance of success, there is no point in prolonging suffering.
Just my views, not meant to offend or upset anyone.