# How Much Would You Spend To Save Your Pet? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 30, 2002, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-you-spend-to-save-your-pet/111550 "2002-05-30T15:07:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Surreal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eada6e/32.png) [@Surreal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Surreal)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2002, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-you-spend-to-save-your-pet/111550/1 "2002-05-30T15:07:45Z")
I’ve seen a lot of threads where people have talked about how much they adore their precious pets, but we didn’t really have any way of quantifying these feelings. Until now. Imagine that your veterinarian called you and informed you that your pet needed an operation, or it would die within a few weeks. The operation has a high probability of success, and will cost you X amount of dollars. What is the highest $X you would be willing to pay in order to save your pet’s life? Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2002, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-you-spend-to-save-your-pet/111550/2 "2002-05-30T15:11:17Z")
well, we just coughed up $600 to have our dog get knee surgery for a blown ACL and meniscus! She’s a good dog, and it was sad to see her limping so badly. she wasn’t going to die from the dysfunction, but for us to enjoy her, we need her mobile. We spent $200 to buy her 10 years ago, and we’ve spent probably about $4000 in vet bills for multiple surgeries, none life-saving, but all necessary (broken leg, stinky anal glands, neutering, skin tumor, knee job, teeth work). If it was life and death, the decisions might be easier to make to not proceed. ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2002, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-you-spend-to-save-your-pet/111550/3 "2002-05-30T15:13:21Z")
My mother and I have both gone into the thousands. One of my cats has heart disease, and one of my mothers’, kidney disease. Dorothy (my cat) has been hospitalized several times and needs two pills a day—and, when I go away, a catsitter who can pill her without being slashed to pieces. Mom’s cat needs fluid infusions once a day, and ditto on catsitters. Now—I must add that both of our cats are, with treatment, happy, active and “healthy.” Mom and I both agree that as soon as the cats are in pain or in obvious swift decline, off to the Lethal Injection Chamber they go. ---
**Author:** ![Mullinator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c2a13f/32.png) [@Mullinator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mullinator)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2002, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-you-spend-to-save-your-pet/111550/4 "2002-05-30T15:17:39Z")
Long answer - Well, my dog cost $15 to buy, so I saved some bucks there. Actually, I would spend a lot. Best dang dog I could possibly imagine, and unless the surgery required replacing every part of her with some kind of titanium alloy, unicorn horn encrusted, carved by fairie nymphs type of replacement piece, I wouldn’t have any trouble affording it. Short answer - lot of bucks. ---
**Author:** ![Regina](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d78d45/32.png) [@Regina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Regina)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2002, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-you-spend-to-save-your-pet/111550/5 "2002-05-30T15:27:39Z")
Like others, I would pay almost any amount, as long as the pet is not in “obvious swift decline,” as **Eve** said. With a moderate chance of success and a healthy, longer life, I would pay in the thousands. If it came down to my food and shelter or the pet, I guess I would have to get rid of the pet. To put a number on it is not easy, but I’d say up to $5000. Maybe even $10,000, but only if I could pay it off and still pay the rent. Convincing my husband, now, that’s another story! I try to live by the thought that money is just money, an economic tool which is important but not as important as a life. ---
**Author:** ![breaknrun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bbce88/32.png) [@breaknrun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/breaknrun)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2002, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-you-spend-to-save-your-pet/111550/6 "2002-05-30T15:54:55Z")
I agree with **AlaItalia** , money is just money. I can always make more. As long as I can afford it, I’ll pay it. My parents are the same way. Fortunately, my pets haven’t had any major problems but my parents have spent thousands on chemo/radiation treatment for one of our dogs and one of our cats. The treatment worked great for the doggie, not so good for the kitty. ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2002, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-you-spend-to-save-your-pet/111550/7 "2002-05-30T16:19:41Z")
I would easily spend $1500-2000 if necessary and if he or she were relatively assured of a good quality of life afterward. In fact, I had to pay $500 to get my dog out of the pound the last time they caught him (the fine doubles each time in my county). One month I had over $1500 on vet bills because my horse had to go the the opthamologist, my dog blew out her ACL and there were spring shots for all the animals. I presently have 5 dogs, two cats and a horse. StG ---
**Author:** ![tiny\_ham](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a183cd/32.png) [@tiny\_ham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tiny_ham)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2002, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-you-spend-to-save-your-pet/111550/8 "2002-05-30T16:36:31Z")
I’ve paid $286 in surgery, $216 for a biopsy and countless ridiculous visits for Marge that have turned out to be allergies and ‘growing pains’…which I never let her hear the end of. I would spend EVERY DOLLAR I POSSIBLY COULD AFFORD on her. She is my baby, and I would feel so guilty know that I’d let money get in the way of our time together. j ---
**Author:** ![Fibonacci](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/df788c/32.png) [@Fibonacci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fibonacci)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2002, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-you-spend-to-save-your-pet/111550/9 "2002-05-30T16:42:54Z")
Well, we’ve already spent between $2000-3000 trying to determine the cause of a severe skin allergy for our dog, who we adopted a couple years ago from a rescue shelter. We have regular blood panels done to monitor the medication he’s on. We also have been buying expensive dog food to try and determine what he might be allergic to. Worst of all, we can’t give him any of his favorite treats. He’s shown slight improvement so far, but the meter’s still running. What can you do? He’s family! ---
**Author:** ![Calliope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Calliope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Calliope)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2002, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-you-spend-to-save-your-pet/111550/10 "2002-05-30T16:44:23Z")
There is no way to quantify the value of a life. I would spend whatever was necessary provided it was buying my pet a decent quality of life. We are currently treating our 13-year-old dog for Cushings, hypothyroidism, and congestive heart disease. We have thus far spent $700 to get the medications right. If we get to a point where we cannot help her to feel good, then I will consider euthanasia, but I would never euthanize because of money. Several years ago, our cat needed her thyroid gland radiated. One treatment cost $1000. But she had a decade of good life after that, and so it was worth it. I spent well over $500 to treat a guinea pig. I cannot understand how anyone could decide to euthanize simply because they don’t want to pay for treatment. Pets are not disposable, they are live beings whose care we assume complete responsibility for when we decide to bring them home. ---
**Author:** ![Maeglin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8baadc/32.png) [@Maeglin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maeglin)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2002, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-you-spend-to-save-your-pet/111550/11 "2002-05-30T16:44:32Z")
The better question is how much _wouldn’t_ I pay to save one of my cats’ lives. My cats aren’t my friends, nor are they my kids. They are my sisters. I would be in a very bad way without them. Eat ramen three times a day or save one of my girls? Pretty obvious to me. ---
**Author:** ![Stephi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecd19e/32.png) [@Stephi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stephi)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2002, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-you-spend-to-save-your-pet/111550/12 "2002-05-30T16:47:00Z")
I just spent $800+ getting a tumor removed from my dog. and I’d probably spend a lot more, if the outlook was good. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2002, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-you-spend-to-save-your-pet/111550/13 "2002-05-30T17:00:56Z")
replacement cost minus 50%, and since dogs and cats are free, fido and tabby had better be careful when skydiving. i can almost feel the heat already… * * * Jesus was in a coma. ---
**Author:** ![Sengkelat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@Sengkelat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sengkelat)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2002, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-you-spend-to-save-your-pet/111550/14 "2002-05-30T17:51:25Z")
I had an old, stray cat show up at our door. I took him to the vet, paid $500 to do what could be done for him. He died the next week. So, what would I pay to save one of **my** cats? Lots. Lots and lots. My cats rely on me to take care of them. It is not a responsibility I intend to cast off if it becomes inconvenient. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2002, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-you-spend-to-save-your-pet/111550/15 "2002-05-30T18:05:52Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Fibonacci \* > **Well, we’ve already spent between $2000-3000 trying to determine the cause of a severe skin allergy for our dog, who we adopted a couple years ago from a rescue shelter. > We have regular blood panels done to monitor the medication he’s on. > We also have been buying expensive dog food to try and determine what he might be allergic to.** I urge you to inspect the ingredients on your dog food and exclude any food containing the ingredient **ethoxyquin.** Nearly killed my dog with skin problems. And no table scraps… ever! As to the OP: how much could I pay? Whatever I could beg, borrow, or steal. Heck, they’re family. ---
**Author:** ![Lisa\_Ann](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/bc79bd/32.png) [@Lisa\_Ann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lisa_Ann)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2002, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-you-spend-to-save-your-pet/111550/16 "2002-05-30T18:31:42Z")
As much as it takes. My Bear has been rather low-maintenance, expense-wise, however my Patch has cost us at least $5,000.00 above and beyond normal medical care. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Jane\_D\_oh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/839c29/32.png) [@Jane\_D\_oh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jane_D_oh)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2002, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-you-spend-to-save-your-pet/111550/17 "2002-05-30T19:03:51Z")
I spent about $400.00 on my turtle when he had a cold. It was worth every penny. My dog, well, I love my sweet little poochie and if I thought that the operation would extend a **healthy** life for him, then money wouldn’t be the deciding factor. ---
**Author:** ![Mullinator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c2a13f/32.png) [@Mullinator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mullinator)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2002, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-you-spend-to-save-your-pet/111550/18 "2002-05-30T19:05:01Z")
Good lord, I read that as $5,000,000 the first time through. ---
**Author:** ![Winkie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/41988e/32.png) [@Winkie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Winkie)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2002, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-you-spend-to-save-your-pet/111550/19 "2002-05-30T19:06:03Z")
I’m getting ready to spend a bunch of money to save my kitty’s life. In fact, I’m here right now wasting time because the ultrasound appointment got pushed back by an hour. The vet thinks she has fatty liver syndrome, which means : 1. XRays and bloodwork paid for yesterday 2. Ultrasound today 3. Possible liver biopsy today 4. Possible feeding tube insertion today 5. Hospital stay for recovery from #4 6. Several weeks of feeding through the tube until she eats on her own. And I will pay whatever they ask of me, provided I can still pay the mortgage. Why? Because she’s my sweet little girl, who wakes me up in the morning, snuggles with me, says “Bless You!” when I sneeze, is best buddies with my other kitty, and she looks up at me and asks me to make her feel better. The good news is (from what I’ve read on the subject) she has a pretty good chance for a full recovery and a long and healthy life. ---
**Author:** ![AbbySthrnAccent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb9ed0/32.png) [@AbbySthrnAccent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AbbySthrnAccent)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2002, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-you-spend-to-save-your-pet/111550/20 "2002-05-30T19:15:51Z")
Our son’s beloved seven year old bassett hound was diagnosed with lymphoma last fall. The cancer treatments were going to be in the $6,000-$8,000. range with little chance of cure but a good chance of extending her life for 6 to 18 months. We opted for steroid treatment and pain control which was in the $600. to $800. range. As she declined he begged us not to have her put to sleep, finally after a particulary heartbreaking friday and saturday with this big ole teenage boy sleeping by his dog’s bed and where he had to gingerly pick up his sweetheart since he was seven and carry her outside, he awoke Sunday morning and sobbingly agreed to go with the vet to have her put to sleep. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-you-spend-to-save-your-pet/111550.md?page=2)