I have spent over $2000 on vet bills in one hit for our lab bitch who needed an emergency caesar and follow up treatment for mastitis and other complications resulting from her unexpected pregnancy.
I would not do it again, regardless of how much I adored the pet.
I was about to begin a tirade about how vets require as much schooling and training as MDs, and so forth.
Then I realized you were talking about the dog. 
Damn, I don’t have $100 to spend on healthcare for myself, much less my cat. We buy food for our older cat that’s easier on his belly and that’s it. The two strays are pretty much on their own, aside from the bowls of food we lay out for 'em. Btw, does anyone know of any organizations that provide free or very low cost neutering/spaying?
If they’re strays, you could check with the humane society in your area. They often catch, fix, and release.
Try calling your local Humane Society. I did that a few years ago and was given a voucher to take to the vet’s office. Sorry, I don’t recall how much it cost.
I love my cat, Ralph so much!
I have Pet Insurance so hopefully I wont ever have to deal with this.
We have three cats, all of whom are family members. It turns out I’m in the process of answering that question in real life: our four-year-old Russian Blue baby, Meep, was recently diagnosed with lymphoma. We caught it early and we’re now pursuing a six-month course of chemotherapy that will, if we’re lucky, give us two or three more years (more if we’re really lucky–less if we’re not) with her. The treatment is probably going to cost $4-5000 (including two minor surgeries, one for a biopsy and one to drain an abscess she got at one of her suture sites).
The spouse and I didn’t even question it. We’re going to pay it. Cats deal with chemo far better than humans do, and after three doses she’s still her happy, chipper self with little or no ill effects.
We have the money, and we love Meep. We treat our cats like they were our kids. I recognize and respect the fact that others feel differently (or, sadly, must act differently due to financial considerations) but for us, our pets are our priority. As long as Meep is happy and enjoying life, we’ll be there for her with whatever treatment she needs. If and when that changes, then we’ll re-evaluate. Above all we don’t want her to suffer.
I could have written that, except I don’t have a cat named Meep.
We spent a few thousand on our beloved Tuffy a few years ago. No qualms. He was a great cat, we loved him, and it’s only money.
Aww, Jinwicked and CynicalGabe, your comments are so sweet.
I have faced this question, too, and my unhappy conclusion was that I couldn’t continue to spend if it cut into essential money (rent, bills, food.) Luckily, it didn’t, and I still have my wonderful friend, too.
I live below the poverty line and for years I would not get a pet because of that. But one day a cat chose me and even though I was nervous about it, I brought it home. I can afford routine care, and I have a credit card for emergencies. Thus far there has only been one emergency, and in hindsight I consider it an expensive but very worthwhile decision to spend the money.
Honestly, I had no idea how nice it would be to come home to a cat. I am able to meet her needs sufficiently, and she enriches my life.
We just got a new puppy a few weeks ago. Three days after bringing him home he was acting very sick. $490 later, he had fluids, xrays and an overnight stay at the vet’s office and got better (pneumonia).
We had to have followup xrays the next week, which cost another $200.
Plus the special food he needed.
If we include the shots and the adoption fee the first week with the new puppy was over $700.
I lost my cat Whitey almost two years ago after spending many dollars to deal with his kidney troubles. I never begrudged a cent of that money, because he was a member of our family. However, I have two cats now (I had to get two to replace Whitey, and still it’s not enough) and I realize that if one of them were to get seriously ill, I would be looking at the situation from a much more practical viewpoint. I would still be willing to spend money, even a lot of money, but if it turned out to be something chronic I would be very reluctant to go through all that again.
I think a lot depends on the pet’s expected quality of life after the treatment. 3 years ago my 13 yr. old dog Tigger was diagnosed with cancer. The vet said that she could operate, but it was only likely to prolong his life for a few months, and that he would be in constant pain throughout. I really couldn’t wish that on him - we got him when he was 6 weeks old - so I allowed her to put him to sleep.
One of my other dogs has a heart condition, which means a lot of medication and check-ups - but it’s worth the expense because he’s still such a happy little dog, even though he’s going blind and deaf. I’d spend any amount of money to keep him alive - as long as he still enjoys life and isn’t in pain.
For me, cost wouldn’t be a factor. If my dog was going to be in pain, that would be a factor, but not the amount of money it would cost to try and help her. We’d just somehow find whatever it would take. She’s a family member.
I’m not a pet freak and I’m not a cat person. But the cat I have now is the most intelligent, friendly, sociable, interesting, and fun cat I’ve ever known. I doubt I’ll ever have another one like him, so I want to keep him around as long as is humane.
If he is ever in pain that can’t be relieved, he will be euthanized with all haste. I cannot understand people who deny euthanasia to a pet who is in untreatable pain (or suicide assistance for humans who want it, for that matter, but that’s a hijack for another thread).
On the other hand, if he had a life-threatening condition, I’d pay about US $500 for each year of pain-free life that the treatment was likely to secure for him. He probably has about 10 years of natural life left in him, so I’d pay $5,000 for a procedure that would restore that probability.
Yes, it is a little extreme, but he is a great little cat, and I have the money should it be necessary. If I ever have children I will probably get a little tighter on money and a little less attached to the animals. But for now, they’re the only kids I have.