Ugh.

TDrag27

Shared on Fri, 05/01/2009 - 10:59

Should have went to work...It would be cheaper.

Just brought the kitties to the vet. Meow Meow is good - just shots for her. But shots and bloodwork for my big guy. He needs his teeth cleaned and 1 pulled. But he has developed a heart murmur so they don't want to put him under until they figure out why. Step 1 - $100 of bloodwork - results tomorrow. The vet's guess is a hyperthryroid which would be $25 a month in pills for the rest of his life or a one-time $1500 cure.

If it's not a hyper thyroid, then he needs an ultrasound - $400. The results of the ultrasound will result in either another expense for treatment of whatever they find. Or it will be determined that his condition is something that it isn't treated for which I will have spent $400 to find out. And once all that is done, then I can get his teeth cleaned and pulled for another $400.

I'm so conflicted. On one hand, that is a ridiculous amount of money to spend on a pet. We didn't used to do things that way. On the other, they're living, breathing animals that deserve to be cared for.

How much have you spent on vet bills. Make me feel better with some astronomical figure.

Oh - now I'm going to go pick up my scooter from getting de-winterized. Another $100. I'm throwing it on Craig's list this afternoon. I was going to sell it for money towards my home theater system I'm planning. Now it might go towards kitty healthcare. *sigh*

But they're damn cute aren't they?

 

Comments

Stridog's picture
Submitted by Stridog on Fri, 05/01/2009 - 11:04
we have three cats, I think if there is nothing wrong and we are just bringing them in for shots and stuff its like $150. We get multi-pet discounts. I don't know how much my wife paid the most ever though
Hunturic's picture
Submitted by Hunturic on Fri, 05/01/2009 - 11:07
I understand, we have cats as well and have spent probably $300 over the last 2 years. I love my cats, but at some point I have to draw the line. My family gives to chartiy and family shelters, etc. At some point I have to draw the line of what I will do for a pet when I know I can help a human child.
Waterborn's picture
Submitted by Waterborn on Fri, 05/01/2009 - 11:16
TDrag, I feel your pain. Our Dog Nygel was diagnosed with diabetes last year. Since that time, we have spent over $2K on initial tests and now buy about $100 in monthly supplies like insulin and needles. But you know what, I never hesitated for a moment to spend the money. Nygel is like our child and he deserves all that we can do for him. We were taking him to doggy acupuncture prior to this last round of issues. Did wonders for his hips.
nae's picture
Submitted by nae on Fri, 05/01/2009 - 11:16
peggle / scene it will make it better~ Side note... Kashi sometimes its just time to say good bye to the kittie :X
FreynApThyr's picture
Submitted by FreynApThyr on Fri, 05/01/2009 - 11:25
Had a friend once that dropped $3200 on some sort of kidney transplant or other ridiculous procedure on a ferret and the fucking thing died during the procedure. I told my buddy next time give me $1900 I'll kill the ferret, stuff it, give it back and buy you a new live one. Just to add insult to injury two months later the wife the ferret belonged to starting spending nights at her boyfriend's house and divorce proceedings began two weeks after that. Here's a short piece with comparison links about pet health insurance... http://www.galttech.com/research/buying-online/pet-insurance.php ...just in case you want to lock the barn door now that the horse is out.
TANK's picture
Submitted by TANK on Fri, 05/01/2009 - 11:27
Our dog developed a cyst on her head 3 months after we brought her home. We had to have it surgically removed and the bill was going to be like 2g's. So I asked for an itemized list of what everything was going to cost and we just pretty much went with putting her out for hte operation and having the thing removed. We skipped a lot of stuff like lab work and what not and got the bill down to 500. But that's it, that was the dogs one expensive outlay of cash. Something else happens and it's a we'll see how this plays out .
ATC_1982's picture
Submitted by ATC_1982 on Fri, 05/01/2009 - 11:29
cuteness over rules home system always
Lbsutke's picture
Submitted by Lbsutke on Fri, 05/01/2009 - 11:41
over the last 5 years, we have probably spent over 4k on our English bulldog. Not counting food... You need to look into pet health insurance (i should have). If you need I think I still have some links to some..
BalekFekete's picture
Submitted by BalekFekete on Fri, 05/01/2009 - 12:10
It's a hard thing when you're talking about pets. They do become part of the family very quickly, but you do need to remind yourself at times they are animals, not humans. Case in point - we have been battling with our two cats for the past year or so now with a marking issue. One, or more likely both based on what we've been told, are pissing in various spots of the house to mark territory. They are both neutered, but still do it. We tried everything from different food to some medication to social training...nothing has worked. Unfortunately, both our vet and the SPCA told us the only thing left is to put them down. Date is the 22nd. My wife is taking it VERY hard, as they are her 'babies', but it's a health hazard ultimately which makes it somewhat palletable. For you...it must be even harder. Best of luck!
BasBleu's picture
Submitted by BasBleu on Fri, 05/01/2009 - 12:27
I have no idea how much money I have spent over the last 22 years on all my various animals. Do I even think about it? No. Do I regret any of it? No. As long as the money is being spent to improve their quality of life. Wait for the test results before you start thinking about the next step. Good luck. That photo is great.
rumbagod's picture
Submitted by rumbagod on Fri, 05/01/2009 - 12:34
when my cat was diagnosed with kidney disease almost two years ago (wow), i spent a couple grand in medication, food, shots, vet visits.....she had been with me for over 10 years and i didn't blink an eye on dropping the coin. now with my two new kitties, i've spent close to a grand just in shots, medication (one of them got a serious case of conjuctivitis from the shelter) and food...and again i don't blink abou the price, i just do give them my card before hearing the price :)
Anonymous's picture
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 05/01/2009 - 12:46
After my dog was diagnosed with lymphoma last October I spent over $12k to extend my dog's life 6 months and it was worth every penny.
Caesar's picture
Submitted by Caesar on Fri, 05/01/2009 - 12:53
spent 1500 on each of my rottis knees one went then the other. so 3g total, this was when she was 1-1/2 yrs old. if she was over 5 i wouldnt have done it. then she got sick once and had to go for an overnight deal, 500 bucks. so lets see 3500, that doesnt count food, normal shots , toys animals are expensive. what sucks is you get invested emotionally after a couple yrs and your emotions rule out common sense. if had used any common sense i would have just put her down, but i love her like family so. ya know
Automan21k's picture
Submitted by Automan21k on Fri, 05/01/2009 - 13:18
My uncle once spent $7,000 on his Kids dog....it was 18, and lived for another 2 years....durring those 2 years that dog never left his sight, he was always scared something would happen to his "little investment" since then my one cousin became a vet...she takes care of us if the need arises
J-Cat's picture
Submitted by J-Cat on Fri, 05/01/2009 - 13:33
My Mother in Law paid to have a TURTLE's leg amputated. I have no idea how much that was. Damn thing swims in circles now.
LM2's picture
Submitted by LM2 on Fri, 05/01/2009 - 13:33
Get the meds from your local Cub Pharmacy. Save big $. We did this with a cat that has hypertension.
govnamac's picture
Submitted by govnamac on Fri, 05/01/2009 - 15:28
I had a ferret a few years ago that developed a blood disorder at around 5 months. The vet said it needed to be brought to Philiadelphia or New York for a $3000 treatment. We tried antibiotics instead, and he ended up dying.
budman24's picture
Submitted by budman24 on Fri, 05/01/2009 - 15:45
Yeah I was torn about my cat. I had three...one was 18 almost 19 years old...so I put it down when it got sick. The other one was my siamese that was six when it had a tumor. It was gonna be crazy money like 3k. I didn't have it and it killed me to do it but I had to put him down :(
Lusetti67's picture
Submitted by Lusetti67 on Fri, 05/01/2009 - 16:14
Deans prayers are being answered ; ) Sleepy time for Kitty Kitty
TDrag27's picture
Submitted by TDrag27 on Fri, 05/01/2009 - 16:53
Thanks everyone...And Setti - Dean said that if I let myself get scammed and spend the money, he's going to buy the most expensive dragon eel he can find. They run about 1-2k.
madwoman's picture
Submitted by madwoman on Sat, 05/02/2009 - 09:49
Our dog has become a cash cow in the past couple of years. Two ear surgeries, many trips to the vet for various skin, ear and tummy troubles. *rolls eyes* I felt the same about shelling out the bucks, but ultimately he IS a part of the family. :)

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