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Veterinary bills

posted 6 years ago by snepts (11123)
34 replies | jump to latest

Yesterday a friend surprised me with a GoFundMe request as her dog needs 2K of surgery BEFORE physical therapy. It's an ugly little pug that hurt itself running around the yard (torn ACL).
At the risk of sounding hard hearted, I don't understand how people adopt pets, fall in love then are stunned at a vet bill. I don't own animals, and I feel bad when they take ill, but I couldn't afford to pay a big bill. And unfortunately, this woman has a ton of college debt which her present job doesn't really address. Plus she recently cracked up a car that had to be replaced with a brand new, fancy and expensive Rav4. She's lucky she lives with a practical boyfriend who pays for a lot.
People need to live within their means, and if that means not being able to pay for surgery on an animal, well that's how it goes.
How do you feel about pets and vet bills?

[–] sslssg (34565) 6 years ago

I don't have any now, but my pets were my babies. They were part of the family and I would have done anything I could for them, including high vet bills. More than once I might add. When I do adopt again I will look into pet insurance this time around, but I know that that doesn't cover all costs. To me it's worth it.

[–] snepts (11123) 6 years ago

Thanks for the quick reply. Yeah, I live alone so I don't have any other income to help me make the bills. I like other people's animals, and if you can afford them, fine, but to want to do a GoFundMe over this just seems like one step away from standing on the corner with a cardboard sign. She has a comfortable life otherwise. She's actually kind of lucky (and today is her Mom's birthday).

[–] sslssg (34565) 6 years ago

I had moments when I didn't know how I'd make things work when my dog needed surgery. I wish they would have had go fund me at the time. :) I did sacrifice, but it was worth it

[–] snepts (11123) 6 years ago

I appreciate that you are being candid. Whatever it takes, I guess. I just didn't expect for her to contact me about helping with this issue. In a lot of ways, she's doing better than me. Her Mom lives on their lot and her BF makes sure everything else is paid for, but I think he draws the line at some point. I have no idea how much she contributes to the family income.

[–] sslssg (34565) 6 years ago

Knowing a bit more, it's not as black and white. It never is.

I never did ask friends for money, but with all the crowd funding I don't know that I wouldn't. I just hope I would never have to.

[–] GlenEllyn (21592) 6 years ago

I completely understand that pets ARE part of the family, so doing whatever is necessary to take care of their health and well-being is what you do for any family member. It sounds like snepts' friend ran into a string of bad luck with little (or no) emergency funds. When she gets past this let's hope she realizes she needs to start putting money aside for times like these.

My son has pet insurance on his dog, but when I took her in for a checkup, heartworm, etc., a couple of weeks ago, the stupid clinic charged me for medication that was supposed to be covered under his plan, and they knew he had insurance! At the time I didn't know what his coverage was - the dog is staying with me for the summer while he gets settled in a new job and home in a different state. Silly me for assuming they would do the right thing.

[–] sslssg (34565) 6 years ago

If she can't get the surgery because she can't afford it, then I would hope she would do the right thing for the dog and surrender it where it can get help. If she's just trying to ease the cost with the go fund me...well? There was a discussion about Scorsese's daughter having a go fund me page. I think that anyone should be able to have one for whatever they want, and if people donate, great. Hopefully she will do what's right.

[–] snepts (11123) 6 years ago

As far as my friend's issue goes (and I'm replying where I wasn't addressed I think), in the long run it will work out. When push comes to shove, the guy will probably at least lend her the dough. He has inherited all her baggage, but they seem to get along well, and he gets to have a family that he otherwise wouldn't.

[–] Painekiller (355) 6 years ago

People need to live within their means, and if that means not being able to pay for surgery on an animal, well that's how it goes.
How do you feel about pets and vet bills?

I feel like good pet insurance with a reasonable deductible is the way to go, you?

[–] dmac8 (5050) 6 years ago

The fact that she adopted a pet despite her debt says a lot.

"Living within their means" would suggest that she shouldnt have a dog at all.

[–] GlenEllyn (21592) 6 years ago

Yep. Too many folks don't get this.

[–] snepts (11123) 6 years ago

Heck, I see a lot of people who don't look like they have a roof who have a dog. I understand the impulse but when you have to beg on your dog's monetary behalf, I just have to take a step back. The burden is on you to take care of the animal, not us.

[–] Stratego (30779) 6 years ago

How about all those homeless folks who beg for money on the street with their poor dogs next to them?

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

Vets fleece the soft hearted. I’d take kitty in for a routine checkup, then they’d guilt me into paying for every test in the book by saying “we really should check for ____ ”. Then $1500 later, all said tests would come back normal. Not that I wanted my poor cat to be sick but I question the need for all those tests on an outwardly healthy animal.

[–] snepts (11123) 6 years ago

That's a little depressing, although considering what goes on with Human health care, it doesn't surprise me.

And unfortunately to return back to my original thought -- these are animals. God love 'em, but often it seems people love animals more than people. Granted, people are a lot more complicated and easy to dislike, but still ....

[–] GlenEllyn (21592) 6 years ago

And why don't we think to ask why the doc thinks test X is necessary? After the fact, we realize we should have pressed them on whether there is some symptom that bears checking before spending that kind of money. We're all trying to stretch our dollars, for Pete's sake.

As for my son's dog, Bailey's situation I think: A) the vet should have known that there is a brand of medication that's covered by her insurance, B) my son could have mentioned it, or C) I could have asked. Needless to say, he won't be renewing her coverage through that chain of clinics.

[–] snepts (11123) 6 years ago

There's a current TV commercial where a nervous Mom goes into a pharmacy and asks what the scrip will cost. The druggist says $67. The lady starts to walk out and the druggist says, Wait. Check this out. Suddenly the price is $8.90. So the pharmacy would have been happy to rake in $67 without telling the poor lady she could get the same thing at less than $9. Think I'll open a pharmacy.

[–] GlenEllyn (21592) 6 years ago

I think I saw that ad the other day. Sorry, but I don't believe the commercial. I've read about those discount plans (they're not medical insurance). Too bad they're nothing like they're portrayed in the ads (what is??). But I get your point. Why is the price different depending on whether you have medical coverage or not? Such BS. It should be the same price for everyone. Now, if you have medical insurance and your plan chooses to reimburse you for part of the cost, well that's something else. It's maddening.

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

My pet owning days are over.

[–] GlenEllyn (21592) 6 years ago

Mine are, too. Well, once Bailey's back with my son. This has been a good lesson that I'm just not up to all the work and expense involved in caring for a pet. Not at my age.

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

a dog is like a kid. that's what my wife says.

[–] GlenEllyn (21592) 6 years ago

I don't disagree. Except they don't go to college. 😉

[–] Wint3rFir3 (7251) 6 years ago

I think there's a difference between irresponsible people adopting pets they know they can't afford and people who receive pets when they're kids/teens and are still responsible for them in adulthood, thus not being aware of how much pets cost.

Mostly, I believe it really comes down to experience and personal responsibility.

Example: You don't know how much a car is going to cost you until you have one. Every car is different and requires different levels of upkeep, of fuel, etc. But once you know, then you act accordingly. Same goes with pets. Once you know, act accordingly.

Don't adopt a pet you can't afford or without being informed of how much they cost. However, if you are left to raise one that you had as a kid, later as an adult, it's not so easy to just say "Oh well, I'm poor, bye now." You do what you can to keep them happy and safe for as long as possible.

[–] snepts (11123) 6 years ago

I have a different set of friends who love dogs and usually had two at a time. They just can't say no to puppies, and these dogs track mud into the house and slowly tear their home up. Personally I think it's crazy, but at least they have never asked me to help pay for vet bills. The most they asked was to take them to the dog park as the wife didn't drive.
I really liked their dogs but they created more mess than I would care to deal with.

[–] beavis (3249) 6 years ago

ueah i live a pretty cheap lifestyle, i really want a cat or a dog but dont want to pay more bills

[–] Nirvana (271) 6 years ago

In my old country we take dog out to field and shoot it when it needs therapy

[–] snepts (11123) 6 years ago

While I almost admire this statement, no way will it fly in this culture. I used to have reason to go to Walmart and despite Service Animal Only signs, people brought dogs into the store all the time. I think the sort of person who shops at Walmart generally doesn't care about social conventions and respect in general.