How Much Do You Bankroll For Vet Bills?

[GoForAGallop]

@Pancakes;7867538

I’ve had a few of these in my clinic.

One was an old Golden who had a brain tumor, underwent successful surgery, then developed 2 other different types of cancer requiring multiple surgeries and chemo. And he was as happy as a clam the entire time and lived to be 13 or 14 I think. Money well spent according to his family.

Puppy hit by car, suffered neuro trauma, septic abdomen, and numerous fractures requiring several weeks hospitalization with several surgeries. That one was expensive. But he’s a happy camper. This bill wasn’t close to $40k, but it was about half that.

Thanks for the examples, I’ve run up some big money equine bills but haven’t gotten close with a cat or dog, even though I have aggressively treated cancer with chemo, had tumors removed, had surgery to remove an obstruction, etc.

I think the point still remains, however, that you don’t need $10k put aside to be qualified to own a dog. In the case of the puppy above, I probably would have euthanized, even if I did have the $20k. I think being prepared to spend up to $3-5k (whether that’s one reserved credit/CareCredit card or cash in the bank) is a reasonable amount. That’s going to cover a large % of emergencies.

[Preposterous_Ponies]

Yup, a shleter dog is the way to go. If those dogs get anything more than basic run of the mill issue, they are PTS. Heck, perfectly happy and healthy dogs get PTS. Send him to the shelter.

And realistically - I would say the huge majority of the dog owning population is not like dog owners on COTH - grocery store foods, vaccines (maybe) and a seat-of-the-pants approach to vet care. The majority of those dogs are happy and healthy and love their families. And if they weren’t in those homes, where would they be? Heck, millions of people don’t even have the luxury of having an emergency fund for their children~!

[Sobriska]

Thanks for the perspective. Not something I would have really thought of. As to fostering, I think it would break his heart to get one and give it up.

[DressageFancy]

[QUOTE=Sobriska;7868166]
You know, I never thought of it from the point of view of getting a dog from the shelter and IF some huge bill arises its OK to PTS. Because really, most of those dogs will wind up PTS at the county shelter.
He can afford basic care, such as food and the normal shots etc. And I would actually be more than happy to help if there was some emergency[/QUOTE]

And the usual shelter dog is past puppy stage and comes with shots/nuter so only the up front cost to adopt. From there if he budgets just the cost to feed his new dog and then doubles that cost. Half to actually feed and the extra half into an emergency fund savings acct. My aussie is now 12 yrs and has never seen the vet except for the basics as he is a very healthy dog. Twelve years of just budgeting food for an extra dog adds up to a pretty good cushion! 'Course the down side of the food budget strategy is that you will convince yourself that you can afford TWO dogs :)…

[candyappy]

[QUOTE=Preposterous Ponies!;7868256]
Yup, a shleter dog is the way to go. If those dogs get anything more than basic run of the mill issue, they are PTS. Heck, perfectly happy and healthy dogs get PTS. Send him to the shelter.

And realistically - I would say the huge majority of the dog owning population is not like dog owners on COTH - grocery store foods, vaccines (maybe) and a seat-of-the-pants approach to vet care. The majority of those dogs are happy and healthy and love their families. And if they weren’t in those homes, where would they be? Heck, millions of people don’t even have the luxury of having an emergency fund for their children~![/QUOTE]

That has been our experience in a nutshell. Most of our dogs have been shelter dogs, strays or mix breeds people had for sale. We have had a few papered dogs and all got the same care. I have never had a huge vet bill and my dogs had need of a vet only to be spayed/ neutered and rabies shots and for the occasional " something is not right". Those are generally not overly expensive ( up to $100). Our dogs are part of our family.

I would not discourage anyone from owning a dog because they don’t have wads of cash/ credit at their disposal. This guy has proved he can love and care for a dog and that is the main thing.

[danceronice]

I would have hard time justifying spending $20,000 to keep a horse alive (unless we’re talking Charismatic or something), let alone a dog. If someone can do that without carrying debt, I guess more power to them…REALLY cannot see putting a dog through 30 days on a ventilator. And weirdly my one ‘ER vet visit’ wound up cheaper than taking two dogs and a cat for annual shots to the regular vet, though their prices are starting to get excessive for the market in general. I would not tell someone not to get a dog just because they don’t have 10K lying around just in case.

[Twisting]

I’d say it depends a bit on the dog breed as well. Owning an Italian greyhound without the budget to deal with orthopedic surgery to fix a broken leg is, IMO, irresponsible. Mine girl broke her leg hopping down off the couch and landing funny. Research the breed, or probable mix of breeds, and at least be able to deal with the major problems that breed may have, or avoid those breeds that have major problems. A couple thousand should cover low genetic problem possibility dogs.

[glfprncs]

I honestly don’t have a set amount set aside, though I do have a savings account for household emergencies. I don’t have a whole lot left after bills are paid at the end of the month, either.

I have three dogs.

My biggest medical expense has been the diagnosis and treatment of Cushing’s disease in my old boy, T.C. You see, he was one of those “unusual” cases. It took quite awhile to actually determine he really DID have Cushings (so lots of diagnostic testing), then we started him on meds (which weren’t cheap $100/month), and couldn’t regulate his symptoms on meds (meaning ACTH stim tests quite often to see what his cortisol levels were like=expensive testing every time we changed dosages), then when we couldn’t regulate him, visits to the Internist, then a trip to the ER vet on a Sunday when his cortisol dropped too low and he was able to poop on a tree 3 feet behind him (yeah, visualize that), and then finally a final testing to the U of T that FINALLY determined what we needed to know. Now he’s medicated properly, minimal symptoms, and a happy chappy.

In all, I have NO idea how much I spent in that 18 month span, but it was thousands and thousands of dollars.

Since then, the other two now have a major medical plan with “Healthy Paws.” The young dog (who is 5) has a $100 deductible and pays out 80% and the middle dog (who is 11) could only quality for a $500 deductible and a 70% payout. The REALLY senior dog, T.C., would only qualify for a cancer plan because of his Cushing’s disease, so he does not have major medical. The two plans I have cost $77/month.

[jessiesgrrl]

OP, I am your friend!!! lol well I mean I was in/am in the exact situation as your friend.

I had about $150/mth left over after bills etc, so not anything I could really “save” exactly…
I went through a rescue, found my dog, and don’t regret it for a minute!

It took me 3 months of saving to get the adoption fee together, but I did it!

Her basic needs are covered, and she has more love and attention then she could ever hope for…or ever rec’v in her little life. She was taken from a hoarder where she was 1 of 9 dogs in the apartment, into foster care where she was 1 of 4 (not bashing fosters, I love them) and was completely shut into her shell.

Being the only dog in the household is ideal for her, and even though I may not have thousands set aside “in case” doesn’t mean she or I didn’t deserve each other.

If something were to happen, god forbid, I have a max amount I am willing to pay in my head…no it isn’t very high, but it is reality. I will not sacrifice my home or DD livelihood for a dog.
Most CoTH folks will flame me for owning something I cannot possibly take care of to their standards, being “irresponsible” like they state…but she is happy, we are happy, and I don’t regret my choice for a minute!!

I say, surprise your friend and take him to the local shelters for some window shopping…or at the very least some dog time

[Griffyn]

Im with jessiesgrl. A dog out of a shelter, and a lifeline to a loving home… and a friend for the guy. Thats a win. OP you are awesome to help out now and again if something comes up. To my mind, thats money better spend than to a generic organization.

[KellyG]

I got tired of worrying about money and vet bills. I never wanted to have to decide how much is too much.

This year, after we got our 2nd Papillon, I got a health insurance policy for both of our Paps. It took money off the table.

I have a $200 deductible to meet for each dog, then it covers 100% of the rest. It includes vet care, surgery, hospital boarding, rehab, medications, euthanasia, pretty much everything except routine care.

This week we found out that our younger Pap may need cataract surgery $3,000 or more. No problem. It will be covered by his policy. So glad I got it!!! His policy runs $42/month.

http://www.gopetplan.com/dog-insurance

Tell your friend about it…maybe it will help.

[Horsegal984]

But the problem with health insurance for pets is that its all reimbursement plans. Meaning you still have to shell out the cash up front. So while it’s great to get that money back, it’s not going to help somebody who doesn’t have the cash to pay upfront.

[Another_Poster]

Tell him to go to the shelter and get a dog. There are a lot worse fates than being humanely euthanized after living in a loving home.

So many animals are just PTS without knowing the love of having their own human/family. Tell him to look into care credit or just a cc set aside for animal emergencies only.