That question is very different for pets vs. people. For pets, the owner, has to be the one to decide, and since the treatment $ comes from their pockets, I guess that's the way it should be. Hopefully their vet is honest when advising of the prognosis, treatment costs and issues, etc. When we've sought treatment for our cats, it was always discussed first, and we pretty much had a figure in mind, if treatment was not progressing as hoped for, where we had to stop. We love our animals, but we are not the Rockerfellers. That "stop treatment" figure is going to be different for everyone.

I had one old kitty. She got thyroid medicine every day. The vet wanted to run lab work on her as she got older. I declined. I told her if she needed to check if the thyroid medicine was still the correct dosage, that test would be fine. Other tests were being declined as I was not willing to start any other treatment program for a 17 year old cat. I could see that she was beginning to fail.

That said, it's very hard to let an animal go, and some may prolong an animal's life with treatment, even if the chances of a cure are not good. They may simply not be ready to let go, hopefully, the vet will help advise them if this is unwise and if it's simply, "time."

 

Lainey: Lots of smart and wise thinking on your part. Pet owners need to give their Vets an opportunity to advise them on terminal animal care. Largely, Vets will advise you properly if you are prepared to hear what they have to say. Ask logical questions to prompt the discussion. Unlike Mom, who can't be replaced, Vets are more likely to think ahead and want to maintain a service relationship with your likely next pet. Assume they are good, honest providers, but don't base your judgements only on "bedside" manner. I much enjoyed my practice stint working on small animals, but had mixed feelings about pet owners.

 

[QUOTE=RC - Ryder,Aug 1 2007, 06:32 PM]

 

Hey Dave-

I'm sure that horses can swim, right?


Don't you have an old harness laying around.....

 

Here's another area for pet owners to spend $ that I never thought I'd fall into. Memorials for your departed pet.



NEVER did I think I'd feel the need to do this, but after our 17 year old kitty died in an accident, I a LOT for two days. At her age, we knew her time on earth was limited, but we were both heartbroken.

We had buried her in our yard, would have opted for cremation, but it just didn't happen that way. The next day I knew I needed some kind of memorial. I found this on the internet and I couldn't believe how much stuff was out there.

While deciding what to get, I even called a local monument place. They were talking $400.00 for a stone for a pet. I couldn't do that. Another kind man told me to find a nice stone (I told him we didn't have those kinds of stones in our yard. He suggested I steal one from someone's stone wall if I had to, that made me laugh) and he'd engrave it for me for $100.00. He was a sweet

We found this PA bluestone from a company on line. I think it was $50.00 or $75.00. It made me feel a little better to have this in our yard to remember one very special kitty.

 

Lainey: Nice touch. Some appropriate treatment and a diet change usually does the trick in female cats especially. The diet is low ash and higher than normal acid content, which usually works as a preventatative. Sounds like you're top of things and use common sense also, which translates into saving money at the Vet. Probably the right vet for you too. Enjoy your pet.

 

[QUOTE=Lainey8484,Aug 1 2007, 08:37 PM]Here's another area for pet owners to spend $ that I never thought I'd fall into. Memorials for your departed pet.



NEVER did I think I'd feel the need to do this, but after our 17 year old kitty died in an accident,

 

Thanks, John and Frank.

That particular cat even had a story to her becoming our pet.

My cousin was giving away a kitten. We didn't want a cat. Rick had lost a few and wasn't ready for another.

So, we drove all the way to VT with that kitten for my sister who had moved there. While there we went to a 4th of July parade. A woman was giving away kittens. I looked in the box and was done for. I took one back to my sister's house.

Rick was not pleased, and my sis was going to end up with two cats. Long story short, we took that cat (from the parade) home, and ended up driving to and from VT with a cat in the car.

Guess who she "bonded" with right away. Yep. Rick.

 

One of my fellow dog owner friends sent me this pic, and my only regret is that Vick is not wearing this shirt!

 

[QUOTE=paS2K,Aug 1 2007, 12:33 AM]

The amount of $$ spent of pets makes me sick.