Do you think it is morally permissible to spend $5,000 or more for pet surgery?

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ChunkMonk said:
Anything over $500 and it’s getting put down.
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Do you have a dog, and do you take it to the vet? Because around here, 500 at the vet is about an average cost per year for a dog. (Cats a bit less.)

I realize there are discount options like cheap/ free shots clinics, also the cost of vet care may be less in some other parts of the country, and some people do not get vet care for their animals, but 500 dollars is a pretty low threshold. I also doubt that most vets in this area would put down an animal simply because it needed 500 dollars worth of care that its owner didn’t want to pay for.
 
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$500 a year is reasonable… I guess. (what does that get me though?) I don’t have a dog, but I will probably get a few pretty soon here. Obviously I’d be willing to feed it and medicine it within reason, but if there is some extra $500+ dollar cost then I’m putting it down. If the vet “won’t do it” then I’ll take it to the pound and if they won’t take it then I guess it’s ol’ yeller time.

I find it hard to believe that a dog costs that much. People have owned dogs for thousands of years.
 
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I live in a pricey area at the moment, and there are a lot of people in the area with dogs who have the money to spend on their care, so it drives the cost up a bit I imagine. My hometown is considerably more poor so the vet care there is probably about 2/3 as much. Many vets, especially in less well-off areas, will work with families on a payment plan to help their pets get care, and there are cheap shots clinics that will just give shots or spay/neuter and don’t charge much, but they usually don’t do anything else, so if the dog gets worms or something they will tell you to go see a regular vet.

In the previous eras when people had dogs (like when my now-deceased mom and dad had dogs as children), there was much less emphasis on vet care, spay/neuter, rabies shots, etc. I suspect a lot of dogs either just wandered off or went the way of Old Yeller. Many cities now have laws that you must get the dog fixed and must buy it a license and a rabies shot every year. I doubt my parents’ families would have had the money even for that.
 
They definitely do and can show love and affection. We now have one kitty, but we had two together for several years.

The other male kitty was a housemate for our current kitty, and they grew up together, and we adopted them together.

They were not litter mates or siblings, but were close companions. He became very ill suddenly, and when he passed away, she became depressed for a period of time, and she became even more attached to me after he was no longer here for her.
 
I’m sorry if this comes across uncharitably, but I do hope you reconsider getting even one dog, let alone a few.
 
Unfortunatly, the vetnary industry has worked tirelessly to drive up prices. Simple ear cleaner as a “prescription” was nearly $30. I can purchase a brand —which, long story–has MORE of the active ingredient on Amazon for $4.

Rabies is the only shot required by the US government, but now vets regularly encourage 6 or more annual vaccinations. Titler has proved that most of these vaccinations are done entirely too frequently.

Combine that with the pet food industry which creates “tastier” feeds that are soft, which leads to tooth decay…you now have an annual dental cleaning recommended. Then there’s the $25 a month flea protection (when a $5 flea & tick) collar does the trick, heartworm, tick repllant, ETC ETC.

It’s actually disgusting.

I refuse to spend that much on a dog. I was told by one vet (not the one I go to) that a lack of perfect vet records could stop me from adopting another dog, adopting a CHILD or even getting a job in which I was in contact with animals. For refusing pricy remedies!!! Because it’s seen as neglect.

I am thinking this will be the last dog I have. I love my dog dearly, but I do not want to risk the welfare of my children by going to the wrong vet.

The pet militia has taken things way too far.
 
Fish are nice and fairly economical.

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Even the poor should have the right to own a pet withing their means, even if it means they cannot treat it as well as an upper class soccer mom.

Yes, the veterinary industry has become big business. This is good in that it has opened up possibilities for those who wish to avail themselves of such extraordinary means and can morally do so. There are avenues for those of lesser income that are not willing to go down the path of cutting edge veterinary treatment. Shot clinics is one way to save on vaccinations. Also, feed stores have non-prescription treatment options for a lot of ailments for a fraction of what a vet charges. Then there are mail order options. I have four pets and I don’t spend $500 most years on them.
 
If someone contributes to the church and the poor, supports thier family, and still has the cash to spend 5000.00 on a pets health, then it’s not a moral dilemma.
 
If you have the money , and you pet may have a full recovery , then why not,
 
Get pet insurance or start a saving fund. I recently pts a kelpie hit by a car. He cost 700 Australian in emergency care and X-rays to determine what was broken and what was fixable.

He was not only a pet, but a working dog. So pay 5k to fix injuries vs the wage of a person or three per year.

I have another couple of dogs here, priceless workers and very difficult to replace.

People aren’t going to put time effort and money into training, then say oh well, sick animal , pts.
 
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Morally permissible? yes, assuming your pet needs the surgery and afterwards won’t live in pain with some kind of on going condition. Also I think you should consider the age of the pet. If your pet is already towards the end of their life either way just take them to the park and let them be happy for a while I guess. Personally I love my dog max and if I was in that situation and had the money I’d do it.
 
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