How much money would you spend to save your pet from cancer?

[Pet Friend]

Given the hypothetical situation that your pet had cancer. How much money would you be willing to spend on health care and treatment for your pet?
a) less than $700
b) $701- $1,000
c) $1,001 -$2,000
d) $2001-$3000
e) $3,001 -$5,000
f) $5,001 or more
And which of the following factors that would influence the amount you were willing to spend to treat your pet
__ age of the pet
__ the quality of life the pet would experience during treatment
__ the quality of life the pet would experience after treatment
__ success rate of treatment
__ your financial status
__ other (please specify)

[Kristin S Key]

I agree with you. In fact we were faced with that very issue this weekend, when we had to have little Timmy euthanized. He was diagnosed with cancer and while the vet said he could remove the tumors it would only prolong his life with very little time. We chose to let our little boy go because that was the human thing to do. We miss him but he is in a far better place. I will always weigh whether or not it is the best interest of my dog rather than what the cost would be.

[ducky]

BEAUTIFUL,AND WELL SAID. AND I AM SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS.

[Lisbeth Mønsted Larsen]

Well said kristin and you have my deepest sympathy over your loss. As I have recently lost one of my precious lads I know how you feel so if you need to vent I am here. any time should you want or need to vent. Lisbeth and the lads.

[Christina Pontius]

I am willing to spend whatever I need to help my pet, but I need to know that there will be quality of life during treatment and after. I had to make that decision 3 years ago when my cat, Raven, got stomach cancer. I was told the tumor was almost always malignant, but if I wanted, they would remove the tumor and check it. If in the rare chance it was benign, they could give him treatment, but the tumor would probably resurface in about three months. I could not allow my Raven to go through all of that to add three months to his life. I made the very hard decision to let him go. I held him in my arms as the vet gave him the shot and he looked me in the eyes until he was gone. It still hurts, but I feel I did the right thing. He was almost 15 years old and if I felt treatment would have been a better option for him I would have went that route.

[Kristin S Key]

Thank you Donald & Lisbeth. I might take you up on the venting part Lisbeth, it is very hard. I too got to hold my little boy, while one of my best friends injected him with the blue juice and the only good thing about the whole situation was the fact that he was gone in just a few seconds. Like you Christina his chances of living more than a few extra month and a few extra months where he could be in a lot of pain, just didn't seem right. Let me put it in another way, the only reason for putting him through all of that was because it was hard for us to say goodbye and that in my opinion is never right.

[Lisbeth Mønsted Larsen]

You are both right. I never had that choice with Connor he slipped away in his sleep sourrounded by those of us who knew and loved him. I was going to take him to my vet on the Monday. Connor passed peacefully away in his sleep Sunday night. I heard this strange sigh as I was working at the computer and turned and called him there was no reaction I went over to him and he was dead. We said our goodbyes all of us and I covered Connor up with a blanket and took the others for a long walk. It cleared my head some and I called one of my friends. Her son and her came here and lovingly carried Connor down to their car and took him to a vet surgery for cremation his last journey was made with love and respect. I wish they could all go that way but alas in most cases we have to go to the vet and let them be pts. We are without fail left shattered and sad but life has a funny way of going on right before our eyes. Before we know it next day is here followed by another day followed by a week. It has now been almost three weeks since I lost Connor. I have a new young greyhound to look forward to.Someone we can be there for and share a lot of love with. And in so doing we honour the ones who has left for a better world . I think they would love the idea that the love we shared is now being shared with an individual who has never known love. There are no replacements for those who have left us but there is the day of tomorrow and the future. Love you all. Lisbeth and the lads. 

[87pitbullpride]

Theres a service that will give you discounts on vet visits, medication, and even food.  If your pet has to go back to the vet over and over for check ups this is something you should look into.  I hope this helps anybody!!!

But to answer the question, you cant put a price on love!!.

[Lisbeth Mønsted Larsen]

First of this was written by me three years ago or almost three years. Secondly I have had to say good bye to two more of my lads since this was written. In conclusion I would say that it is not a question of how long we have with our fourlegged family members but rather that the time we have with them is quality time. What right have we got to put them through a lot of pain and discomfort in an attempt to keep them alive for whom? Certainly not them this is where I draw the line not for my sake but  for my lads whom I love more than anything in this world. If they get ill I will take them to the vet the same if they sustain an injury. I will not let them suffer long term. I will not put them through surgery when they are old and infirm because it will not be for them but rather my own selfish desire to keep them alive. As I see it that is a viscious circle  and not something anyone of us has the right to do. In answer to your question. There is a service ect ect there might be where you live but not where I live here we pay for everything ourselves. There are health insurances that will reduce medical costs. However as I see it the fourlegged family member comes first if its extensive medication and rehabilitation and the outcome is uncertain as to quality of life I would rather have my loved ones leave for the Rainbow bridge as much as it pains me to say good bye. I take solice in the fact that I have done all I could for each of them and always will. Perhaps other people have other opinions so be it the choice is ultimately yours in conjuction with your vet.

[Lisbeth Mønsted Larsen]

Nice of you to offer but not here and certainly not in this context. I have greyhounds and when one dies I find a greyhound who needs a home and then simply continue with the four I have.I have three ex-racers and one standard bred show greyhound who is just fifteen months old.Cheers from my four lads and I.

[summereo3]

The cost is very reasonable. For me, I will do everything and pay any cost to save my pet dog from cancer..

[Lisbeth Mønsted Larsen]

You are missing the point if a dog gets cancer and there is a cure then I will go for it but if its a cancer like osteosarcoma I would rather have my hound put to sleep as it is not fair to make them suffer in pain without cure or quality of life at the end of treatment and yes i do have experience with this as I sadly lost my greyhound Darcy to osteo sarcoma a nasty bone cancer. He was not nine years old and I miss him so much but I know I did the right thing for him. Loving your dog also Means to let them go with love rather than keeping them alive for our own selfish wants. none of us likes to Loose our loved ones but eventually we will so enjoy life with them as long as you can and don´t let them suffer ever. People understand suffering dogs don´t not in the same way.

[summereo3]

I think we could not talk mony to our pets,if it can be cured,we should try our best as we are so closely as a friend.