Anyone know of funding for dog surgeries?

[rekees4300]

Pet insurance doesn't cover pre-existing conditions, and wouldn't pay out until after a year of coverage anyway.

People who can't afford a dog shouldn't own one. It's always the dog who ends up suffering.

 

[Rock knocker]

People who can't afford a dog shouldn't own one

What does that mean? Say you own a dog and it needs a laminectomy to survive (and thrive). There's $12K right there. Could you afford that? Does the fact that advanced medical technology is finding its way to veternary medicine almost as fast as with humans, along with the attendant fees mean that (probably) the majority of pet owners are now not qualified?

Our 11yo boy nedded a laminectomy almost a year ago. I think death would have soon happened otherwise. I swallowed hard and cut a check for $12K. Best investment I ever made. He is doing well and is happy and healthy. But I would never judge others on their ability to bare these costs which are rapidly rising as is the ability to save animals. Five years ago our dog wouldn't have made it.

So to answer your own point, as a pet owner, could you cut a check for $15 to 20K if needed? Because by your logic, the answer to that question for all pet owners must be yes?

 

[rekees4300]

What does that mean?

It means owning a dog is a major 10-15 year commitment. Most folks follow their hearts instead of their heads at adoption time. Costs are not considered until later.

 

[Groo]

Waiting to hear on the prognosis of my own stupid dog. I've been carying his 85lb *** all weekend after he decided to jump out the window of my truck after a deer he would have had zero chance of catching under ideal conditions.

 

[Rock knocker]

It means owning a dog is a major 10-15 year commitment. Most folks follow their hearts instead of their heads at adoption time. Costs are not considered until later.

Just answer the question. How big of a financial reserve should one have in their bank account before they get a dog?

And do you have a dog?

 

[rekees4300]

How big of a financial reserve should one have in their bank account before they get a dog? And do you have a dog?

That's a good question. Different strokes for different folks depending on many variables. IMO pet insurance is a better option than a "financial reserve". Nevertheless, for the dog's benefit, one or the other should be provided. You are to be commended for writing that $12K check. The world needs more owners like you! :thumbsup:

I have been a volunteer for a dog rescue organization for 18 years. Trust me when I tell you I have seen it all: the abuse, apathy, cruelty, neglect, ignorance, etc. I own 6 dogs and have fostered 200+ others so when I say "People who can't afford a dog shouldn't own one. It's always the dog who ends up suffering." you can take that to the bank (no pun intended).

 

[Jim Timber]

It means owning a dog is a major 10-15 year commitment. Most folks follow their hearts instead of their heads at adoption time. Costs are not considered until later.

Costs of Vinnie's eye surgery were considered at the time of adoption. As I stated in my original post, my own vet seemed to think it was a non-issue and that it could wait until we decided it was time. In consulting with another vet, and doing further research on the condition, it became known that time was a factor in ultimate recovery prognosis and that it was better to do the surgery now than wait until funds would be available.

I had logging done this past winter that was supposed to cover this and some other bills I have, but the harvest came up $10K short of what my forester had projected. Not only is Vinnie's medical health suffering, but my cash flow is pinched too.


So here's the real question rekees - Should Vinnie have been put down because the cost of his medical care is more than most people can swallow? He's an amazing dog. He's my second best friend next to the Mrs., and he's the best therapist I've ever had. No one wanted him because of his eye. I'm grateful for that because if it wasn't the case, I never would've gotten to adopt him. Now that he's in our home, I want to treat his eye before it can develop into something worse. I also want to play catch with him, so maybe that's me being selfish?

Someone also said he looked like a mastiff. Pfffttt You're a crappy dog ID'er. He's a Blackmouth Cur. He's 54# of solid muscle and can keep up with an ATV running at 25mph over hard ground (he tops out at 18 over snow). That's pretty darn good for a dog that had heartworms 4 months prior.

Sometimes it's not about the money. I'm selling off my stuff to make up the difference in the cost of the surgery vs what people (mostly my close friends) have contributed. I just don't have a lot that I can afford to get rid of. My military disabilities kicked into high gear the year after buying my woods, and it's been a bumpy decade since. If you don't want to help, fine. Stop crapping on my thread where I'm trying to do what I think is right for my little buddy. He's not livestock to me.

 

[rekees4300]

Stop crapping on my thread where I'm trying to do what I think is right for my little buddy.

Message received loud and clear ... best of luck with your fund raising effort.

 

[Jim Timber]

Message received loud and clear ... best of luck with your fund raising effort.

It's not just you. I find it amazing how many people piped up to say "eff yer buddy's eye" because of the cost or what the money theoretically could be used for instead. Sure, it's a free country and everyone has the right to speak their minds, but maybe doing your best to dissuade other people from pursuing their kinder urges isn't in the best of taste.

If your mother needed a kidney, would you want people to try to talk the donor into finding a younger recipient because old Ma doesn't have that much time left on the clock anyway?

Don't like the cause? Fine. Don't like me? Fine. Don't want to help for some other reason? No worries! But if you just want to post here about why YOU wouldn't contribute, that's rude.

I'm sorry I don't have $15K in the bank for a pet emergency slush fund. I don't have $15 that isn't technically already spent and owed to someone else. Not everyone lives the American Dream you know. Some days I wish I didn't wake up. At least then my wife would have some spending money after the life insurance paid out. Seriously, did you guys read the first post at all? I HAVE MAJOR DEPRESSION! Use a little tact for Pete's sake.

 

[widefat]

So here's the real question rekees - Should Vinnie have been put down because the cost of his medical care is more than most people can swallow? He's an amazing dog.

Maybe I am missing something? How does the loss of one eye relate to putting him down? If you cant afford to fix his eye and he loses it, wont he still be an amazing dog?
He will adjust and still be the second best friend you have ever had. You have already given him the best gift possible, so dont beat yourself to death over this - just continue to love him and enjoy his company.