AP Poll: Money is a huge consideration in pet care

[Sarita]

http://www.wfaa.com/news/national/95944044.html

Good article. 

[Beka27]

Very true. It’s interesting that they listed percentages that would seek care as treatment costs increase. I wouldn’t hesitate for $500, but at $1000-$2000, I might stop and think.

We’re in a different position now than we were 3 or 4 years ago when we first got Meadow and then Max. We went thru a long (over a year!) lay-off, and we’re still trying to put things together. The thing that’s so scary when dealing with pets and human family alike… job security is a joke nowadays. Sure, you might make good money in 2010, but what will 2011 bring?

This kind of thing is what worries me for people with multiple pet households (even like you with your illnesses this year Sarita, and now Pepe is under the weather.) When it rains, it certainly seems to pour. Rabbits are so inexpensive to acquire, people think they’re just “cheap pets”.

[Sarita]

It’s true, I’ve spent a ton of money on vet bills the past year (and before that as well) – I think I could have bought a second car with what I’ve spent. This is exactly one of the reasons that I don’t want to get any more rabbits once the 5 I have left are gone. I don’t regret spending the money but I’m getting older and I need to continue saving for my retirement and paying off my house.

Pepe will continue to cost me money with his dental bills but it’s a expense I know I will have as long as he doesn’t do these stasis episodes – each time (twice now) that Pepe has gone into stasis – it’s probably put me back $1000 each time and that’s ALOT of money.

My goal right now is to pay my Care Credit off – there’s no finance charge luckily since I’m using their deferred payment promotion plan but I really want to get it paid off :~)

[Beka27]

Plus all your rabbits are over 5-7 years if I remember, right Sarita? That’s something people don’t always think about when getting 2 or 3 babies… they’re all going to be seniors with potential health issues at the same time. I could see you with a younger pair Sarita when your group is gone. You could have the benefit of buns, but on a smaller scale.

[Sarita]

Yes, all my rabbits are over 7 years old. Pepe is probably 6 years old though. Luckily my little Dutch pair are healthy. But Pepe, Mango and Toffee have issues.

It’s true that with age comes health issues – not all serious like UTI but certainly issues that require vet care and medication.

[kralspace]

That is a good article. My pets have always been blessed (knock on wood) with fairly good health and I’ve been blessed with kind vets who are willing to teach me what they can in routine medical care so as to save me a few trips in.

Of all the pets I’ve had, the least expensive, medical wise, was my horse. I had Jessie from when I was 16 til I turned 49 and while she was a glutton for escaping and getting into trouble but it was usually things I could recognize and handle.

My dogs have been pretty vet-free, even now with Floppie both blind and deaf at age 18, the vet says she’s in fairly good health, same with my 18 yr old cat and 2 others at 12 and 5.

The rabbits have been the most expensive pets I’ve ever had. I’m just glad I’m still full time at my job, but you never know from day to day what’s going to happen and I do worry about it alot. I was very hesitant about keeping Charlie, I have no idea what I would have done if the vet had found he had problems.

[Beka27]

It’s scary kralspace. You got Charlie at the same time AngelicVampire got her new bunny, Rufus. Charlie was abandoned… but perfectly fine. Rufus was in a HOME… had a whole slew of dental issues. You just don’t know.

[babybunsmum]

yup. finances is all that keeps me from having more pets. after baby bun’s cancer surgery i was jolted into the reality of pet ownership. all said i spent about $1200 for that health scare and then at least $500 more for her eye issues by the time you add up the regular vet apps and the specialty vet apps and gas to travel to them. fortunately the costs were spread out over a couple of years. guilt played a large factor in my decision to go ahead with her surgery in the first place since i hadn’t learned proper bunny care and felt partly responsible for her illness.

i keep telling pinky and bogart that they have to meditate and self heal because i’m struggling to pay off debts right now as it is!

[Sarita]

I can see Bogart meditating LOL. However, I cannot see Pinky meditating – maybe a little Kung Fu, but not meditation.

[Deleted User]

This article doesn’t even touch upon boarding fees and food, cost of measures of containment… Those can be surprisingly high too.
The time factor must be considered equally well — if you are working OT for example to have the extra money, who is spending time with your pet?
Pets are definitely a life style choice in my opinion for those people who care. Pets should change the way people budget, design their homes, and even which standards to apply when choosing a spouse.

[Sarita]

What if you get the spouse first LOL :~)

[Deleted User]

then you have to spend more money to get a professional pet-spouse bonding expert. j/k

[Deleted User]

I wonder if people have split up because of pets…

[Sarita]

Petzy, that would not surprise me! But it’s likely that marriage or relationship was already on the rocks and the pet was a good excuse to split up.

[Andi]

I have kept most of my vet bills, one day i want to add them up, but right now I am terrified to even add together a handful.
I have a Diabetic dog who suffered from pancreatitis and needed way to much bloodwork and an ultrasound to diagnose, then treatment with meds. Recently surgery for a tumor, the list goes on. And well then there are the bunnies, even my Degu Bruce. They know me way to well at my Vet, there were 2 months straight I was at the vet EVERY week.
I do have a plan when it comes to Bills, as I had to come up with $1100 for Bo’s surgery he ended up not needing (phew), I was going to do a payment plan and miss my cousins wedding in the fall so i could pay my bunnies bill.
I’m not saying everyone has to pay that kind of money for their pets health, but I feel if I can afford it for my own health then i can theirs and will try my best.

I am also not taking in anymore rabbits/pets untill mine have lived out their lives. And when i do get that next bunny or dog, i am considering Pet insurance for sure.

[babybunsmum]

Posted By Sarita on 06/09/2010 10:04 AM
I can see Bogart meditating LOL. However, I cannot see Pinky meditating – maybe a little Kung Fu, but not meditation.

 

kung fu

think you may be right about that!

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

In terms of money I usually can get my vet bills paid, but I would have no business having any pet without my parents support. I may a measly 25/hour-that’s nothing to pay for big bills and I could get stuck-seriously without my parents backing-I would really just not own any pets. I know my parents could help if Mikey needed cancer treatment or Kahlua needed ocular surgery. I know most people don’t have parents who are willing to baby them BUT seriously one needs to be able to handle at least normal vet bills before taking on an animal.

So many times I see a person who is letting an animal who is sick suffer (“We’ll see how it goes…” or “I can’t afford a vet bill right now” or….) because they can’t afford it. One must really be in denial to belive the pet loves them enough to suffer then to be surrendered to a shelter, or what have you, to get necessary treatment.

So while I don’t think most people-and certainly not I-have thousands kicking around to pay bills just in case, one must have a plan. Otherwise…well it’s just not fair.

[Author]

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