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Post by The Walk of the Penguin Mich on Jun 22, 2016 14:39:02 GMT -5
How much is too much?
Sheldon (the cat) tried to get the mutt to play and took a swipe at his face. His claw caught Harpo's eyeball and tore the crap out of it. This happened last month, and until yesterday it was healing, albeit very slowly. The vet initially thought he'd lose his eye, but after sewing the eyelid shut, the eye did start healing. Sometime between last week and yesterday, it stopped. Right now, we're in about $500 for all the vet visits and 2 sedations (sewing the eyelid shut and cutting the stitches out).
The healing has stopped and there is nothing protecting the eye now other than a very fine membrane and his cone of shame. Last night, the mutt ruptured the membrane. It was painful to him, but luckily we had pain meds for him to make him comfortable last night and were able to get him into the vet to today - where I got to spend the better part of the morning. The rupture has closed the eyeball again but it isn't permanent and any sort of movement to the eye can cause it to rupture again. If it ruptures, infection can set in.
So the vet suggested a doggie ophthalmologist. It's $200 just to walk into her office for a visit. After a phone consult, she wants to do a pellicle tissue graft over the mutt's eye in order to seal it up. Cost of the graft surgery? $3700. The mutt won't be able to see again, there is too much damage to his cornea. This surgery will only allow him to keep the eyeball - and there is no guarantee it will work.
Our other alternative is that to see if the rupture stimulates revascularization (up until Friday, it was vascularized but that has since disappeared). No vascularization = no healing. There is a very small chance of this. So Friday, we are waiting to see if it does revascularize to proceed with the healing, and if not he'll be de-eyeballed. That will cost about $700 or so.
My thought process was that we'd be paying $3700 for an eyeball that he could not see out of, so is essentially useless other than he has an eye. He is also 13 years old and is starting to show kidney problems. Hell, I'm not sure I'd pay this for a 2 year old dog either.
So my question is.....what has been your largest vet bill, and do you wish you had decided otherwise?
ETA: The cat no longer has claws. While it was not malicious (he adores the dog), he does like swatting at the dog in play and this simply can not happen again. Ironically enough, I had clipped his claws the night before - which is likely why so much damage was done to the eye.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 22, 2016 14:46:44 GMT -5
My largest was about 2K for the cat that got run over by the snowmobile. He was a kitten and chances of 100% recovery were very good, but that was a LOT back then. I don't think if I knew upfront how much it would have been that I would have paid that, but it was kind of a "surgery is done, here's your bill", then a few weeks later her rebroke one and hand to go under the knife again. He lived 17 happy years after that. Anyhow, I wouldn't pay $3700 for a blind eye. The dog won't care about aesthetics and he'll do fine with the one eye (this is coming from someone that can only see out of one eye )
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Sharon
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Post by Sharon on Jun 22, 2016 15:07:43 GMT -5
I paid to have my hyperthyroid cat treated with radioactive iodine. It was $200+ for the initial vet visit/lab work/diagnosis. Then it was $980 to spend 4 days at another vets being treated. Then we had 2 more lab work vet visits with our primary care vet to make sure the treatment was working, probably another ~$200 for those two visits together.
The treatment was a great success. The cat was about 7-8 years old at the time so has a long life span ahead of her. I took her in as a stray several years ago so her age is approximate. Totally worth the money. Today Oreo is back to her fat sassy self. We aren't having to do medication daily/weekly etc. This also eliminated doing quarterly checks on her thyroid levels. She is doing so well the vet said he saw no reason to check her thyroid levels again unless she is showing symptoms. The feline thyroid place said if this develops again when she is older we would get a discount off a second treatment.
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lexxy703
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Post by lexxy703 on Jun 22, 2016 15:26:41 GMT -5
I spent $7,000 on my dog but that was over the course of a year. He went to a few specialists to try to get his digestive track to heal. He was a rescued puppy mill victim & parasites had literally eaten holes in his intestines because he was forced to live in filth. He lived until 13 with no additional vet bills other than routine shots, etc. So I say it was worth it.
I paid about $4,000 to get Desmond fixed up after he got hit by a car. He healed up & is currently 9 & happy & healthy. I did have to pay a few hundred when he had stones. And another few hundred to get his ear sewed after a fight. So he is starting to add up now that I'm typing this. Still worth it I guess.
I'm so sorry for your dog's eye. That is a shame. I think I'd wait & hope the vascularation starts again. I really hope it starts healing again for his sake. Poor doggy. I had to take my cat to an opthomolgist for a consult a few years ago. They offer prosthetic eyes.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 22, 2016 15:32:55 GMT -5
So far I think the most we have paid for a single procedure is about $800 to have our cocker spaniel's upper ear canal removed in one of her ears. That was coupled with a series of vet visits leading up to that, so it was easily a $1500 procedure in total. minnesotapaintlady , my son had an experience similar to yours. They have an outdoor cat who likes to fight with dogs, etc. She's really a very casual sort of pet, but she does hang around for food. They had her neutered, get her shots, etc. One day she came home a mess so they took her to the vet. My son specifically told the vet not to take any heroic measures. The vet kept trying things and did save the cat. Then he presented them with a $1000 bill afterwards. My son was really pissed. It was money they couldn't afford and money he wouldn't have authorized spending. He said they won't take the cat to the vet again for anything other than shots. It was money they couldn't afford. ETA: if we want to add up all we have spent on the dog, it is several thousands. She is prone to growths and ear infections. On one of the visits, the vet handed us a sharpie and said, "Go home and circle every growth you can find." She looked polka-dotted. She also has the prettiest pearly whites because she has at least one procedure a year, and he has her teeth cleaned at the same time. We are already paying for anesthesia and bloodwork so it's relatively cheap at that point.
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emma1420
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Post by emma1420 on Jun 22, 2016 15:42:49 GMT -5
One of my dogs had his eye removed a few years ago. If the eye isn't functional, then you'd only be keeping it for cosmetic purposes. My pooch died of cancer about a year later, but I don't regret spending the $850 to get the eye removed as it kept him out of pain and the majority of his remaining life was pain free.
But, I do have a threshold. I love my remaining dog, but I won't spend thousands on her, especially if the prognosis isn't excellent.
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whoami
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Post by whoami on Jun 22, 2016 15:43:22 GMT -5
TPLO was around $4000. 2 different anal gland surgical cleanings and finally removal were about $2000 each. For several years, she went to the vet every 3 weeks for her anal glands. i think that was around $25 each time.
She has easily cost us $10-12K at the vet in the last 11 years but its been worth every penny.
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Chocolate Lover
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Post by Chocolate Lover on Jun 22, 2016 15:50:40 GMT -5
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movingforward
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Post by movingforward on Jun 22, 2016 15:54:12 GMT -5
So sorry about your dog's eye. I agree that the removal of the eyeball makes the most sense. My cat, that lived to be 16, was on a lot of medication and special food the last 4 yrs of his life. He had a decent quality of life during those years so I don't regret the money I spent. Initially, I probably spent around $800 just finding out what was wrong with him (ultrasound, blood work, several office visits, etc). After the vet finally figured it out, I was spending around $300 a month for medication and special food. He also went in for blood tests every 3 months. So over the course of 4 yrs... well, lets just say it was a lot. I don't regret ANY of the money I spent. The medication and food allowed him to not only live longer, but have a better quality of life during those last years. I do regret the last 2-3 weeks of his life though. He went downhill really fast and at that point I should have had him put to sleep a lot sooner than I did. Those last 2-3 weeks he did not feel good and I know he suffered. I just kept thinking he might get better. The vet tried switching up his meds, etc., but nothing worked. I finally accepted it was time and the vet agreed. I still love that cat to pieces
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whoami
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Post by whoami on Jun 22, 2016 16:31:10 GMT -5
TPLO was around $4000. 2 different anal gland surgical cleanings and finally removal were about $2000 each. For several years, she went to the vet every 3 weeks for her anal glands. i think that was around $25 each time. She has easily cost us $10-12K at the vet in the last 11 years but its been worth every penny. That's interesting, I didn't know you could do that (the removal surgery). I need to talk to our vet about this, we're getting Minnie's expressed every 2 weeks (but at daycare, not the vet). I've never known a dog to have glands that active. She's still very young around 3, so a lot of years ahead of her. We put off the removal for years because of the potential side effects. (They can lose control of their bowels and a diaper would never work with her) We ended up going with the surgery because it was a problem once again and the vet was concerned with one gland having something "hard" in there. We were lucky in that she healed up perfectly and didn't have any problems. I think she was about 8 when we had them done. I don't know if they were particularly active....they just didnt drain at all and they were quite deep and difficult to express. She wasn't doing it on her own and once they got infected, it was a couple months before we could get it under control. She refused antibiotics by mouth so we were stuck doing the shot several times ($150 a pop). I was always looking at her butt for any signs of infection. The whole thing was a total pain in the ass. Literally
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dannylion
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Post by dannylion on Jun 22, 2016 18:47:16 GMT -5
Aw, the poor sweetie. Sending good thoughts for Harpo's speedy recovery.
If I had to make this kind of decision, I think I would put my money into the treatment that would provide the best quality of life for the pet, which I would hope would also be the one with the best chance of success.
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TheOtherMe
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Post by TheOtherMe on Jun 22, 2016 19:12:34 GMT -5
The first cat I ever had was the one who had all the health issues. I spent a ton of money treating his urinary tract infections and then surgery so he could no longer get blocked while I was at work. His quality of life improved so much after that surgery that I wished I had done it earlier.
This was in the early 80's and I have no idea of what I spent. He lived to be 16 years of age and I didn't regret a penny of it as he now had a quality of life and he didn't have one before.
I no longer know what my limit is. It would depend on the prognosis.
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Bonny
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Post by Bonny on Jun 22, 2016 19:20:59 GMT -5
For a single event; $5k for Nikki's rattlesnake bite while we were in AZ. After administrating the anti-venin he went into antiphylatic shock which apparently is fairly common with cats. Anti-venin, a couple of blood transfusions for a total of about 7 days in the shop. Subsequently known as the $5k feline.
He was six or seven at the time. We thought we were going to lose him a couple of times. But he reached age 16. Well worth every dime. Glad we were in a position to afford it. He was a wonderful cat.
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Tiny
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Post by Tiny on Jun 22, 2016 19:33:32 GMT -5
Poor pup. Poor kitty. I have had relatively healthy cats and have been of the frame of mind that when they are old (and starting to fail from an old age cat related thing) that nature will just take it's course. So, I haven't had very big vet bills - althought there has been some nearing the nd of life care/expense. One cat had declaw regrowth - and I went the route of "lets try some antibiotics and some ointment and see if will heal up and not be painful" - versus an immediate surgery to 'fix' the toe (with no gaurentee it would last or work). after about 3 months of 'good- looking better!' to "oh no, it's bad again" back and forth. I opted to just have the toe removed. The poor cat had been coping with a painful paw for nearly a year. He deserved to not be in pain - and trying to 'fix the toe' wouldn't guarantee pain free walking. The surgery was $500 (but I probably spent another $250 in medicine/vet visits/follow up care). I wish I had just gone the 'remove the toe' route sooner. He was totally unaware that he had lost a toe and was so much more cat like and happy afterwards. In the op's shoes - I'd opt to have the eye removed. I suspect the pup will be fine with out it (and he'd have a really cool pirate look). I struggled with 'when' it would be time for the first cat (of my 3) to go... and in hindsight I waited too long - about 3 days too long. I hope to goodness he forgives me. I've promised each and every one of my other cats that when they get close to the inevitable end that I would be strong enough to send them "home". Those last few days aren't always worth the suffering.
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weltschmerz
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Post by weltschmerz on Jun 22, 2016 23:14:09 GMT -5
I spent $5,000 on Asia the cat after she was hit by a lawnmower.
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NomoreDramaQ1015
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Post by NomoreDramaQ1015 on Jun 23, 2016 8:26:02 GMT -5
$850 to have a softball sized tumor removed from under Sabah's leg. It originally was less but when they got in there they found the tumor was bigger than they thought it was most if it was hiding underneath the muscle.
$400 to give Leonard a blood transfusion. Turns out he had cancer, the tumor was caught once he lost enough weight the vet could feel it. We could have paid $1500 for surgery to see if they could remove it but odds were good he'd die on the operating table.
We decided to take him home and let him live out the rest of his time happy with us. I couldn't bare the thought of him dying on the operating table alone.
I'd still do the blood transfusion, we got two more months with him and he was in really good health. It surprised everyone when the tumor was discovered.
He passed away in his sleep at home on his new bed. We spoiled him rotten in the last few weeks of his life so I hope he was happy.
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GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
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Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Jun 23, 2016 9:06:32 GMT -5
We spent about $4000 on Buddy during his first year of life. We moved 5 times in his first year when the tree hit our house. During our first move to a 3 week stay in a hotel, he cut his paw on something on the hotel grounds. $500 for the emergency vet (these things NEVER happen during regular office hours) and follow up visits. Then, when we moved for the 4th time into a longer term rental house, he let us know how stressed he was with all of the moves and ate a chunk of a foam mat he napped on. $3500 for surgery to remove the foam from his stomach at the emergency vet (10:00 p.m. "Snack"), several day stay, and follow ups.
It was worth every penny and I'd do it again in a heartbeat.
However; I am totally unprepared for eventual end-of-life decisions. I stupidly never gave any of that thought before we got our pup. If we had to put him down, I don't know if I could be in the room with him -- it would be such a betrayal -- he is my little shadow. But, how could I not be there to comfort him to the very end? I pray he lives a long, healthy, life and dies in his sleep so that I never have to make that heartbreaking decision.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 23, 2016 9:59:14 GMT -5
I'm in the same spot. Our lab is 13. The mix rescue we guess about 10? They are just getting older. They've been very healthy, but being realistic we are going to have decisions to make at some point sooner than later.
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Anne_in_VA
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Post by Anne_in_VA on Jun 23, 2016 18:54:02 GMT -5
Sorry mich! I think we've only spent a couple hundred just before we put both our cat and dog down a few months apart. Both were about 18 years old and had live long, happy and well loved lives.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 23, 2016 20:29:07 GMT -5
I'll let you know tomorrow. Big boy Zeus is going for his yearly tomorrow with the rabies shot but he is also getting his thyroid check and I am thinking he needs some B12 shots, He also will be getting an eye recheck since the 3rd eyelid popped out last month. Plus there are some issues with the other eye, as in he seems to be going blind, which explains the constant screaming/whining. Oh yay. I will also be picking refills for his prednisolone and methimazole so God only knows. I'm thinking about getting a written script for the prednisolone and getting filled at CVS. Need to find out if it would be cheaper.
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msventoux
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Post by msventoux on Jun 23, 2016 20:53:54 GMT -5
I don't know that I've had a single incident that was over $1,000. I have had several incidents that were a few hundred each, and when you have a houseful of animals, that can add up quickly. I would have gone for eye removal as well. I've known other dogs that have lost eyes or gone completely blind in both eyes and they manage to get along just fine. My old dog is getting to the end of the line. I almost helped him over it this morning. He has bedsores on his elbows and has to wear a contraption for elbow padding. He's worn it just fine for months. I woke up this morning and he'd managed to get it entirely off and chewed off part of it. I was ready to strangle him! I'm not paying a couple hundred dollars to replace it. I'm in a semi-rural area, I can cobble something together with duct tape, bungee cords and rope if I have to.
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Post by The Walk of the Penguin Mich on Jun 24, 2016 10:22:21 GMT -5
The mutt's going in this morning to be de-eyeballed (actually, it is called enucleation). I'm sorry we couldn't save his eye.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 24, 2016 10:39:06 GMT -5
The mutt's going in this morning to be de-eyeballed (actually, it is called enucleation). I'm sorry we couldn't save his eye. I'm sorry too. Poor mutt.
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CCL
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Vet bills
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Post by CCL on Jun 24, 2016 14:23:43 GMT -5
The mutt's going in this morning to be de-eyeballed (actually, it is called enucleation). I'm sorry we couldn't save his eye. Awe, poor baby. At least now he can start to recover.
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lexxy703
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Post by lexxy703 on Jun 24, 2016 14:25:43 GMT -5
The mutt's going in this morning to be de-eyeballed (actually, it is called enucleation). I'm sorry we couldn't save his eye. I'm sorry too. Poor pup. I hope it's not too traumatic for him.
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Post by The Walk of the Penguin Mich on Jun 24, 2016 14:34:30 GMT -5
The mutt's going in this morning to be de-eyeballed (actually, it is called enucleation). I'm sorry we couldn't save his eye. Awe, poor baby. At least now he can start to recover. Yep. The vet said we could continue to wait it out, but he said that he didn't even give it 5% chance of saving the eyeball. We figured that in 10 days, we could be still dealing with this or in 10 days, he could be mostly healed. So I get to pick him up around 4:30 this afternoon, sans eyeball.
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movingforward
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Post by movingforward on Jun 24, 2016 14:39:34 GMT -5
Poor pup. I think you made the right decision.
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wvugurl26
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Post by wvugurl26 on Jun 24, 2016 14:40:49 GMT -5
Poor mutt. Hope this puts him on the track to healing up.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 24, 2016 14:58:48 GMT -5
The mutt's going in this morning to be de-eyeballed (actually, it is called enucleation). I'm sorry we couldn't save his eye. I felt like this when they told us they had to remove our cocker spaniel's left ear canal. It turned out that they were able to get by with only removing the upper one (there are two) so she still has partial hearing in that ear. But it was the only way to end the constant ear infections in that ear. I will never have a floppy ear dog again. I keep "threatening" to pin her ears on top of her head with a clothes pin or something. The vet told me that I wouldn't be the first cocker spaniel parent to actually do that. I know the clothes pin would hurt, but I do wish there was a way to get air in there. Sometimes when she is napping, I put her ear on top of her head.
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finnime
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Post by finnime on Jun 24, 2016 16:14:40 GMT -5
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