The high cost of veterinary miracles

I wrote an article on the high cost of veterinary miracles over on SFGate.com ... and not just the financial cost:

I'd made the last 10 days of his life miserable with tests, tubes and hospitalization. I'd spent over $10,000, more than half of it borrowed. I'd let my professional and personal lives go completely to hell, while I sat next to my dog on the hospital floor, stroking his head and hoping for a miracle. If I'd known how it would end, I'd have put him to sleep the first day.

The problem is we never do know how it will end. From necessity, we do a kind of emotional and financial triage without the single most important piece of information: Will it be worth it?

It's here.

Comments

[Eliza]

I have just been there myself and am still reeling. My small dog Hanna just seemed a smidgeon not herself. A blood test revealed elevated liver enzymes, then high bile acid test. Off to U C Davis where they diagnosed a liver shunt. She was 6 years old and had compensated until recently. She did not make it through the operation. Everything they gave her compromised her already compromised liver. Hanna had more life force than any of us. She woke me up joyfully in the morning and went to bed with me at night. I know life continues, but I see little future at the moment. If it were not for my 14 year old dog that came down with old dog vestibular syndrome the night before Hanna's surgery and requires hand feeding, I might have time to think and be really depressed.

[KT]

Nice article! Nice quotes from Paul ;)

[Fred andrews]

After reading your article on SF Gate it took forever to find a place to contact you... I want to send you my condolences... I am sorry about your loss. Loving a dog is tough; they have short life-spans and are filled with so much unconditional love that if you were to pour it out it would overflow all the oceans in the universe.

I also want you to know that I have an opinion about the 10 grand you spent trying to save the life of your dog. You did not spend ten grand on a used car or a weak attempt at a down payment for a house-but a life. Be proud of that!

After I read your article I took my dog, Ichiban for a walk in Golden Gate Park. We saw a few brave gophers, some squirrels, a skunk, oodles of brown bats and a couple of very vocal snowy owls. It made me think, in this oasis of life in a city, money is the culprit; human greed snuffs out more life than any natural disaster. You tried to reverse part of that. That is a noble deed.

You went into debt to do what you thought was best for your dog. Don't second guess yourself. You did the right thing because YOU thought it was right at the time.

So a few veterinarians made a couple bucks off of you, Let's hope those vets will be more successful with the next sick dog that comes to see them. -They owe you one-

again my condolences,

[Bettie]

Christie, I'm a long time reader, first time commenter...
Thank you for sharing this story. As pet "owners," this is the stuff that we need to hear, that we have to be ready to face when and if the time comes. My condolences for your loss. I know this kind of thing sticks with you forever.

[Lori]

Christie,
I've only recently discovered your blogs through a link at Paws and Claws Pantry (www.freshpetfood.ca) but I've become a huge fan instantly.
Our 10 1/2 year old sheltie/poodle cross has cost us $10,000 over the course of the last few years with bladder stone surgery, ridiculously expensive prescription food, a repeat of the surgery and now bladder cancer. We have now reached the point where our treatment plan is palliative. There is always a turning point when quality has to take precedence over quantity (this holds true for humans and pets with serious illnesses or injuries). We live paycheque to paycheque and many of our friends and family think we're crazy for spending so much but when asked if we'd do it all again, the answer is absolutely! More and more, our dogs are not just family pets, they're 4 legged children. Every decision we've made has always been made with the thought "if this were happening to our 12 year old daughter, what would we do?'.
We know that the bladder cancer is progressing and will be terminal eventually. With pain medication though, Casey is still thrilled to eat at every meal time and he plays joyfully with our dachshund. In between times, he sleeps more often and for longer durations but he still seems happy. Soon, when he's no longer comfortable and happy, we'll love him enough to let him go.
Every pet, every family and every illness or injury that presents itself is as individual as the snowflakes that fall in winter. All you can do is what your heart tells you is right.

[zhanae]

This is something that I've had to go through with cats and will one day face with my dog. I felt like a terrible owner when my checkbook limitations dictated what my pet's treatment was going to be, but in reality there's nothing I could have done for either of them, and it was more of a kindness to put them to sleep, even though it killed me.

My condolences on your loss.

[Kendal]

2 months ago I had to set my 19 year old furdaughters soul free, and that was about 5 years after she was diagnosed with chronic renal failure. The first few years was just with blood pressure meds, then after about 3 year we had to add stool softener, then last august she almost crashed because she was dehydrated, and after the first treament of subq fluids she bounced back for about 4 months, then she slowly started getting worse and dispite more fluids she was getting dehydrated again. She could not stand going to the vets so I was lucky those final months I could just cal and get what I needed. Valium helped not only keeping her calm but kept her eating, but it didn't stop her from continuing to lose weight. Gods this is hard, but I knew it was then time to bring the vet to our house to set her spirit free. I held her the whole time. My point is we each have to make the choice of how far to go, your baby was only 4, mine was 19, if she was only 4 I might have spent any amount to give my baby a chance.

[Bridget]

My dog needs surgery b/c of stones. Anyone have an idea how much that costs?? I can't find a price anywhere.

[Lori]

My dog has had surgery for calcium oxalate stones twice. It was $1700 the first time and $2500 the second time (some small complications). This is Canadian dollars and based on Ontario veterinary pricing. Don't panic though. Check with your vet because procedures vary depending on the type of stones and the type, size, age and medical history of your animal. It might be much less involved in your dog's case. Good luck.