How much to keep a dog alive?

**maat55** · 03-07-2009, 07:58 AM

LOL,

I just discussed it with my wife. She would, I would not. But we all know the cost of not doing so would be more than just the vet costs.

**kork13** · 03-07-2009, 08:13 AM

very sorry to hear that about your dog..... Whatever your feelings for it, I'm sure it must be saddening at the least.

as to your question, it really becomes a matter of attachment. for some, pets are part of the family near as much as the non-canine members, and would go to great lengths to save a pet. For others, pets are simply that--pets, furry companions, but not worth dolling out thousands to save. There's nothing better or worse about either case, and there's no golden standard for what the right choice is. You can only do what you/your family are comfortable with and willing to accept.

Myself, I think I would probably find myself doing what I can to keep him alive. To try putting a price on it, I would be willing to pay a couple thousand dollars to keep a pet alive. However, I'm also of the opinion that given that dogs, cats, ferrets, iguanas, or whatever pet you keep all have shorter life spans than humans, we can't expect them to live forever. If companionship is so important, a loving replacement can be obtained for free, $100, or at least far less than the $5k-$10k some might spend to prolong a pet's life. Last thought...depending on the severity of a pet's injuries, it is often the more merciful to put it down than to prolong a life of pain.

**GREENBACK** · 03-07-2009, 10:01 AM

Sorry to hear about your dog. I breed labrador retrievers some and have two currently and am very fond of my dogs. I spend on lot on them as is and would likely spend the amount you mentioned but I'd need some assurance that the dogs quality of life would be similar to before the accident. If not I might have a difficult decision.

**LivingAlmostLarge** · 03-07-2009, 10:15 AM

Depends. What is the quality of life for the Boston Terrier after the surgery? That's the main thing. I would probably spend $3k, I have spent that much on average in a year.

But I won't do it to keep a dog alive but suffering. Alive and happy = yes. Alive but half dead? No way.

**cptacek** · 03-07-2009, 02:30 PM

Well, my dog just got back from the vet today and he has a pin in his back leg from breaking it, too. I swore that I would never spend a lot of money on a pet, but DH and I agreed to spend $1000 for this surgery for him. Like LAL, we first discussed if he could come out of it and be the jumping, running, chasing puppy he used to be, and if it would heal completely. The vet wouldn't guarantee it, but did say he has had success with these kinds of surgeries before. Because of that, we went forward. But I don't know how much more we would have spent.

**scfr** · 03-07-2009, 03:49 PM

My perspective is that it depends on the age and health of the animal at the time of the accident, as well as your financial situation.

If it were my dog, I'd pay it in a heartbeat.

And I'd never leave the dog with my sister again. Paying a professional pet sitter or a boarding facility would be money well spent in the future.

**wincrasher** · 03-07-2009, 06:20 PM

Update on the pup:

He's up and about. The prognosis is good for a complete recovery.

The surgeon says he must be crated for about 10 weeks. Take him out for bathroom and try to keep him from running and jumping.

Not a small feat for a Boston!

I really don't trust them for the recovery. He will need to be let out every few hours and watched constantly. I'm wanting a good friend of mine to take over (who is home full time), but sis is adamant about taking care of the dog.

**GREENBACK** · 03-08-2009, 07:03 AM

As a dog lover, I have to say that's good news.

**Ima saver** · 03-08-2009, 02:21 PM

My dog means the world to me. I would spend any amount of money to keep her alive until she no longer had any quality of life. I have always loved my dogs so much that i would do anything for them.

**LivingAlmostLarge** · 03-08-2009, 05:36 PM

Good news definitely. And right now I've spent around $1k on my dog allergies being terrible this winter. I think it was the humidity so I bought humidifiers for the house all over the place. I bought 4 of them for different rooms of the house.

I've also tried different food, different meds, steroidal cream, etc. Crazy and insane.

But he's 13 and totally healthy except for the crazy rash.

**Pitman** · 03-09-2009, 03:20 AM

Can't put a price on life, I would spend whatever to save my dog's life, if I had a dog.

**Caoineag** · 03-09-2009, 06:19 AM

I would spend whatever was needed. The pug we adopted was mauled and had about $6k in surgeries ( previous owner paid for them) but he is a happy healthy pug so its definitely possible to pay alot and get a full recovery.

**project15** · 03-09-2009, 04:17 PM

I've always said I wouldn't spend over $1k at a time for a pet. But after actually thinking about it, and knowing how I react in those moments, I would probably spend the money if the animal was in good condition otherwise.

**segmond** · 03-10-2009, 05:22 PM

that sucks. that's why i don't get pets. i can't even keep fishes after i lost my last gold fishes. i will just play with other people's pet.

How much to keep a dog alive?