On Monday, October 20, 2003, at 05:51 pm, Chad Cooper wrote:
So, good news and bad news. (And the bad news has caused a lot of tears here.)
This weekend we took our 3 year old cat to the vet because she appeared to
be ill. X-rays point to an intestinal blockage. We are making the decision
today for euthanasia if the second opinion confirms the illness.
The tough decision is that while correctable, it is too costly ($1500.00+).
It's horrible and difficult to make a decision about a pet's life based upon
money. So far we have spend $300 to get a diagnosis, and will pay another
$100 for the euthanasia. I cried about it, as did my wife. At what point it
is "too costly"?
I have taken a position that such surgical intervention is unnatural, and
that this should go its course, resulting in death. The euthanasia is to
prevent the horrible and painful fate facing this cat.
I shudder to think if I had to make the same decision about our dog. Dogs
are different than cats - am I compromising because I hold different
standards of care for each? I don't really know... I just want to do the
right thing.
After the first few veterinary bills we got insurance, which was a good idea since we've had done $1000's of treatment since then. When Bubbles fell ill she had $1500 or so of treatment before the vets decided they could do no more. Ed broke three toes and that cost $700 or so. Now he has arthritis and the Rimadyl is $50 a month... various things.
-- William T Goodall Mail : [EMAIL PROTECTED] Web : http://www.wtgab.demon.co.uk Blog : http://radio.weblogs.com/0111221/
"The fact that an opinion has been widely held is no evidence whatever that it is not utterly absurd; indeed in view of the silliness of the majority of mankind, a widespread belief is more likely to be foolish than sensible."
- Bertrand Russell
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