A little Frustrated

[Jakesmom]

When people think of the cost of veterinary care, they need to remember that although the vets don't have the malpractice insurance costs of MDs, most other costs are pretty similar--monitoring, radiographs, labs, vet techs ("RNs"), etc.

Most veterinarians train for almost as long as human physicians, and are paid significantly less.

My plea, don't blame the vets, the vast majority are not getting rich off the pets...the "parents" need to be able to discuss costs, what makes sense to do, openly so they are clear about what they are paying for and what the risk/benefit of doing something/not doing something really is. Most vets will do this with you if you are willing/able to participate.

jake's mom

[Taz_Zoee]

I might complain about the cost of vet bills, but that doesn't mean I'm not going to take my animals in if they need care.
But at the same time, I don't think I'd mention the other things I spend my money on.

[Muddy4paws]

Maybe she was looking for your kind of reaction, Let me explain that. I totally agree with you. An animal is a huge comitment as you and I both know any loving owner knows that vet care for a poor or injured animal is the top most priority and to go on to a dog message board and talk about her poorly dog and how she spends money elsewhere is asking for trouble really. Sounds like she needs to find the dog a loving home with someone who can provide for it.

[lv4dogs]

I understand where you are coming from in a situation like that. It seems that her priorities are mixed up. Sounds like she has the money but would rather spend it on other things. In that case, bill them more! lol j/k Seriously though, you would think that pure live beings are more important than materialistic things. (if she was in fact buying materialistic things on ebay, maybe she was buying meds or needed items to live or the like? Unlikely but it could happen)
Some situations are different though. It hurts me quite a bit to know that there are those that will be a better owner than those with money, yet (s)he is unable to have one due to the cost of care. Just because they have no money they have no right to experience true love & devotion that a pet can provide? It makes no sense. Or to have enough money to cover their complete care & emegencies if they arrise but then something so big hits that their once "appropriate" vet fund and makes it very difficult to treat after spending a lot.
I think it's pretty much a case by case basis, taking different views into consideration I guess.

[applesmom]

Maybe she was looking for your kind of reaction, Let me explain that. I totally agree with you. An animal is a huge comitment as you and I both know any loving owner knows that vet care for a poor or injured animal is the top most priority and to go on to a dog message board and talk about her poorly dog and how she spends money elsewhere is asking for trouble really. Sounds like she needs to find the dog a loving home with someone who can provide for it.

If she'd refused treatment for the dog so she'd have more money to blow on ebay I might agree. But that isn't the case. She'd already said the dog was having the xray--and then complained about the cost. A perfectly human reaction!

She might have been joking too! When our dog had an emergency C section, I commented that the surgery cost as much as the shotgun I wanted. That didn't mean I put a shotgun above the welfare of my dog.

A lot of it has to do with the way things are percieved in writing as opposed to talking to someone in person.