Readers' Stories

We received nearly 100 responses from readers after we asked pet owners to share their pet health-care stories. Here is a sampling:

Read the Fine Print

I have two German shepherds, Sam and Ben. Sam got hit by a car when he was a year old and had to have surgery to repair his leg. My pet insurance did not cover "trauma" injuries. Total cost: $4,500.

His brother Ben just broke a tooth. My new pet insurance company only covers "cleanings." Total cost of cap for Ben's tooth: $3,000.

The most important thing is that when you buy pet insurance, make sure you have a detailed listing of what the insurance covers. I'm financially secure, but when you think about low-income families and families with young kids, then it can become a heartbreaking situation if they have to make a decision about paying vet bills or having to put their pet down.

-- Jerry Hartless, 45, Frederick

Rescue Worker's Perspective

As an animal owner and rescuer, I can tell you that just about every pet owner out there has had to face the horrible decision of having to put their pet down because they couldn't afford the vet bills to treat their animal. Our rescue gets calls daily from people who have to give up their pets because they have been told the vet bill will be astronomical. When I get a call from a big-hearted person asking to adopt, the first thing I want to say is: Do you have a savings account available to use for unexpected vet bills? Because you will have them.

I personally have limited the number of dogs I own due to the vet costs that I have experienced. Last year I spent several thousand dollars on my pets (vets, food and kenneling).

Our rescue vets give us deep discounts, yet our costs continue to increase. We must presume that advanced technology is driving these costs. Without these discounts, our rescue could not survive. How does the normal pet owner overcome these expenses? They give up their pet!

-- Pam Robbins, 50, Fairfax, co-chairwoman of Mid-Atlantic Chinese Shar-Pei Rescue Operation

My Diabetic Cat

I spent at least $10,000 on my diabetic cat, who was born in a dumpster in Hong Kong. He became diabetic at age 5, and the ensuing medical treatments became a nightmare for both of us -- physically, emotionally and, for me, financially. At one point a vet clinic in Washington prescribed an antidepressant that was contraindicated for diabetics. My cat's resulting seizures and instability in blood sugar cost me $5,000. On Christmas two years ago, I had to let my boy go because he and I were both so exhausted of the situation. And I would still be paying off the debt had my fiance not helped me out.

-- Judy Mills, Washington

A Scary Few Days

By the third day, the bill was in the thousands and Squeek wasn't much better. The doctors and nurses at the hospital were terrific and supportive and aware of the cost issues. They tried to do what they could to minimize them. Kidney disease in older dogs is common; the treatment is to support with IV fluids and meds until they show improvement, then monitor and treat.

Squeek had been in the hospital for three days when my husband and I met to have "the conversation." We decided that we would wait until Friday -- that would be five days in the ICU. If she showed no improvement by Friday, we'd put her down, one day prior to my husband's 50th birthday. Squeek must have known; on Thursday when I arrived, she was much better. We looked at it this way: Cost of saving your dog from kidney failure: $3,700. Not having to put your dog down on your husband's 50th birthday: priceless.

I still spend quite a bit for her prescriptions, but she's worth it. We've had her our whole married life -- to lose her would be huge. When we do lose her, she's being cremated so she can continue to be with us. Of course we say that we won't spend this kind of money again, but when you're dealing with the emotions of losing your dog of 13 years or saving her life -- who knows.

-- Linda Kaserman, 48, Adelphi