VMDiva

In a recent Facebook post from financial guru Dave Ramsey, who teaches a debt-free lifestyle, a seemingly simple question was asked:

“Is a pet just a pet…or do you go in debt for it when it comes to unexpected emergencies/vet bills? Where do YOU draw the line?”

Over 350 comments later, this question has proved controversial as it stirred up emotions on both sides of the answer. The division between answers was uniform: either you considered your pet merely a pet and would not pursue an extensive medical plan or you considered you pet a beloved member of the family and would do *almost* anything to give them quality of life.

I think every person should have a mental financial cut-off point for veterinary emergencies and unexpected illnesses. Varying financial conditions and ideas toward pet ownership lead to an array of financial commitment levels.  I have seen the owners who declare “Do whatever you have to do!” and owners who bawk at any medical work-up and try to dodge an examination. The happy medium rests somewhere between those two extremes.  I tend not to judge an owner’s financial commitment to his/her pet so long as the degree of care the owner is providing falls above the definition of animal neglect.

The ASPCA defines animal neglect as “the failure to provide an animal with the most basic of requirements of food, water, shelter and veterinary care.” What constitutes basic veterinary care is determined by the court. However, I believe basic veterinary care consists of well-pet examinations, vaccinations, spay/neuter, and euthanasia. If you cannot afford testing and/or treatment of your pet’s illness, euthanasia is a viable option if your pet’s quality of life is poor.  Of course, this is not to say pets are disposable. Quite the contrary.  Pets are a major responsibility and ownership should be considered carefully before you adopt or purchase a new pet. You must be prepared to provide the minimum basic veterinary care and should be prepared for an emergency or unexpected illness. The bottom line: If you cannot afford basic care you should not have a pet in the first place.

How Much Is Too Much?

That question is one only the pet owner can answer. I have seen owners spend over $20,000 for one sick pet. It’s difficult to put on price tag on how much you will spend because many other factors must be evaluated prior to making that decision. What is the disease process? Is it curable or treatable? What is the long-term prognosis? What is the likelihood your pet will have an extended quality of life and not merely quantity of life? Are you able to pay the bills if you use credit? How will spending this much money affect your family? All of these questions must be answered prior to making your decision.

The most common veterinary emergencies (hit-by-car, urethral obstruction, hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, simple fractures, allergic reactions, bite wounds, etc)  can be usually be covered by $1000-$1500 of care.  Some emergencies require significantly less money to treat than others, however catastrophic injuries and diseases can cost thousands of dollars to treat.

Veterinary Insurance

Veterinary insurance can be a blessing but you must be careful when choosing a veterinary insurance plan. Read the fine print. Many exclusions allow the insurance company to deny payment for potential congenital diseases and repeat illnesses. These include but are not limited to: hip dysplasia, dermatologic conditions, dogs who repeatedly ingest foreign objects, and seizure disorders. I believe veterinary insurance can provide you with peace of mind but you must know the limitations of your policy. I still recommend veterinary insurance to pet owners but, as with anything, suggest they thoroughly research multiple plans before signing up.

Veterinary insurers include: Veterinary Pet Insurance, Pet Care Pet Insurance Programs, ASPCA Pet Health Insurance, and many others.