Should You Pay Up For That Expensive Pet Surgery?

Getting the news your dog or cat is sick or injured is a nightmare for pet parents — one that is followed by difficult questions, gut-wrenching decisions and, oftentimes, a large bill.

In 2017, the American Pet Produce Association estimated that U.S. pet owners spent $70 billion on their pets. More than $17 billion of that was on veterinary care.

Just like in human medical care, new treatments are continuously being discovered for Fido and Fifi. At first glance, this seems like a good thing — and oftentimes it is.

But, when it comes to treatments for your sick pet, more isn’t always better, said Jessica Pierce, bioethicist and author of “Run Spot Run” and “The Last Walk.”

“It’s really hard to say, ‘We don’t want these treatments,’” Pierce said. “Because it sounds like you’re refusing care or refusing the best when that’s actually not the case at all.”

So, how do you know which treatment, if any, is the best option for you and your pet?

Unfortunately, Pierce said, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. But there are ways to prepare and questions to ask to make sure your pet’s quality of life is the best it can be.

For the full story: https://www.rewire.org/living/pay-expensive-pet-surgery/