Some people say it’s insane to spend hundreds of dollars on an operation for a cat when you can replace him with another one so much cheaper. None of those people live in this house.
Spice is going into the vet’s tonight to prepare for surgery in the morning. When we adopted him a year ago, at age 11, we took him in to meet the vet and have a once-over. At that time we learned he had only a few teeth left and it was recommended that we put him on a special food. T/d kibble is bigger than regular feed so he has to chew it to break it down. The idea was that his teeth would get a workout and get cleaned in the process.
Imagine our surprise a year later when we took him in because of an eye infection only to learn that his gums are raw because his molars are a mess. The food couldn’t fight kitty DNA. We were unaware of the subtle signs of pain that, when described, we now know are present in our furry little feline. His bloodwork shows he’s perfectly healthy in every other way. It’s a no-brainer for us.
However, a few people we’ve told think we’re out of our minds. It’s not as if we’re getting him braces or a tummy tuck. He’s a healthy cat with one problem that is 100% repairable. He’s family. We could not allow him to endure this discomfort, even with the improvement already seen with feeding him soft food. And we certainly couldn’t have him put down because he has bad teeth. The cost of his surgery is about the same as a Coach handbag or a pair of Jimmy Choo pumps. Some women wouldn’t hesitate to spend their money that way. For me, there’s a lot more joy, love and satisfaction from this little furbaby than I could ever get from accessories.
Oh, good luck with Spice, will be thinking of you all. Can’t wait till he gets home again.
Your point is well made! Our four legged friends are not disposable, they are often our truest friends!
I so agree with you Lisa. I would hate to add up what we have spent on our furry friends through the years and yes, some people (those living without pets) thought we too were crazy but you do what you have to do. Good luck with the surgery and keep us posted.
Most people wouldn’t hesitate if it were a child or spouse. Pets are family. Having spent a bundle on cats & dogs over the years, I definitely agree with your decision. Hoping Spice comes through with flying colors, sans teeth.
Using that logic, why bother paying for a child’s health care? Isn’t it cheaper to just have another kid or adopt one? And yes, I am comparing to children to pets.
I never begrudge paying a bill for our 12 year old puppy. He has give me more than any amount in love and companionship. I hope your baby recovers and lives for many more years bringing happiness to you and Derek.
Thanks everyone. I will update his progress here in a couple of days!