For a pet’s end-of-life care, owners face tough financial decisions

As Lucy, an 80-pound shepherd mix, aged, her blood work revealed abnormal results. Her owner, Emma Gilmour, was advised of a diagnosis: Cushing's disease. To further investigate, Gilmour incurred nearly $5,000 in testing costs, including an ultrasound, CT scan and specialist consultations. A mass on Lucy's liver, nearly a quarter of its size, necessitated surgery.

The procedure required an advance payment of over $8,000, which Gilmour had to pay using a credit card. Despite the financial burden, Gilmour expressed no regret, as Lucy recovered well from the surgery.

Gilmour's experience illustrates the difficult financial decisions pet owners face as their animals grow older. Some friends of Gilmour decided against chemotherapy for an old rescue dog due to cost and the dog's fear of car rides and the vet office. Another friend chose to stop removing small tumors on their dog's body, allowing the dog to live to the age of 16.

Lauralee Dorst, director of community animal welfare for the Toronto Humane Society, emphasizes that financial limitations should not reflect the level of care a pet receives. End-of-life care should focus on comfort, dignity, quality of life, and compassion.

Veterinary medicine has advanced significantly, offering more treatment options. However, these advancements come with increased costs. Dorst advises pet owners to consider pet insurance or an emergency savings fund, as veterinary medicine costs can impact a family's ability to pay for essential needs such as rent, mortgage, or children's care. Sometimes, euthanasia may be discussed as a treatment option when an older pet has a significant illness.