Letters to the Editor
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re: tangled, or, in defense of qazwart
Qazwart shouldn't ever, ever have another pet because s/he didn't like any of the options for DISPOSING OF A DEAD CAT? Not because s/he wasn't caring for the cat properly, because s/he refused to pay for medical care, but because s/he DIDN'T DISPOSE OF THE BODY in a way you find acceptable?
Are you insane?
All three options were stupid.
1) Have a cat funeral? There are plenty of people who don't want funerals, coffins, and burials for themselves and their (human) loved ones, so surely I'm not alone in feeling a cat funeral is overkill.
2) Get the cat's ashes back in a "tasteful urn?" What on earth would you do with an urn full of cat ashes? And if you scatter them, what would you do with the "tasteful urn?"
3) Cremation, and don't get the ashes back? What if you do want to scatter them somewhere? What's wrong with giving them back in a cardboard box (even a plastic bag)?
My family's cat (technically "mine," but he always liked my mom best) died several years ago, at home, of natural causes. He was an indoor cat, and favored a particular window. My dad buried him under a tree he used to see from that window--I thought that was nice. Had they gone the vet/cremation route, I would like to think that they could have scattered his ashes in the garden, or something, without being saddled with a $75 "tasteful urn" which would just make everyone uncomfortable.
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Tough Call
I'm still getting over the loss of my dog Emma, last Fall. During the summer she became more and more lethargic; she had been a high spirited border-collie/shepherd mix who loved hiking, and we found ourselves nearly dragging her along on our walks in the hills. We took her to our wonderful vet, who started her on antibiotics and did some blood work. We live in a working-class neighborhood where some pets definitely don't get good care, but we'd gotten to know this vet really well, so there was a lot of trust between us. He knew we didn't have a lot of money, but loved our dogs.
When Emma didn't get better, when she was spending her days lying on the bathroom floor, and then began vomiting, Dr. Suman sent us to a specialist in West LA. Emma and I felt strange in that setting, all the fancy purebreds going in and out, and people would comment on how docile she was, which was enough to make me weep. Many, many tests later convinced the specialists there that she probably had a brain tumor. The bill was $1200. Fortunately, I had my mom's credit card, a debit card, and another credit card with some room left on it. I gulped and paid the bill. We nursed her along until November, debating every day what we should do. A CT scan would be $1800, and then what? brain surgery for a dog? $4-5,000. That was crazy.
Our own vet saw us through the ordeal, handing me, at one point, a bagful of syringes and a bottle of b-vitamins for free, because it seemed to make her feel better for awhile. Maybe it was just to give me something to do when there was really nothing that could be done. Of course there were expensive steroids to reduce the swelling in her brain. It was a heartbreaking Fall, and I couldn't afford the money, or the time. There was absolutely nothing wrong with her body, and it was terrible to see such a beautiful, otherwise healthy, certifiably brilliant ten year old dog, fade away. But I spent that time doing the best I could to make her feel loved. Eventually the day came and our vet helped us give her release. I'm very grateful to our vet for his willingness to work with us, and within our means.
It's strange that at a time when the right of people to choose the time and place of their own death is becoming more accepted, that we are exerting more and more extreme measures to extend the lives of animals. I don't regret spending the money on Emma (though I still need to pay my Mom back). But I don't think we should be so afraid of letting our animals go because they don't understand or rationalize their suffering as we can-- they simply suffer. Maybe making ourselves feel better has a lot to do with it.
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I Don't Get It
I seriously don't get those who believe that once you have a child, you can no longer love your pets. Are you implying that the human heart has a limited capacity for love? I'm surprised you aren't suggesting people have only one child, since having two or more children would cause some sort of impossible strain on the boundaries of love and affection.
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I'm a veterinarian
I just want to say that veterinarians as a group do truly love animals, and want to do the best for them, and are not trying to rip anyone off. The medical supply companies often charge us the same that human medical doctors pay. We have to pay for our staff, our equipment, and our education, and somehow afford to send our own kids to college. Veterinarians are some of the lowest paid professionals. We make far less than lawyers, dentists, and human doctors. Please understand that what we charge is a great deal compared to human medicine. You as a pet owner are responsible for getting an estimate prior to starting treatment and deciding what you can afford for your pet, but please don't think that veterinarians are trying to rip you off. Also, find out what care is included if you are "price-shopping" as standards can vary significantly between clinics.
Also, to correct a factual error - neutered cats are not necessarily any more likely than intact male cats to experience urinary blockage. Urinary blockage has been associated with feeding some of the cheaper grocery store brands of cat food.
Also, do your research if you are interested in holistic treatments. Some "natural" treatments such as garlic can be toxic to pets. Others, like brewer's yeast simply don't work.
Finally, please remember that vaccinations have saved millions of animals lives. Disease like rabies, parvovirus, and feline leukemia are much less prevalent then they once were. And although, yes, veterinarians do make money off vaccinations, remember that we are also behind the movement toward 3 year vaccination protocols, as longer durations of immunity studies are being proven. Please talk to your veterinarian regarding which vaccinations your pet needs.
Sincerely,
A Concerned Veterinarian