re: How much would you spend on your pet before you draw the line?

I have a black lab that loves to chase squirrels. She was chasing one and misjudged the fence (5' wrought iron) and impaled her belly on a spike. My other lab went crazy and was barking so I went outside to see what was up and saw her.

I pulled her off the fence and rushed her to the local nighttime emergency vet. They were able to mostly close the wound with 280 sutures and staples but had to leave part of it open for the wound to drain. This was a week before Christmas.

She has had 4 surgery's now and was released from containment (to keep her activity limited) about 10 days ago.

I spent $4300 total for her surgeries, medications and bandages.

She is 100% fine now.

Would do it again.

I have also installed an underground fence system about 15 feet from the metal fence now to keep them from doing it again.

Wow, that is a ridiculous price. We have a Bernedoodle and he had to have surgery to remove a piece of corn cob from his intestines. It was maybe a 2 inch piece. We were quoted it would be anywhere from 750 to 1,000 and it ended up costing 750. That’s for a 2 night stay also. We have to make sure there is nothing on the kitchen counters and all socks are picked up. He has gotten better about the socks but food is another story lol

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So of course, they started “looking at some things” and got it down to $4000.

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I figured out to only bring my dogs to vets that do large animal work. They tend to be a lot more frank about cost/benefit.

I had a dog that used to love socks, too (but my calf length socks, not kids socks). He threw them all up or crapped them out... Except one time, while I was out of town for two weeks. Room mate took him to vet for tests and fluids, and when she went to visit him to walk him a day or two later, after a $2k bill, he crapped it out. Also liked girls panties and breast pads, etc. You almost wished for a lab that would just eat a loaf a bread off the counter.

Maybe since your MIL likes the dog so much, she adopts the dog, and y'all visit. She's going to think she owns half the dog anyway, and it's going to likely lead to some uncomfortable discussions about fluffy in the future if there are more incidents.

$10,000 is my limit for a dog/horse I really like- depending on the procedure and the chance of success with that procedure. Also depends on the age of the animal and its quality of life/return to use post procedure. But only you can determine what's right for you. None of us on a message board should have any sway on your decision as you are the one paying for it.

Up to the cost of a new puppy is where I draw the line.

Why spend 1000's on an older dog, if I can get a new puppy for $750-$1500. (Registered full blood hunting dog)

Can’t say I’ve ever thought of putting a number on it. I grew up with dogs and they are family. When my wife and I got the lab we have now I told her if it ever came down to it, get the surgery and we will figure it out. Can’t imagine having to put your puppy down because it likes socks. Everyone is different though.

This is a huge reason why I refuse to get a dog right now. My kids are too young to understand money. Vet bills, boarding costs etc. they just want to play with it and love on it. I get it, but I also don’t want to be burdened with the unnecessary expense of it. Been down that road before before I was married with kids

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I spent $1800 just to see him put down.

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I guess I just grew up in the country. Had to put a couple of old pets down with the shotgun when it got to that point.

I hope I never have to draw that line.

Wow, we just had to make this same decision yesterday for our 2.5 yr old Boykin. 3 of the kids socks surgically removed and she’s feeling much better.