For many people, pets will forever hold a place in the heart. They are adopted as babies, raised and loved through some of the more trying times and eventually become one with the family. When a dog or cat falls ill, the owner worries but stays faithful that the veterinarian will do everything possible to save this member of the family.
Unfortunately, people without pet insurance are sometimes unprepared for the extraordinary costs associated with treating animal illnesses, particularly those such as cancer. Many veterinarian’s offices will recommend euthanasia as opposed to palliative care or cancer treatment options simply because they know that the owner does not have the means to provide the animal with the necessary medications and treatments.
When an animal has cancer it is often not diagnosed until it has already progressed. Unfortunately, a dog, cat or other animal companion is unable to tell us when something is not quite right. We do not usually find out until physical symptoms begin to show. The delay in the discovery of the cancer means that even with treatment, the therapy must be aggressive in order to work. This could mean around-the-clock care, pricey medicines and even unaffordable chemotherapy treatments. A person without pet coverage would have a hard time paying for these expenses out of pocket.
Even palliative care can be expensive. Palliative care is the means of keeping the animal comfortable until he is ready to pass naturally. This can be difficult in some cases because it may mean frequent clinic visits, daily pill giving and after-hours veterinary calls. All of these things can quickly rack up expenses with a clinic. Those without a clinic charge account may be forced to choose between their pet’s last days and their own pocketbook. This is a choice that people should not be forced to make; pet coverage allows more choice in an animal’s cancer care.
