MY BP just skyrockets...
 

Shhhh.... don't tell anyone, but, I do visit other Dog Forums. Mainly Yahoo and Dogster (but I don't stay long). ;)

I see one Post after another after another, of Owners who are "complaining" about their Dogs that are Vomiting, have Diarrhea, are Lethargic, are loosing patches of their Coats, scratching themselves till they have sores and on and on just about every time I visit.

And, to top that off, they say that these problems have been going on with their animals, for a couple days to a week or more, THEN ask what's wrong with them, and what they should do !.

I know that we're "supposed" to be generally polite, and try to overlook that level of stupidity, but, I just can't help myself, and have broiled several for not taking their animals to the Vet.

What kind of people is it, that are completely aware of that level of the animal's discomfort, and are so uncaring or unconcerned for it's condition, that they delay and come on a general Forum, apparently seeking some sort of blessing to continue that level of abuse. !

I guess may I'm just venting here, but, it really ticks me off ! :mad:

I think we see that right here at home on YT as well. It is infuriating, sad for the dogs, but all we can do is try to educate owners and guide them the best we can on an online dog forum. It's not worth your blood pressure because there is a never ending stream of people who neglect their animals and make all kinds of excuses about it.

:thumbup:

It's sad and upsetting. Right here on YT too.. But there are so many owners who believe this way about animal health. If we were to get worked up about every case, that's all we'd be doing. So I try to give my 2 cents and move right along.

I agree, there are plenty of these cases on YT.

Take heart, the number of people in this country willing/able to spend more money on health care for their pets is increasing. Dollars spent on vet care are second only to food in overall $$ spent on pets in the US: Industry Statistics & Trends

It really is disgusting and downright mind blowing. :( I was just saying today how disgusted I am and someone reminded me that people don't take care of their children either. That woman in Dallas who denied her child water for five days is a perfect example. Poor baby died .. all because he wet the bed. :(

People are looking for an easy out, instead of spending $$$......first they try to ignore it and hope it goes away; when it doesn't they seek advice, hoping that it won't lead to taking the dog to the vet!

I just posted about one in sick and injured. Stupid people waited days to help this poor yorkie that was bitten by another pup. Horrible infection now. :( Don't spend any money and then when the pup is horribly sick, turn it over to animal control. grrrrr

So what I don't get is that why, after making an investment in a yorkie, a person would be unwilling to spend the money on health care? I know some of the people who infuriate you all may not have paid much or gotten a rescue or something, but still.... I'm a newbie but try to be constantly alert for any changes in behavior, eating and potty patterns. These little babies are so dang LITTLE that I can't imagine letting anything go for any length of time. I was freaking on Saturday when Gracie was acting punk and then had a runny stool followed by a really watery episode. She must have just had a tummy ache because she ate lunch and played and had a normal poop after that, but for a few hours I was really worried.

:(:(:(

Welcome to YT. I'll break it down for you. People get yorkies and are unprepared for the high costs associated with proper care of them, which should include proper vet care. I know people who don't do the basics, let alone stepping up to the plate when the dog truly needs something due to distress. By way of example, my Teddy got a bug bite last week - inside the house while sleeping - and he had an allergic reaction to the bite. He was hospitalized and treated. Two days later, he did not tolerate his oral benedryl and had to be put back into the hospital. He was straining to urinate in his cage, and an xray was done out of an abundance of caution in case his pain was due to a stone blocking his urethra. So a bug bite after two days of treatment cost me nearly $600 for PROPER vet care.

I'm glad you are starting your ownership of a yorkie with the right attitude. Time is certainly of the essence with a small dog, and a nest egg for vet care should be every yorkie owners priority.

Sadly, though, many do not do right by their dogs, and the dogs suffer. By the way, rescues and low cost dogs are still beloved pets, and that is not a benchmark for acting on their behalf. I can assure you that some of the cheapest dogs cost the most if the owner does right by them. It's about the owner, and their priorities, and their values and the way that they feel about their dogs - not just in words but in their actions.

One of the first books I read when researching Yorkies said owners spend an average of $900 annually on their healthcare during the lifetime of the dog. I thought that was ridiculous. After this past year, I see where that is a conservative estimate.

Yes, I'd say $900 was conservative.
I spend $400 a year just on my two's Flea/Tick (Comfortis).

An if you unfortunately make just ONE emergency trip,
that could be well over $900. I know that personally ! :(
My Female Becca had an Eye Injury when we first got her,
and I think the total for that has been over $2000 to date.
She's still got a follow up visit to the Ophthalmologist to go.

My little Cricket had chronic problems, especially in her elderly years. The last year of her life cost quite a bit of money. I would pay it all again. I was surprised, while my husband and I were going through that w Cricket, praying God would give us just a little more time w her, that ppl would say the oddest things to us about the money we spent on her:

"You could have bought a whole litter of new dogs for what you are spending on her." "Why would you spend that money on that old dog?"

She was a member of our family, but ppl seemed to think she was only worth what you would spend to buy a new one. Amazing.

Since I've joined YT, I have been surprised how much you see ppl not paying for vet care for their animals. The husband and I just thought we had cheap, unevolved relatives.

Some people just don't get it, and truly, I feel sorry for them, that they haven't experienced what we feel on a daily basis.

I wouldn't trade all the money I've spent ever, for me looking down at my feet, and seeing my guys looking up at me. Then HA, seeing them wag their tails just from my look.

It can't get any better than that. :thumbup:

:yeahthat: