"If you loved animals, you wouldn't charge . . . "

Ok . . . disclaimer and warning . . . the topic we are about to discuss generates passionate responses.

It was a great Friday evening. I was enjoying a good band, with a beer or two in me and good friends hanging outside just soaking up an Indiana evening. I should have stayed OFF social media -- I know better!

Corgi in the hospital

But there it was, the plea for help. A 3-year-old pup had eaten something he shouldn't have and now the young owner was facing a hefty ER surgery bill. The owner's mom was trying to help by posting online and, to be fair, the majority of people were sharing valid options like CareCredit, ScratchPay, charitable organizations, or even ideas about other veterinary clinics. Then I saw this:

Haters gonna hate...

To be clear, this was NOT the original poster who posted this comment.

You realize what this person is saying is that whenever an animal needs help, regardless of the complexity, the prognosis, or the cost, veterinarians should do this for as little money as possible, or even free. I am sorry., I couldn't help but respond (see below). Normally, I try to remain a little more professional, but comments like this one above do nothing to help the situation for this poor owner AND shows a lack of understanding of the business of veterinary medicine.

Lost my cool a little bit.

Look, I have been doing this for over 30 years. I get that "life happens" and we can't always control the circumstance and situations that our furry friends find themselves in. I have been there . . .15 years ago, if I had a problem with my Mastiff, Loki, I would have been desperate for money as well.

Loki was an awesome nurse!

But, demanding that veterinarians do things "cheaper" or even at no charge is not the answer. I also realize that more than 50% of pet owners worry about a veterinary bill that might exceed just $500. But, we should not be placing blame on veterinarians who ARE trying to help the pet, but do deserve to get paid for their expertise, their skills, and their knowledge. My advice: find a veterinarian who matches with you and your family and maintain that relationship. Follow recommendations when you can ("an ounce of prevention beats a pound of cure") and have an idea for how to handle unexpected situations. Ask questions...are there other options to help my pet vs. the gold standard? Many veterinarians will be happy to try and find other treatment plans, when feasible, to help you and your pet. Don't wait and try to "Crowdsource" funding for your pet's ER visit! Most of all, understand that when these emergencies happen on the weekend, you will be paying more. Trying to find a "low cost" clinic in the middle of the night or on a weekend is going to be difficult. As I often say, it's better to take your pet in and pay for the exam, only to find out everything is either fine or less problematic than you thought versus waiting and hoping, only to see your pet suffer and the problem get much, much worse! So, what are your thoughts? Was I out of line with this commenter? #PetPalsTV, #veterinary, #dogemergencies, #CVJ, #CertifiedVeterinaryJournalist, #BeKind