How much is a pet worth?

RE: How much is a pet worth?

bob lehner — Sat, 21 Nov 2020 14:19:09 GMT

[quote userid="7811" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/29292/how-much-is-a-pet-worth/226808#226808"]Designer (aka crossbreed) pups are selling for a fortune at the moment[/quote]

The whole 'designer dog' thing has got to be one of the weirder social phenomena of recent times.

Ten-plus years ago a cross between two different pedigree breeds was generally the result of a mistake or misalliance - and you'd be hard pushed to give away the resulting 'mongrel' pups (perfectly nice animals though they may have been).

Then something very odd happened and large numbers of people were somehow convinced that all these cross-breeds were inherently desirable and better than either of the parent breeds - and so became happy and willing to part with ever more crazy amounts of money for them.

Some sort of mass brainwashing? Or perhaps it was even more odd that people were previously convinced that pedigree dogs were 'better'.

RE: How much is a pet worth?

Gillian Mostyn — Fri, 20 Nov 2020 17:37:32 GMT

[quote userid="7811" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/29292/how-much-is-a-pet-worth/226855#226855"]I discussed it with her at length (she is a previous client, and I know her circumstances etc) and advised against it on balance. She then told me she was doing it anyway. [/quote]

Your advice in this case was probably free. But it never fails to amaze me how many people are happy to pay for advice that they then choose to ignore. One of my favorite ones - 'your morbidly obese 3 year old dog will end up crippled and smelly and will die young'. (I do usually manage to word it as kindly as I can). A far too common response (other than the usual 'but it hardly eats anything') - I wish vets would stop telling me my dog is fat - its my choice how I feed my dog. But they later complain about the cost of metacam.

Posters in the waiting room wouldn't help because the people they are aimed at choose to ignore them. Their dog might not be able to walk, breathe or reproduce, but it is still perfect so it must be other people who buy awful dogs. In the same way the pictures of diseased lungs on cigarette packets can be ignored. Lung cancer happens to other folk.

RE: How much is a pet worth?

Arlo Guthrie — Fri, 20 Nov 2020 15:19:56 GMT

[quote userid="9239" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/29292/how-much-is-a-pet-worth/226861#226861"]

Arlo Guthrie said:
Who'd want to hang that in the waiting room?

I wouldn't, it's pointless.

[/quote]

I wish you wouldn't beat around the bush like that, Dinu

[quote userid="3094" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/29292/how-much-is-a-pet-worth/226896#226896"]Still a good idea though![/quote]

Well, I'm not sure it is, really! My point is that one COULD do something quite hard-hitting to get the message across, but it wouldn't be good for business.

It would be like an independent garage putting up a sign saying 'Vauxhalls are all shit, don't touch them with a bargepole'.

It might make vauxhall owners think twice the next time they buy a car, or when they are talking about cars with other car buyers.

Problem is that in the meantime, bang go all your Vauxhall customers.

RE: How much is a pet worth?

Julian Earl — Fri, 20 Nov 2020 13:11:34 GMT

[quote userid="2100" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/29292/how-much-is-a-pet-worth/226847#226847"]is is not great copy, BTW, just a thought to illustrate the point. Who'd want to hang that in the waiting room?[/quote]

Not only that Arlo, but we had better be 100% sure of the data before we get sued by a disgruntled breeder or breed Society! Of course, We all "know" that your principle is correct but that is not proof in front of the Advertising Standards people I suspect? Still a good idea though! A job for the BVA!

RE: How much is a pet worth?

Dinu Catilina — Thu, 19 Nov 2020 10:32:32 GMT

[quote userid="2100" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/29292/how-much-is-a-pet-worth/226847#226847"]Who'd want to hang that in the waiting room?[/quote]

I wouldn't, it's pointless. And I like my reception to have photos on the walls not educational/commercial material.

RE: How much is a pet worth?

Bob Russell — Thu, 19 Nov 2020 10:17:33 GMT

My suspicion is the £925K is either a mistake or the owners consider the tortoise to be priceless. They may even get more enquiries from the curious!

RE: How much is a pet worth?

Julie Innes — Thu, 19 Nov 2020 09:37:48 GMT

The problem is as someone said most of the people shelling out for these are first time dog owners, so by the time we get to see them the deed is done!

It is very very difficult to educate the public on things they don't want to hear. A woman called me the other day 3 times for advice on adopting a certain dog with leishmania, and I discussed it with her at length (she is a previous client, and I know her circumstances etc) and advised against it on balance. She then told me she was doing it anyway.

Despite all the banging on I have done about puppy farms etc, only 1 out of 5 of my cousins who recently got puppies bothered to get in touch with me and ask (and take!) my advice. But guess who they will run to when the westiepoo, cavachon , cavapoo and lurcher (sold to cousin as golden retriever cross by man who handed it over outside a pub!) have issues...Sensible cousin still waiting for her responsibly sourced springer spaniel, no doubt costing half what the other eejits paid!

RE: How much is a pet worth?

Arlo Guthrie — Thu, 19 Nov 2020 08:59:49 GMT

[quote userid="5012" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/29292/how-much-is-a-pet-worth/226812#226812"]

Should the question be;

How much are they worth?

How much is some idiot prepared to pay for them?

[/quote][quote userid="5012" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/29292/how-much-is-a-pet-worth/226822#226822"]3rd Possibility = they're f***ing stupid. [/quote][quote userid="9239" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/29292/how-much-is-a-pet-worth/226824#226824"]They probably think the same about people spending more than 300 quid on a pushbike. Let's not be that patronising, nobody is born knowledgeable.[/quote]

Whatever the reason why people spend crazy amounts of money on certain breeds (ironically the ones they're going to end up paying through the nose for veterinary treatment thereafter), I do wonder how much the profession is doing to educate people.

I mean there is a real conflict of interest here. Not the obvious one, where vets benefit from treating these breeds specifically. I mean the more subtle one, which is that clients are, well, clients. And it is a difficult thing (commercial suicide) to stand up and criticise clients for their choices.

As I was writing this, I was thinking of what would make a good advertising campaign. Perhaps a big poster.

Heading: BUY ONE (pic of cute frenchie)
GET ONE FREE (picture of a frenchie undergoing corrective surgery hip dysplasia or breathing problems, or a picture of skin disease). Then short descriptive para along the lines of : x% of Frenchies suffer from xx. So if you buy one, you've got a good chance it'll come with a free case of xx. Problem is that whilst the condition is free, correcting it is not. So you will end up paying. A lot.

This is not great copy, BTW, just a thought to illustrate the point. Who'd want to hang that in the waiting room?

RE: How much is a pet worth?

Julian Earl — Wed, 18 Nov 2020 23:12:11 GMT

[quote userid="9239" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/29292/how-much-is-a-pet-worth/226824#226824"]hey probably think the same about people spending more than 300 quid on a pushbike.[/quote]

£300??? Really, a whole bike?? . i bought a decent pair of aerodynamic racing wheels for more than that! Back in about 1993! They worked very well so it was money well-spent! I still have them. HED- wheels!

The best dog I ever owned was a Rescue- Labrador for £10; who later developed very severe HD, very bad arthritis in hocks and elbows but I loved that dog more than anything else in my life until I met my wife of course!!

RE: How much is a pet worth?

Dinu Catilina — Wed, 18 Nov 2020 23:07:57 GMT

[quote userid="5012" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/29292/how-much-is-a-pet-worth/226829#226829"]True enough, but along with that should go responsibility for our actions and choices. [/quote]

You are very right Clive but unfortunately responsibility is taught and not innate. I see patterns in who buys merle bulldogs/frenchies etc and which part of society buys spaniels/labradors, We can't generalise but many of the people buying these so called new breeds (mongrels) are people with no education, no money and no experience in dogs.

[quote userid="5012" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/29292/how-much-is-a-pet-worth/226830#226830"] TV just gets worse or I'm getting old and intolerant.[/quote]

It is getting worse.

RE: How much is a pet worth?

Clive Ansell — Wed, 18 Nov 2020 21:57:15 GMT

[quote userid="11493" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/29292/how-much-is-a-pet-worth/226827#226827"]People even pay for extra TV channels nowadays![/quote]

Not surprising, given most of the free ones are dross. TV just gets worse or I'm getting old and intolerant.

[quote userid="11493" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/29292/how-much-is-a-pet-worth/226827#226827"]my app vetd0se is free, and only for android[/quote]

Thanks - will check it out

RE: How much is a pet worth?

Clive Ansell — Wed, 18 Nov 2020 21:54:30 GMT

[quote userid="11493" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/29292/how-much-is-a-pet-worth/226827#226827"]In this society, we are free to use our disposable income in anything we like.[/quote]

True enough, but along with that should go responsibility for our actions and choices.

In my example above, someone chose to spend their cash on a puppy, but now they cannot afford its veterinary care. To make matters worse, this chap blames everyone else , in particular our profession. Also, the emotional impact and stress on staff members of having to euthanase such a case, should not be overlooked or underestimated - it is not fair to them to be placed in such a position.

It would be like me buying a Ferrari, then being unable to afford to have it serviced properly and blaming everyone else when it blows up.

RE: How much is a pet worth?

Francisco Gomez — Wed, 18 Nov 2020 21:28:15 GMT

[quote userid="5012" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/29292/how-much-is-a-pet-worth/226822#226822"]I don't have an iPhone, and don't particularly want one[/quote]

On a separate note, my app vetd0se is free, and only for android... Coz I don't have an iPhone. Or a Mac, thinking about purchasing one, just for the means of Apple development. It's significantly more expensive.

But most of my staff do have iPhones and they earn less than me. Point is: In this society, we are free to use our disposable income in anything we like. Just because it doesn't make sense to me, it doesn't mean it doesn't make sense to the next person.

People even pay for extra TV channels nowadays!

RE: How much is a pet worth?

Clive Ansell — Wed, 18 Nov 2020 21:12:39 GMT

[quote userid="9239" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/29292/how-much-is-a-pet-worth/226824#226824"]They probably think the same about people spending more than 300 quid on a pushbike.[/quote]

Maybe.

But I suppose the fundamental difference is that the more you spend on a bike, the better quality it will be, as would be true for most items; stereos, cars, phones, tv's etc etc.

With a puppy it seems what you spend is inversely proportional to the quality of the product, and the more money spent, the more mutant defective genes you get. In addition those that buy them, seem the least able to afford them. It never ceased to amaze me the number of benefit claimants rocking up at charity clinics with £2000 Bulldog puppies and £1500 Bengal cats, and said clinics happy to offer them free or very cheap treatment.

Crazy old world though.

[quote userid="9239" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/29292/how-much-is-a-pet-worth/226824#226824"]Let's not be that patronising, nobody is born knowledgeable. [/quote]

Fair enough.

RE: How much is a pet worth?

Dinu Catilina — Wed, 18 Nov 2020 20:06:28 GMT

[quote userid="5012" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/29292/how-much-is-a-pet-worth/226822#226822"]3rd Possibility = they're f***ing stupid. [/quote]

They probably think the same about people spending more than 300 quid on a pushbike. Let's not be that patronising, nobody is born knowledgeable.

RE: How much is a pet worth?

Clive Ansell — Wed, 18 Nov 2020 19:41:27 GMT

[quote userid="2457" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/29292/how-much-is-a-pet-worth/226818#226818"]

2 possibilities:

- they see it the same as if purchasing an iphone. You just buy it.

- they are too used to the societal 'safety net'. Somebody is always there to sort out your strife so planning for problems just isn't an issue. Have you looked recently what the average person has in savings?.?.?.?

[/quote]

3rd Possibility = they're f***ing stupid.

I don't have an iPhone, and don't particularly want one, but if I bought an electronic device in excess of a £1000 I would ensure it was adequately insured against breakage and theft, or I would accept to take the hit.

Folk have no savings, yet still mange to find in excess of £3000 to buy a deformed heap of genetic mutations puppy. I honestly don't know whether to pity them or blame them.

Shame about the dogs welfare though.

RE: How much is a pet worth?

Dinu Catilina — Wed, 18 Nov 2020 19:13:26 GMT

They also have zero skills of future planning and no thought of long term consequences.

RE: How much is a pet worth?

Gillian Mostyn — Wed, 18 Nov 2020 17:19:43 GMT

[quote userid="5012" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/29292/how-much-is-a-pet-worth/226814#226814"]Next question: why does anyone spend £1000's on a puppy and not have insurance of the financial means to take care of it[/quote]

2 possibilities:

- they see it the same as if purchasing an iphone. You just buy it.

RE: How much is a pet worth?

Nick Jackson — Wed, 18 Nov 2020 16:33:58 GMT

Shocking what people don't understand about value isnt it...

I wonder if these people have car insurance, house insurance, phone insurance. If they do - why not the pet they just spent so much on? Are they just not aware or been not been sold it enough?

If not, well, theres a lesson in there for them if they are willing to learn it ...

RE: How much is a pet worth?

Clive Ansell — Wed, 18 Nov 2020 16:12:51 GMT

Next question: why does anyone spend £1000's on a puppy and not have insurance of the financial means to take care of it

We have a 5 month French Bulldog in clinic today, has a condylar fracture. owners cannot afford referral or treatment, not even amputation. Not eligible for charity assistance. Deciding at the moment whether it will be signed over and rehomed, or pts.

RE: How much is a pet worth?

Clive Ansell — Wed, 18 Nov 2020 15:28:24 GMT

Should the question be;

How much are they worth?

How much is some idiot prepared to pay for them?

RE: How much is a pet worth?

Nick Jackson — Wed, 18 Nov 2020 14:28:49 GMT

[quote userid="7811" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/29292/how-much-is-a-pet-worth/226808#226808"](often to cover costs of the section that mum had to have too)[/quote]

Doubtful this plays much into the profit margins im hearing about. Most bulldog/frenchie/boston etc breeders has pre-negotiated a reasonably priced (cheap) c-section and when each pup is worth 2-5k+ the £850 OOH c-section pales into insignificance ... Though they will happily tell all their clients thats the reason for the costs...

RE: How much is a pet worth?

Julie Innes — Wed, 18 Nov 2020 14:07:53 GMT

[quote userid="2100" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/29292/how-much-is-a-pet-worth/224901#224901"]Then found most expensive breeds according to some recent research are the Bulldog and the French Bulldog: https://www.countryliving.com/uk/wildlife/pets/a865/most-expensive-dogs/[/quote]

This list is seriously out of touch! £570 for a CKCS?? Great Dane for £800?? I have a corgi (don't judge till you know them!!) who cost me £800, but corgi puppies are currently selling at £1-2K a pup. my cousin just bought a cavachon for just under a grand, while my other cousin bought a lovely well-bred Springer for £850. Designer (aka crossbreed) pups are selling for a fortune at the moment, due to the demand for lockdown puppies.

Although agree Frenchies and Bulldogs seem to be all the rage at the moment, with prices to match (often to cover costs of the section that mum had to have too)

RE: How much is a pet worth?

Julian Earl — Sat, 14 Nov 2020 15:38:12 GMT

[quote userid="9239" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/29292/how-much-is-a-pet-worth/224917#224917"]No, why would it be unethical? Obscene maybe[/quote]

I would hazard a guess that certain people think that such large sums should be spent on saving people rather than "just" animals? Personally I think that if I am correct, then such anthropocentricity is immoral not the desire to save belowed pets! Or am I wrong? No I am not, of course not is the correct answer! Thanks in anticipation!

RE: How much is a pet worth?

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Fri, 14 Aug 2020 20:56:37 GMT

Why obscene?