Dog seriously ill, due to go to Australia on Sunday

I have tried . I hope the pet recovers . But at the end of the day it’s a pet .

Actually, having seen that it's your partner who'd be taking care of the dog, and assuming you'd be okay with your partner going if the roles were switched, I think you should go.
It'll be tough, but say your goodbyes to your dog and try and enjoy your holiday.

So, the NHS is on its knees and GPs stretched beyond breaking point, but you’d happily waste their time so you could defraud an insurance company and save yourself some money?

The solution was for the OP to have the appropriate level of cancellation cover in the first place, but it’s too late for that. Her husband is still at home to look after the dog, but if that’s not enough and she, completely understandably, wants to be there too then that’s going to have to be at her cost.

It's just someone who doesn't get it and that's ok. My dog died a few months ago, we spent thousands on his care - cancelled holidays too, I was there for him all the time and we are devastated now he's gone - I'm sure some people didn't get that either and that's ok but we were fortunate that our friends, clients and colleagues gave us space for our sadness.

@TheBoysAndTheBallet gosh you are a horrible person.

of course you can’t go. Your dog needs you. It’s just a holiday

You should definitely go on your very expensive, special holiday.
Your lovely dog will be cared for in your absence. And if the surgery is unsuccessful, you will be in a lovely country where it can help take your mind off your grief.

I have an amazing 14 yo dog. I have a once in a lifetime trip booked for this year, could NEVER afford it again, it's costing more than I make in a year! If my dog became ill, I would still go on my holiday.

On a side note, your partner is being very unsupportive by guilt tripping you to stay.

This. It's a dog.

That's really true. Similar here, animal was seriously ill, whilst she was pregnant too and it was absolutely awful

it doesn't really make any difference whether you're there or not.
Well it does to the op. And to her dog.

I think it's very easy for other people to say they would give up a holiday of a lifetime when it's not them doing the giving up. We had a similar situation with a holiday and ill pet. We went and they spent an extra few days recovering at the vets (££££). The vet said they were fine and they loved all the attention from the staff. I suspect it depends on your dogs temperament and how well they know the person who will care for them once they are out.

seeing as your partner and the co owner of the dog would be looking after them I’d probably go. It’s not like you’re leaving the dog with a cousin or sister who shouldn’t have to deal with stuff/make decisions.

one thing I’d be worried about though is that your partner doesn’t want you to go, will it cause an issue with the relationship?

my parents were in a similar situation many years ago and left me with their very sick dog at the age of 21. My dad had actually dug a grave in the garden in case the worst happened. I ended up having to make the decision to have the dog pts while they were away which was awful. But they went on holiday knowing it was quite possible and I don’t think ever regretted it. They said their goodbyes before they left just in case. Logically it made no difference to the dog, he was loved and cared for till the end.

Hope your dog pulls through.

There’s always one who tries the wind-up 🙄

Difficult one OP. For me it would depend on how close to the dog the person looking after is.
If it’s a close relationship and you know your dog will be comfortable with that person, then go.

If not, I’d try to sell the holiday and recoup some losses that way.

My take on it is that if the money is gone it’s gone. What’s then left is a choice between a holiday or being with a much loved pet when they’re ill, may die and I may never see them again. For me, my dogs will always be more important than a holiday and I couldn’t enjoy a holiday knowing my dog was back home going through all that. I would want to be there for my dog. I’d always regret not being there.

It made me angry😳

Not vile but rational and sensible. She stands to lose a lot of money.

I can’t believe how many ignorant people are suggesting insurance fraud to the op.

I had an issue with my young dog years ago, I tried all treatment possible got into debt as I'd just stupidly cancelled his insurance. The last resort was crate rest for 6 weeks otherwise pts. I had a hen do booked within that time. Not in another country or for 2 weeks but it's sort of similar. I went for one night instead of 2 and just cut my losses for the money I lost as I still had to pay for both nights and the transport already booked then my own transport home too. He ended up being pts after the 6 weeks I was devastated but I was glad I'd spent as much time as possible with him. He was only 2. BUT I was single and didn't have a partner who was like his other 'parent'. Could you possibly go for less time? It's harder cause of how far away it is! You can't just go home easily if something goes wrong. Good luck x

Agree. If you are devoted to your dog how can you go away without feeling awful and worried? How can you enjoy your holiday?
I know I couldn't.

I would go, but the people who i’d trust with my dog have known him since he was a puppy and they’re as much his family as I am.

I wouldn’t go if I had to trust some random to look after him.

shitty situation :(

Just want to say I'm sorry this has happened OP.

It's entirely up to you whether you can enjoy the holiday knowing you've left your dog and might never see them again. I doubt you could enjoy yourself.

I agree with previous posters your dog won't suffer extra as your partner is with them. However your partner may well suffer if he ends up on his own to deal with grief.

I agree. I'm a huge animal lover, but I would leave a pet with a trusted person. Animals don't think like us, your dog is not going to spend all its time wondering where you are, as long as someone is caring for it.

You can earn more money. You can see Australia any time. Your dog needs you.

How awful, I really feel for you. If that was my cat I couldn't leave her. I'd just cry the entire time I was away and not enjoy anything.

I've got visions of the kids' books I used to read where they used lipstick/paint/crayon to put big round dots on their face and bizarrely, their parent used to fall for it 😂😂

I don't think a GP would resort to taking a stool sample just to write a letter for a travel insurer. If it's not clinically indicated, I don't think many would do it.

And it's entirely possible to have a clear poo sample and still have genuine gastroenteritis - viral GI won't show anything in the poo sample. So even if they did take a sample, a negative result doesn't disprove the illness.

If you're generally an honest person who doesn't try to blag being ill, most GPs will probably just trust you. Also, if you pay for a private GP letter, it's even easier to get....

The insurance company can only deny a claim on the basis of the terms and conditions so the OP needs to have a good look at what's written there. They can't enforce unfair conditions - the Ombudsman expects their conduct and their T&Cs to be reasonable. It's not reasonable to expect someone to fly with D&V. So it depends on the cover purchased and whether it's only intended to cover "critical" type events or whether it pays out if you're not fit to fly for any medical reason.

Many insurers try it on. You just have to argue the case using their own terms and conditions. For a claim to be denied, the reason has to be clearly specified in their terms - and it has to be fair.