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AIBU?

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Original poster

Vet advice… AIBU about costs.

115 replies

MyFairLady22 · 30/03/2026 12:18

My Dog is 11yrs old. She’s a large breed and is therefore a good age. She’s been loved and cared for to within an inch of her life for every moment of those 11 years! She’s on YouMove Max, salmon oil capsules, and prescription anti inflammatory medication from our vet.

In the past few months, she’s been back and forth to the vet with trembling… shaking…wobbling and difficulty getting in the car/on the bed/sofa. I lift her! It’s worsened in the past few weeks. Suddenly, she jerks/mouth snaps/falls. She eats well. Swims. Plays. Gets groomed twice a day (she’s very woolly ☺️).

Now, the vet thinks she’s having myoclonic seizures. A form of late onset epilepsy/fitting but NOT losing consciousness. It is caused by tumours to which the breed is susceptible. I’ve put mats all over the house to prevent slipping; bought two ramps she will not use! Support her on off my bed at night (I’m divorced - she took over the vacant side of the bed pretty quickly!).

This morning, went to the vets for her blood test for the medicine she’s on. The vet last week tested her liver/kidney function and fasted blood sugar which all came back “like a five year old dog’s”She’s pretty healthy but for this degenerative disease process starting recently.

Today, it has been suggested to do a referral to a neurologist. Months ago, my own lovely vet, who knows I’m paying my own bill said “It depends how far you want to go and in reality, WHAT YOU DO with the results; she’s an old girl (for the breed); were she a puppy or aged 5, then that’d be very different”. This helped me enormously. The vet understood that I just don’t have endless funds available and we agreed that scans etc were NOT the way to go.

So, AIBU to feel frantic that now, the vet is suggesting initial diagnostic tests totalling £3,500 as a starting point? It’s like we never had the conversation about costs. My sister has offered to loan me the money but this payment is just the first consultation and scan.

Help please. Am I giving up on man’s best friend? AIBU to think the vet has done a total u-turn on appropriate treatment options?

OP posts:
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WinWhenTheyreSinging · 30/03/2026 13:40

No point testing for what you can’t fix, which sounds like it’s the case here, given age and health. You’d be putting the dog through stuff unnecessarily, before you even worry about the money part.

Original poster
MyFairLady22 · 30/03/2026 13:38

Goatsarebest · 30/03/2026 13:02

We have, and have had, numerous animals from farm animals to inside pets and ones in between. It's not reasonable to compromise your financial security for expensive treatment to prolongs life of a pet that doesn't actually have a chance of curing the underlying issue. I Absolutely get the emotional side of treating pets, but they are not humans, they are animals and prolonging life that compromises finances because nobody can face the alternative is not a reasonable option. You give your pets their best life whilst they can live it, that is what you do as an owner. You are not obligated to prolong it beyond what the pet can live.

Thank you for the responses. Even with the possibility of approaching Animal Trust I’m not sure I want her messed with. My own vet actually warned me that a CT/MRI scan involved an anaesthetic and it not being an emergency or young animal, it was a major thing to factor in. Now… all that’s changed.

Medication cannot be offered/prescribed without an actual diagnosis. Diagnosis… starts at £3500.

I appreciate the attitude that she is actually a dog. Much loved and cared for but, an animal. I think (I’m not a vet!!) if she had an undiagnosed condition at aged 5 or so then yes, with possibly years ahead of her to enjoy her rolling in muck/chasing squirrels and being adored (like she’s my child) it’d be an expensive no brainer. This feels different.

I wonder why my vet has suddenly changed her stance?

OP posts:
Blueuggboots · 30/03/2026 13:36

Our dog had all the symptoms of a ln illness that needed an MRI scan to confirm at £1500…we said no. Vet was happy to treat on symptoms.

I presume they have to OFFER you the option so it’s informed consent but you’re not BU to decline.

bridgetreilly · 30/03/2026 13:31

You just say no, I won’t be going ahead with that.

IamnotSethRogan · 30/03/2026 13:24

Do you have an Animal Trust near or or another not for profit vets? The difference is absolutely astounding! My vet quoted several thousand pounds for some urgent treatment for my dog and the Animal trust were able to do it for £600!

When I went back to my local vet for the referal, the staff said they're embarrassed and appalled at the prices they charge but have no control (is a chain)

Toddlerteaplease · 30/03/2026 13:23

Will a diagnosis make any difference? Is it something that can be helped with medication? Or could the medication be trialled on the assumption she has the condition. But at 11, quaintly if life is all that matters so I’d be guided by that.

Goatsarebest · 30/03/2026 13:02

We have, and have had, numerous animals from farm animals to inside pets and ones in between. It's not reasonable to compromise your financial security for expensive treatment to prolongs life of a pet that doesn't actually have a chance of curing the underlying issue. I Absolutely get the emotional side of treating pets, but they are not humans, they are animals and prolonging life that compromises finances because nobody can face the alternative is not a reasonable option. You give your pets their best life whilst they can live it, that is what you do as an owner. You are not obligated to prolong it beyond what the pet can live.

Escapetothecatshome · 30/03/2026 13:00

I’m was in a similar situation, chihuahua 12 years old, has started having seizures. The difference is my vet was very clear she’s old, theirs not much they can do she’s probably got a tumour somewhere that’s causing them. And in a lot of ways thought it was better to just manage symptoms then endless tests.
Ive made some changes she no longer sleeps on the bed, just in case she has a seizure rolls off and has a bad fall. I’m also feeding her on purina neurocare which I do think helps.

VanCleefArpels · 30/03/2026 12:50

All he’s done is set out your options. Your dog’s quality of life sounds minimal. I know what I would do.

VanCleefArpels · 30/03/2026 12:50

All he’s done is set out your options. Your dog’s quality of life sounds minimal. I know what I would do.

VanCleefArpels · 30/03/2026 12:50

All he’s done is set out your options. Your dog’s quality of life sounds minimal. I know what I would do.

VanCleefArpels · 30/03/2026 12:50

All he’s done is set out your options. Your dog’s quality of life sounds minimal. I know what I would do.

BiteyShark · 30/03/2026 12:40

I think you need to be very clear with your vet. Ask them specifically how the mri results would change treatment rather than a try and see approach to managing symptoms.

I have refused some diagnostic tests in the past when the benefits versus putting him through stressful tests didn’t seem worth it to me irrespective of costs. And in your situation then no I wouldn’t do the MRI even though for us that would be covered by insurance unless it would dramatically alter the treatment plan and quality of life.

ColdAsAWitches · 30/03/2026 12:34

I think it's down to how you responded to the vet. He's clearly given you options - very expensive consultations, let her continue as is (which doesn't sound appropriate) or put her to sleep. It's now up to you to make the choice. You don't seem to have indicated that you want her put down, so he's moving onto the alternative.

You have my sympathies.

Boogery · 30/03/2026 12:33

I have an old dog with several health issues.
Tumours international and external.
Probably liver cancer and spreading.

Quality of life is decent.
Still enjoys walks and food. Mobility not too bad.

But at this age ( 11 years old in your case) there is no way I will be pursuing tests or investigative treatment, because it's about quality time, not prolonging time at any cost.