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Original poster

Dog seriously ill, due to go to Australia on Sunday

384 replies

77788r · 31/01/2025 20:07

My dog has become seriously ill in just a few days, she's having an operation on Wednesday next week and we've been told there's a 75% chance of success of her surviving the operation. If she doesn't have the operation she would likely have less than a month to live.

I am due to fly to Australia on Sunday for 2 weeks. The holiday cost me thousands. The travel insurance won't cover a cancellation or change in dates for a pet, and the pet insurance will cover £1000 which is better than nothing.

I feel devastated. It is a huge sum of money, I've saved up and done so much planning and preparation and I feel sick at the thought of it just going to waste. It was for a big birthday. The operation is also thousands of pounds, so this whole situation is costing nearly 6 months of salary for me. I also feel sick at leaving my dog, not knowing what the outcome of the surgery is gonna be or knowing if it's the last time I'll see her. I've spoken to family and friends who think I should go, aside from the family member who would be looking after her while I was away - they said it would be wrong for me to go and they would never consider going themselves.

I don't think I'll go but it hurts so much, I'm so upset at the timing of it all

OP posts:
HelloMyNameIsElderSmurf · 31/01/2025 20:27

To be honest it sounds like the family member who's meant to be pet-sitting doesn't want the responsibility of calling a situation, or rehabbing a sick dog. That's harsh for you of course, but you can't really blame them for that, and I think that means that you can't go, because there's no-one to look after the dog.

I'm really sorry OP. Can you move dates, using the pet insurance?

stonkytonk11 · 31/01/2025 20:27

This is such a difficult situation, I really feel
for you. Have you thought through what would happen if the dog doesn't get this operation? And also what the quality of life will be even if it is successful? Is he/she an old age and are you prolonging their life? It's a very different situation if it is a younger dog say who is getting a pretty routine operation? A very hard decision either way but just wondering what the age/stage the dog is at.

Newuser75 · 31/01/2025 20:29

Could you ask the vets if they will keep your dog there after surgery? That way you know she is in the best possible place? I used to work at vets and they would sometimes do this. (For a cost obviously)

I'm guessing , but is it a splenectomy she is having?

Nina1013 · 31/01/2025 20:29

I couldn’t and wouldn’t go, no matter how much money I would be losing, however it’s very much a personal choice.

eightIsNewNine · 31/01/2025 20:29

How old is the dog? If it is so ill it would die in a month without expensive and risky operation, you may consider PTS.

(And yes, it is a rather cold option. However, considering it - and potentially refusing - will help you understand how you feel about the other options)

XxSideshowAuntSallyx · 31/01/2025 20:30

I couldn't go, I'd want to be here so I can get them, when they're done and when they're convalescing. I wouldn't be able to enjoy myself.

I missed my old cat dying by 20 minutes as I had gone to work and stayed even though I was told I could go home. I got the call as I got off the train that she didn't make it. It was awful.

SquishyGloopyBum · 31/01/2025 20:30

Instead of cancelling can you move the dates of the hol? I also think it sounds like the person who would be looking after your dog post-op doesn't want to.

Penguinmouse · 31/01/2025 20:30

Presumably you’re going to Australia for a couple of weeks? Could you buy a new flight out - I know still an expense but if your pet insurance will pay out £1000, you could get a single leg out a week after the op and just miss the first few days?

User67556 · 31/01/2025 20:31

TheBoysAndTheBallet · 31/01/2025 20:15

I'd still go. It's a pet not a person. As long as someone is looking after it, it doesn't really make any difference whether you're there or not.

Agreed.

Newuser75 · 31/01/2025 20:31

Also have you explained the situation to the vets? Is there a reason the surgery needs to wait until Sunday? Could it be done tomorrow so that you know the outcome before you go?

Even if you need to contact a different vets for this to be done.

I'd explore all options before cancelling a holiday such as this.

Autumnnow · 31/01/2025 20:32

TheBoysAndTheBallet · 31/01/2025 20:15

I'd still go. It's a pet not a person. As long as someone is looking after it, it doesn't really make any difference whether you're there or not.

What an utter pile of crap.

Honeyroar · 31/01/2025 20:32

TheBoysAndTheBallet · 31/01/2025 20:15

I'd still go. It's a pet not a person. As long as someone is looking after it, it doesn't really make any difference whether you're there or not.

How funny - posts from people like this remind me why dogs are so much nicer than people sometimes!

OP is there any way of altering your ticket? Who are you flying with?

Redcandlescandal · 31/01/2025 20:32

I’m so sorry OP. I hope DDog makes a full recovery.

I couldn’t go. There would be no point as I would just be sick with worry the whole time and feeling guilty.

lola006 · 31/01/2025 20:32

Oh OP, how awful. My dog was poorly before Christmas going into kennels for a [human] trip to Aus but her issues weren’t major and the kennel took amazing care of her. I truly don’t know what I would do in your place so I just want to be a voice saying there is no wrong choice.

Some will say it’s just a dog and you should go, others will say stay. Go with your gut.

Runningoutofthyme · 31/01/2025 20:33

Tough one Op

i wouldn’t be able to leave my ddog in this scenario.

money is relative but to me, my pets are priceless

Surprised your insurance is only paying out £1 k. That’s doesn’t sound right unless that’s all your insured for vets fees which would be very low Edited as I misread the £1k as vets fees not as payment towards holiday

Nina1013 · 31/01/2025 20:33

TheBoysAndTheBallet · 31/01/2025 20:15

I'd still go. It's a pet not a person. As long as someone is looking after it, it doesn't really make any difference whether you're there or not.

I’m assuming you don’t have dogs.

I can assure you, they are very aware of who is looking after them, and when their owners are not there.

It doesn’t mean it’s necessarily wrong for OP to go, but it’s just not true to say it doesn’t matter to them - it does. One of mine paces and pines if my husband is away overnight, they all know when someone is away who ‘shouldn’t’ be, ie if my daughter is staying out. One knows when it’s ’work time’ for me as she waits outside my office for us to go in.

XxSideshowAuntSallyx · 31/01/2025 20:33

TheBoysAndTheBallet · 31/01/2025 20:15

I'd still go. It's a pet not a person. As long as someone is looking after it, it doesn't really make any difference whether you're there or not.

I wouldn't want to look after someone else's pet who has just had major surgery and I wouldn't expect someone else to look after mine.

Bollihobs · 31/01/2025 20:34

Can you reschedule the holiday? Rebook the flights for a later date and shift your accommodation bookings? It will cost you some money but not as much as cancelling it all. And then you'll be on an even keel and able to properly enjoy the trip when it comes.

soupyspoon · 31/01/2025 20:35

77788r · 31/01/2025 20:07

My dog has become seriously ill in just a few days, she's having an operation on Wednesday next week and we've been told there's a 75% chance of success of her surviving the operation. If she doesn't have the operation she would likely have less than a month to live.

I am due to fly to Australia on Sunday for 2 weeks. The holiday cost me thousands. The travel insurance won't cover a cancellation or change in dates for a pet, and the pet insurance will cover £1000 which is better than nothing.

I feel devastated. It is a huge sum of money, I've saved up and done so much planning and preparation and I feel sick at the thought of it just going to waste. It was for a big birthday. The operation is also thousands of pounds, so this whole situation is costing nearly 6 months of salary for me. I also feel sick at leaving my dog, not knowing what the outcome of the surgery is gonna be or knowing if it's the last time I'll see her. I've spoken to family and friends who think I should go, aside from the family member who would be looking after her while I was away - they said it would be wrong for me to go and they would never consider going themselves.

I don't think I'll go but it hurts so much, I'm so upset at the timing of it all

Theres no answer to this one, you know you cant go and its awful but it would be awful if you went

Hope it all turns out ok

SpringfieldPet · 31/01/2025 20:37

So sorry to hear this OP 😔. Hope doggo isn't in too much discomfort.

You say travel insurance doesn't cover a change in dates, but if a date change only cost say a couple of hundred, I'd be tempted to pay out for that and postpone it till next year.

Hope it all works out for you.

FoxtonFoxton · 31/01/2025 20:38

XxSideshowAuntSallyx · 31/01/2025 20:33

I wouldn't want to look after someone else's pet who has just had major surgery and I wouldn't expect someone else to look after mine.

Show quote history

I looked after someone's seriously ill horse once (unexpected illness while they were away not caused by me!) and it was absolutely horrendous. I didn't sleep, hardly ate -the stress was awful. The responsibility of looking after someone's beloved pet is bad enough, let alone when they are very sick.

poemsandwine · 31/01/2025 20:38

Crushgrape · 31/01/2025 20:17

I’m not a dog owner but this comment made me sad.

Show quote history

Same. Of course OP wants to be there. Shit timing, OP. So sorry.

Feelingathomenow · 31/01/2025 20:41

TheBoysAndTheBallet · 31/01/2025 20:15

I'd still go. It's a pet not a person. As long as someone is looking after it, it doesn't really make any difference whether you're there or not.

Jesus! A dog is part of the family!

Original poster
77788r · 31/01/2025 20:41

It's this Sunday. The relative who would be looking after her is also her owner as well (my partner). I have no idea how you sell a holiday at this short notice but I'll have a look online

I feel so angry. I have lost so much lately - having this trip to look forward to and my dog are the only things keeping me going

OP posts:
willowbrookmanor · 31/01/2025 20:41

How much would it cost to change the dates?

Although you’ve said the insurance won’t cover it, the cost of changing the dates might be cheaper than cancelling altogether.

Are you going on holiday alone?