Kenny wroter: >If in fact that is the going rate do you mean to tell me that I should expect to pay >$45000.00 for vet charges for my berner?>
This sum is not what I would consider at all typical for the health care of the average berner. Most of us do not have the financial means to be able to pay for that kind of care. Fortunately, in many instances, it is not necessary. I have an 11 y.o. berner here who has not needed much more than preventive care for the bulk of her life(vaccines, heartworm medicine, dietary supplements, etc). I also have a berner who I just spent $1300 on to have an MRI done, which confirmed a trigeminal nerve tumor. This will of course lead to more expenses, as I try to keep him as comfortable and happy as I can for whatever time he has left, trying to make that good quality time as long as possible. The expenses related to the health care of berners, as in any living creature, are quite variable. Getting your dog from a responsible breeder helps minimize the risks of potential health problems, but can't eliminate the risk. Some berners have orthopedic problems, some of which are treated through surgery, others through more conservative means. Various cancers are prevalent in all dogs, with particular varieties more common in berners(like malignant histiocytosis). Incidences of auto-immune disorders, allergy problems, vision problems like PRA, thyroid disorders, and cardiac disorders have all been reported on this list. Many berners lead uneventful and healthy lives. Further, decisions about what can and should be done related to health issues are just as varied and individual. Some folks feel that it is most important to keep their dogs alive as long as possible, and that no expense is too much to achieve this goal. Others feel that sometimes the cure or treatment causes as much suffering as the illness, and prefer to let their dogs go, rather than prolong the suffering. This is no different than what we as humans struggle with in health decisions related to critically or terminally ill spouses, parents and children. Ask 10 people what their philosophy is about end of life care and decision making, and you will probably get 10 different opinions. Finally, some folks would like to be able to do more, but the cruel reality for all of us is that health care is expensive, and that everyone has different and limited means to meet that expense. I don't personally have any experience with health insurance for pets, so I can't comment on whether it is helpful or not. There was a discussion about it on this list a while ago - a search through the archives would give you more information about the pros and cons. Keep asking questions - its the best way to make an informed decision that you will be comfortable with. Ann Skinner, Tatters and Kerzon
