When Pets Face Serious Illness: Balancing Life and Veterinary Costs
When a pet develops a serious illness, the medical expenses can be overwhelming.
If surgery is required, the cost can easily reach thousands of dollars.
In this post, I’d like to share some thoughts on the connection between life and veterinary costs—
including:
How much would you personally be willing to spend?
How much do others typically pay?
My own personal experiences.
My Experience
My Dog’s Surgery
Over 10 years ago, my beloved dog, Muku, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma—a type of bone cancer.
The tumor was found in her right front leg, and ultimately, we decided on amputation.
The surgery alone cost several hundred thousand yen.
On top of that, we tried cancer medications, various supplements, and even made monthly trips to collect natural spring water that was said to be good for her health.
Looking back, it was a significant financial investment, but I never once felt it was a burden—and I have no regrets.
However, I still remember the words of the veterinarian:
“She must be in a great deal of pain.”
“It’s a miracle she’s even alive.”
Those words have stayed with me, and sometimes I wonder if it would have been kinder to help her pass sooner, to relieve her suffering.
Even after 10 years, I still don’t have an answer. I simply tell myself there’s no absolute “right” choice—only the choices we make out of love.
My Cat’s Illness and Surgery Costs
In the spring of 2020, my beloved cat was diagnosed with a serious health issue.
The vet told me surgery would cost around $1,500.
However, the doctor explained that while they could open her abdomen to determine the exact diagnosis, it might not be treatable—and the surgery itself would be extremely difficult.
He shared from his own experience that, in some cases, he had identified the disease during surgery but could not treat it, and had to close the incision without improving the outcome.
My cat, Maro, had symptoms that were very similar to those cases.
From the doctor’s tone, I felt he was gently encouraging me to let her spend her final days at home.
I chose to hospitalize her for just one night, and then spent the last two months of her life together at home.
Those months were painful, but also incredibly precious.
A Friend’s Story
A friend once told me about his cat, who was given a surgery estimate of around $2,200 after a life-threatening diagnosis.
He hesitated—money versus life.
Of course, life is more important. But reality is not that simple.
There was no guarantee the surgery would succeed, and even if it did, no way to know how long his cat would live afterward.
In the end, he chose the surgery—and was able to spend a few more happy years with his cat.
What I Hear from Customers
Since I create custom memorial goods from pet photos, I often hear stories from customers who have lost their pets.
Some share details of their pet’s medical treatments and surgeries.
From their stories, I can usually estimate the kind of costs they faced—sometimes undergoing multiple surgeries.
Yet almost no one regrets the money they spent.
What they do regret often sounds like this:
“I wish I could have let them pass peacefully at home, in my arms, instead of in a hospital.”
“I wonder if the treatment was truly for their sake, or if it turned into life-prolonging measures.”
There’s No Single “Right” Answer
When people talk to me, their focus is rarely on the cost—it’s on their feelings and any regrets they carry.
The truth is, there may be no single correct answer.
But if our choices came from love, I believe we can hold on to the hope that whatever we decided was the right path for our beloved pet.
And sometimes, memorial goods can help ease the sadness and regret, keeping the love we shared close to our hearts.
