By: lydia Polche
There’s stool sitting on your favorite fuzzy doormat. Only, it’s not a regular stool, it’s bloodied. Evidently left by the dog who lay limply a few feet away. The once zippy border collie you welcomed home four months ago hasn’t looked good for the past week. A simple cold doesn’t seem plausible anymore and it’s time to call the vet.
That scenario is about a dog with parvovirus, an easily fatal and highly contagious virus spread from dog to dog and through infected surfaces. Before we finally take that passing thought of getting a new pet seriously, ordeals like that are overlooked. Which is not surprising as soon-to-be pet owner’s minds are taken up by idealized scenes of life with their animals, not nightmares of pet sickness and death.
“It is exciting and kind of fun to be able to see the procedures and the cute little puppies and kittens that come in … sometimes it can be sad,” said Renne Perdi, practicing manager at the Plattsburgh Animal Hospital: Miller Miranda DVM for nine years. Her position makes her privy to the consequences of not preparing for the adversities of pet ownership. The hospital has seen various situations from car collisions, porcupine altercations, dogs crushed by recliner chairs and even ingestion of an entire bathrobe tie.
Out of them all, there are a few stories that stick out to Perdi when thinking about owners unprepared for veterinarian costs.
“They were 17-18, boyfriend and girlfriend, and they got a corgi puppy. It was really cute but they didn’t know what was wrong with it. They came in and it had parvovirus, so it was hospitalized for several days,” Perdi said.
“Their bill was nearly $2,000. They’re here for days since there’s no medication that can cure it. It’s just a matter of fluids, medications to help ease the nausea and trying to get them to eat but not all of them survive. So it was really sad. That was a rude awakening for them and (the couple) couldn’t believe it. They spent a lot of money for this purebred puppy.”
It’s a sad tale weighted by unfathomable emotions from the young couple and staff that hoped for the puppy’s recovery. Unexpectedly there was a positive that came from this experience. The couple came back with a new puppy and were adamant about not letting it suffer the same fate as the last. “They got another one a year later and I recognized them. They came up to me and said ‘We’re getting this one vaccinated!’” Perdi said.
Unforeseen accidents and regular check ups are aspects you have to factor in a possible adoption. In addition to veterinary care, the day to day responsibilities involving a pet needs to be taken into consideration as well. Cheyanne Mohr, a turtle owner for 12 years, can attest to this. “When I lived in Queens with my mom we were walking on Parsons or Jamaica there used to be vendors who would be out on the street selling little turtles in those little carriers. They would sell them for like $5.10, no more than $10.”
Mohr was 8 years old during this time. It’s hard to imagine that someone that age or anyone who spontaneously bought a turtle that day was equipped with the necessary resources to take care of a baby turtle. Mohr went through trial and error caring for the turtle, Watermelon, and remained committed to give her the best life possible.
“The needs of Watermelon surprised me because I got into it when I was a kid. I really didn’t know how much actually went into taking care of a turtle. I was just thinking ‘Oh cute little baby turtle let me have them.’ I didn’t think about the tank expenses or filtration. Turtles are very, very messy. I didn’t think about the gliding temperature, any of that,” Mohr said.
“Honestly it was pretty difficult because we didn’t have a lot of money, but I still wanted to give Watermelon a really good life. When I was younger, I unintentionally neglected her diet and needs. Then I was like I need to start investing more time looking into the care of Watermelon because I want her to be happy and healthy.”
Despite turtles not being a common pet, the commitment and effort to Watermelon is needed from every pet owner. Mohr’s genuine love for her pet, helped her navigate the obstacles in pet ownership. The good thing is that people seem to be catching on. Pet insurance has become more invested in throughout the years. The North American Pet Insurance Association’s last report on pet insurance states that in 2022, 5.36 million pets were insured. Which is an increase from the 4.4 million pets the previous year.
To end on a positive note, Perdi has recommendations addressed to all new and potential pet owners. For those who want a dog, it’s important to get them vaccinated.
“Leptospirosis is one we recommend since it’s transmitted from wild animals, urinating or defecating in water on grass, and the dogs lick it and that can transmit to people. So just the extra vaccines, just so people are aware, not just the basic ones, you have to get,” Perdi said.
Microchipping is important as well. You never know when you’ll need it.
“We also recommend microchipping. We just had a dog just last week that somebody found.”
Finally, there’s neutering.
“Of course the spay neuter and hopefully none of those other bad things happen.”
These accounts and recommendations aren’t meant to dissuade you from pet ownership, but to factor them into your decision. Animals are living beings and deserve the proper care afforded to them.
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