When Ron Martiny’s yellow lab Maggie was diagnosed with mouth cancer, she was given nine months to a year to live. Martiny was ready to go the distance to keep his companion alive. Even when doctors recommended she have her jaw removed, the Oshkosh resident did whatever it took to help the pet he treated like his own child. “My dad thought I was rude for cutting her bottom jaw off,” Martiny said. “I told him ‘It’s not your decision, it’s my decision.’” It really was a no-brainer for Martiny. “You wouldn’t put your child down because of cancer, you want to cure them,” he said.
Six-and-a-half years and three chemotherapy treatments later, Maggie is missing her lower jaw but she is thriving. At her last check-up a few years ago doctors said she was virtually cancer-free. “They were just astonished she lasted that long,” Martiny said. “At one time they wanted to use her for a study.”
To date, Martiny said he and his wife Gale have spent between $35,000 and $50,000 for medical treatment for their beloved pet. Dr. Michael Herrick, a veterinarian at Associated Veterinary Clinic in Ripon, said when it comes to how much owners are willing to spend to have their pets treated, the Martinys fall on the extreme end, but owners often find a way to cover medical costs if they are within reason.
“If you’re talking $2,000, for a majority of people that’s a little bit much,” Herrick said. “I think in our experience people will go up to $1,000 when push comes to shove and they have to do it.”Even in today’s poor economy, Herrick said visits to his clinic have stayed consistent and most owners are willing to spend between $500 and $700 to solve a serious medical problem.
“To be honest, it’s really disposable income,” Herrick said. “But most people are finding a way to take care of their pets.” A recent Associated Press-Petside.com poll found eight in 10 pet owners took their animal companion to a veterinarian in the past 12 months. And cost was an obstacle for a third of those who did not visit the vet.