Survey:Is it worth it to take small pets to the vet?

Well yes. But...having surgeries or other procedures on small animals of which are known to have bad outcomes/reactions to anesthesia and so forth may not be worth it.

For example, I had a guinea pig that developed a tumor on its back. I took it to the vet, and they told me to remove the tumor would be way too risky since small animals in the rodent family will often die under anesthesia (their heart will go too fast). The vet didn't want to do it, so I listened. That guinea pig lived a happy life for 4 more years.

So, it is worth it to take small pets to the vet. But talk to the vet about what the risks vs. benefits are first, so you know what you are up against.

From what I know, small birds are not very good animals to operate on. They only have a 10% chance of making it through surgery. However, if you really feel that you would like your small pet to have surgery, go to the vet and ask their opinion. Find out what the chances are of your pet surviving the surgery. Then make your decision from there.

My gerbil died recently. She was 4 years old, so she I knew that her time left was very limited. A week before she died, I think she had a stroke. She never recovered and slowly went further and further downhill to the point where on her last day, the only sign that she was still alive was her faint heart beat. I kept thinking about how I should bring her to a vet and at least put her down. Maybe I would have, if I knew she would have would have hung on so long, but I thought for sure everyday would be her last. I still think about how I should have had her put down, but on the other hand, it's not too much different than watching a grandparent in his/ her final days of life. I wouldn't want to put them to sleep. All you can do for them is try to keep them comfortable. If she was younger, it would be different.

For some of us, pets are like family members.

Doesn't matter if the pet cost $10 or was free.

I didn't pay for my brother, but I wouldn't put him down if he got sick...

I don't know of any successful $1000 parakeet surgeries. Plus the vet would tell you the cost and odds of success ahead of time and you can make a decision.

Some people have a lot of time and training invested in their parakeet. Also, I don't know what you consider to be a short lifespan. Parakeets can live 15-20 years.

You can't put a price tag on a life due to the size of the animal! Though I do agree with you about lifespan. Personally, I think you have to weigh emotional attachment to the animal against cost and how long the pet will be expected to live after surgery.

I've raised animalsnlong enough to know that the vet is usually not neccessary. People take their dogs to the vet for a simple eye infection that I pay $12 for a tube of anibiodic ointment to treat.

Yes unless its a fish then you need to keep up its regular checkup its like saying since ur small were not gonna take you to the doctors

As long as your not as dumb as that guy. Ya know vets tell you ahead of time a general ball park figure on how much a procedure is going to run.

okay that is such a lie.

all animals deserve a happy healthy life just bring them to the vet and pay the bills..... if you wont pay the bills why'd you get the pet

I think for general check-ups, no. If they are ill then YES. How would you like it if you desperately needed medical attention and someone just said "I only paid $10 for you, you can suffer!".

How could you even ask that?