To be aggressive or not?

[Aggie_Ama]

I did something similar for my dear Maggie Bear, the Schnauzer we lost last year. There was a lot of indicators that she might have Cushing's Disease and although the test was very pricey (I think $250 or so) I couldn't bear to not rule it out. She didn't have it but if she had and I didn't know it she would have a terrible quality of life. I am the worst to ask, we spent about $1,500 when her kidneys began failing hoping for a miracle and getting a precious four extra months. Would I do it again? Yes, I got to have more love and she was the sweetest dog ever, we fought to help her. However when she went blind and all tests would do is explain if a nerve separated (my vet's guess) we opted not to do it, we couldn't fix her vision. So if you can afford the test by making some sacrifices I would, my pets have helped me through many bad days so I do the same for them.

As for not trusting vets.... My DH's roommate in college became a vet. He explained to me (as has my own vet) the science is sometimes their own enemy. It is becoming more and more advanced, they have so many more options and so much more knowledge. It seems crazy what they have discovered, my vet is amazing in he will lay out the odds, the costs and what they know now. So yes sometimes I does feel like the are always grabbing our wallets but I truly believe my DH's friend and my vet that they just have so many things to offer that once were just not done.

[divingbiker]

I would ask the vet what the ongoing medication plan would be, and go to the pharmacy or check online to find out the costs, just so you know what you're getting into.

I adopted AJ two years ago knowing he had chronic heart disease (he died a week and a half ago.) Every year he had to go to the cardiologist for an echocardiogram. It was over $500 just to walk in the door. In the end he was on about six heart and blood pressure medications. I was afraid to add up the cost. Between the heart disease and his other ailments, it cost me thousands of dollars in the two years I had him, but I could afford it so I did it.

Bailey had chronic kidney disease for 7 years. He ate special food and took meds. Again, the specialist vet cost a bundle.

Personally, I couldn't ignore my pet's health problems. But dealing with chronic illness is draining, emotionally and financially.

[ccnyc]

Some info on heart disease, murmurs, etc. in cats and how to treat.
http://www.holisticat.com/hcm/All-Pages.html
HTH