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Cost & Budgeting
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Topic starter
27/06/2026 1:53 pm
My Beagle just turned 10. Looking ahead at her remaining years and trying to set realistic expectations on cost.
If your dog made it past 10, what did your annual spend look like in those last years? I’m especially interested in:
- Year-over-year cost trajectory (does it creep up or jump at a certain point?)
- What was the most expensive single thing (besides end-of-life decisions)?
- Did you regret any of the spend?
- What would you have skipped in hindsight?
Not trying to optimize her care — I'll do what I need to. Just want to understand the financial slope so I’m not blindsided.
Topic starter
27/06/2026 7:53 pm
My Lab made it to 13. Cost trajectory in her last 4 years (rough US numbers):
- Year 10: $2,100 — routine wellness, started joint supplements, one dental cleaning under anesthesia ($650)
- Year 11: $3,400 — Apoquel started for chronic allergies, monthly heartworm/flea, full senior bloodwork twice, hip x-rays
- Year 12: $5,800 — biopsy on a suspicious mass (benign), arthritis got serious, ortho consult + adequan injections monthly, two unscheduled visits for GI
- Year 13: $7,200 — CKD diagnosed, monthly bloodwork, prescription kidney diet, sub-Q fluids at home (saved $$ vs in-clinic), then end-of-life care
What I regret spending on: a $1,200 MRI we did at the vet's suggestion that didn’t change the treatment plan one bit.
What I wouldn't skip: the senior bloodwork. The kidney issue was caught 8 months before clinical signs — gave us time to slow progression with diet and meds.