Q: Mama, my English bulldog, had to go to the emergency hospital one night last month. She chewed out her stitches after her spaying and there was no other option. But I was very upset because the veterinarian who performed the spay (which cost $300) refused to pay for the $900 emergency surgery. I think he's wrong not to have at least offered to pay half. Also, could you tell me why emergency hospitals are so expensive?

A: Interesting scenario. And a great question.

Emergency facilities for pets base their prices on a variety of factors other animal hospitals don't have to contend with, such as expensive intensive care equipment and double or triple employee expenses. These are only two of many factors, so you can understand how these places justify their prices -- sometimes up to triple what your vet would charge.

Moreover, they perform a much-needed service, one that makes veterinary medicine a doable career for single mothers like me who would not have the dubious luxury of taking her own emergency cases.

The facilities also bring the benefits of round-the-clock care, an indispensable service, I'm sure you'd agree. Without it, after all, Mama wouldn't have enjoyed the safety of a watchful crew after that repair surgery.

Sure, it seems excessive to have to pay $900 after paying $300 for a spay. And it might be. Without knowing the details I can't judge.

Nonetheless, I can think of many ways this price might be more than justified. It depends on the degree to which Mama went to town on her stitches.

Moreover, in most cases, the veterinarian who performed the spay is not at fault. Animals who are stressed and wily, especially after surgery, have a way of getting around all the contraptions and collars we can devise. That's no one's fault if such was the case.

However, if your veterinarian did not recommend that you pay attention to your dog's antics post-operatively, that's another story. In fact, most veterinarians now require that you take home a safety collar to preclude the possibility of self-trauma.

Think of it this way: Animals will be animals. So sometimes, things happen (to put it nicely). And emergency hospitals will always be there for you when they do.

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