I'm the kind of person who see pet ownership as a serious responsibility. And I also get very attached to my pets. A pet is like a child to me. They are totally dependent on me for care, same as a child. (Although I do not put a pet's life on the same level as a child or family member.) So if my dog needed expensive medical attention, I would do it until I was tapped out. Which practically speaking would be a foolish thing. From the heart...I'd give it everything I had.
That said...there would be certain issues to be weighed. It would depend on what kind of pet, how ill it is, how old the animal is, and the life span/benefit to be gained from the medical attention. I probably would not spend $95 on a gerbil. I wouldn't spend much on a fish. But larger animals like horses, dogs, cats, etc....I would put more into it.
Jonah's worst illness was his life-threatening pancreatis attack when he was about 9 yrs old. 5 hrs at the emergency vet cost me about $400. He then moved on to the regular vet hospital...5 days. I believe that came to over $900. Probably more with all the medication and check ups afterwards. It was difficult to come up with those amounts of money but I did it. It happened a few weeks before Xmas and needless to say it was hard not being able to buy gifts for people. I also missed Xmas at home with my family as Jonah had one of several relapses just the day before I was to drive home. But he was worth every dime I spent and all the hardship. I would do it again in a heartbeat. I had him for 2 more years beyond that. I sorely miss my boy...
With Ollie...I have shelled out $1,200 for an invisible fence. Had to do it...he was climbing the fence and most certainly would have been killed on the road had I not stopped it. So that was worth the money and strain of his training.
This time I purchased pet insurance and its worth every dime. If he has any serious injury or illness, I'll still have bills to pay but they will be drastically reduced from what it would be without the insurance. It covers check ups, routine care, Xrays, Rxs, emergency treatment and more. I'd recommend it to anyone.
That's a really hard decision to make when a pet is near and dear to your heart. I feel for you in your situation. {{{{{{{{{{{{Andrew}}}}}}}}}}}}}