Although the couple's plight isn't much of a concern to me, the question of whether veterinarians and the services they provide should be governed by a province-wide fee schedule is.

After a stint working in the pet insurance industry, I have come across some veterinary bills that were so high I had to double-check to make sure the decimal point on the monetary figure wasn't a typo.

Most responsible animal owners are aware of the costs associated with owning a pet. Feeding my 85-pound American Staffordshire terrier costs me roughly $75 - if not more - each month. Then, there are the various treats, toys, bedding, yearly licensing fees and the dreaded, yet unexpected trip to the vet.

So far, I've been lucky with healthy Gordo, but some owners, I am sure, have had to fork out upwards of thousands of dollars for the treatment of various ailments. While I do commend veterinarians for doing their very best to ensure our four-legged member of the family is healthy, a visit to the clinic can often put a serious dent in an owner's wallet.

When speaking with a coworker about her teacup Yorkshire terrier, Misty, needing extensive dental surgery, I presumed she would be faced with a hefty bill. To my surprise, the treatment cost less than $500.

I assumed that figure was one of several installments she owed her veterinarian. But no, this smart cookie shopped around, calling various clinics to obtain several quotes before booking the surgery.

It seems ridiculous to me that owners should feel the need to shop around for the best treatment price. Owning an animal that requires medical attention isn't like finding the best bargain at a flea market, or at least, it shouldn't be. If the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association were to impose a fee schedule on all treatments provided by licensed vets, maybe pets would undergo treatment sooner than if its owner had to first shop around.

While working at the pet insurance company, many owners tearfully told me they had to have their beloved pet euthanized because the treatment cost was too expensive. In situations such as these, my heart breaks. A pet owner shouldn't have to make a life or death decision based on the cost.

If fee schedules were imposed and regulated, perhaps more pets would have a chance at a longer and healthier life. I know that if Gordo were sick or injured and the veterinarian explained that the treatment offered would render him healthy again, I would go ahead with the recommended care.

After all, my shoe-chewing, fly-eating, squirrel-chasing, rambunctious pal brings me so much joy, he deserves a healthy chance at life - at a reasonable price.