I've spent a few thousand on my Yellow Lab, Murphy, because he likes to eat things that aren't food. We've had to have bedding, sheets, towels and dryer sheets removed from his stomach and intestines. In the past year, I've spent almost $1,500 on surgeries.
To us, when it's something like an obstructed bowel that can be easily fixed, I'll spend the money. If it were something like cancer, the decision might be different.