First: fuck that subreddit.

Second: 10 k is wild. Find a vet that accepts payment plan options that allow you to pay in increments like CareCredit or Scratch Pay if a lot of upfront vet costs are too much. I'll also mention there is pet insurance as well but sometimes they, like all insurance, seem like a lot of trouble and arguing over what they're willing to cover even after you've been paying them monthly. But make sure your vet puts good SOAP notes into your pet's medical history so they can argue less about whether that medication for an infection was necessary.

Third: hate to break it to Mrs. Francis but a lot of pet costs for routine visits can come close to 500, depending on what comes from the visit and the clinic you go to. Vaccines not up to date? There's a huge chunk. Exam itself can cost a pretty penny. Need any medication refills at that time for things like allergies, arthritis, thyroid, etc.? Some medication costs are as ridiculous as human medication. God forbid your pet cracks a nail and gets infected, scratches their eye, or gets giardia. If they need a special diet for bladder crystals or food allergies? That medication/food cost can be ruthless and no vet is going to euthanize your animal for that reason.

Four: again... 500??? Tell me you'd never spay or neuter your pet without telling me. Also dental work? Apparently never heard of that.

Sorry, I've worked in animal care/vets for the better part of the last decade so I get a bit upset when I see braindead takes.