Chanel has died. The adorable wiry-haired dachshund mix from New York rose from the obscurity of her owner’s lap this spring to grab the title of the “world’s oldest dog” at 21 years of age.

 But the honor was not without controversy. News reports of her listing in the 2010 edition of “Guinness World Records,” scheduled for publication in October, brought howls of protests from other dog owners.

The owner of Max, a mixed-breed terrier in New Iberia, La., insisted her 26-year-old dog should hold the “oldest” title. In St. Petersburg, Fla., a couple reported their shih tzu, Smokey, was 23 years old and should bump Chanel from the honor.

Likely owners will continue to argue over whose dog is the oldest. But there is no arguing that our pets are living longer and we are paying more and more for their longevity.

 “They have become part of our families. People are closer to their pets. They are more willing to spend money for care,” observed Jennifer McDougle, a veterinarian at Southwest Veterinary Hospital in Bakersfield.

McDougle, who grew up in Bakersfield and for a short time served as Kern County’s veterinarian, said there are many reasons for this.  In some families, pets take the place of children who have moved away from home. Some couples may not have children. People see celebrities carrying around their pets like babies.

“We have more pet boutiques. People are just more connected with their pets,” she said.

This trend is not just in Bakersfield. The American Pet Products Associations’ 2009-2010 National Pet Owners Survey revealed 62 percent of U.S. households, or 71.4 million homes, own a pet – 45.6 percent of these homes have dogs and 38.2 percent have cats. Others have birds, fish, reptiles and small animals.

The association estimates Americans will spend $45.4 billion this year on their pets -- $17.4 billion on food; $10.2 billion on supplies and over-the-counter medicines; $12.2 billion on veterinarian care; $2.2 billion on live animal purchases; and $3.4 billion on grooming and boarding. In 2008, actual total spending was $43.2 billion.

Just as they have with humans, advances in medical procedures and medicines, and research into lifestyles and diets have prolonged the lives of our pets.

A dog diagnosed with cancer may undergo expensive diagnostic and treatment procedures, including  MRIs, surgery, chemotherapy and radiation.  The price tag for such procedures likely will be several thousands of dollars.

One of the most expensive cases McDougle recalled handling involved a woman whose schnauzer had a large mucus ball filling his gallbladder. With the condition requiring delicate emergency surgery, the dog was referred to a specialist. During surgery, the gallbladder burst, adding further complications.

The cost of the dog’s treatment – depending when you started counting – ranged from $7,000 to $10,000. Regrettably, the dog did not recover from the surgery and had to be euthanized. McDougle said the woman did not regret spending the money to try to save her dog.

Veterinarians help owners decide the best course to take for their pets. Chronically or terminally ill pets may be better helped through hospice care, she said.

Consider kidney failure, which is common in cats.  McDougle noted the “gold standard” for treating kidney failure would be a kidney transplant.  But few owners can or would pay for such an advanced procedure. A successful alternative is treatment at home with medicine and monitoring by a veterinarian, which will extend the cat’s life and preserve quality of life.

Often pets with terminal diseases, such as cancer, can have their pain controlled at home while they live out their lives.

McDougle said owners may opt to have their dogs and cats at home, “wagging their tails and eating for the remainder of their lives,” rather than undergoing expensive and sometimes painful procedures.

The best course to take depends on the age and condition of the animal, and the likelihood of a successful outcome, she said.

While most veterinarians routinely administer “hospice care” through their counseling with pet owners, end-of-life pet care is being formalized through the newly created International Association for Animal Hospice and Palliative Care.  The University of California at Davis is hosting an international symposium over the Labor Day weekend on pet hospice care.

With pets living longer and the cost of treatment climbing, McDougle recommended owners buy medical insurance for their pets. Although she said few owners in Bakersfield have this insurance, it can be obtain for only $20 to $30 a month.

 “About 50 percent of the pets we see are obese,” McDougle said, noting that owners often become offended when told their animals are too fat. The pet “is a member of their family. They are insulted.”

The problem is so pervasive that there is an Association for Pet Obesity Prevention. McDougle said the association’s Web site is one of several her hospital recommends to help owners maintain the health of their pets.

As it is with humans, prevention that includes timely medical care, exercise and weight control can go a long way to keeping pets healthier and veterinarian bills lower, McDougle said.