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The economy is in bad shape and may be for years. Saving money in tough economic times is a challenge. Sadly, some pet owners choose to avoid veterinary visits to reduce expenses. Knowing what care you can safely do at home helps to insure a healthy pet and a healthy wallet. You should also know what to avoid!! First, don’t skimp on preventive care. Vaccinations and parasite prevention are important parts of maintaining your pet’s health and yours as well. Some diseases and many parasites are zoonotic, meaning they can be spread between animals and people. Owners might choose to buy vaccines online or from a pet store. While this idea sounds great, there are many risks. Can you trust that the supplier properly stored the vaccines? Vaccines are delicate biological suspensions and improper preparation could make the whole process worthless. Choosing a lower cost flea product from the store is another option a pet owner might investigate. Before you buy, consider this. The EPA has received more than 25,000 reports of over-the-counter pesticide reactions in pets since 2003. So, although you might save a few dollars on the product, the emergency trip to the veterinarian could cost a lot more! Pet emergencies shouldn’t be a place for shortcuts either. Store-bought topical antibiotics are almost worthless and most of these animals end up coming into the hospital with out of control infections. Avoid bandaging pets without proper training. And never give human medications to pets without veterinary approval!! But don't worry; you can still save on your veterinary bills with a few simple steps at home.
First, (and this sounds very simple) play with your pet! Veterinary behaviorists all agree that a tired dog is a happy dog and happy dogs don’t tear up furniture or get into trouble. Playing with your pet has health benefits as well. A well-exercised pet is less likely to be overweight and suffer from obesity related problems such as arthritis. Next, when exercising your pet, use appropriate restraints and confinements. Pets who roam freely are often hit by cars, get into fights or eat something dangerous. These emergencies can end up hitting your wallet very hard. Even loving your pet is economically beneficial. Petting your dog can help find those little lumps and bumps sooner. Earlier detection generally means better outcomes and usually less expensive treatments.
Despite all of these precautions, some pets will just get into trouble. Veterinary medicine is still a bargain, but most of us would be hard pressed to pay a big veterinary bill out of pocket. Insurance plans are available to assist owners, but even today only a small percentage of people insure their pets’ health. If paying a premium every month isn’t appealing to you, consider investing in a Pet Health Savings Plan. Unlike insurance, the money you pay into the program is yours, allowing you flexibility to use the savings for any emergency.
We all want to keep our furry friends safe and healthy, but it is challenging when just feeding the family stretches your budget. Talk with your veterinarian about your pet’s specific health needs and see what should be addressed immediately and what can wait. You can find more information on how to avoid big veterinary bills at www.MyVNN.com.
Dr. Sara Lash
Healthy Pets Mobile Vet
www.drsaralash.com
919-329-7387(PETS)
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