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Some other stuff you might want to know...
Save on veterinary bills
Although veterinary services cost only a fraction of comparable medical care for humans, it can still add up - especially for older pets, accidents, or during an illness. The following tips may help you to reduce your longterm veterinary healthcare costs and the financial stress that often forces tough decisions.
Pet health insurance ~
Veterinary insurance is a growing industry, and many people are choosing this option as a safeguard. There are a few companies to choose from, with more added to the list all the time. Coverages vary, as do premiums, but the better plans offer 80-100% coverage on everything from routine vaccinations and prescription flea control and heartworm prevention to skin infections and even back surgery. Most have allowances for diagnostics and anesthesia as well, but do not cover pet foods or grooming. If you choose to enroll in a pet insurance program, we suggest you research a few companies before deciding which plan is most suitable for your needs. Of course make sure it allows you to choose your own doctor! The links below will take you to a couple of the better known pet insurance companies.Premier Pet Insurance
Veterinary Pet Insurance
Take a proactive approach ~
Advanced disease is difficult and sometimes expensive to manage. Early detection and intervention is of the utmost importance, especially for older pets. Successful treatment is very often dependent on what stage the illness is in when identified. Although not all diseases are curable, there are treatments that can manage its progression, ease pain and improve quality of life. Spotting and treating potential problems as soon as possible can drastically cut down on costly treatments later. We recommend a complete physical exam, routine blood work-up, and a urinalysis at least once a year on pets over the age of 7. In many cases, the sooner treatment is sought, the less expensive it will be.
Prevention is key ~
Providing the basic essentials of life, as well as more aggressive preventive measures, will assure that your pet has the best possible chance against health problems. Besides the fresh water and high quality food you provide, make certain to follow the customized vaccine schedule that we have outlined for you. Not every pet needs every vaccine, but don't allow the ones we've recommended to lapse. Many of the diseases we vaccinate against require intensive, hospitalized treatment - much more expensive than the cost of prevention.
Follow doctor's orders ~
Medication is always prescribed with the best interest of the patient in mind. Whether it's heartworm prevention, short term antibiotics, or a longterm management prescription, it's vital that instructions are followed to the letter. If medication is skipped or stopped before the recommended time, the pet's health is at risk, and it will likely cost you more in the long run. For instance, if antibiotics are stopped when symptoms disappear, but before the infection is completely healed, the infection will return and another complete course of antibiotics will have to be prescribed. Home
In order to keep a true perspective of one's importance, everyone should have a dog that will worship him and a cat that will ignore him." Dereke Bruce
