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8/3/2019 Ways to Reduce Veterinary Costs for Your Dog
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*** TEN POINTERS TO REDUCE VETERINARY COSTS FOR YOUR DOG ***
With the increasing costs of providing high quality veterinary care today, we are morethan aware of your desire to reduce your own expenses. We have a great deal of
experience in both routine problems and emergencies; therefore, know the likely causes
of most of the evils befalling pets. Doing some routine veterinary care of your own andprotecting your pet from known risks may relieve the stress of visits on your pet and your
pocketbook. Annual check-ups are ideal for bringing up any health issues and to ensure
your pet is continuing in good general health.
1. KEEP YOUR DOG ON A LEASH WHEN NOT IN AN ENCLOSED YARD
Almost daily a dog is brought to us because it has been hit by a car. Many of these
owners are shocked to realize that their normally obedient pet did not heed their
commands to come or stay. The severity of injuries varies significantly and manyinjuries, such as internal bleeding, are invisible to owners until their beloved pet reaches a
crisis. Areas you would deem safer for your pet, such as trails or parks, also have risks.Other dogs, wild animals and dead, rotting garbage can pose a sobering danger and many
of these injuries can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
2. ROUTINE BRUSHING OF COAT AND INSPECTION OF SKIN
Frequent brushing and bathing will help maintain healthier skin and close inspection
of the skin will reveal signs of infections, allergies, fleas, and lumps. Many of these
things are less expensive if treated sooner rather than later. Pay particular attention to theanal and vaginal areas as this will be a favorite area for fly larvae (maggots) to nest,
especially if the area is always wet or has excessive matting or irritation.
3. TRIM YOUR DOGS NAILS YOURSELF
Good nail trimmers are inexpensive and easy to use. Occasional nips of the quick are
easily dealt with by purchasing a powder like KWIK STOP to stem the bleeding and ispainless to apply. While our staff here are more than pleased to trim your dogs nails for
you, two or three trims will pay for all the supplies to do it yourself for the rest of your
pets life. A dogs nails should be trimmed about once a month to prevent the risk of
breaking or tearing a nail, which could be expensive to fix.
4. CHECK THE EARS FREQUENTLY
A quick look inside the ears once a week could detect the presence of an infection orwax build up. If there is excessive redness or itchiness or a noticeable discharge, have the
ears examined as soon as possible. A visit to gently clean the ear and provide medications
will be a lot less costly than treating an advanced problem under sedation or generalanesthetic. Also, treating an infection at an early stage will make it less likely to recur
later. You can purchase an inexpensive ear cleaner and do the occasional cleaning
yourself if necessary. For dogs that like to swim in the summer, the ears should be dried
with a cotton ball or two after every swim.
8/3/2019 Ways to Reduce Veterinary Costs for Your Dog
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5. BRUSH YOUR DOGS TEETH
Yes! It can be done! There are toothpastes available for dogs (dont use human
toothpaste) or you can use baking soda. The frequency required will change with the typeof diet your dog is on and your dogs tendency for plaque and tartar. Without regular
brushing your dog may need periodic professional cleanings or teeth may decay more
readily and require removal under general anesthetic.
6. EXPRESS THE ANAL SACS WHEN REQUIRED
This is sometimes done during routine grooming and veterinary visits. Some dogs maynever need them expressed. If your dog has frequent anal itching and scooting talk to
your veterinarian, you can be shown how to express the sacs yourself safely. A few
sheets of paper towel are a lot cheaper than a visit to the vet!
7. AVOID FLUCTUATIONS IN DIET
While there is nothing wrong with a reasonable variety in the diet, sudden changes of
food can often cause severe stomach upsets. High fat table scraps often cause
pancreatitis, a potentially serious and expensive problem, if the dog is not used to themand getting into garbage commonly causes vomiting and diarrhea. If you do need to
change the usual food, do so gradually over a period of a week or more. This will notonly give the stomach a chance to acclimatize to the food, but your dog will more easily
get used to the new texture and taste. Supplemental vitamins are not normally a
requirement for dogs on a good commercial diet.
8. DONT LET WEIGHT GET OUT OF CONTROL
There are diet foods available inexpensively which will help to keep weight off a
chubbier pet. Outdoor activity and walks will help keep bones, muscles, joints and heartin good working order as well as use up excess calories. Excess weight increase the
chances of heart disease, arthritis and intestinal problems as your pet ages and increases
the costs of veterinary care over time. If your pet is showing some signs of excess weightreducing the amount of food will not only reduce their weight but also your food bill!
Immediate savings!
9. KEEP MEDICINES AND CHEMICALS STORED AWAY
Accidental poisonings and suspected poisonings are a very common occurrence, often
expensive to treat and sometimes fatal. Only a teaspoon of antifreeze can lead to serious
illness and slug and snail baits can be dangerously noxious resulting in potentiallythousands of dollars in care. Medications you take fairly often like Tylenol and Advil can
pose perilous to your pet. Give only medications prescribed or recommended by your
veterinarian.
10. CONSIDER HEALTH INSURANCE FOR YOUR PET
These plans are now available to dogs and cats in a wide variety of coverage. Whilethere is a premium paid to the insurance company, the coverage could help take the sting
out of a very expensive illness or pay for a possibly otherwise unaffordable procedure.