Each week I prepare a News Alert for the more than 350 veterinary reporters of the Veterinary News Network and each week I sort through way too many stories of pets being given up due to the bad economy, pets missing routine care because of the economy, and how shelters are being dealt a double whammy with decreased adoptions and donations while intakes of pets are increasing rapidly.
I can empathize with the millions of pet owners who are trying to make tough decisions every day...money is tight and expenses need to be cut. But many people don't understand that there is a lot you CAN do to avoid high pet expenses. Better yet, maybe people need to understand what you SHOULDN'T do...
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. Did you know that you or your kids can contract roundworms or hookworms from the new puppy you got over Christmas??
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? Is the product expired? Vaccines are delicate biological suspensions needing refrigerations and proper storage. 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! You can read about these pesticides and get the whole story here.
As I lurk in many pet health forums or even just surf the Web daily, I see a multitude of well-meaning people recommending Neosporin or other topical antibiotics for wounds and lacerations their pet might have received. On the surface, this sounds ok, but most veterinarians are frustrated when a pet shows up several days after the injury and now the minor wound has become a raging infection. Similarly, pet owners who try to bandage their pets often place the bandages too tight, restricting circulation and causing limbs to swell.
I think the worst thing I see routinely is the use of human medications for pets. A recent article from the ASPCA listed the top ten human medications that poison pets. Again, most people don't mean to cause a problem, but so many of our medications, especially pain relievers, can cause serious issues for our pets. Did you know that a single acetominophen tablet can kill a cat? It's true...a typical extra strength Tylenol tablet (about 500 mg of acetominophen) damages a cat's red blood cells to the extent that they can't carry enough oxygen and the cat dies.
In the next edition, I will take a look at what you CAN do to prevent those expensive veterinary bills! If you just can't wait, go to the Veterinary News Network and find the Pet Care During Tough Times story.
I can empathize with the millions of pet owners who are trying to make tough decisions every day...money is tight and expenses need to be cut. But many people don't understand that there is a lot you CAN do to avoid high pet expenses. Better yet, maybe people need to understand what you SHOULDN'T do...
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. Did you know that you or your kids can contract roundworms or hookworms from the new puppy you got over Christmas??
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? Is the product expired? Vaccines are delicate biological suspensions needing refrigerations and proper storage. 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! You can read about these pesticides and get the whole story here.
As I lurk in many pet health forums or even just surf the Web daily, I see a multitude of well-meaning people recommending Neosporin or other topical antibiotics for wounds and lacerations their pet might have received. On the surface, this sounds ok, but most veterinarians are frustrated when a pet shows up several days after the injury and now the minor wound has become a raging infection. Similarly, pet owners who try to bandage their pets often place the bandages too tight, restricting circulation and causing limbs to swell.
I think the worst thing I see routinely is the use of human medications for pets. A recent article from the ASPCA listed the top ten human medications that poison pets. Again, most people don't mean to cause a problem, but so many of our medications, especially pain relievers, can cause serious issues for our pets. Did you know that a single acetominophen tablet can kill a cat? It's true...a typical extra strength Tylenol tablet (about 500 mg of acetominophen) damages a cat's red blood cells to the extent that they can't carry enough oxygen and the cat dies.
In the next edition, I will take a look at what you CAN do to prevent those expensive veterinary bills! If you just can't wait, go to the Veterinary News Network and find the Pet Care During Tough Times story.
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