dogs

Simple Ways to Protect Your Pet from Getting Ticks and Lyme Disease

June 15, 2014 By Jeffrey Strain Leave a Comment

Checking a dog for ticks and Lyme disease

It’s tick season, and that means you want to take precautions to prevent getting Lyme disease. In addition, you want to take measures to prevent your pets getting this disease as well. Unfortunately, it can be a bit more difficult to do this since you don’t have complete control over where pets wander every hour of the day. That being said, there are some positive steps you can take to lessen the chance of your pets get ticks or Lyme disease.

Keep Pets Away from Tick Habitats

As with most things, the best protection against Lyme disease is preventing it from ever being transmitted. Ticks have habitats they prefer, and you can greatly reduce the risk of your pet getting Lyme disease by avoiding these areas. If you’re taking you dog out for a walk, avoid walking him in wooded areas, areas with a lot of bushes and fields with tall grass.

Leash Rather than Let Your Pet Run Free

If you’re out hiking with your dog in areas known for ticks, don’t let your dog run free. While he may enjoy running through the grass, brush and woods, he’ll be much more likely to come home with ticks if you let him. Instead, stay on trails and keep your dog on leash to lessen the likelihood of him coming in contact with ticks.

Use a Tick Preventative

If you pets spend any time outdoors, be sure to put a flea and tick collar around their necks. This won’t guarantee they won’t come home with the parasites, but it will reduce the chances of them doing so. Be sure to replace them after the recommended amount of time to ensure full protection. You can also use a variety of other medications and formulas that can help keep ticks away. These include sprays, powders, dips, shampoos, oral medication and spot-on treatments.

Regularly Check Your Pets

Take a few moments to check pets anytime they have spent some time outdoors. You can find them by petting and feeling for bumps. Your pets can’t get Lyme disease until after a tick has attached, so keep an eye out for ones still crawling on fur as well. A good brushing can also help with keeping the blood-suckers from attaching.

Know Where Ticks Like to Attach

While ticks can attach to any portion of your pet’s body, there are more common places to find them than other. When you check your pets, be sure to pay extra attention to the following places:

Head
Neck
Leg Pits
Belly
Groin Area
Ears (inside and out)

These tend to be the common places where ticks gravitate and congregate on pets. Even so, don’t neglect other areas as they can attach anywhere.

Bathe Often

Be sure to bathe your pets on a regular basis, as this will give you a better opportunity of finding ticks since it can be easier to spot them when the pet’s hair is wet. If your pet has been in an area with a lot of ticks, consider bathing him as soon as you return. This can help wash off ticks before they can attach, and you’re more likely to quickly find any which may have attached.

Immediately Remove Any Ticks Found

If you find ticks attached to your pet, be sure to remove them as quickly as possible. You can do this yourself by using a pair of fine-tipped tweezers to grab the tick as close to the head as possible and pulling straight upward without any twisting or jerking motion. Once removed, clean the area with soap and water and rubbing alcohol. The sooner you are able to remove the tick after it attaches, the better chance you have of preventing Lyme disease. The disease won’t usually spread to your pet if it has been attached for 24 hours or less, so immediately finding and removing these pest is important.

Get Your Pet Tested

The next time you go to the vet and have blood work done on your pet, ask to have a Lyme disease test performed as well. The test usually isn’t too expensive, and if your pet does come back positive, it will allow you to begin treatments before your pet starts showing symptoms. Treating the disease early can help prevent some of the more severe symptoms of the disease.

(Photo courtesy of Jon-Eric Melsaeter)

Save Money on Dogs: How to Get More Bark for Your Buck

February 26, 2009 By Guest Writer 5 Comments

By Dr. Nancy Kay

These days people need to be creative thinkers in order to make their dollars stretch further. Not only does this apply to gasoline and groceries, but to pet health needs as well. If you find yourself in a financial pinch as many do these days, here are ten things you can do to economize while still doing a great job caring for your dog’s health.

Lay your financial cards on the table when talking with your vet: Yes, this is difficult (talking “fleas” is one thing- having a candid conversation about your bank account is whole other ball game), but know that such discussion can open doors to options that make better financial sense. Rarely is there only one way to diagnose or treat a disease. You are entitled to an explanation of the risks and benefits of every single option, regardless of your financial status.

Request a written cost estimate for veterinary services before they are provided: How else can you possibly know if your bill will be $200 or $2,000? With an estimate in hand, you will avoid the element of surprise and won’t end up paying for things you deem to be unnecessary. In no way does requesting an estimate reflect how much you love your pet; you are simply being fiscally responsible.

Avoid overvaccinating your dog: We used to think that distemper and parvovirus vaccines had to be given annually. We now know that these vaccinations provide a minimum of three year’s worth of protection (once the puppy series has been completed). Kick the once a year vaccine habit. If your vaccine reminder card suggests otherwise, have a heart to heart conversation with your veterinarian.

Don’t neglect your dog’s preventive health care: Doing so could cost you money in the long run. For example, administering heartworm preventive is less expensive for you (not to mention, safer for your dog) than treating heartworm infection.

Feed your dog less food: Just like their humans, many dogs are overweight. Ask your vet for her honest opinion about your dog’s waistline. If she agrees that your precious pup could lose a few pounds, try putting less food in the bowl. Not only will this new habit translate into cost savings, it will result in a healthier dog, and a healthier dog translates into fewer veterinary bills.

Be a savvy consumer of supplements for your dog: They are costly and, truth be told, most of them are a waste of money. Supplement suppliers want you to believe that your dog’s good health, from puppyhood on, is dependent on their products. Avoid being seduced by their ads. If your dog is healthy and eating a balanced, complete diet, there really and truly is no need for supplements. When a medical situation arises that might benefit from supplements, utilize just the one that is recommended rather than paying for the three or four other combined products. Talk with your veterinarian about which supplements are worthy expenditures for your dog.

Investigate creative options for paying your veterinary bills: Who knows, perhaps the clinic administrator is willing to barter for product or services. Look into using a line of credit that can be used to pay for veterinary expenses. They are as easy to apply for as a department store credit card. When payment is due, the credit company pays the veterinary hospital and you repay the company. Such companies typically charge neither service fees nor interest for the first few months. This may be financially advantageous compared to paying the bill via your usual credit card.

Consider investing in pet health insurance, especially if you are inclined to take the “do-everything-possible” approach when it comes to your dog’s health. Most health insurance providers will reimburse 80 percent of your out of pocket expenses. Do the math and determine if, in the long run, medical insurance for your dog makes financial sense. And, before you sign on the dotted line, make sure you are aware of the medical conditions (preexisting diseases, inherited disorders) that will be excluded for your dog.

Price shop for your dog’s prescriptions: If the medication prescribed is a human drug, compare the human pharmacy price to what your veterinary hospital would charge. Big box or chain pharmacies purchase medications in bulk and can pass the savings onto you. Costco prices are usually some of the lowest and many human pharmacies offer substantial AAA discounts for pet prescriptions. For veterinary prescription items that you use on a regular basis (heartworm preventive, flea and tick control products, prescription diets), you might find the best savings via on line pharmacies.

Scale back on the things that are not bare necessities: Does your dog really need another new raincoat simply because it’s a different color than the two she already has? Forget the raincoat- you’ll be better off putting that money away for a rainy day!

Dr. Nancy Kay, a specialist in small animal internal medicine, is the author of Speaking for Spot: Be the Advocate Your Dog Needs to Live a Happy, Healthy, Longer Life. She can be reached at her website Speaking For Spot and you can also follow Spot’s Blog (or RSS Feed).

10 Ways to Save Money on Veterinary Expenses

August 21, 2008 By Jennifer Derrick 11 Comments

If you have a pet or are thinking about getting one, you know that they can be expensive. Lovable, but expensive. In addition to food and supplies, the biggest expense of owning a pet is likely to be vet bills. When they’re little they need lots of vaccinations and spay/neuter surgery. When they get older they are likely to need special care. Not to mention the routine physicals, vaccinations, and medications required to keep your furry friend (and you) healthy and free from parasites. The good news is that, while veterinary care can be expensive, there are some ways to save money at the vet without sacrificing Fido’s health.

Wellness plans

Some vets offer what they call “wellness plans” to reduce your out of pocket cost for care. In most cases you will pay a set fee per month and that fee includes most routine care and diagnostic procedures for the year. Anything not covered by the plan is likely to be discounted since you are a member of the plan. If you multiply that fee times twelve (to come up with a year’s cost) it is less, in most cases, than the cost would have been for those same procedures were you not on the plan. In other words, the vet is cutting you a price break because you’re paying him a little every month instead of all at once. These plans eliminate the shock of a huge vet bill because you’ve paid a little each month. However, you need to be certain that the plan does not include a bunch of procedures and examinations that you don’t need or want. Otherwise, you’re paying more than you need to and would be better off paying at the time of service.

Pet insurance

These policies function like human insurance in that you pay a premium each year and, when your pet has to go to the vet, you submit a claim to the insurance company and are reimbursed for all or a part of the treatment. These plans are a good idea if your pet is likely to have a lot of health problems (i.e., it is born with issues or is of a breed that it likely to develop problems). However, you need to read the fine print carefully because some plans exclude certain genetic conditions altogether, or exclude your pet if it is not covered by a certain age. There may also be lifetime limits on payments.

Compare veterinarians

When we first got our dog, we took her to a large veterinary chain that was close by and offered a wellness plan. We thought we were getting a good deal. However, after some questionable care forced us to find another vet, I started looking around and asking friends who they used. It turns out there was a great vet right under my nose who charged a fraction of what I was paying at the large chain. He also adapts his care to the individual dog’s circumstances rather than giving them every treatment and procedure available just because it’s on the plan. This has resulted in a big savings to me and a happier dog. It pays to look around and compare vets and their treatment philosophies.

Look for coupons and rebates

It sounds odd, but there are coupons available for vets. Each quarter we get a coupon mailer for our local area. My new vet always has a coupon in there for $10 off a yearly exam. I clip it and use it each year. I see coupons for other vets, as well, in places like the Yellow Pages, coupon mailers, Ad-Paks, and in the local paper. There is competition for your business and coupons are a way to get new customers. Rebates are also available for some medications. When we get our Heart Guard from the vet, he gives me a coupon for a $5 rebate each time I buy. You can only use the rebate if you buy directly from the vet. My vet sells these medications for less than the online sites, so I save even more. Ask if your vet has a rebate form for some of your medications.

Ask if there is a discount

Some vets give a price break to “established patients” that see that doctor repeatedly. My vet offers $10 off per visit because my dog has been to him more than once and is now an “established patient.” Ask if there is a discount for repeat clients. A vet may also offer discounts for referrals. It never hurts to ask.

Veterinary schools

If you live near a veterinary school, call and ask if they provide routine care. Many do and they allow the students to administer the physicals and vaccinations as practice. Their rates might be substantially less than a “regular” vet, but because the care is supervised by licensed vets, there is no lapse in quality.

Look into holistic care

A new trend in veterinary care is holistic medicine that relies less on drugs and traditional procedures and more on things like acupuncture, vitamin therapy, special diets, and other natural remedies. This may or may not be less expensive than traditional care (the absence of expensive drugs is what will save you money), but if you’re comfortable with this sort of care, it may pay to ask.

Try the mobile clinic

Many areas offer mobile clinics that provide basic care such as rabies shots, heart worm testing, and spay/neuter surgery for less than what a traditional vet charges. Many times these clinics’ costs are underwritten by the government or an animal protection organization, enabling them to charge substantially less than a regular vet. They are not the answer for everything your pet needs as most will not perform diagnostic procedures or surgeries, but they can be a less expensive choice for basic care and vaccinations.

Get a second opinion

As with a human, if your pet is diagnosed with something that is going to be expensive to treat or difficult to understand, get a second opinion. Another doctor may see something the first one missed or have a different treatment plan that will cost less. All doctors are different so if you feel like you’re being overcharged or want confirmation of a diagnosis, it never hurts to get that second opinion.

Know your pet and get informed about basic care

The biggest thing you can do to save money is to arm yourself with information. Become very familiar with your pet so that you know what’s normal and what isn’t. If your pet seems to be acting strangely, doesn’t seem to feel well, or you find a lump or bump that wasn’t there before, take it to the doctor as soon as you notice the problem. Just like with people, the sooner a problem is caught in a pet, the easier and less expensive it will be to treat. Also know how to perform basic care (or have it done regularly) to keep your pet healthy. Know how to brush it’s teeth, clip its nails, groom it, administer any medications it needs, and give it proper food and exercise. Just like with humans, daily care and hygiene is essential to keeping pets healthy and out of the doctor’s office. And know your breed. Many dog and cat breeds have genetic problems that are more likely to surface in those breeds. If you know what to look out for, you’ll be more prepared should that genetic problem manifest itself in your pet.

It is possible to save money on veterinary expenses. You want to keep your furry friend healthy for a long time and quality veterinary care is part of the plan to accomplish that. However, quality care and expensive care are not necessarily the same thing so arm yourself with information and seek out a vet that can give you the care you want at the price you can afford. Owning a pet is never “cheap,” but you can make it less painful.

Image courtesy of mendrakis