It’s A Dog’s Life—

Veterinary Bills  Can Be Costly, But. . .

By Mary Jane Anderson

Veterinary care for your dog can be costly. But, you can cut down on your veterinary costs considerably by considering the kind of the dog you would buy and to have a veterinarian check the puppy. This can be a simple precaution resulting in saving on veterinary bill. Also, the bigger the dog, the bigger the veterinary bill when he’s sick. Although purebred animals on the whole are not more or less healthy than mixed breeds, they tend to be plagued with hereditary problems. For instance, Dachshunds develop back troubles, German Shepherds hip dysplasia, and other breeds have chronic ear infections/

Whether your pet is a playful poodle or a cute cocker, during the lifetime of a healthy dog, veterinary expenses will easily amount to hundreds of dollars. A lean and lively dog has a better chance of staying healthy than an overweight and lethargic animal.

The first step to maintain a healthy dog is regular is regular yearly visits to the veterinary. Always remember your dog has special needs and that he is dependent on you to keep him sound and healthy. He needs the specialized medical skill of the veterinary for preventive immunizations. He will need care if he is ill, injured, or relief from pains of advancing age.

Yearly checkups can detect most potential health problems before they become serious and expensive. Vaccines significantly reduce the spread of disease to your dog which eliminated the chances of your dog coming down with common diseases that require costly treatments.

If you are paying a veterinarian for his professional advice, the follow-up home care will make a difference. When your veterinarian prescribes medication for the dog while at home, make sure your dog gets exactly as directed over the entire period of time specified as you would do for yourself from your doctor’s treatment. The bill will be small compared to the cost of treating a relapse.

Double duty visits can become bargains if your visits are in depth, such as having your dog’s nails clipped, ears checked and cleaned to help avoid infections, examination of  his teeth, and anal glands emptied. Make a list of all questions that come up from time to time and get them answered during that visit.

The second step is your dog should be kept clean and well groomed. A regular schedule of brushing, bathing when necessary, ears cleaned, and nails clipped is an essential part of good health. During this time, you can observe any problems which might be the beginning of skin infections, hot spots, ear infections (which are painful and costly), or abnormal lumps or bruises. Avoid parasites, ticks and fleas invading your dog, which your veterinarian can prevent. The cure for a parasite infected dog can easily cost hundreds of dollars, not including calling an exterminator to get rid of parasites in your home. All needless expenses can be avoided if you are mindful of preventive measures.

A balanced nutritious diet, especially formulated for a dog, not for humans, will provide the necessary ingredients to maintain your dog’s requirements to keep him healthy. Along with the diet, plenty of exercise is another part of good health. Take your dog for long walks regularly, playing with him everyday which will show your affection and assure him that he is loved.

Remember your dog’s happiness absolutely depends upon you. You are his whole world. Many health problems could have been avoided by early attention rather than emergency treatment which can be lengthy and expensive. Avoid accidents cause by letting your dog run loose in the neighborhood. Recently, a 5-month-old puppy was hit by a car and her back leg was amputated. Avoid needless pain, suffering, and expense. Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.