We have to all remember that pet’s cannot talk or tell you when they are sick. Often what we as pet owners perceive as illness, is typically progressed to the point of inappetence, severe lethargy, or worse by the time the dog or cat have reached the doors of a family veterinarian or emergency clinic.
So what is the best way that you save at the vet?
1. Veterinarians recommend that junior pets, from 1 year old to 6 years old, visit the vet at least once a year for regular bloodwork, physical examination, and vaccinations. Many vets recommend a three year vaccine protocol for certain vaccines, but a yearly visit is still very much necessary. Pets older than 7 should visit the vet twice a year.
More frequent visits allow your veterinarian to find disease and issues faster, and often treat them more effectively. Yearly and bi-yearly bloodwork allows for issues with a pet’s health to be caught much earlier, saving a lot of money, and improving a pet’s quality of life and healthy years ahead!
2. Don't wait when your pet is exhibiting signs of illness. This can be as simple as missing a meal, or laying around more. Waiting can often lead to more hospitalization charges to rehydrate the pet, and stabilize them. We understand the apprehension of visiting the ER due to cost, but we are very open with our pricing, and often, pet’s that visit us earlier on, leave with much lower bills and much better outcomes.
A visit to the ER can be a lot more affordable when you go at the first sign of an issue.
3. Keep your pet on heart worm, flea and tick prevention year-round. You can put these meds on auto ship through online pharmacies, save money by doing so, and prevent your pet from getting life-threatening diseases such as heartworm, intestinal parasites, ticks, and fleas. All of these parasites can lead to severe illness in pets, including puppies.
Keep in mind, that while prevention can be expensive, the diseases they prevent are significantly more costly, from a monetary standpoint and to your pets health.
4. Feed a high quality food, and keep your pets weight under control. Cheap dog food contains many more fillers, and fat, and typically leads to poor coat, skin quality, and in the case of puppies and kittens, can cause developmental issues.
We recommend Purina Pro Plan, or Royal Canin to all our clients at Oasis.
5. Listen to your veterinarian. They went to school for 8+ years to help keep your pet as healthy as possible and to help them live a long life. Work with them to come up with treatment plans for your pet that work for your budget. Don’t be afraid to have a frank discussion about your finances. We truly want the best for every pet. At Oasis, we always present the highest standard of care to every client. We know that every client wants the best for their pet, and we would not be doing our job if we didn’t offer what we thought was going to provide the best outcome.
Think of your veterinarian as a partner in the health of your pet.
6. Save for your pet's care. Using Care Credit or ScratchPay, while a way to afford care, costs the hospital and the client more money in interest and fees over time . Having a savings account for your pet's care can actually lead to substantial savings over the life of your pet. We recommend saving monthly and having at least 5,000 or more in an account in case you have an emergency like a fracture, or in case your dog needs specialty surgery to repair a torn ACL. You can even put this money in a account that gains interest!
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