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ASPCA - Top 10 Ways to Save Money on Vet Care

As responsible pet owners, we agree to care for our furry friends
in sickness and in health. But as the economy softens and
veterinary costs rise, how do we do what’s best for our pet?

To help you navigate these troubled economic waters, Dr. Louise
Murray, Director of Medicine at the ASPCA’s Bergh Memorial
Animal Hospital, and Dr. Stephen Zawistowski, ASPCA Executive
Vice President and Science Advisor, offer the following tips to
help you save money on your pet’s health care.

Schedule Regular Check-Ups
Remember the saying, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound
of cure?” Well, it applies to pets, too. Don’t skip your pet’s yearly
exam. It’s much more expensive—and risky—to treat illnesses
than to protect against them.

Personalize Your Pet’s Vaccines
Hard times are not an excuse to skip your pet’s annual shots, but
it does make sense to talk to your vet about personalizing your
pet’s vaccine protocol. Some vaccines are optional, while others
are essential in preventing serious diseases.

Spay or Neuter Your Pet
Spaying or neutering your pet can save a lot of money by
preventing serious health problems including uterine, ovarian
and testicular cancer. Many local shelters provide resources for
low-cost or no-cost spay/neuter surgeries. Visit our online
database to find a low-cost program in your area. If you live in
New York City, check out our mobile clinic.

Brush Your Pet’s Teeth
Dental disease—such as tartar, gingivitis, loose or infected teeth—
can lead to heart and kidney problems and expensive procedures.
Start a daily dental routine to keep your pet’s teeth and gums
healthy.

Protect Your Pet from Parasites
Flea and tick infestations can cause a host of costly medical
problems from minor skin irritations to life-threatening anemia.
Stick with a topical flea and tick solution to keep the critters at bay.

Toss the Cigarettes
Secondhand smoke is no joke for pets—it can cause asthma,
bronchitis, lymphoma and oral, nasal and lung cancers. Quit now
and you’ll save money on vet bills. At the very least, avoid
smoking around your pet.

See a Specialist
Pet parents can reduce costs by getting a pet’s condition diagnosed
and treated by an expert as quickly as possible. Veterinary specialists
are available for everything from skin disease to cancer, and will
often work within your budget.

Consider Pet Health Insurance
If the cost of an emergency vet visit or serious illness would be
a financial strain, consider investing in pet health insurance, while
your pet is healthy. Be sure to read the fine print, though—not
all plans are created equal.

Buy High-Quality Pet Food
A good quality pet food—formulated under the guidelines of
the American Association of Feed Control Officials—is often
more cost effective than a homemade diet. Avoid overfeeding your
pet, which can lead to obesity and other health problems.

Shop Smart
Whether he’s looking for pet food, medicine or grooming supplies,
the smart shopper clips coupons and buys in bulk. It’s also a
good idea to shop veterinary practices by comparing fees for
preventative care.

Posted on SHARE Yahoo group - Nov. 21, 2008