Veterinary medicine care is becoming more and more sophisticated. Often columns such as this one concentrate on the newest drug or latest surgical advance. Things like pacemakers, kidney transplants, and stem cell therapy are amazing. They mark the progress of our ability in veterinary medicine to help more patients for longer periods of time, but advanced care can be an expensive, although worthwhile, endeavor. While it is neat to be able to help some of these serious illnesses, there are things that animal guardians can do which improve health and reduce disease likelihood, and if we know and do those things we can reduce our expenses while still keeping our quality of veterinary care high.
A good veterinary insurance policy can help save money or make more in-depth treatment possible, but you may be able to accomplish the same thing with a disciplined personal savings plan. This is a complex issue and consumers need to read policies and evaluate which company is best for their needs.
It takes hard work to be involved and engaged in your pet's care but by doing so the rewards are massive. Selecting veterinarians and other health care professions that are well informed, compassionate and willing to share information can change health care for everyone.
How do you create health and reduce disease in your animals? I'd love to hear your comments about veterinary insurance companies and stories that show amazing recoveries.
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Dr. Ben H
hey , i have a question, if you can answer:
do dogs get chiggers?
every summer, my dogs have problems, scratching, big problems.
they have frontline , i give them oatmeal baths,......as soon as the weather cools.it seems to go away. thanks ......i would imagine if people get them, animals would too.
"In many parts of the country it is not necessary to do flea control year round. Using these products only during the flea season will assist your pet in detoxifying and clearing residue from their use."
This a dangerous statement, because it's just plain wrong. I live in a part of the country that has severe winters, and yet I give my indoor cats Revolution 12 months of the year. Why? Because most flea transmissions are from visitors who are pet owners and whose indoor pets are not treated for fleas year-round. The fleas hide in clothing, etc. and can infest an unprotected house in a devastating way.
pills or that stuff you put on their backs and I was not crazy about it. I since then discovered something natural, it costs a bit up front, but it is well worth it and I no longer have a flea or whatever bug problem, mosquitos, etc. I found it on the internet. I try anything once but I am surprised it actually works and after getting this big bottle, which will last me for some time, I think the money was well spent. I did same with my Rotties that had heartworms, I found a natural
cure on line, not quite as high as what the alternative was, but it worked and they got their natural shine back on their fur, it was a black walnut based pill. At least they did not have to suffer like they would have with what the vet would have done to them.
A new study conducted at the Medical University of Vienna has just confirmed that two homeopathic medicines had significant effects on gene expression:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20674841
every month I put $$$$$$ into an emergency fund savings account for pet care.
when the time comes that I need to use it it doesn't drain my other financial needs.
We're wondering if it has an effect on the immune system as well. They just don't seem as healthy when they're neutered really young.
Is this true? For all dogs or just certain dogs that may be allergic?
Chocolate binds to the homoglobin in the red blood cells blocking their ability to cary oxygen. Intersetingly it turns the blood a chocolate brown.
Grapes and raisins can cause acute kidney failure. The pathology of grapes is not yet understood, but studies are being done.
Raw salmon is only toxic if contaminated with a certain parasite. The parasite itself is pretty harmless but it is almost always infected with a rickettsial bacteria that is only toxic in dogs.
All three are treatable conditions but speed is the key. Contact a veterinarian immediately if your pet ingests any of these substances.