Money tips for caring pet owners

Everyone is trying to save money these days, including pet owners. But in an effort to cut back on costs, you may hear advice that could end up compromising your pet’s health. Regardless of what you read, providing your pet with regular preventive care is the key to a healthy and long life for your pet. And an investment in preventive healthcare can reduce your long-term pet healthcare costs. How? Preventive care does just what its name suggests – it can prevent diseases that can put your pet’s life in jeopardy and be costly to treat. Regular exams also often catch budding health issues that can become bigger problems if left untreated, saving you hundreds – or even thousands – of dollars as a result and possibly even saving the life of your pet.

First Things First
We recognize that cost is a major concern for pet owners, but selecting a veterinarian involves more than just price-shopping. There are several factors to consider when you choose a veterinarian, such as convenient office hours, how the veterinarian and staff treat you and your pet, and what type of payment options and plans they offer. Cost is often a factor, but it may not be the most important factor to consider. While some veterinary medical services may be offered at very low rates, remember that they also may not include comprehensive services. Make sure you compare “apples to apples,” so you know that the cost estimates you’re getting are for the same services. For example, one estimate might be for surgery alone, while another higher-cost estimate also includes some pre-operative bloodwork and post-operative pain relief; and when you add these services to the lower-cost estimate, the prices are more comparable than you originally thought.

 And what about “Dr. Google?” More and more, people are resorting to the Internet to find information and guidance on health issues – for both themselves and their pets. Sorting out reliable from unreliable information online can be challenging, and the Internet is certainly not a reliable substitute for hands-on evaluation by your veterinarian or physician. Don’t get us wrong. Not all information on the Internet is wrong or misguided. But the AVMA urges you to be very cautious when relying on online information for decisions regarding your own health or your pet’s health. And steer clear of anyone offering online diagnoses or treatment recommendations, either for free or for a fee. They may be bogus, not to mention illegal.

A Penny Now or a Pound Later?
All of the veterinarians interviewed for this article emphasized that annual preventive healthcare exams and regular preventive care – such as vaccinations, heartworm testing, fecal parasite exams, dental evaluation and more – save pets’ lives by ensuring they’re healthy. They can also save pet owners money by reducing or eliminating the risk of health problems that can be more expensive to treat. The cost of preventive care usually pales in comparison to the cost of treating the disease or problem that would have been prevented. Regular exams can also detect problems early, before they become more serious…and probably more expensive to treat. In a nutshell, spending the money upfront on preventive care can save you a lot more in the long run. “Routine monitoring for tick-borne diseases and parasites (including heartworm), as well as keeping your pets up-to-date on medications, can save their lives,” said Dr. Meghan McGrath of Radnor Veterinary Hospital in Wayne, Pa.

 Pets should have annual wellness exams, and some pets may need more frequent exams, said Dr. Michael Cavanaugh, DABVP, American Animal Hospital Association executive director. “Many people ask me, ‘How often should my pet see their veterinarian?’ My typical answer is at least annually, and it depends. Depending on the pet’s lifestage, lifestyle, and overall health status, they may need to be seen more frequently. The individual pet’s veterinarian is best positioned to determine how many visits per year are in order,” Dr. Cavanaugh said.

 Source: By Julie Ciaramella AVMA Communications Division

Outside Pets

Just because it’s warm outside doesn't mean your pet wants to be outdoors all day, especially during the afternoon, which is the hottest part of the day. They’re susceptible to heat and sunstroke too. Somerset Veterinary Group wants to remind you that when your pet spends the afternoon outside, they should be able to drink plenty of cool, fresh water and have a shady place to relax. 

Traveling with your Pet

Before you go Ask yourself: will my cat be comfortable and happy on this trip? Some animals simply prefer to stay at home and a "homesick", possibly motion-sick pet will ruin everyone’s trip. In such a case it’s probably wiser to leave your pet with a friend, relative or hire a "pet sitter". If that is not possible, you might consider boarding him or her at a clean, well-run cattery. Plan ahead If you do decide to take your pet along, you must take as much care with the preparation of your pet’s trip as your own. If you plan to travel by plane, bus, train or boat, find out if your pet will be welcome and, what kind of reservations and transport arrangements must be made. If you’ll be staying at hotels, motels or campgrounds, you must check if animals are allowed or if kennel facilities are available. If you’re staying with friends or family, make sure your pet is also invited. Traveling by plane Contact the airline you wish to fly well in advance – each has its own regulations and reservations for your pet will be necessary. Be sure to ask about the airline’s rules for pet crates or carriers. Try to book a direct flight or one with a minimum of stops. The airline may allow your pet in the passenger cabin if your crate or carrier can fit under the seat in front of you. If your pet must travel in the cargo hold, be at the airport early, place him in his travel crate yourself and pick him up promptly when you land. Establish that your pet will be in a pressurized area of the plane – cargo holds can get very hot or very cold without environmental controls. Traveling by car If your pet is not used to being in a car, take him or her for a few short rides before your trip. Your cat will probably be safer and more comfortable in a carrier. Give the main meal at the end of the day. Dry food is more convenient but if your pet needs canned food, dispose of any unused portions if they cannot be refrigerated. It is not recommended to leave your cat in a parked car for a prolonged period of time. If you must leave your pet in a parked car, put the cat in the carrier, lock all doors and open windows enough to provide good ventilation. Remember, on hot days, the temperature in a parked car can rise to dangerous levels in just minutes and your pet could die of heat stroke. Traveling by bus, train or boat Not all bus lines allow you to travel with your pet, so phone ahead for information. Amtrak does not permit pets to travel in passenger cars, but they may travel in cages as checked luggage. Some cruise ships do welcome pets. Check with the cruise line or ask your travel agent. Wherever you go Ensure your pet ALWAYS wears a collar with complete identification and a license tag. Microchipping with HomeAgain® is the way to ensure you will retrieve your animal should it be lost. Pack his or her favorite food, toys and dishes, a cooler of water, a litter box and a leash. Have your pet examined and vaccinated, if necessary, by your veterinarian before a long trip. If your pet must travel in a crate or carrier, be sure it is strong, large enough for him or her to stand up and turn around, has a place for food and water, and a litter box, is well ventilated, has a leak-proof bottom and closes securely. Acclimate your pet to the travel crate – leave it out with the door open and perhaps offer treats in or near the cage for days/weeks prior to travel. Larger dogs can be restrained with seat belt compatible harnesses.  These are available at pet supply stores. All pets need to be properly restrained in a moving car, aside from possibly interfering with the driver; they can become a projectile in the case of sudden stops, injuring themselves or you. Consult your veterinarian about medical options if your pet experiences motion sickness.

Websites

• www.pettravel.com
• www.petswelcome.com
• www.petfriendlytravel.com
• www.homeagain.com

International Health Certificate

• Contact the consulate or embassy of your destination or ask your travel agent for advice if you are planning a trip abroad with your pet, as health and vaccination regulations vary greatly.
• Schedule appropriate examinations with Dr. Miller only.
• Acclimation certificate completed upon examination.

Caring for your Pet’s Skin and Coat

How can I maintain my pet’s healthy skin and hair coat?

To maintain a healthy skin and hair coat, topical shampoos employ a variety of moisturizing agents to preserve the natural ecological balance of the skin.  These moisturizing agents include:

• Humectants to help draw moisture to the surface of the skin
• Emollients to seal in moisture, thus soothing and softening the skin
• Emulsifiers to distribute emollients uniformly throughout the coat
• Occlusive Factors to block the skin surface and prevent loss of moisture
• Fatty Acids to help maintain the skin’s normal barrier function and assist in controlling flaking and scaling

When do most changes in skin conditions present themselves?

Varying temperatures, humidity levels and allergens across the country allow for troubled skin conditions year round.  Some symptoms are commonly seen in the summer and winter seasons.

• Winter – dry skin caused by low humidity and heating devices used to warm the home
• Summer – itching and scratching due to fleas, environmental factors, allergies, bacterial or fungal skin disorders

What are the different types of shampoos?

There are basically four categories of shampoos used in veterinary dermatology.

• Cleansing and Grooming – primarily used for routine cleansing, conditioning and moisturizing the skin.  Moisture loss is frequently due to normal seasonal and environmental changes.
• Antiseborrheic – seborrhea is a skin disorder characterized by dry, flaky or greasy, scaly skin.  Antiseborrheic shampoos help normalize skin function and the rate of cell turnover.
• Antimicrobial – for topical management of bacterial and yeast infections.  They are often used in conjunction with systemic antibiotics or antifungal agents.
• Antipruritic – used for relief of itching and irritation related to allergies, flea bites, seborrhea and bacterial infections.  These shampoos help to relieve itching and soothe the skin.

What is the proper way to shampoo my pet?

While your veterinarian may give special instructions for your pet’s specific skin condition, here are some general guidelines that should be followed.

1. Carefully remove mats and brush out tangles.
2. Make sure the air temperature in the bathing area is warm.
3. Wet your pet thoroughly with warm water – not too cold or too hot.
4. Apply shampoo to affected skin areas first to ensure the greatest contact time, then proceed to lather the entire body.  Avoid contact with the eyes.  Rinse thoroughly and gently with cool water if this occurs.
5. Allow approximately 10 to 15 minutes of contact time with the lather before rinsing.  Continue to lather gently during this period for maximum effectiveness.
6. Complete rinsing with warm water to remove any shampoo residue, scale, dirt and debris.

Which shampoo will work best for my pet?

For healthy animals, a general cleansing and grooming shampoo will serve your pet’s bathing needs.  If the animal is diagnosed with a skin disorder, your veterinarian can determine the appropriate medicated shampoo to treat the specific problem.

How often should I bathe my pet?

A normal, healthy animal should be bathed when an odor is detected or it appears to be dirty.

If your pet develops an odor or noticeable change in the skin and hair coat despite frequent bathing, there is the possibility of an infection or other skin disorder.   A veterinarian should be consulted for information on the preferred bathing practices to relieve specific conditions.

Proper grooming of the skin and hair coat is an important part of your pet’s overall health.

• Shampoo products are for external use only.  Please follow all label instructions carefully.
• Before beginning a bath, cut or remove any tangles or mats of hair.
• Do not allow shampoo to come in contact with your pet’s eyes.  If this occurs, rinse thoroughly with water.
• Completely rinse your pet.  Shampoo residue may cause skin irritation.
• Your veterinarian may recommend a moisturizing conditioner or crème rinse after treatment with a medicated shampoo.  These products will make the hair coat more manageable and restore texture and luster.
• If you notice redness or skin irritation, discontinue use of the product and contact your veterinarian.

We'd like to celebrate the owners of three lucky pets...Mia, Khia and Jake!

Jake Pizzo is a 13 year old Labrador. At age 5 he started to show some signs of kidney disease. He also had severe hip dysplasia and degenerative joint disease in his elbows and shoulders.

At age 11, his mobility was greatly reduced due to disc disease. With the help of surgery, a diet change to Hill’s j/d and Adequan injections, he was able to walk again!

Jake’s mom has done a fantastic job to keep Jake healthy and happy! His rehabilitation included treatments, medications and injections. His little buddy Oliver, a Maltese, has been keeping him company too.

Mia & Khia Becker are beloved 18 and a half year old seal point Siamese kitties that are a dear part of the Becker family. Mr. & Mrs. Becker do an amazing job caring for their beautiful cats with multiple health problems.

Both Mia & Khia have chronic kidney disease, elevated blood pressure, low potassium, occasional constipation and mild heart murmurs. In addition Mia has mild hyperthyroidism.

Mr. & Mrs. Becker treat both Mia and Khia with fluids they administer for hydration. They also get multiple medications including amlodipine (for blood pressure), lactulose (stool softener), oral potassium supplement, and a thyroid medication for Mia. They also feed special food to help decrease stress on the kidneys.

Mia & Khia are very happy and cuddle with our staff in the office when they visit for blood work/blood pressure evaluations/or exams whenever Mr. & Mrs. Becker suspect something isn't quite right. The Beckers are excellent at monitoring their kitties for any abnormal behavior and as such we are usually able to catch any problems early and resolve or treat them quickly.