Apr 9, 2009 3:14 pm US/Eastern
Angie's List: Regular Pet Check-Ups
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ―
Times are tough for many people right now, and they may be
looking to skip out on their pet's health care. In this weeks Angie's List
report Jim Donovan finds that taking your pet in for regular check-ups is just
as important as tackling preventative maintenance on your home.
A recent Angie's List poll found more than 80 percent of
respondents have a pet in their household, and every one of them considers
their pet - or pets - a significant part of their family. Angie's List talked
with some highly-rated veterinarians who say pets need regular medical check
ups just like you do. Pets can't tell you when they're feeling
badly, and it's easy to miss early signs of real problems. Even a little
preventative care will pay for itself. A medical illness that can be
prevented is significantly less expensive than extended diagnostics and
treatment.
Common health
problems in pets:
Periodontitis, or inflammation of the gums and bone
holding the teeth, is one of the most diagnosed diseases in dogs and cats. It
not only can lead to tooth loss and bad breath, but may affect your pet's
overall health. As a general rule, most pets need dental cleanings annually.
Obesity in pets is as significant of a problem as it is in
people. Pets also normally become obese for many of the same reasons that
people do, i.e. too many groceries and not enough exercise! Therefore a change
in lifestyle will help many of these animals, dogs or cats. Exercise is also
extremely important for your pet. Remember to start out slowly and increase the
amount or intensity of exercise over time.
Angie's List Tips
for Picking the Right Vet:
The worst time to look for a vet is when you really need
one - plan ahead and choose wisely. If you try to "wait out an
illness" you'll likely end up with a very sick pet and a larger medical
bill.
Bring in your pet to meet the veterinarian. Not all pets
will enjoy going to the vet, but it is important that your pet appears to be at
ease in his/her care.
Ask about the veterinary technicians. Vet techs do many
procedures from preparing dogs for surgery to drawing blood.
Check credentials. Is the doctor a member of the American
Veterinary Medical Association and the Indiana Veterinary Medical Association?
Office hours are important. Does the office provide
emergency care when closed? Is the vet available during crisis situations? Do
they have a 24-hour monitoring service or leave the animals alone?
If you need help with the costs, ask the vet about a
payment plan? Many veterinarians are willing to work out a weekly or monthly
payment plan so that you do not have to pay the entire costs of veterinary care
up front. Do they offer discounts for multi-pet households?
Prepare for routine pet-care costs. Regularly set aside
money to cover for unexpected vet bills or consider pet health insurance.
RELATED LINKS:
www.angieslist.com
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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