SAVE A RENT PAYMENT IN VET BILLS DOING THESE 5 THINGS

By Katy Cable - A 3 min. Read

It seem like we're paying a lot of money for vets who are still "in-practice!" That was my poor attempt at veterinary humor. In all seriousness, if you welcome vet bills like a rash, here are a few simple tips to keep you splurging on your shoe addiction while also allowing your pooch to be in optimum health.

According to research by the American Pet Products Association (APPA), it costs more than $1,600 a year to care for a dog, While I happen to know a few dog owners that blow through twice that amount in a single week covering gourmet food, daycare and their wardrobe. Now, these high-profile canines also have more social media followers than our President, so you get the picture. For a majority of us, food is the main expense of owning a dog. For others veterinary care tops the list.

Most pet owners view their pets as part of the family, and spare no expense when it comes to their beloved pooch. That being said, the reality is most of us have some budget perimeters. Pet care expenses can suddenly put YOU into the dog house if Fido has an accident or illness requiring emergency treatment or surgery. Even the bill for routine exams can leave you feeling like you got kicked in the gut when all those, labs, tests, vaccines and whatnots get added up and require a swipe and signature. (There goes that new Chanel bag I was saving for.) In an effort to help keep your vet costs down, I recommend a few things:

#1 Quality Diet! First and foremost DON'T pinch pennies and cut corners when it comes to feeding the best quality food you can afford. Do your research and read those labels. You don’t always get what you pay for when it comes to quality pet food. I have lots of helpful blogs on selecting the best foods if you need some assistance. Whatever you choose, remember, the nutrition you provide your pet is one of the most important tools in keeping your pet healthy AND keeping your veterinary costs down.

#2. Find a knowledgeable vet you feel comfortable with. I can't tell you how many horror stories I heard from pet parents about bad experiences they've had with vets. Do your research. If possible find one who has experience with your breed of dog. Ask for references from rescue groups, dog clubs, trainers, and/or friends. Most vets give very low cost or complimentary consultations. Go get one. If the vet, office environment or staff makes you feel uncomfortable or their philosophy differs, shop around. And it should go without saying, if the vet is condescending, rude or seems abrupt with either you or your pet, RUN for the door.

​When we adopted Raisin from Pugs and Pals in Newport Beach, I chose to continue his care with Dr. Gail Renehan, DVM, and Dr. William Radovitch, DVM, owner of VCA/Airport Irvine Animal Hospital. It was a bit of a drive, (OK, a horrendous drive in traffic) but they’re SO worth the extra effort. The entire team is brilliant, caring, and compassionate, as well as very knowledgeable about the breed. I love my vet team and have learned so much from them. I also trust their expertise and judgement implicitly. I hesitate to publicize them too much for fear I won't be able to get an appointment if needed. 😜 Your vet team is your partner and it's so important to be able to communicate and feel comfortable with them.

#3 Once you've found a great vet, your pet should be seen at least once a year for a regular check-up. However, if your pup is older or has a chronic health condition, a check-up every six months or more is a good idea. Preventive health care is just that. It involves regular monitoring of your pet’s health status and taking proactive steps as necessary to prevent the development of disease. You’ll be able to check on things like organ function and make changes in your pet’s treatment protocol, to prevent more serious issues from occurring.This definitely isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach; how often you get exams should be tailored to your individual pet’s needs.

#4 Do regular at-home checks on your pet.
While it’s crucial to take your pet for a professional exam at your vet’s office at least once a year, you should also be doing at-home physical exams on your pet regularity. This is a simple, inexpensive and very effective way for you to keep a close eye on your pet’s health as well as detect any issues early on.

Steps For Performing a Successful At-Home Pet Exam
Perform the exam in a relaxed environment, preferably at the end of a busy day or after some exercise. If your dog will fit, put them on your lap, otherwise, let them lay on a comfortable doggie bed.

• Gently massage your dog feeling their coat and checking for any lumps, bumps or blemishes. Is their skin flakey or red? Also be aware of anything that is painful to the touch. Run your hands on the sides of the spinal cord, and evaluate muscle tone and weight. If your pet is carrying extra weight, start weighing them, increase their activity and cut out the treats. Look into a WET, high animal protein, low-carb diet.
• How is your dog’s range of motion? Can they move freely without of the joints resistance or difficulty?
• Look at your dog’s claws and the paw pads. Check for any debris or abrasions.
• Check their nose is clear of discharge and take note whether it is wet or dry. It will typically vary from moist to dry throughout the day, depending on your pet’s body temperature, activity level and hydration. How is their breathing? (Smooshed-faced/Brachy dogs can be loud breathers and sometimes need their nostrils widened to increase airflow.)
• When they’re awake, look at their eyes. Is there any unusual eye discharge. Some pugs get “dry-eye” and will get a heavy yellow/green discharge which needs to be addressed. Again, you will likely know what’s normal for your pet. For instance if your cat or dog never gets eye discharge and suddenly has it, it’s a sign that there could be a problem.
• Next check whether your pet’s pupils are symmetrical and look at the whites of their eyes. Red sclera (the part of the eye that is normally white) could mean inflammation of the eyes. Get anything out-of-the-ordinary checked.

• Next, check your pet’s ears by smelling them. If there’s a foul or “corn-chip” smell, they may have an infection. Then examine them for cleanliness.

• Lastly, check their mouth, gums and teeth. Look inside their mouth for lesions, swelling, and bad breath. Their gums should be pink, their teeth free of brown tartar and their tongue clear.

Hopefully you will soon get your dog accustomed to massages so that you can eventually check them without much difficulty. If you examine your pet regularly you will begin to know what is normal and hopefully if there are changes you will notice them quickly because you are familiar with the terrain of his or her body.

I have found it extremely helpful to keep a chart for my pets. If I notice an unusual bump, lump, wart or abrasion and don’t think it warrants immediately racing to the vet, I like to snap photos and make notes in my smartphone. I use an object or tape measure to indicate exact size and location. If it gets bigger a day or two later, I know it's time to call the vet. I am also a fan of shooting video clips of my pet's gait, unusual cough or behavior. This has been highly effective in helping my vet make a solid diagnoses. In the past my dreadful sketches and reenactments have only left her more baffled and my pet never performs on cue. On occasion I can simply send a text or email file and save myself a visit.

#5 I highly recommend all new pet parents get an insurance plan. New puppies need lots of vaccines and more regular routine care visits. A new rescue/shelter pup might come with some unexpected health issues. While you are getting to know your new pet, a good insurance plan will protect you and keep your costs from spiraling out of control should something unexpected pop up. Plus, you are going to need that cash for all the great toys, beds and goodies you'll want to spoil them with.

Remember, when it comes to your beloved dog, an ounce of prevention is truly worth a pound of cure. By spending your pet care dollars wisely, feeding your dog quality food, partnering with a trusted vet, doing home exams to catch issues early, and purchasing some insurance you can actually save lots of money (even a rent payment's worth) by reducing your pet’s future veterinary care costs. Please keep me posted on just what you plan to do with all that extra cash? 💰💰💰💰-Pugs and Kisses!

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🐾Katy Cable is a former actress appearing in “Back To The Future” and starring in the TV series: “Safe At Home” & “ Fired Up!” In addition to her dog health & lifestyle blog/vlog: The Weekly Runt, (https://www.weeklyrunt.com/) she’s a contributing writer to numerous publications including Thrive Global, & The Huffington Post. Cable lives at the beach with her husband, Rick and her rescue Pug, Olive.🐾

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