Going to the vet these days can cost a fortune.  In the last four months alone we have spent over $2000, something I consider to be a substantial amount of money.  Why do we do it? Because we love our pets and will do anything to keep them safe and healthy. So when I came across this article on tips to take the bite out of pet health costs I knew it was worth taking a look at.

Americans spent more than $10 billion on veterinary care last year, according to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association.

If you’re anything like our family, you probably feel like you’re contributing a good amount towards that $10 billion.  Hopefully, the following tips will help bring down your out of pocket costs.

Following are just three of the twelve tips suggested by non-profit animal groups, industry watchdogs and veterinarians.

Look for vet specials. In-office clinics can offer price breaks on vaccinations, teeth cleanings and other procedures. Also, there are senior citizen discounts and package plans for puppy or kitten care.

Go online. If a medication is not needed immediately, you can sometimes save money by ordering it online rather than buying at a veterinarian office. Suppliers include Petmed Express (www.1800 petmeds.com), PetCareRx ( www.petcarerx.com) and Foster and Smith (www .drsfostersmith.com).

Consider insurance. Because of substantial deductibles and exclusions in pet policies, according to the Consumer Reports study, pet owners might be better off putting what they pay in monthly premiums into a savings account. But coverage could play a major role in covering bills for very expensive conditions.

While every suggestion may not be suitable for you, I think there’s a little something in the article for everyone.

Finding out your dog has cancer, or as we call it in our house “Madge”, is one of the greatest fears pet owners have. If you’re wondering why we call it “Madge”, the answer is simple, doesn’t it sound a lot less intimidating.  Plus, I bet it made you smile.

I came across an interesting article to help alleviate some fears and/or answer some of your questions.

DENVER, July 11, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — Dog owners and lovers in the United States view canine cancer as the greatest health threat to their beloved pets. They are correct. One in four dogs die of cancer. Cancer is the number one cause of death in dogs over the age of 2. Morris Animal Foundation (MAF) has posted on its Web site, http://www.MorrisAnimalFoundation.org, a canine cancer exclusive of special interest to dog owners and dog lovers everywhere.

We can also give our support to help fight this disease.

MAF has launched an unprecedented global campaign to raise funds to cure canine cancer in the next 10 to 20 years, and while seeking the ultimate cure, to develop more effective treatments for dogs suffering from cancer today. MAF is funding canine cancer research at many of the top veterinary colleges in the world. Learn more about the campaign at http://www.CureCanineCancer.org.

If we all put our paws together hopefully we will beat this disease once and for all.

Thanks to Dogster Lena Malik for barking in about this great cause and Angel Mica’s Crusade to Beat this terrrible disease.

Dear Joy

I am hoping you could read my friend Angel Mica’s latest diary entry in regards to IMHA (immune-mediated hemolytic anemia)

I have lost close dogster pals to this disease and have other good pup pals who currently battle this infliction.

Mica’s family honors her memory with their dedication and hope to raise awareness in others and someday find a cure.

Thank you! sincerely, Lena Malik

Here’s Angel Mica’s post:

hi mates.
many of you have heard i advocate for and am seeking a cure & prevention of a disease that took me, and way, way too many even since i earned my wings by IMHA (immune-mediated hemolytic anemia).

a very kind GSD tried to help us last fall- we raced for pals & corrals. he lost a k9 officer pal to IMHA and believes in our quest for a cure. this ONE dog is doing the kind-hearted thing that the rest of you can help with, simply with a click.

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This news makes me soooo want to visit Brisbane! Any place that has a mayor like this one must be filled with great people and pups!

If anyone knows how we can send well wishes to the Lord Mayor and the City Council please bark it in!

Thanks to ABC Brisbane for this good news.

Labor councillor slams university experiments on pound dogs

The Brisbane City Council is awaiting a report into the use of live dogs in veterinary research.

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Isn’t it time that Melbourne University join the rest of the civilized world and STOP using dogs for surgery practice?

Please be warned that this is a very upsetting article.

Thanks to LIVENEWS.com.au for this article.

Healthy dogs used for surgery training
Richard Maxton
13/04/2008

Veterinary students at Melbourne University are operating on healthy and sometimes pregnant dogs, then killing the animals.

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Do you want the most up-to-date information on all aspects of being a dog parent? Then check out Dogster’s brand new Dog Owners Manual!

Here’s more about the Dog Owner’s Manual:

A Basic Guide to Dogs
If you’ve been looking for essential dog information online, you’ve come to the right place. Using step-by-step instructions and fun diagrams and illustrations, The Dog Owner’s Manual covers hundreds of frequently asked questions

.

Do you live in an area of North America with those pesky and dangerous plant pods known as Foxtails? If so, check out Dogster’s Vet Blog for info on Foxtail season.

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Well, doesn’t this just blow the top off that old lie from greyhound racers that they care about their dogs!

So let’s talk about greyhound racing. Isn’t it time civilized countries (like Britain and the US) get over it? Yes, greyhounds are gorgeous when they run but as any greyhound rescuer can tell you, the dogs have much more fun racing off track in weekend events where the track is a field and no money rides on their backs.

What’s the difference between puppy mills and these greyhound breeders that sell their dogs for any purpose whatsoever? Nothing?

Notice that this race miller used to be a pig breeder? With his level of concern for dogs I wouldn’t be surprized if he sold dogs for food to Asian countries that still allow that horrendous culinary practice.

Thanks to the Times Online for this article.

Greyhound breeder offers slow dogs to be killed for research
Daniel Foggo

The largest breeder of greyhounds in Britain is offering to sell healthy young dogs to be killed and dissected for research, an investigation has found.

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How cool is this! Not only do dogs teach children how to be better people; they actually reduce allergies too!

Thanks to The Register for this article.

Dogs reduce allergies in kids
The benefit of mutts as pets
By Lester Haines
Published Tuesday 29th April 2008

German researchers have apparently confirmed that keeping a dog as a family pet will reduce the chance that kids will develop allergies - a finding which backs a theory that having a mutt about the house “trains the immune system to be less sensitive to potential triggers for allergies like asthma, eczema and hay fever”.

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Thanks to all of you who barked in this article from ConsumerAffairs.com. Are we on the verge of another recall?

String of Illnesses Afflicts NUTRO-Fed Pets
Company insists its food is ‘100% safe’

By Lisa Wade McCormick
ConsumerAffairs.com
April 18, 2008

A worrisome health trend among dogs and cats across the country has surfaced in the past few months. Scores of pets from California to South Carolina have experienced sudden and recurring bouts of diarrhea, vomiting, and other digestive problems.

Through an examination of reports submitted by readers, ConsumerAffairs.com has uncovered a common link among these pets: They all ate the same brand of food: NUTRO pet food.

In all of the cases we’ve examined, the animals’ conditions improved once their owners switched them to another brand of food.

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