Archive for the ‘Pet Health Care’ Category
Pet Insurance Decisions
It is a big decision on the pet parent’s part in deciding if they should have pet health insurance on their new puppy or an existing dog before medical treatment is a 
necessity, and having to pay full veterinarian cost that would have been avoidable by having pet insurance. 
Ten billion dollars is the amount that pet parents have spent on veterinarian cost this past year, and will rise even higher in the near future with so many households caring for pets. At any given time a pet needs medical attention, the charges are expected to be paid up front, most veterinarian clinics do not offer payment plans. Perhaps the thought of having pet insurance is not a priority at this time with financial problems, but if you are able to pay your dogs medical bills without any worries, then you would not be interested in such a policy.
Compare pet insurance companies and find out what is covered and what is not, also keep in mind that most pet insurance companies do not cover pre-existing medical conditions, this is the main reason insuring your pet while they are still young and 
healthy makes a 
lot of sense before the fact – not after. Depending on your choice, $10 a month to $50 and upwards is usually the cost of having coverage, but at this time, $25 – $30 a month is pretty much the cost of a premium. Another thing to check into is if you have more than one pet, most of the pet insurance companies offer some sort of discount that makes it affordable for multiple coverage. Pets between the ages of 6 to 8 weeks up to 9 years old, will be covered by most all of the pet insurance companies, but regardless of your decision, keep in mind, if you do or do not choose to insure your pet, you can expect medical problems will arise during your pets aging process, there is no way to get around it, just like humans. Be Happy!
Pet Insurance – No Pet Should Be Without It
This morning in reading the newspaper an interesting article about a large grocery 
chain stating they are now supporting pet insurance with a pet insurance company with the quick and easy process in claiming, and very affordable in protecting the health and welfare of our furry friends. When your pet is in need of veterinarian services due to accidents, sickness, and scheduled office visits, the reimbursement on a claim is usually within several weeks. This is really a great way to go in protecting your financial concerns regarding the health of your pet. Pet insurance companies offer different coverages and the age of the pet may be different as well, but anywhere from several months to 9 years of age can be insured for medical coverage.
This particular pet insurance company offers coverage with the renewal of the policy that will insure your pet for life. The eligibility of accident coverage is for all ages of dogs and cats, and deductibles may vary from one insurance company to another, but 
being able to save money in keeping and maintaining your pet’s health is worth every penny of the cost for pet insurance opposed to not having any coverage at all. I am sure that all of us have heard friends, neighbors, etc, talk about how expensive their veterinarian bill was after an illness, accident, surgery, or for whatever reason. With the economy as it is today, you cannot be without a medical insurance policy on your pet, and another good reason is that the pet parent is able to use any veterinarian nationwide. Be Happy!
Brushing Your Dog’s Teeth – Whoopee!
Dental care in brushing your dog’s teeth will not be the most exciting health care effort you ever tried to give your dog, but boy is it ever exhilarating. Opening and 
looking in their mouth periodically will lessen the fear with consistency, especially when they are young, then when the time comes to start brushing their teeth the hassle will diminish gradually. This will also be helpful when and if you need to give them medication, then the fear will not be so great (that is if the medication is not horrible to their taste) when it is time to brush their teeth. Dogs do not like unwanted objects in their mouth, unless it is a nasty dirty old bone dug up from last year so this definitely will be a whole new experience, and I do mean experience for the pet child and their pet parent.
The care of dog teeth is now approaching, and when it is time to start this new adventure, there is a new and exciting dog toothbrush that has three flexible heads that maintain proper pressure for all surfaces of the dog’s teeth for thorough surface cleaning, and stimulate and massage your pets gum. Brushing your dog’s teeth on a regular basis is a major step in keeping your dog healthy, having good clean teeth, and avoiding offensive doggy breath will save future problems with their teeth and 
avoid high dental costs, but DO NOT use human toothpaste, there is doggy tooth paste on the market. Once they have lost their baby teeth and you have practiced with the pet child’s mouth and teeth, (if your dog was young) start deciding where and how often to begin this ritual in preparing a well-learned and satisfying togetherness. Learning how to brush your dog’s teeth, and them accepting what you are doing will take patience, persistence, and determination, but once all has been accomplished, you the pet parent can sit back and say to yourself, “job well done”, but just a word of caution, grown dogs will generally not take to this procedure very well, so be careful. Be Happy!
Do Your Really Need Pet Insurance?
You be the judge, compare pet insurance because so many pet parents are choosing to put their pet ‘down’ because they cannot afford pet insurance, which is a personal 
decision, but one that should be given major consideration. More than likely when your dog needs medical treatment will be something that can be taken care of by your veterinarian at a cost most likely affordable, but what if something major is over taking your dog’s body and may be a situation of life or death. This decision is very difficult in times of hardship and distress and is a terrible concern to pet parents who have no pet insurance to carry some of the financial load. Medication for non-significant issues that can be treated is usually less of a burden, but still of concern when money is short.
What is the answer cannot be determined on how much money the pet parents have, or how much they love their pet, but what is best for the pet. Purchasing pet 
insurance for the family pet at a very early age, will in time benefit the pet parent a great deal when they will actually need it. There are many choices of coverage from pulling teeth, yearly shots, or when you take your dog for their yearly physical, but usually all of these services are under $600 and does not affect family budgets as much as if the cost would be several thousand dollars for their treatment. When the cost becomes that high, the pet parent wants to do what is best for their pet and in considering that the severity of the dog’s health problems may not warrant continuing to try to save your pet, a decision will be made. Be Happy!
Dogs Need Exercise
Dogs are no different in needing exercise to keep in shape and stay healthy avoiding 
medical problems, just as much as their pet parents need to exercise. They have health insurance, but does your dog. Pet insurance will relieve the strain of large medical bills. If dogs have a large yard to play and run in, that is great, but what about the dogs who live in an apartment and only go outside to smell the roses.
Large dogs particularly need to have at least 30 minutes of exercise once a day, but it is recommended twice a day would be better. Exercise keeps your dog’s 
joints lubricated, which in turn can prevent arthritis that usually affects large dogs, and can be crippling if left unattended. Exercise keeps pet parents’ minds stimulated, and it does the same for their dog. Enjoy life together to avoid possible health problems. Be Happy!
Do I Really Need Pet Insurance?
This is the consensus of most pet parents during this time of economical crisis. This is understandable in trying to take care of financial responsibilities, but thinking and planning toward maintaining your pet’s health is important. The cost of veterinarian treatments, medication, ex-rays, lab work, and surgeries…has risen drastically the past several years. Possibilities of health problems during your pet’s lifetime, is a 
wise choice for purchasing pet insurance. If you have a large purebred dog, there may be some genetic illnesses such as hip dysplasia that may turn out to be is very expensive. Not all large pure breed dogs are affected, and this is something that research may possibly help in understanding just what breeds have this condition. However, many genetic conditions affect other dogs. This is why it is so important to keep an eye on your dog. Behaviors that are not normal will be noticeable for any abnormal mobility changes. Genetic conditions by defect in the underlying genes from parents of puppies or kittens can cause many difficulties in living a long and normal life. That is why I mentioned above on being cognizant of your pet’s behavior. It will tell you so much of how they feel and if they are in pain. Conditions can remain dormant for many years, so you as the pet parent can notice changes in their behavior.
Pet parents need to “embrace” their pets with pet insurance that will cover illnesses and lead a normal life. Treating hip dysplasia could will end up with surgery if not caught in time, and that may not always be successful. There are hundreds of genetic conditions that will affect not only purebreds, but other dogs. I guess you could look at it this way; humans contact 
certain medical problems as they grow older, pets are no different. Keep in mind that pain relieving medication and supplements will add up, so just consider the alternative. I am so conscious of this particular problem, because my boy Pope is suffering from this ailment. Had I known 14 years ago, pet insurance was available; things could have been different financially and his life could have been made easier. Be Happy!
Do You Brush Your Dog’s Teeth?
Back when … did we ever hear of brushing our dog’s teeth? I sure do not remember hearing anything about this, do you? I know that we, as adults, must brush our teeth every day to avoid tooth decay and gum disease, but who would have ever thought about brushing our furry friends’ teeth. Like everything else we do for our pets, I do not think I could have ever accomplished this with any of my previous dogs. To begin with, this is certainly an inconvenience and probably a small 
percentage of pet parents that will even attempt to do this. I would think this should be started at a very early age and become a routine that your dog will not like at first, but will figure it to be something that they will have to tolerate. It has been suggested that this should be done at least several times a week. Estimation is that at least 80 percent of all dogs will have some dental problems and disease before they are five years old, maybe even less. Puppy’s breath is such a sweet smell, but as they age, that can change severely without proper diet and care.
During a dog’s lifetime, plaque and tartar can build up, leading on to more serious gum disease such as halitosis, gingivitis, and periodontal disease. Gingivitis can be reversed, but periodontal disease cannot. Usually dental disease will start with plaque and if not treated soon enough by brushing their teeth will lead to additional problems. Dog’s teeth are for chewing meat and tough objects, but food particles and bacteria will collect on their gums. Without proper care of your dogs’ teeth, medical 
bills can be very costly. When you purchase your pet insurance, make sure that dental coverage is available. If any pet parents out there have had dental problems, you know how expensive it is, and most likely will not be much different for your dog. Periodontal disease can become very serious and cause other medical problems, and will start to travel into various parts of your dog’s body once it gets into their bloodstream. Their liver, heart valves and kidneys can become infected is left unattended. There are many products available in caring for your dogs teeth, but brushing will be less costly than the alternative. Be Happy!
Free Eye Exams for Service Dogs
I realize that only a few days ago I posted an article regarding pet insurance, but this is a free event that I felt was an article worth reading.
Thousands of Service Dogs to Receive Free Sight Saving Eye Exams in the U.S. and Canada
ACVO®/Merial® National Service Dog Eye Exam Event brings together veterinary ophthalmologists and thousands of service dogs for free exams. Registration begins April 1st for May 2010 event.
There are thousands of pet parents that rely on a guide dog, and depend on them for assistance in their everyday lives. These animals are being represented because of their very special jobs and have allowed independence for their master. This is exactly the reason for the National Service Dog Eye Exam. Guide dogs, handicapped assistance dogs, detection dogs and search and rescue dogs selflessly serve the public. Therefore, for the month of May 2010, the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ACVO) is launching the 3rdannual ACVO/Merial National Service Dog Eye Exam Event to help serve the dogs who dedicate their lives to serving us. More than 150 board certified veterinary ophthalmologists in the U.S. and Canada will provide free sight-saving eye exams to 
thousands of service dogs. This event is a success each year due to the outstanding support of our volunteer ophthalmologists, our sponsors and the service dog community. An eye exam for these dogs helps to identify any health issues in their early stages. The complete ocular exam will detect any retinal disease or early cataracts, and looks for things that will limit their vision. There could be an ingrown hair or anything that can result in a scratch of the cornea.
To qualify, dogs must be active “working dogs” that were certified by a formal training program or organization or currently enrolled in a formal training program. The certifying organization could be national, regional or local in nature. Specific service groups are listed on the website at www.ACVOeyeexam.org Owners/agents for the dog(s) must FIRST register the animal via an online registration form beginning April 1, on the website of the ACVOeyeexam.org. Registration ends May 16th. Once registered online, the owner/agent can locate a participating ophthalmologist in their area and contact that doctor to schedule an appointment, during the month of May. Appointment dates and times may vary depending on the facility and are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. The ACVO apologizes for any inconvenience our criteria for inclusion in the Service Dog Eye Exam Program may impose and we thank you for your interest.
The following non-profit organizations have supported to this event, the National Service Dog Eye Exam Day: American Animal Hospital Association, American Veterinary Medical Association, state veterinary medical associations in the U.S. and Canada, American Society of Veterinary Medical Association Executives, Veterinary Hospital Managers Association, Veterinary Ophthalmic Technicians Society, Guiding Eyes for the Blind, American Association of Detection Dogs, North American Police Dog Association, National Narcotic Detection Dog Association, Patriot Paws Service Dogs, Paws with a Cause, Department of Homeland Security and Service Dogs of America.
Regarding the qualifications for active working dogs or those in training:
The complimentary eye exam is provided to service dogs that have been formally trained (and have the corresponding paperwork) or have been certified by a nationally recognized service dog program. The purpose for the criteria is twofold. 
First, ACVO is developing a database that can be used in the future to identify potential eye problems associated with the jobs that certain groups of service dogs perform. To make the data useful they must carefully set criteria for participants. Second, over the past several years ACVO has had some individuals claim their dog was a service dog just to take advantage of the eye exam. ACVO diplomates generously donate their time and resources to provide eye exams for service dogs. These resources are limited and if nonqualified dogs fill the limited time slots allotted, then a qualified dog may be excluded.
Be Happy!
Reconstruction to Website
For the past several weeks I have been working on the addition of products that are replacing others, and including new choices that I believe will be exciting to pet parents. Whether you have a young dog or an older one, there are so many products available these days that were not available earlier when perhaps we as pet parents really needed them. Technology toward the maintenance of our dog’s health, safety, and welfare is out there for pet lovers to embrace. In doing so, dogs will live a better and much longer life than ever before. The updated addition will be adding new vehicles car barriers, orthopedic pet beds, and beds to make their kennels and crates more comfortable. A new feature that is exciting will be wonderful wooden pet crates that are constructed to use as an end table to your sofa or chair (even next to your bed), retractable leashes that have some awesome names (10 different ones), and pet fountains. You will not believe the pet gates that will be available. Beautiful wooden freestanding gates that can be displayed anywhere you choose in keeping your pet confined in your home when you prefer them to stay within limits allowed. You will be able to purchase pet feeders that will hold two meals, pet food and water stations, and pet stairs. Finally and yet importantly, flea and tick control to keep off those horrible pests that can cause such problems during the spring and summer months. Itching and scratching is hard on your dog and can cause terrible skin irritations.
These items will be available in a few weeks with much anticipation in offering items that are not only attractive, but also useful. What happy faces your dogs will be in experencing these new products. I am planning toward this all-taking place sooner, but it is time consuming in putting everything together. What will also be different in the reconstruction of my website with these new products, you will be able to purchase them directly from my site. I will continue the referral on several other products to other sites such as pet insurance … but you will notice the difference in appearance. I will give a heads up when the completion becomes closer to reality. Be Happy!
Happy Easter to Pet Parents and Their Pets
Petguardianangel and Petsafetyblog wish all a Happy Easter
I was just thinking the fun we had as children growing up and having Easter egg hunts on Easter Sunday. All the preparations ahead of time dying eggs, coloring them and creating delightful Easter baskets with goodies galore. Please keep in mind that dogs love chocolate, but do not give them any because it can be fatal. You do not want to experience a tragedy that could have been avoided. Give them one of their treats they love instead.
Just because we are not children anymore does not mean that this tradition should stop, and I am quite positive that it is still a celebration that will go on … Happy Easter , and Be Happy!