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Last Updated: Jul 2nd, 2008 - 21:15:22 |
(NAPSI)-Keeping a pet's health from going to the dogs has become a top priority for many people in the U.S.
Americans will spend $41 billion this year on their pets and nearly $10 billion of those expenses will be on veterinary care.
Still, it doesn't have to cost a fortune to be a responsible pet owner. With a knowledgeable veterinarian, some preventive care and a little financial planning, welcoming a four-legged member to the family can be less expensive than you might think. Here's a closer look:
The Role Of Veterinarians
A good veterinarian can make all the difference in the cost of caring for a pet and the quality of your pet's care-so choose your doctor wisely. Talk to family and friends about their experiences and check with area breeders, kennels and pet stores for vet recommendations.
Develop A Wellness Plan
After choosing a veterinarian, work with him or her to develop a preventive health care plan for your animal. Pet doctor visits can help identify health problems in their earliest stages, when they tend to be easier and less expensive to treat.
Many veterinarians recommend pets receive two physical exams each year. A physical exam may include an assessment of a pet's general appearance, skin, breathing, heart rate, eyes, ears, digestive system and lymph nodes. Depending on the age of a pet, a veterinarian may wish to run a fecal test for internal parasites as well. Your vet can also counsel on the need for different vaccinations for your animal. Vaccines can help ward off disease and protect your pet's long-term well-being.
Consider The Costs
Routine veterinary care can potentially save a pet owner thousands of dollars and low-cost pet health insurance helps defray the costs of regular visits. For instance, VPI Pet Insurance offers Pet WellCare ProtectionSM plans that are designed to encourage and reimburse for routine care. The company also offers base medical plans that cover your pet for accidents and illnesses.
Some of the health procedures eligible for coverage include biannual physical exams, flea and/or heartworm preventive, and vaccinations or titers. The plan also reimburses for fecal testing as well as heartworm testing and blood screening.
Perhaps the most popular aspect of the plan, however, is its reimbursement for flea control. Left unchecked, fleas can cause or aggravate skin conditions and severe infections can induce anemia in pets. Preventive flea medications are effective, but need to be used consistently.
Emergency Care
Even when pet owners take preventive measures, pets may still require an emergency surgery at some point in their life.
Surgeries cost an average of $574 per incident for dogs and $334 per incident for cats, according to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association. The right pet insurance policy can be an affordable way to handle these often unexpected costs.
Medical plans from VPI range from $25 to $30 a month and help with the cost of examinations, testing and treatment of multiple conditions and illnesses.
"Pet owners who take steps to promote the health of their pet and manage veterinary costs are the ones who will be rewarded with a happy, healthy and affordable pet companion," said Dr. Carol McConnell, vice president and chief veterinary medical officer for the insurer. "Whether it's routine care or emergency treatments, comprehensive pet health insurance coverage empowers pet owners to make financially and medically wise decisions related to their pet's health."
For more information on pet insurance, or to receive a free quote, visit www.petinsurance.com or call (866) 823-5595.
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