Keeping Animals Healthy

[Catlady711]

Well if Indiana is seeing the same trend we're seeing at work, the ER hospitals are the only ones going to be booming with business.

For the last 2 years we're seeing an increase in the number of people forgoing heartworm preventatives, wellness check ups, and vaccinations until the animal is sick, then they think they can catch up on everything. They don't seem to understand that we can't be vaccinating a sick animal.

The other really bad thing we're unfortunately seeing more and more of is people waiting a week to several MONTHS when they notice a problem with their animals. I'm sure their thoughts are 'it will go away on it's own' or 'I just don't have the money right now'. But what's happening in reality is that the simple respiratory infection that could have been treated for less than $100 is now full blown pnemonia that requires hospitalization, lots of treatment, and can cost several hundred dollars. Or the dog that needed a simple dentistry a year ago now has such infected gums that the teeth are falling out, the animal is in great pain, requires lots of antibiotics and a major dentistry as well as lab work since the animal now has kidney, liver, or heart problems due to the infections. The animal hogging water for 2 months is now full blown diabetic and requires hospitalization, lots of lab work, return visits to get going on insulin injections and also has bad kidneys from waiting so long.

The really, REALLY bad part about all this is we're seeing a big increase in the number of people who are electing euthenasia as opposed to treatments because of the above.

Preventatives, vaccines, check ups, and timely dentals do more to save you money and pain for your pet than what waiting is going to cost you both.

Now if we could just get our clients to understand that.

[krazyaboutkatz]

The vet hospital that I take my cats to is open 24/7 because it's also an ER hospital. Even though they do charge more than many in my area, they're always busy. They've even outgrown their current hospital so they'll be moving to a new larger building in just a few weeks.

I always take my cats in for annual check ups and if I notice that they're not feeling well or not acting normally then I make sure to take them in for a vet visit. Depending on what's going on, I'll only wait a few days before deciding if it's going to get better on it's own or not. Sometimes I think I go too often but I'd rather get them checked out than worry if or when they'll get better. If I don't have the funds then I just use my credit card because their health is very important to me.

[Catlady711]

I always take my cats in for annual check ups and if I notice that they're not feeling well or not acting normally then I make sure to take them in for a vet visit. Depending on what's going on, I'll only wait a few days before deciding if it's going to get better on it's own or not. Sometimes I think I go too often but I'd rather get them checked out than worry if or when they'll get better. If I don't have the funds then I just use my credit card because their health is very important to me.

Vets & their staff LOVE clients like you. And no it's not because you go in more often, it's because you take care of your pets and don't wait until things are a total mess to deal with before you bring them in. I wish we had more clients like you. It's heartbreaking to see the condition some people allow their animals to get in before we get to see them and yet the owners swear up and down that they 'love' their pets.

[JackPDB]

For the last 2 years we're seeing an increase in the number of people forgoing heartworm preventatives, wellness check ups, and vaccinations until the animal is sick, then they think they can catch up on everything. ... The other really bad thing we're unfortunately seeing more and more of is people waiting a week to several MONTHS when they notice a problem with their animals.

It's not just pets, it's people, too -- ask any ER doctor; they'll tell you business is booming, while preventive visits are declining. In tough economic times, folks will skimp and save on healthcare, never thinking that each dollar spent now will yield big dividends down the line.

Maybe pet healthcare reform should be next on the agenda...
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[*LabLoverKEB*]

Well if Indiana is seeing the same trend we're seeing at work, the ER hospitals are the only ones going to be booming with business.

For the last 2 years we're seeing an increase in the number of people forgoing heartworm preventatives, wellness check ups, and vaccinations until the animal is sick, then they think they can catch up on everything. They don't seem to understand that we can't be vaccinating a sick animal.

The other really bad thing we're unfortunately seeing more and more of is people waiting a week to several MONTHS when they notice a problem with their animals. I'm sure their thoughts are 'it will go away on it's own' or 'I just don't have the money right now'. But what's happening in reality is that the simple respiratory infection that could have been treated for less than $100 is now full blown pnemonia that requires hospitalization, lots of treatment, and can cost several hundred dollars. Or the dog that needed a simple dentistry a year ago now has such infected gums that the teeth are falling out, the animal is in great pain, requires lots of antibiotics and a major dentistry as well as lab work since the animal now has kidney, liver, or heart problems due to the infections. The animal hogging water for 2 months is now full blown diabetic and requires hospitalization, lots of lab work, return visits to get going on insulin injections and also has bad kidneys from waiting so long.

The really, REALLY bad part about all this is we're seeing a big increase in the number of people who are electing euthenasia as opposed to treatments because of the above.

Preventatives, vaccines, check ups, and timely dentals do more to save you money and pain for your pet than what waiting is going to cost you both.

Now if we could just get our clients to understand that.

I couldn't agree more with this post! Preventative care prevents so many bad things... that end up costing you so much more than that dental cleaning. Working in the veterinary field, there are so many things I wish we could say to clients!