Protection for Our Furry Companions
Our pets are not just animals; they are cherished members of our families. One of the significant advantages of planning ahead is the ability to ease the decision-making process when faced with unexpected medical costs. Rather than being forced to make difficult choices based on financial constraints, having a safety net provides the flexibility to make decisions based on what’s best for your pet’s health.
The Rising Cost of Pet Healthcare: Navigating Financial Realities
As veterinary medicine advances, so does the quality of care available for our pets. However, this progress comes at a cost. Medication, lab work, payroll, building expenses, equipment, etc. are all increasing in price, and many clinics incorporate those costs into their pricing… ergo, the prices need to increase to keep the clinic open and functioning.
Saying “Yes” to Preventative Care
Why do vet clinics recommend vaccines, heartworm prevention, spaying/neutering, and annual dental care? Honestly? It is to protect your pet and save you money in the long run. Let’s look at an example understanding that pricing varies between clinics, states, and countries.
Example 1: Spaying your Pet
Scenario A: Your vet recommends spaying your female puppy. This means the surgical removal of her uterus and ovaries. They quote $400 for the procedure, post-op meds, and e-collar (aka cone of shame). Your puppy recovers in 2 weeks with minimal scarring.
Scenario B: Your puppy has grown up and other than her heat cycles, everything has been fine for the last 7 years. Suddenly, she goes off food, seems really tired, and her belly is painful. Your veterinarian diagnoses her with a uterine infection (aka pyometra). This is a surgical emergency that only grows more serious as your dog’s uterus fills with pus and she becomes sicker, even septic. Your vet quotes a minimum of $1200 to stabilize her and remove her uterus and ovaries. If this is after hours, your vet is already over-committed to other patients, or if you don’t have a veterinarian, you’ll head to an emergency clinic. Depending on how sick your dog is, you’ll receive a quote for $2,000 to over $5,000 for surgery, IV medications, hospitalization, and supportive care. Sadly, some dogs don’t make it even with the best care.
Example 2: Vaccinating for Parvovirus
Parvo is a potentially life-threatening, highly contagious viral disease of young dogs and dogs with weakened immune systems. It attacks rapidly-dividing cells, like those found in the bone marrow and GI tract.
Scenario A: Your veterinarian will likely recommend your puppy is vaccinated at 6 weeks, 9 weeks, 12 weeks, and 16 weeks of age (some high-risk areas even go to 20 weeks of age). We vaccinate this frequently because the immune system provided by mom (in-utero and nursing) is waning but actively interfering with your pup’s ability to develop immunity. Then your vet recommends annual vaccination. By one year of age, your pet has had 6 parvo vaccines. If each vaccine costs $40, you’ve paid $240 for parvo protection alone.
Say your pup becomes infected, even after being vaccinated. Since your pup’s immune system has “seen” the virus before, it is much more efficient at combating it, and hopefully their symptoms will be less severe. In some cases, outpatient treatment can be successful.
Scenario B: You elect to not vaccinate your pup. You even try to do the right thing by keeping them away from other dogs, which may carry the virus. But your puppy goes into a contaminated yard and becomes infected. If your pup is really sick, hospitalization is recommended that can range from $2,000 to $5,000 and up.
These examples are not to “scare” you, they are real situations faced by real pet owners every day. The same applies to other vaccines, heartworm prevention, and annual dental cleanings. It is way cheaper to go forward with preventative care than to hope for the best and face expensive vet bills when your pet’s luck changes.
Building a Safety Net
As a pet owner, you have several options to build a safety net for pet care. I recommend starting this process as soon as possible. Hopefully, you will never need this safety net, but animals are unpredictable and even minor illnesses incur vet bills.
Savings Account
Most banks will allow you to create a new savings account. Even contributing $5/week will allow you to slowly build a “rainy-day” account for your pet. I personally have 2 savings accounts – one for my pets, one for me. This helps me know what my budget is for pet care without putting myself in financial jeopardy.
Care Credit
Now, not all clinics accept Care Credit, but most major pet emergency rooms take it, and their website touts that it is accepted at over 260,000 locations. Care Credit is a credit account you can use for both human and animal medical expenses. There is no annual fee, and most applicants can get a pretty low interest rate. You can find out more at www.carecredit.com.
(Note: VetMobile is not affiliated with Care Credit and we do not currently accept this method of payment. Why? Vet clinics have to pay a fee to utilize this program. VetMobile is a young, growing practice – we hope to use this program soon though!)
Pet Insurance
There are a LOT of pet insurance companies out there. We recommend using websites like Pawlicy.com and Consumeradvocate.org to compare coverage and see what is right for your family and your pet. Many insurance companies will bundle home, auto and pet insurances, but make sure they actually cover what your pet needs.
Note: Pet insurance doesn’t work the same way as human insurance. You will pay your veterinarian up front and then you are reimbursed by the insurance company once your submit their proper paperwork. Some insurance companies even require a letter from your veterinarian (which we are happy to write!).
Just like any insurance, enrolling your pet in a coverage plan early is key. Starting coverage when your pet is young and healthy ensures that pre-existing conditions are not excluded, and you can maximize the benefits of the policy over the course of your pet’s life.
Planning Ahead Helps Everyone
As responsible pet owners, providing comprehensive care for our pets involves not only love and attention but also practical measures to ensure their health is safeguarded. In our current economy, it can be really hard to qualify for payment plans, set aside money, or purchase insurance. But it is so important in the long run to have a plan in place. As a veterinarian, we hate having to balance the best medical recommendations vs your financial ability vs keeping our business afloat. We all want what is best for your family and to keep your pets happy and healthy.
For more information, please consider the links below
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