*** TEN POINTERS TO REDUCE VETERINARY COSTS FOR YOUR DOG *** With the increasing costs of providing

high quality veterinary care today, we are more than aware of your desire to reduce your own expenses. We have a great deal of experience in both routine problems and emergencies; therefore, know the likely causes of most of the evils befalling pets. Doing some routine veterinary care of your own and protecting your pet from known risks may relieve the stress of visits on your pet and your pocketbook. Annual check-ups are ideal for bringing up any health issues and to ensure your pet is continuing in good general health. 1. KEEP YOUR DOG ON A LEASH WHEN NOT IN AN ENCLOSED YARD Almost daily a dog is brought to us because it has been hit by a car. Many of these owners are shocked to realize that their normally obedient pet did not heed their commands to come or stay. The severity of injuries varies significantly and many injuries, such as internal bleeding, are invisible to owners until their beloved pet reaches a crisis. Areas you would deem safer for your pet, such as trails or parks, also have risks. Other dogs, wild animals and dead, rotting garbage can pose a sobering danger and many of these injuries can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars. 2. ROUTINE BRUSHING OF COAT AND INSPECTION OF SKIN Frequent brushing and bathing will help maintain healthier skin and close inspection of the skin will reveal signs of infections, allergies, fleas, and lumps. Many of these things are less expensive if treated sooner rather than later. Pay particular attention to the anal and vaginal areas as this will be a favorite area for fly larvae (maggots) to nest, especially if the area is always wet or has excessive matting or irritation. 3. TRIM YOUR DOGS NAILS YOURSELF Good nail trimmers are inexpensive and easy to use. Occasional nips of the quick are easily dealt with by purchasing a powder like KWIK STOP to stem the bleeding and is painless to apply. While our staff here are more than pleased to trim your dogs nails for you, two or three trims will pay for all the supplies to do it yourself for the rest of your pets life. A dogs nails should be trimmed about once a month to prevent the risk of breaking or tearing a nail, which could be expensive to fix. 4. CHECK THE EARS FREQUENTLY A quick look inside the ears once a week could detect the presence of an infection or wax build up. If there is excessive redness or itchiness or a noticeable discharge, have the ears examined as soon as possible. A visit to gently clean the ear and provide medications will be a lot less costly than treating an advanced problem under sedation or general anesthetic. Also, treating an infection at an early stage will make it less likely to recur later. You can purchase an inexpensive ear cleaner and do the occasional cleaning yourself if necessary. For dogs that like to swim in the summer, the ears should be dried with a cotton ball or two after every swim.

5. BRUSH YOUR DOGS TEETH Yes! It can be done! There are toothpastes available for dogs (dont use human toothpaste) or you can use baking soda. The frequency required will change with the type of diet your dog is on and your dogs tendency for plaque and tartar. Without regular brushing your dog may need periodic professional cleanings or teeth may decay more readily and require removal under general anesthetic. 6. EXPRESS THE ANAL SACS WHEN REQUIRED This is sometimes done during routine grooming and veterinary visits. Some dogs may never need them expressed. If your dog has frequent anal itching and scooting talk to your veterinarian, you can be shown how to express the sacs yourself safely. A few sheets of paper towel are a lot cheaper than a visit to the vet! 7. AVOID FLUCTUATIONS IN DIET While there is nothing wrong with a reasonable variety in the diet, sudden changes of food can often cause severe stomach upsets. High fat table scraps often cause pancreatitis, a potentially serious and expensive problem, if the dog is not used to them and getting into garbage commonly causes vomiting and diarrhea. If you do need to change the usual food, do so gradually over a period of a week or more. This will not only give the stomach a chance to acclimatize to the food, but your dog will more easily get used to the new texture and taste. Supplemental vitamins are not normally a requirement for dogs on a good commercial diet. 8. DONT LET WEIGHT GET OUT OF CONTROL There are diet foods available inexpensively which will help to keep weight off a chubbier pet. Outdoor activity and walks will help keep bones, muscles, joints and heart in good working order as well as use up excess calories. Excess weight increase the chances of heart disease, arthritis and intestinal problems as your pet ages and increases the costs of veterinary care over time. If your pet is showing some signs of excess weight reducing the amount of food will not only reduce their weight but also your food bill! Immediate savings! 9. KEEP MEDICINES AND CHEMICALS STORED AWAY Accidental poisonings and suspected poisonings are a very common occurrence, often expensive to treat and sometimes fatal. Only a teaspoon of antifreeze can lead to serious illness and slug and snail baits can be dangerously noxious resulting in potentially thousands of dollars in care. Medications you take fairly often like Tylenol and Advil can pose perilous to your pet. Give only medications prescribed or recommended by your veterinarian. 10. CONSIDER HEALTH INSURANCE FOR YOUR PET These plans are now available to dogs and cats in a wide variety of coverage. While there is a premium paid to the insurance company, the coverage could help take the sting out of a very expensive illness or pay for a possibly otherwise unaffordable procedure.