Feline visits to the veterinary’s office have declined steadily over the past decade, despite the fact that the population of cats has increased over the years. It’s estimated that over half of household pets are cats, but felines only make up 39% of visits overall in the veterinary clinic1. Possible reasons for this trend include the misconception that indoor cats don’t need cat insurance or regular veterinary check-ups and vaccinations, and due to the fact that, well, getting the cat in the carrier and in the car and in the waiting room and then in the exam room is stressful for the cat, and you! Here are 5 tips for making your cat’s next vet visit smoother:
Pets Best Insurance Blog
About: Dr. Fiona Caldwell
Recent posts by Dr. Fiona Caldwell:
Smart Solutions for Cats & Carriers
Five Pet Hazards to Watch for This Fall
Ah, the crisp fall air, chilly mornings and early night-fall are clear indications that autumn has definitely arrived! Fall is a terrific time for family, as the days shorten and the school year starts up full swing. For many people ‘family’ includes the furry, four-legged members as well. And just as predictably as the leaves will change color, there are some changes that go hand in hand with the colder weather that you might consider in order to keep the whole family safe, happy and healthy this fall. Since accidents do happen, always have a pet insurance plan in place as a way to ensure your beloved pet has access to the best treatment available.
1. Antifreeze
Winterizing the family car often includes topping off antifreeze levels. Antifreeze actually tastes sweet, and therefore when left out, or spilled, pets will readily ingest it. Antifreeze is extremely toxic, especially to cats, where even a small amount can be lethal. Always prevent your animal’s exposure to household chemicals, and especially antifreeze. If you are concerned your pet may have been exposed to antifreeze, immediate veterinary attention is warranted.
Three Reasons Spay & Neuter Prices Vary So Much
Two of the most common routine procedures performed on pets are spaying and neutering. The benefits of spaying of a female dog, called routine ovariohysterectomy, and neutering a male dog, castration, include population control, fewer incidents of certain types of cancers and fewer hormonally-driven behaviors.
Because spaying and neutering are such popular procedures, it tends to be one of the most shopped-for veterinary surgeries. Routine pet insurance can help cover the cost, but we often have people call and ask about our prices anyway. The fact that there are such varying prices between vet hospitals and clinics can be confusing. Why would Clinic A cost so much more than Clinic B? Here are some things to recognize when deciding where to take your new best friend for his or her first surgical procedure.
1. Basic Requirements for All Surgeries
Some things must be absolutely standard in every spay and neuter, regardless of the cost. It is unacceptable if the price is lower because one of these standards of care is omitted.
When to Try Acupuncture
Holistic medicine – treating the whole body instead of just the injured or diseased portion – has been around for centuries. Whether or not it works continues to be a hotly debated topic in both human and veterinary medicine. Most veterinary clinicians agree, however, that holistic medicine can be helpful when paired with Western medicine in the treatment of inflammatory, neurological and painful conditions.
Acupuncture is one of the most well-known holistic treatments, even for cats and dogs, and some Pets Best Insurance plans include limited coverage for acupuncture treatment. Here’s what you need to know about acupuncture and whether it’s right for your pet.
Seven Warning Signs in Senior Pets
It’s always important to bring your pets to the veterinarian annually to be examined, and even more important for senior pets. But when should you consider making that appointment a little earlier? Being able to recognize the clinical signs of common diseases seen in elderly pets will help them get the treatment they need and improve their chances of recovery.
Always consider pet health insurance before your pets are seniors and start having problems, so they can get the treatment they need. Pets Best insurance has no upper age limits for senior pets so they can be insured at any time! Here are the top 7 clinical signs to look for at home in your aging pets, and what diseases they may be associated with:
1. Increased thirst, with or without increased urination.
This should always be accompanied by a trip to the veterinarian’s office. There are many diseases that can cause this. Some are simple and easy to treat, such as a urinary tract infection, others are more complicated and serious, such as kidney disease or diabetes. Your veterinarian will want to run a urinalysis and potentially a blood panel to determine the underlying cause.