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Blog posts Categorized under ‘Cat Health News’

Pet insurance tip: Vaccines for puppies and kittens

Posted on: March 30th, 2011 by

A new born kitten with pet insurance drinks milk from a bottle.

Booster vaccines play an important role in keeping your new puppy or kitten in the best pet health possible.

The vaccines that your pet receives when they are young help ensure they are protected from potentially deadly illnesses. Having your new pet covered by pet insurance plans can help you keep your new pet healthy by allowing you to get them the vaccinations that they need.

Puppies and kittens, like many other mammals, receive antibodies through their mother’s milk via colostrum. This is the milk that is produced during the first 36-48 hours after birth. The antibodies help to protect the new born puppies and kittens from illnesses and disease. After the second day, the puppies and kittens can no longer absorb the antibodies. This is why it is so important for newborn kittens and puppies to nurse the first two days of life.

The mother has a concentration of antibodies that is directly related to the antibodies that she will pass on to her young. The higher the level of antibodies, the longer their effect will last in the new born kittens and puppies.

It is important to get all of the booster vaccines for your puppy or kitten to ensure that they are protected against these illnesses.

Periodontal disease: The silent killer

Posted on: March 28th, 2011 by

A pet with dog insurance shows off his pearly white teeth.

Periodontal disease is a pet health condition that has become known as the silent killer. This disease not only affects the teeth and gums, it has the potential to cause an array of other serious conditions.

But unlike most diseases, periodontal disease can be prevented with proper pet dental care. Partner with your veterinarian to help your pet avoid the consequences of this disease. Having dog and cat insurance can help you afford to give your pet the best dental care available.

The inflammation and infection that is caused by periodontal disease has been linked to a number of serious pet health conditions including: heart attacks, kidney disease, liver disease, diabetes, strokes and osteoporosis.

Periodontal disease causes the destruction of the periodontal ligament and jaw bone, which anchors the teeth into the mouth. Periodontal disease begins with plaque, which is caused from bacteria and food particles. The particles become attached to the surface of the teeth and form plaque on the teeth as well as below the gum line. The plaque under the gum line causes gingivitis, which is an inflammation of the gums. If left untreated, the saliva in the mouth causes the plaque to become calculus. In most cases this condition can be reversed with a professional dental cleaning.

If the condition is not treated, the gums will become inflamed to the point where the tooth will be lost. In most cases, periodontal disease is detected before it reaches this irreversible state. It is important that your pet receives proper dental care to keep periodontal disease at bay.

Pet health: Dental disease

Posted on: March 24th, 2011 by

A dog with pet health insurance waits for a teeth cleaning.

Dental disease is the most common issue affecting dog and cat health. Dental disease is caused by the buildup of bacteria and food particles on the teeth and along the gum line. The condition progresses when the plaque turns into tarter or calculus that forms a bond with the teeth.

Regular pet dental care is required for proper pet health and dental hygiene. Many pet insurance companies, like Pets Best Insurance, offer wellness and routine care packages that can help with the costs of teeth cleaning.

There are several factors that contribute to the formation of plaque and tarter on the teeth and gums. Older pets are more prone to dental disease due to having a longer amount of time for the plaque and calculus to form. The size of the pet and their breed also play a large role. Small dogs and cats are at higher risk of getting dental disease due to the small size of their mouths.

Dental exams shouldn’t just occur at your pet’s annual checkup. You should be examining your pets’ teeth and gums when you are brushing them. Signs of dental disease can include: difficulty eating or chewing, drooling, loose or missing teeth, red or inflamed gums, sensitivity around the mouth area, bleeding gums, bad breath, and pus around the tooth. Take note of any growths seen in the mouth as this can be a sign of oral cancer.

Be sure to research the best pet insurance options for your cat or dog to help with the costs of routine care. If you have any concerns about your dog or cat’s dental health, talk to your veterinarian.

Pet insurance vs. saving for pet health costs

Posted on: March 17th, 2011 by

A puppy with pet health insurance sits on a pile of money.

Anyone who has owned a dog or cat understands vet bills can be pretty hefty. Between routine check-ups, vaccinations and tests, the costs can really add up.

When an emergency arises, however, the prices of testing and treatment become incredible— sometimes reaching the thousands! When it comes to handling the costs of the unknown future, it is important to weigh whether pet insurance policies or putting away savings is best for your dog, and your bank account.

According to an article published on Investopedia.com concerning the economics of pet ownership, “Diagnostic testing can easily top the $1,000 mark and can be as high as $5,000 – this does not include surgical care or long-term treatments and medications.” For this reason, saving may not be so practical.

What happens if you have only just begun saving and your pet requires a $5,000 test or surgical procedure? It would seem that you would either have to scrape together the money or borrow it—because we all know what when it comes down to it, our pets are worth it. Dog and cat insurance companies make this unknown a much easier bite to chew. In all cases there will certainly be a limit to the amount that will be covered in an emergency. Regardless, if the surgery your pet needs is $5,000, a $7,000 limit will be more than enough—and a $250 deductible is certainly much easier to handle. Visit pets best insurance to learn about plan options.

The other factor to take into consideration is whether pet health insurance will cover prescriptions and tests. Routine care could also be covered under certain policies or packages, which could lighten the blow of vet bills all around. In all cases, it is a great idea to read dog and cat insurance information to understand what coverage is available for a particular company. Saving may seem cost effective in the long run, but when you realize the wide range of services that are included in many policies, you may think twice.

Yearly vaccines: What your pet needs

Posted on: March 14th, 2011 by

A sick dog with pet insurance waits for treatment.

Annual vaccines are a part of your pet’s annual check up. Vaccines help boost your pet’s immunity and protect them from common pet illnesses, some of which can be deadly.

To help with the cost of annual vaccinations for your pet, make sure your pet has a pet insurance plan that covers annual vaccinations. Pet health insurance companies like Pets Best Insurance offer supplemental wellness plans.

Annual dog vaccinations generally consist of the distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus, parainfluenza, coronavirus, and rabies vaccines. Distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus, parainfluenza and coronavirus are usually given as a combination vaccine know as DHLPP-C. Many pet insurance companies help cover this if you have a wellness package.

Other vaccinations may include the bordetella and Lyme disease vaccine. If your dog is around other dogs frequently, your veterinarian will likely recommend that your dog get vaccinated for bordetella, more frequently known as kennel cough. If your dog goes camping or hiking, or you live in an area that is prone to ticks, then your veterinarian will likely recommend the Lyme disease vaccine. Lyme disease is transmitted by ticks and can cause serious neurological side effects.

Annual cat vaccinations generally consist of the feline viral rhinotracheitis, feline calicivirus, feline panleukopenia, and rabies vaccines. The vaccines for feline viral rhinotracheitis, calcivirus and panleukopenia are given as a combination vaccine known as the FVRCP vaccine.

If your cat goes outdoors at any time, then your veterinarian will likely recommend that your cat be vaccinated against feline leukemia. The feline leukemia vaccine is generally not recommended for strictly indoor cats.

Your pet’s annual vaccine protocol will depend on where you live, your pet’s age, and their health. Your veterinarian will discuss which vaccinations are right for your pet.

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