Pets Best Newsroom

Blog posts Categorized under ‘Pet News (General)’

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.

Keeping cats healthy

Posted on: February 22nd, 2011 by

A cat with cat insurance eats a snack.

Keeping your cat healthy can help them live a longer, healthier life, and there are several things you should consider to keep your cat healthy.

While cat insurance can help you provide the best veterinary care for your cat, Al Townshend, DVM, of Wellpet, offers several tips to keep your cat healthy at home.

First, focus on your cat’s nutrition. It is important that your cat eats a quality cat food that includes ingredients like probiotics and Omega fatty acids. These ingredients will give your cat a shiny coat and increased energy.

You should also ensure that your cat is adequately exercised. Feline obesity is one of the top pet health concerns when it comes to cats. Obesity can lead to diabetes, hip and joint problems, and heart issues.

Many people don’t realize that cats need to be socialized. Your cat should be socialized from the time they are a kitten. Socialize your kitten as much as possible—pick him up, hold him, pet him, and introduce him to new people. Socialization will allow your cat to be a part of the family.

It is important to ensure that your cat is in a safe environment. Avoid using chemicals around your cat because they are more sensitive to the ingredients found in these types of products. Air fresheners and cleaners can also lead to asthma. Keeping your cat’s environment as safe as possible can help eliminate unnecessary pet illnesses and injuries.

Cancer in dogs, common but treatable

Posted on: February 21st, 2011 by

A dog with pet insurance sits outside.

February is Responsible Pet Owners Month, and dog owners should be aware of the cost savings pet insurance provides in the event of a common dog ailment.

Lymphoma is the most common cancer in dogs, according to “When the Diagnosis is Canine Cancer,” a January, 2011 article in the Times Herald-Record of Middleton, NY.

The article reports that Canine Lymphoma can affect just one organ, or spread throughout the body, just like human cancer. Most commonly, it attacks the lymph nodes. Other common areas affected are the liver, spleen, and gastrointestinal tract. The cause of the disease is not known, but the treatment includes expensive chemotherapy. Because of the high rate of this cancer, pet insurance is recommended to help pay for both wellness exams to catch potential cancer early, and to help pay for treatment.

At the Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine, chemotherapy for dogs involves a 25-week course that costs $180 per week on average. Chemotherapy is the most effective treatment for Canine Lymphoma; remission occurs in 70%-90% of dogs treated, and some dogs are cured completely. Golden Retrievers are at the highest risk of developing Lymphoma, and other dogs in the high-risk pool include Beagles, Boxers, and Rottweilers. However, any dog can develop this common cancer.

Dog owners concerned about treatment costs can ease their fears with pet insurance comparison. By researching pet insurance online, responsible pet owners can find the best plan for their budget, their dog’s breed, and health risks.

Pet health: Outdoor cats

Posted on: February 3rd, 2011 by

A cat with pet insurance keeps warm outside.
Cat pet care should be at the top of your priority list, along with pet insurance and your cat’s overall health. If your cat must stay outdoors, make sure to take the proper precautions to ensure he stays safe.

Cats that live outside are at risk for a number of potentially dangerous conditions, which is another reason cat insurance should be a consideration.

It is important to make sure that your cat has a safe shelter from all of the elements. Cats should have a place where they can go to escape the cold and wind. The shelter also serves as a place to keep your cat warm and dry. The shelter should just be large enough for the cat to turn around and stand in. The cat’s body heat will help to keep the shelter warm.

Cats should have access to plenty of fresh food and water. Cats will tend to eat more during the winter due to burning more calories in order to keep themselves warm. Place food and water in plastic bowls to prevent tongue injuries. Metal bowls can cause their tongue to stick to them which may lead to injuries. Check water bowls daily to make sure the water hasn’t frozen. If you suspect there has been an incident that may have hurt your pet, take him to the veterinarian. Pet insurance can help keep veterinary costs, like these, down.

Cat health insurance will allow you to take your cat in for a check-ups whenever you need to, to ensure your cat is healthy. Cats that are sick can have a more difficult time dealing with the elements than a healthy cat.

Top 3 things to do when caring for a stray kitten

Posted on: January 20th, 2011 by

New born kittens with pet insurance drink from a bottle.

I don’t know if I smell of catnip or if word has gotten around to the local cats, but I am one of those people who always seems to find the strays and lost kittens in the neighborhood.

I’ve repeatedly exclaimed, “the kitten can stay – but just for tonight,” only to find myself with a growing number of lifelong family pets.

While new born kittens can be slightly more intense than the needs of adult cats, taking in and taking care for a newly rescued stray kitten isn’t so complicated if you keep a few things in mind.

1. A stray kitten will almost certainly have fleas, and may also have worms. Fleas carry parasites, so if your kitten has ingested any fleas while grooming herself, she’s probably taken in a few parasite hitchhikers.

You can purchase a flea control agent and medication, especially for de-worming kittens, at most pet stores. Be sure you buy the type intended for your kitten’s size and weight. Adult dosages can be toxic to small kittens. Dawn dish washing detergent is a gentle and effective kitten flea shampoo. Any stray kitten should be washed immediately if brought into the home to prevent an indoor flea farm.

2. Spaying and neutering is an important part of responsible cat ownership, as is purchasing a pet insurance policy for your beloved feline. A kitten may be sterilized as young as 8 weeks old, so contact your local rescues and research and see if you can find a spay neuter assistance program. Sibling kittens will mate earlier than expected if not fixed.

3. Pet health insurance is an excellent investment for your new kitten. Not only will you pay very low pet insurance premiums due to your kitten’s young age and presumable lack of pre-existing conditions, but many cat insurance policies also offer wellness and routine care packages.

« Previous Page  1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ... 27 28   Next Page »
powered by SEO Pager