Saving At The Vet
We all love our pets. Cats, dogs, ferrets, and furry babies are family members. They eat and sleep under the same roof. They give affection when you’ve had a rough day. Your fridge, mantle, and social media are full of pictures of your animals clowning around, just like any other family member. We love them, and they get sick and hurt like the rest of the family. These tips show you that saving at the vet doesn’t have to be hard.
We Love Them
Like every other family member, if your pets get sick, they need medical care. Medical care for a family member – whether they are furry or not – can get expensive. Unlike what you have access to for other family members, few employers offer veterinary insurance.
This unfortunate circumstance can set families up to make tragic decisions. If your faithful furry friend needs medical care to save their life or daily medication to keep dangerous conditions at bay, costs can add up quickly. Yet, putting a price on your pet’s life isn’t easy. If multiple animals are involved, veterinary bills can become a natural source of stress. Letting a pet die because of costs, though, can wreak havoc on your emotional well-being.
There aren’t easy answers to these decisions; sometimes, they’re unavoidable. However, you can take steps to avoid these challenges. Let’s take a look at three steps to keep your furry friends safe and your savings account flush.
Stock A Veterinary First Aid Kit
Many pet health crises need a compassionate hand and some primary interventions. Dealing with scrapes, burns, and bruises can all be done without professional intervention. An expert consultation can solve many accidental ingestion incidents with care.
A first-aid kit for pets looks like a first-aid kit for humans. It would be best if you had supplies for dealing with cuts and scrapes, like gauze, adhesive tape, and an antiseptic spray or cream. For general illnesses, you need a thermometer to check for fever (make sure to get a fever thermometer- small mammals have natural body temperatures between 100 and 103), diphenhydramine (Benadryl) allergic reactions, and hydrogen peroxide to induce vomiting if necessary. You should also include activated charcoal or milk of magnesia to protect against accidental poisoning. Other things to include in an emergency first-aid kit include a blanket, a leash, and a muzzle.
It may be frightening to muzzle or restrain your pet, but try to see it from their perspective. Your pet is in pain and relying on instinct. Muzzling will help you feel more calm and more secure since you won’t be worried about being bitten. That calmness will translate to your pet, who will be easier to tend to when they are a little less panicked.
Before you take any steps to heal your pet, speak to an expert. Many veterinarians have emergency contact hours where they may be willing to walk you through essential first aid. The ASPCA also maintains an animal poison control number where you can speak to a trained representative. They can tell you if you need to induce vomiting, what dosage of activated charcoal to administer, or if you need to seek in-person veterinary help immediately.
Negotiate
Most veterinarians got into their practice because they genuinely love animals. They want to help your pet feel better. If you’re unsure about your ability to pay, be upfront about that. There may be several options available to you. Saving at the vet might mean speaking up.
If it’s a prescription medication, you may be able to have it filled elsewhere at considerable savings. Online pharmacies can offer discounted prices on many medications, and animal medications are no exception. These institutions may require a phone call or a fax from your vet, but most veterinary offices are well-equipped to provide that authorization. When your vet recommends a medication, ask for a written prescription so you can shop around to find the best price.
You may also be able to negotiate the cost of a procedure. Veterinarians may know of local charities that help fund care for needy animals. They may also be willing to reduce costs or work out a payment plan with you. No one – especially your vet – wants to see an animal’s life lost over finances.
Price Check Online
Sometimes you can find non-prescription items for your pet’s health online that will cost you less than buying directly through your vet’s office. Recently the vet gave my little dog a probiotic. After a few months of buying the probiotic, I checked online and found the same brand for half the price! I could even save a little more by having it automatically sent to me monthly.
Consider Pet Insurance
“Pet insurance” sounds like a ridiculous luxury good for the mega-rich. In truth, it’s no different than any other insurance that protects against expensive calamity. Compared to a veterinary emergency, these plans are very affordable. If you have an older pet, it’s worth considering.
Every part of veterinary care is expensive. For example, blood tests on a dog can easily cost $200. Pet Insurance could pay for it if you need two blood tests in a year. In fact, on average, dog owners spend between $500 and $1,000 each year on veterinary services. Getting a discount on that price could bring incredible savings.
Like with all types of insurance, some are better than others…so do your homework.
Now you have some tips for caring for your fur baby without breaking the bank. Saving at the vet does not have to be hard. If you like this post, check out our MoneySmart Tips Blog.
