Over the last few years veterinary care has advanced significantly. Increasingly sophisticated methods provide high-tech solutions to previously impossible problems. These days, veterinarian clinics use equipment and drugs not too far removed from those used to treat human patients in your local hospital. This is appropriate, since most pet owners see their animal companions as part of the family and want the quality of medical treatment to reflect that. But how does that affect vet costs?
If you’re a vegetarian or vegan, and you feel strongly about the moral choice you’ve made, then you face a conundrum when it comes to pet food. On the one hand, you may be loath to support the meat industry in any way, including meaty dog foods. On the other, you’re concerned about the implications a vegan diet would have for your dog’s health.
Dogs, like people, are vaccinated against certain diseases to prevent infection or minimize the severity of infection. Vaccines are credited with lowering the incidence of certain diseases in dogs. This is one of the reasons why vets are so concerned about any controversy that surrounds pet vaccinations. If people decide that dog vaccinations are overrated, there could be a resurgence of diseases previously under control.
The cost of healthcare for pets and humans has risen dramatically over the past two decades. In pet healthcare, costs have increased by 60% since 1994. Over the same period, the increase in median household income has been less than 10%. So taking care of pets presents a significant challenge to the average American family. And America is a pet-loving country.
There are 7.5 billion people in the world and an estimated 525 million dogs (cat population estimates are too “fudged” to have value). Approximately 86.4 million cats and 78.2 million dogs call America home. And they all have a significant environmental impact.
There are two words dreaded by anyone who works with puppies: Parvo and distemper. They are deadly diseases that can kill puppies quickly (with suffering) or more slowly (with more suffering). Vaccinating dogs is one way to prevent the diseases, but so is knowledge.
Scary fact: An estimated 25% of dogs and 20% of cats will contract some form of cancer during their lives.
There are various kinds of cancer, and different breeds are associated with higher risks of certain kinds of cancer. It can even pose a higher risk depending on where you live.
Laser therapy is the stimulation of tissue to promote healing in animals. There are two basic kinds of laser therapy: cold and hot. We’re going to look at both types and how they’re used to treat different conditions.
Your bouncing, bounding bundle of furry joy is now getting on in years. Fortunately, due to better healthcare practices and improved nutrition, our furry friends are living far longer (and happier!) than they were just a few decades ago. Senior pet food that has been specifically developed may help alleviate some age-related problems. However, a one-size-fits-all approach may not work for all.
Bad news for dog parents is that summer is snake season, which means that humans and dogs are at risk of snake bites. While the prospect of being bitten, no matter the snake, is not a happy one, the fact that venomous snakes abound across the entire continental US makes it somewhat worse (Alaska is not plagued by snakes – they have the sense to avoid the extreme cold).
