Archive for September, 2008

Fulfill Your Responsibilities Towards Your Pet by Investing in a Dog Health Insurance

Tuesday, September 30th, 2008
Robert Scott asked:


Insurance is very much a part and parcel of our lives and almost every individual opt for a convenient life insurance or property and asset insurance for any valuable objects that they possess. So, why do pet owners not consider a pet insurance for their beloved pets, which are an integral part and parcel of the family? When one brings home a pet, like a dog, one should be aware of all the added responsibilities that are associated with having a pet dog. Besides the essential responsibility of providing substantial food, basic veterinary care and timely vaccinations, exercise, grooming, love and care, a pet owner also needs to ensure that he or she is well prepared financially to provide the best care and treatment under any planned and unplanned situations like an accident or serious illness. Herein, lays the importance of a dog health insurance for your pet.

Now, many reliable pet insurance companies have various plans for dog health insurance and it is up to the owner to select a plan that best fits the needs and requirements of the pet as well as the owner. Veterinary care and treatment have become more and more extensive and expensive with the passage of time and without a suitable dog health insurance, it would be impossible for pet owners to provide their pet the much needed treatment and attention, in times of emergency situations. Suppose, your dog suffers from a genetic disease like hip dysplasia, then such a disease will only become evident when the dog grows older and not right at the beginning when you bring home a puppy. So, as a responsible and caring pet owner you must opt for insurance from the very beginning, so that you are financially prepared to handle the expensive treatment for the disease, as it begins to establish itself.

In many instances, a dog owner may not be so farsighted as to consider the unforeseen risks that his pet may face and hence, not consider the sensible option of getting a dog health insurance. However, unfortunately, if such pet owner is faced with the illness of his pet or the dog is in a serious accident, then many of them might have to resort to “economic euthanasia” of the pet, due to lack of sufficient financial resources for the pet’s treatment.

If you think that your dog deserves the best for its unconditional love and devotion, then you must prepared to look after it under all circumstances. Such concern for your pet can be translated into a suitable dog health insurance, where no matter what the condition of your dog is; you can rest assured that it will get the best treatment possible, as you can afford it on the basis of your insurance plan. The premium to be paid is nominal in comparison to the actual costs to be incurred; hence it also makes perfect financial sense to opt for pet insurance for every beloved pet of yours. Simply keep in mind the age, gender, breed and medical condition of your pet and select a plan to that will ensure a happy pet and a happy pet owner in the future.



Eric

What are the specific health benefits of owning a dog?

Monday, September 29th, 2008
dog health
Dellajoy asked:


Some guy wrote a letter to the editor complaining about people who pay so much attention to their dogs and spend money on them when there are charities that need help. Some people have written in to tell him that while they own dogs they also contribute to charities, etc and how dare he tell them what their hobbies should be. I’d like to write a short response of my own mentioning health benefits since no one has touched on that subject yet.

Casey

Does anyone know a good website where I can find health insurance for my dog?

Monday, September 29th, 2008
dog health
Inez J asked:


My dad told me that his friend got health insurance for his dog. The poor dog just recently got leg surgery and what would’ve costed $6,000 only costed $30 because of animal insurance. Does anyone know where I can look for insurance for my dog. I need to get him a check- up and neutered.
Thanks 4 the answers. How do I get my dog registered at the AKC? Yes he’s a purebred 2yr. old Golden Retriver. I don’t have any papers from his previous owner yet.

Elijah

Dog Health : (?

Thursday, September 25th, 2008
dog health
rowinndionisio asked:


hey guys i have a poodle kind of dog and hes fairly old im not really good with dog health so i wanted to ask… hes been really sluggish lately and lazy and his nose is pretty much dry all the time… we feed him a lot of human food… so hes pretty chubby hes still the same to me just a little more lazier… when i wash him his rectum seems a little inflamed but i try to wash it now with soap and water… i dont know if i should take him to the vet or not i love him and i want him to live forever hahaha what do you guys think i should do? about his dry nose, lazy mood, and inflamed rectum

Shannon

can dog pee in the carpet harm my health?

Thursday, September 25th, 2008
dog health
Tony asked:


i have a dog and occasionally he pees on the carpet, he is potty trained but sometimes he makes oppsies, i try to clean it as much as i can but the carpet is a really dark color so i dont see where the stains are so theres a good chance there are a few spots i havent cleaned. my apartment smells a lil like dog pee now and i am going to get professional carpet cleaning, but i was wondering, besides the fact that its gross, can the pee in the carpet be harmful to my health?

Rebecca

Do I need a Health Certificate to take my dog into Canada, in addition to my proof of shots?

Wednesday, September 24th, 2008
dog health
Stephen P asked:


I have proof that her rabies and other shots are up to date, but my vet charges $45 additional for a “Health Certificate” that she has examined the dog recentlly and the dog is in good health. I would like to avoid the extra expense of the Health Certificate if it is not really necessary. We are driving from Maine into Quebec City by rental car. Thanks

Tessa

FAQ About Dog Health

Thursday, September 18th, 2008
Mikael Rieck asked:


Many new dog owners often have questions regarding the proper care of their new canine friend. Not everyone has a vet on call 24 hours a day so it can sometimes be difficult to find the right answers right when you need them. In this article we’re going to take a look at a few of the frequently asked health questions new dog owners have asked and need to know.

One of the most popular questions asked by dog owners is how often should they take their dog to the vet? Typically a dog should have a yearly check up and an update on all his or her vaccinations. This is different for puppies. Puppies require more vaccinations and booster shots so they should definitely go more than once a year, but as they grow and get older you can reduce it down to one time a year. Dogs age more quickly than humans, so as a dog gets up in age you will probably need to take him to the doctor two or three times a year at that particular point in your dog’s life.

Another frequently asked question deals with the issue of neutering your pup. The simple and short answer to this question is that if you plan on using your dog to breed then you obviously should avoid that procedure. However, if you are not planning to use your dog for breeding purposes it may be a good idea to have him neutered. There are quite a few health benefits involved in having your dog neutered, such as less aggressive behavior. This procedure also greatly reduces your dog’s chance of having testicular cancer.

A lot of new pet owners ask about how to recognize when their dog is getting ill. It really pays off to know your dog well and his personality and behavioral patterns as this will be a main indicator in determining whether or not your pooch is sick. Pay close attention and watch for changes in his behavior, his eating and drinking habits, and his sleep pattern. If your dog seems to be urinating a lot more than usual that is a pretty strong sign something isn’t right. So is vomiting and sudden weight loss. Watch and notice for any limping, or maybe even a vocal indicator such as a whimper.

One question that gets asked a lot is about getting your dog to stop eating the lawn. Many dogs when they are let out to use the bathroom have a bad habit of eating grass. There are many suggested theories as to why this is, but none are conclusive as to why dog’s do this. The only thing that is known for sure is that when a dog munches on some grass he usually throws it back up. One of the best ways to keep your dog from doing this is to get some specially made grass that you place on your dog’s dog food that is supposed to help your dog stop eating the grass outside.

There are many more questions that new dog owners ask that just won’t fit into the body of this article. These are just a few tips and pointers to help you make sure you are taking care of your dog correctly and are helping you to help your new friend adjust to his new home. It can be easy to get overwhelmed at first when learning how to care for a pet, but in due time it will become natural to you, so don’t sweat a thing. Just hang in there and enjoy your dog!



Dylan

how much glucosamine should I give my dog for joint health?

Wednesday, September 17th, 2008
dog health
lovethosedoggies asked:


My 8 year old boxer mix has been showing some signs of arthritis-how much glucosamine supplement should I give him to help his joints operate better?

Caleb

Can someone help me with a dog health question?

Monday, September 15th, 2008
dog health
Megan asked:


My dog keeps scratching her ears. After a week I finally looked in there and one of them has black/brown colored “goop” in it. We took a Qtip and put alcohol on there to clean it out. We couldnt get it all. Does anyone know what she might have? Also, is there something at the pet store we could get. Trying to avoid a Vet bill unless she needs Rx’s. Thanks for any help.

Oliver

Your Dog Health Care Must Include Annual Rabies Shots

Saturday, September 13th, 2008
Sylvia Dickens asked:


h care must include regular rabies shots, although many dog owners do not keep their pets’ vaccinations up to date. The misconception is that since the dog doesn’t run free, it’s not important.

Even though you keep your dog restrained on a leash or in a yard, you can never guarantee he will not come in contact with this deadly disease.

Did you know that your dog can pick up the rabies virus simply by licking the ground? If a rabid animal has left saliva or other body fluid shortly before you passed, your dog is at risk.

Much of the focus for many owners is on obedience training. Dog health care is often only an issue when the dog first arrives at the home or when it becomes ill.

Rabies shots are essential if you want to ensure your dog stays healthy. But that’s not the only reason. If your dog comes in contact with a rabid animal, such as fighting with a raccoon, skunk or an infected dog, your pet could be euthanized.

And if that isn’t enough to get you to the vet, consider that rabies is a threat to your family as well.

What can you do to protect your dog and your family?

Rabies vaccines gradually lose their effectiveness over time. The longer it is since your dog was vaccinated, the more at risk he or she will become. In fact, within as a little as six months, your dog could be at risk. The maximum length of time the vaccine lasts is about two years, but by that time it’s effectiveness has deteriorated significantly.

Many people use this two-year point as the period when they give their dogs booster rabies shots. This is an unsafe practice.

For the best protection, you must have your dog vaccinated every year. Any good vet will send you a reminder every year that your dog’s shots are due.

Dog health care is important, but preventative health care is more important. It ensures your dog is protected against dangerous and painful diseases. Rabid animals suffer terribly. The disease affects their entire nervous system causing death. There is no cure.

Regular dog health care measures can protect your family from the rigors of taking the ‘cure’ if your dog does come in contact with the rabies virus.

And rabies dog health care can save your dog’s life.

Recently, two dogs in North Carolina suffered after fighting with a rabid fox. One was quarantined for 6 months, the other was euthanized. That state also had a cat and a raccoon that were rabid.

You can never be sure when rabies will be present. Infected neighborhood cats, raccoons and skunks can wander into any yard without your knowledge and leave rabies-laden saliva.

If you seldom hear about rabies, do not think that your dog is safe. Every year somewhere in the country there are reported cases of rabies in wild animals. Unprotected dogs have been euthanized after fighting with those rabid animals.

Protection is far better than treatment after the fact. There is no reason for your family or your dog to suffer. It takes about 15 minutes a year to get your dog vaccinated against rabies and other serious diseases.

Make sure your dog health care includes regular rabies vaccines to ensure your dog’s and your family’s safety.



Brock