pet talk
Keep the winter pounds from piling on
November 10, 2008
Especially in colder seasons, muscles and joints may not fare well if your pet is outdoors all the time and not given the opportunity to warm and loosen up. Get out there and take a walk with them. Start out slow and begin to pick up the pace. I'd shoot for somewhere between 30 and 60 minutes. Keep in mind bigger dogs can go further. Five miles in 2 hours is a great goal for once or twice a week. It'll keep both you and your dog in great shape!
The Three Legged Dog
August 26, 2008
As I was standing at my operating table amputating a gangrenous leg, I couldn’t stop thinking about the difficult journey we had traveled to get to this point. A loving owner was now facing a serious financial burden for the treatment of her pet.
Her dog had been injured while attempting to jump a fence; the leg had become caught and tangled, an injury that quickly lead to severe damage and a necessary amputation. Saving the leg was possible, but would’ve cost the owner $6,000 to $7,000. Who has that kind of disposable money? It was a young and energetic dog with an owner who was scared for her best friend’s health and well-being – and who was financially unprepared for such an emergency.
None of us expect massive injuries that require costly treatment, but as pet owners we need to be aware of the possibilities – and that there are ways we can help be better prepared, such as pet insurance. I recommend a simple policy to cover catastrophic events. A monthly premium of $15 to $20 would cover the thousands of dollars for severe injuries or illnesses. Here are a few links to pet insurance companies:
Online Medications: Friend or Foe?
