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You would do anything for your pet, but that doesn’t mean you have to let a trip to the veterinarian derail your financial security. In 2020, pet lovers spent over $30B in the U.S. alone for vet care.
While you can’t prevent every pet disease and injury, you can be prepared for them. It’s important to know which common health problems your pet is susceptible to and how to afford the best care to get them back on their paws again.
1. Heartworm
Both dogs and cats can get heartworm if bitten by an infected mosquito, though cats are not as susceptible to the disease as canines are. The FDA recommends that pets get tested and treated for heartworms yearly, especially since it can take years for you to see signs of infection. Veterinarians can prescribe regular preventative chewables for pets or administer a yearly injection that keeps the disease away.
2. Ticks and Lyme Disease
Ticks are parasites that can attach to any living host, especially dogs and cats, and cause infections and diseases, such as Lyme Disease. If left untreated, Lyme Disease can cause serious health issues. The best treatment is preventative. A topical ointment will help repel ticks, fleas, and mosquitos and all of the unwanted health problems those bugs carry.
Spot which is a pet insurance recommended by Cesar Millan, reimburses pet owners 70-90% of the veterinarian bill for injuries and preventative care. The preventative care add-on can help pet owners save hundreds on treatments, such as heartworm medication and flea and tick topical ointment.
3. Cancer
Just like in humans, cancer is becoming a growing concern in aging pets. Cancer affects each animal differently, but if you notice that your pet has a lump, legion, or is acting differently, it is time to seek veterinarian help. There are many treatments available for pets, including chemotherapy, which can help delay the spread and effects of cancer.
However, pet cancer treatment is expensive. According to Dr. David Vail, a veterinary oncologist quoted by CBS News, an initial cancer diagnosis can cost between $1,000 and $2,000, with chemotherapy costing between $3,000 and $5,000.
Many pet insurance won’t cover animals with pre-existing conditions, such as cancer. This is why it is important to get pet insurance before you think you would need it.
4. Obesity
While you might think your pug’s pudge is adorable, obesity in pets is a serious and growing problem. Obesity in cats can lead to other serious health ailments like cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension. Similarly, obese canines will experience more diseases and a shortened life span due to excessive weight. Veterinarian Centers of America report that about 25-30% of the general canine population is obese even though it is preventable.
While the cure for obesity might seem straightforward—just reduce your pet’s food—it isn’t that simple. Reducing your pet’s food rations can lead to other issues, such as malnourishment if done without the supervision of a vet. A veterinarian can help with diet consultations and check to make sure your pet doesn’t have other underlying health conditions causing the pounds to pile on. Insurers like Lemonade offer illness coverage, meaning you are able to check out your pet for underlying conditions such as diabetes, arthritis and heart disease which can contribute to pet obesity.
5. Urinary Tract Infection
Pet urinary tract infections, UTIs, are caused by a build-up of bacteria in your pet’s urinary tract. While UTIs are easy to spot—the most common signs being painful cries while urinating or urinating more frequently or in inappropriate places—the cause of the UTI isn’t as easy to spot. A UTI can be a one-time incident or the result of a bigger health issue, such as prostate disease, kidney stones, or cancer or tumors in the bladder.
Whether your best friend barks or meows, to say you love them is an understatement. Keeping your pet healthy should be at the top of your list, and for many common pet ailments, prevention is the key. Diet and regular exercise are great tools to help your pet live the longest, healthiest life possible. Regular visits to your veterinarian are also essential to prevent and treat ailments before they become bigger problems.
How Can I Protect My Pet?
Most pet insurance plans start at $20 per month, depending on the pet and coverage plan. This affordable coverage can be for regular pet visits, preventable care, and for accidents and illnesses. Knowing you won’t have to pay a fortune every time you visit your vet makes it easier to make regular checkups and preventative care a priority.
Keep your pet covered from nose to tail with these top pet insurance providers:
Spot Pet Insurance is a pet insurance agency serving cats and dogs throughout the U.S. All plans are customizable, allowing ‘pet parents’ to select the right level of coverage to fit their needs and budget.
Embrace offers A+ customer satisfaction with full coverage for accidents, illnesses, and hereditary conditions.
ASPCA® Pet Health Insurance plans are offered by PTZ Insurance Agency, Ltd. with the same devotion to caring for animals that has defined the efforts of The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals® (ASPCA®).
