Pet Health Questions
If you own a pet-be it cat or mouse, piranha or puppy-chances are, you have your share of pet health questions you’ve always wanted to ask. Each type of pet no doubt comes with its own share of specific health-related questions that would take pages and pages to answer, but you’ll find a few of the most commonly asked health questions answered below.
Pet Health Question #1: Animals can’t talk, so how do I know when my pet is feeling ill?
While your pet may not be able to tell you in English what’s ailing them, you can learn to interpret your animal’s own language by paying attention to a few crucial signs. One of the first symptoms that something may be amiss with any animal’s health is a decline in appetite, especially in young animals. It’s very important, then, that you keep a careful eye on your pet’s food and water intake. Some pets, like older dogs, may skip meals occasionally, but if your pet refuses more than two meals or if a free-feeding pet suddenly stops eating, start monitoring for other symptoms Common symptoms of illness include a marked decrease in normal activity, a sudden decline in self-grooming, anti socialness, an unusual loss of fur/feathers/skin resulting in sores and/or bald patches, diarrhea, markedly increased water intake, watery or mucous-y eyes and nose, pale gums, and dehydration. Check for dehydration by performing a simple skin elasticity test. Find a spot on your pet’s body where the skin is normally tight (so, not the scruff of the neck) and pinch/lift a small amount. If the skin does not spring back immediately, dehydration may be a problem. If you notice any of these symptoms, don’t hesitate to call your vet While most illness aren’t serious at their onset, they can very quickly become serious, especially in very young or very old animals.
Pet Health Question #2: What steps can I take to ensure my pet’s good health?
Above all, you must know your pet, inside and out, physically and emotionally. Learn about your pet’s basic physical makeup so that you can pinpoint where problems might be originating. Also make a point of getting to know your pet’s personality and normal behaviors by spending a time with them. Grooming is a great way to bond with your pet, as you’ll get to know what’s normal for your pet’s body and what’s not. As you groom your companion, check for any unusual lumps, abrasions, or changes in skin condition, such as sudden dandruff or yellowing. Of course, preventing illness in the first place should be your goal. Offer your pet every chance to to stay as healthy as possible by feeding him or her a proper, species-specific diet of quality food, making sure your pet’s exercise requirements are met, going for annual vet check-ups, and guaranteeing that your companion is well-protected from the elements, predators, and other dangers of the outside world. Among these dangers are easily preventable, but extremely deadly diseases and parasites. Depending on the type of animal you own, you may need to have your pet vaccinated annually and have your veterinarian place them on a parasite prevention program to ward off worms, fleas, and West Nile virus.
Pet Health Question #3: Help I think my pet is sick, and I have no idea what to do
Your first task is to NOT panic. Pets are very perceptive of human moods, so if you’re panicking, chances are, they might panic too. Your second task is to assess the situation. If your pet has ingested a chemical or other foreign substance, is bleeding heavily, choking or gasping for breath, making pained noises, or is lying down and won’t or is unable to stand, you’ll need to call a veterinarian immediately. All vets have after-hours emergency numbers to call, and many cities now have 24-hour animal hospitals. Always keep your vet’s regular and emergency numbers in a handy place such as the refrigerator for instances like these. If it doesn’t seem to be an emergency, you’ll want to spend a few moments preparing a list of symptoms and asking yourself some questions so that you can tell the veterinarian as much as possible when you call to make an appointment.
What are your pet’s symptoms? When did the symptoms start? Has your pet taken any water or food since the symptoms began? If your pet becomes ill after normal veterinary hours, but the situation doesn’t seem to warrant a trip to the emergency clinic, then try to keep your pet as comfortable as possible. Offer a heat lamp, heating pad, hot water bottle, or blanket, but do not force them onto or under it. Does your pet want to hide? Let them, but monitor their condition regularly, even through the night. Bring outdoor pets inside, do not force your pet to eat or drink if they don’t want to, and do not wake them up if they wish to sleep. If symptoms seem to worsen, don’t hesitate to make an emergency call. That’s what your veterinarian is for-to assist you no matter what.
Hopefully, you’ve just had some of your pet care health questions answered. Keeping yourself informed and prepared is one of your obligations as a pet owner, so read up on the health needs of your specific type of pet and ask your veterinarian should you have any further pet health questions. Knowledge is the best defense and medicine when it comes to your beloved pet companions
Article written by: Barry Mcgee
http://www.squidoo.com/petcareonline
Filed under pet's health | Comment (0)Looking After Your Pet’s Health
Animal lovers have been saying it for years, but animals, especially pets, are people too! While this is usually meant as a joke, there are elements of truth in it. Many people consider their pet to be a member of the family, and especially for children, the companionship of a loved pet can be something they’ll remember and cherish for their whole life.
That is why there are some things that you should think about for your pet. Obviously you will want it to be happy, and you should therefore make sure that you are feeding it well, with nutritious and healthy food. This doesn’t mean going overboard and giving your dog steak every day, but there are plenty of good quality pet food brands on the market and if you choose one of these it should keep your pet happy and healthy.
Another thing you may wish to give consideration to is housing and space. Make sure you have enough space for the pet you choose. While this is a matter of personal choice, it is generally not such a great idea to have a large dog in a small apartment. If you don’t have a garden then make sure you take your dog out for a walk every day and let it get the exercise it needs. Physical exercise is very important to an animal’s well being, both mental and physical.
As far as health goes, you may wish to have you pet visit the vet for health check-ups. At least have necessary injections provided and other treatments that are recommended for the animal you have. This not only benefits the pet’s health but yours and your families also if they are in close contact with the animal. While vet costs can be very expensive, it is now possible to get pet insurance that will cover all the costs that may be incurred by vets. This is very important for your pet as many trips to the vet may not seem vital, but in fact are very important to an animal’s health and if you have insurance to cover the costs, you are far less likely to put the visit off and instead you will go and give your pet the treatment it needs.
Pet insurance is growing rapidly in popularity as people who genuinely care about their animal, but are not in a position to meet the potentially very high costs of treatment realise that they can provide everything their pet needs at an affordable monthly price.
Joseph Kenny is the webmaster of the insurance site http://www.insure121.com/ where you will find information, news and links to the leading providers of pet insurance in the UK.
Filed under pet's health | Comment (0)UK Pet Health Insurance
There are millions of pet owners in UK but the vast majority do not have pet health insurance; strange when you consider how attached people become to their animals and treating them like family members. We all know just how important it is to have health insurance; if that is the case, our pets should be looked after as well.
Considered by many as an unnecessary expense; that is until those pet owners face expensive vet bills when they are sick. No area is immune for price increases and vets fees are no exception; the result of this has meant that UK pet health insurance premiums have also risen as well.
The rising cost of protection is one point to consider but are there any others? Anyone who owns a domestic animal needs to be prepared for health problems occasionally; when this happens, the cost of treatment may even cause financial strain.
If you are in this unenviable position then a choice may have to be made; obviously this is something you would prefer to avoid especially if it is based on cost.
I remember a few years ago when the vet told me that it would cost at least 500 pounds to save my dog; all I could think about at the time was whether he was worth the cost, that’s awful, isn’t it? Especially when you know that even with the surgery and treatments, your pet could still die; animals do not always survive after a course of treatment or operation.
If you have a pet, then the cost of maintaining their health is a serious matter; when money problems occur, temporary or otherwise, this causes further worries. If you are experiencing money worries then raising additional finances can prove embarrassing.
A poor financial situation should never be a reason why a pet does not receive adequate attention; setting up a pet health insurance plan, will provide peace of mind, as this will never be a problem again. Although UK pet health insurance costs are rising they are not going to break the bank; these plans can be purchased from around twenty pounds or less a month which could save a fortune in the long term.
Various UK pet health insurance options are available; possibly to meet certain financial requirements. Pet owners providing a health plan for their pets is not the luxury you may think it is; perhaps the information supplied here has made things are a little clearer now and you won’t delay further.
To see a comparison of the top UK Pet Health Insurance Companies visitUK Pet Health Insurance Comparisonor visit Pet Health Cover for more information on Pet Health Insurance
Filed under insurance pet | Comment (0)Your Pet Health Insurance Questions Answered
Most people are familiar with healthcare insurance for themselves and their family but what about their pets? Animal cover is a new idea in insurance to help cover the four-legged members of the family.
Granted, your workplace may not cover the insurance but it is very valuable to have in case your mammal becomes sick. Routine veterinary care may not be expensive but if your mammal was to become sick or injured, costs could quickly mount up and be beyond your ability to repay. The old adage of “better to be safe than sorry” is very true when it comes to insurance.
It is better to have it and not need it than to find yourself with a sick animal and no way of paying the vet bills. Most people are unaware or inexperienced when it comes to mammal cover but this article will cover some of the basics when it comes to what to expect in it.
What is pet insurance?
Pet insurance is healthcare insurance for your pet. Primarily this insurance is taken out by dog and cat owners. Really expensive pets can be insured for their value. Chances are that if you can afford a $500,000 horse, you can pay for the veterinary bills out of your own checking account. This is used by those who would not be able to afford if their pets became seriously ill and required extensive care. It is a way to manage veterinary costs in the same manner as normal healthcare coverage.
Is there a co-pay or deductible?
Just as you pay a deductible for your own health insurance, pet insurance also has a deductible. But it is a significant amount lower. Most deductibles are $50.00 per accident category.
It does not work in the same manner as typical healthcare insurance. At the time of the vet visit you will pay for the entire amount and then fill out a claim form that is then submitted to the pet insurance carrier.
The carrier will pay you a set amount for that procedure. The costs allowed per procedure vary and only the insurance company can determine what percentage you will have to pay after the deductible.
How much out of pocket will I be expected to pay if my pet needs surgery?
Unfortunately the downside to pet insurance is that you will have to pay for the entire amount out of your pocket before the cover company pays you a portion back. When you take your animal in for surgery you will need to take along a claim form that the veterinarian will complete.
After completing the form and filling out the claim information, along with attaching copies of the receipts and invoices, you will mail or fax the information to the insurance. After reviewing the information the cover company will mail out a check for the amount of the procedure they cover.
Some veterinary clinics will make payment arrangements with you in case of an emergency. If you have a long history of good payments to your vet, you can discuss this at a visit. Chances are high that he or she can work with you. The ultimate goal of both you and the vet is a healthy and safe animal.
Is there a limit on what my pet insurance will pay out?
Yes, there is a limit on how much of the procedure is covered by the insurance company. This amount varies depending on which cover plan you select, what your deductible is and how much the actual procedure runs. When you sign up for it, the company will provide you with a list of procedures they cover along with how much per procedure is covered.
Can I buy my pet’s medications online and then be reimbursed for the expense by the insurance company?
All FDA approved medications will be reimbursed. All you have to do is include the receipt from your purchase of the medication, fill out a claim form and submit the information to the insurance company. The insurance company can provide you with the allowed amounts they pay for medications.
Visit Mike Selvon pets portal for more information on animal insurance, and leave a comment at our veterinary pet insurance blog. Don’t forget to claim your FREE gift.
Filed under insurance pet | Comment (0)Hello world!
Welcome to Blogvis.com. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start blogging!
Filed under Uncategorized | Comment (1)