Your pets are members of your family, so it is natural for you to want to protect them. Two of the most important things you can do to keep your dogs or cats safe are providing for their medical care and providing them with identification in case they are ever lost. To provide for the unexpected expenses you would incur if your pets were to become ill, you should consider buying pet insurance, and to identify your pets, you should consider microchipping them.
Pet Insurance
The Cost of Veterinary Care
Pet owners demand advanced medical care for their pets, and veterinarians are able to provide this care. Procedures and services that were once only available in human hospitals, such as advanced imaging, laser surgery, interventional radiology, access to specialists and others, are now available for pets. Unfortunately, these advanced techniques come at a cost. Pet owners spend several hundred dollars for vaccines and wellness care annually, and fees for treating an injury or illness can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars depending on the severity of the problem and the quality of care.
How Pet Insurance Can Help
Pet insurance works on a reimbursement system. You purchase a policy for your pet, and the insurance company reimburses you for a percentage of the money you spend on covered services after you meet a certain deductible. Policies vary in the services they cover, their deductibles and the percentage of medical costs they pay. Some policies cover wellness services, but most are intended simply to pay for unexpected injuries and illnesses.
To make sure you get the best deal on insurance, you should buy a policy for your pet when the animal is young. Premiums for young animals are significantly lower than those for older animals, and it is a good idea to protect your pet before the animal has a chance to develop a medical problem that would make it difficult or impossible to insure. Insuring your pet is a good way to avoid having to make heartbreaking decisions about medical care based on money.
Microchipping
The Importance of Identification
According to a survey conducted by the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies, 16% of dogs and over 40% of cats that were taken in by shelters in 2012 were euthanized. The majority of animals that left the shelters did so as a result of adoption. A smaller number were reclaimed by their owners. To increase the likelihood of being reunited with your pet if the animal becomes lost, you need to make sure your dog or cat can be identified by anyone who finds the animal.
How Microchipping Can Helpdog and cat
A pet microchip is slightly smaller than a grain of rice and it transmits a unique number when scanned by a scanner tuned to the correct frequency. Most shelters and veterinary offices have scanners that can read these chips. The number in each chip is associated with the animal’s owner, so when a clinic or shelter staff member scans it, he or she can easily find the animal’s owner.
Unlike collars and other identification methods, microchips are permanent. A veterinarian uses a needle to insert one of these devices under your pet’s skin. Typically, veterinarians place the devices between the shoulder blades. The procedure is usually no more painful than a normal injection, and the pet does not need to be sedated or under anaesthesia to be microchipped. Once inserted, the device is nontoxic to the pet and serves as a continuous form of identification.
Our veterinarians are passionate about providing exceptional care for your family pets. Contact us today to book an appointment.
Comments