Kenosha, Wisconsin (PRWEB) June 18, 2014
In 2008, the housing bubble burst, the economic downturn began, and companies were laying off workers. To help cut costs, pet owners started skipping veterinary visits until it became critical reports Kenosha veterinarians. A study by Bayer found that pet owners blamed the rising cost of healthcare for animals as a reason they no longer took their pets in for routine care, such as vaccines and blood tests. In fact, this same study found that over 50% of pet owners were surprised by the cost of care which led to decreased visits at their veterinarian (John O. Volk, Karen E. Felsted, James G. Thomas, & Colin W. Siren, 2011).
Unfortunately, in an effort to save money, pet owners may have inadvertently cost themselves more money. Preventative care visits, which include vaccinations, blood tests, and fecal testing can cost $150-$300+ depending on the area where a pet owner lives. Without preventative care, diseases that could have been prevented can cost over $1,000 to treat. Additionally, some of these diseases are contagious to humans and could lead to long-term, severe repercussions for the families that own cats and dogs.
Last year, Kenosha veterinarians started to see Parvovirus make a comeback. This virus causes a severe, bloody diarrhea in dogs. Parvovirus is disease for which veterinarians have had a good vaccine available for years. The American Animal Hospital Association lists this vaccine among diseases that all dogs should be vaccinated against on a routine basis. Without vaccination though, treatment nearly always costs over $1,000 and a dog may still die before treatment is successful. Without treatment, the disease is usually fatal.
Many dogs and cats also carry fecal worms. Kenosha veterinarians will routinely recommend checking feces for worms. However, in an effort to save money, some dog and cat owners are declining this simple test. One worm that is carried in cats and dogs can cause blindness, especially in children. With routine preventative care and testing, Kenosha veterinarians can help stop this problem.
Preventative care is not expensive, but skipping it could be costly for your pet, your pocketbook, and your family. For more information about the dangers of skipping routine healthcare for your pets, please contact Dr. Susmilch and the staff at Prairie Side Veterinary Hospital at 262-694-0402.
Prairie Side Veterinary Hospital believes that “quality care” is about much more than a checkup, a diagnostic test or a surgical procedure – although they certainly do offer those things. More than that, it’s about making a connection with their clients and the animals they love. It’s about forming a lifelong partnership and working together, as a family, to improve the chances of your pet enjoying many happy, healthy years by your side.
Prairie Side Veterinary Hospital
http://prairiesidevet.com/
5803 75th Street
Kenosha, WI 53142
262-694-0402
