Frugal Pet Care ?

Recently, I was listening to the Today Show as I was getting ready in the morning. They presented a segment about the cost of pet ownership and how to cut pet care costs. They discussed the usual, cost of foods, cost of adoption, when they turned to the topic of medical care my interests were peeked. The commentator explained that there are ways to save on medications. The example she used was a comparison of Frontline (a non-prescription product, available through veterinary offices as well as stores) and another brand (which I cannot recall). She went on to describe that these flea and tick control products were the same, but the other brand was a fraction of the cost. However, she followed that statement with the provision that Frontline was able to eradicate more stages in the flea life cycle. Obviously, the products were not the same. Thank goodness she did not launch into other ways to save on the pets health care, I was already incensed! After that she discussed pet clothing, sweaters costing 95.00, and designer leashes and collars. It certainly seems this would be an area where cost cutting could be instituted a little more readily.

Last year, as we were discussing the need to order heartworm, flea and tick control products for our hospital, a representative of a drug company visited with us touting a product to control fleas and ticks that was less costly, sold exclusively to veterinarians and as good as products like Frontline and Advantage. Believe it or not, we veterinarians are always interested in trying to provide our clients with the most economical alternative. We want to be sure each of our clients can afford the best care possible for their pet. So we listened carefully and before we decided to purchase this product I spoke with some folks that had dispensed the product from their hospital and I heard stories of increased reactions to the medications and white dogs developing green discoloration of their coats. The medication may very well kill fleas and ticks, but the potential consequences of using it seemed too high a price to pay. 

So in response to the economically minded commentator on the Today Show I would say,’ when it comes to health care, don’t make your decisions based on what you read on a label’. Ask questions of your veterinarian. We are very interested in helping you make good choices for your pet, we want your pet to remain healthy and safe. If there is an economical and safe alternative, we will help you in deciding the best choice for your pet’s care. Just because the label or the commercial says that something is ‘just like’ name brand X, it may not be true. You may end up with a green dog or worse, a dog or cat that has fleas and ticks or a pet that has contracted one of the many serious illnesses these pests carry.