Best Veterinary Preventative Care

We've all heard it a million times, having pets is expensive. But does it have to be? Most of us shell out thousands of dollars at the vet every year just to have a blood test done and a few booster shots. I'm here to tell you it doesn't have be this expensive! If you are paying more than $300 a year for preventative care you are paying too much.

What is preventative care? Basically, whenever you go in for a check up, have a heart worm-lyme test, fecal parasite test, FELV test, and booster shots you are participating in preventative care for your pets. As a clinical assistant for veterinarians I know how important it is to have your pets boostered every year, as well as tested and on flea, tick, and heartworm preventatives. Dogs should be tested no less than once a year for heart worm and lyme disease and should be fecal parasite tested every 6 months or as needed. Cats should be tested for FELV (feline leukemia) at least once a year and fecal parasite tested every 6 months or as needed. Important preventative shots include Distemper, Adenovirus (2 strands), Parainfluenza, Parvovirus, Bordetella, Leptospirosis (zoonotic), and most importantly, Rabies. Each of these vaccines need to be boostered yearly, unless otherwise stated by your veterinarian. Rabies is often a 1ml or 1cc dose that protects from the virus for up to 3 years, however, this is legal documentation that is completely up to your vet's discretion.

So where does one find cheap preventative pet care when there are so many things that need to be done? The answer is simple, however, you really need to know your dog. My personal favorite recommendation is VIP Petcare or PetIQ, the same company under different names. PetIQ is an affordable cost preventative vet care company that employs licensed vets to travel to different locations across the U.S. VetIQ, there wellness centers, provide testing and vaccines + additional services like anal gland expression, nail trims, ear, skin, eye, urinary, or GI care, deworming, and tapeworm treatment. They are located in Pet Supplies +, Meijer, Tractor Supply Co., etc. Their vaccine prices range from around $25-$43, whereas testing ranges from $22-$110. The company offers great deals on packages as well. Their Choice Dog pack includes a vitals check, 5-in-1 (Distemper, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus, and Adenovirus (2 strains)+ Leptospirosis, Bordetella, Rabies, Intestinal Parasite screening, and Heartworm-Lyme screening for $105. The Vital Dog pack includes a Vitals Check, 5-in-1+Leptospirosis, Bordetella, and Intestinal Parasite screening for $84. Puppy visits range from $67-$76 and include deworming along with vaccines and testing. The Choice Cat pack includes a Vitals Check, 3-in-1 (Herpes virus, Calicivirus, and Panleukopenia), FELV (Feline Leukemia), Rabies, and Intestinal Parasite screening for $80. The Vital Cat pack include a Vitals Check, 3-in-1, Rabies, and Intestinal Parasite screening for $73. Kittens visits cost around $63-$80 and include deworming. One of the best features of PetIQ is the $0 cost for the visit and no appointment needed. All pets are welcome to walk-in and see the vet as soon as possible. All employees are trained extensively to deal with all breeds and temperaments of dogs and cats and always put the safety of the animal and customer first. PetIQ also offers in-clinic and online flea, tick, and heartworm preventatives as well.

Banfield Pet Hospital is also a great option option for preventative pet care. Banfield offers the first visit free, wellness plans, and dental care. Prices vary based on state, however, prices for dogs with vaccines often range from around $23-$45, anesthetic procedures $300-$491, and office visits an average of $47. Prices for cats with vaccines range from $23-$30, anesthetic procedures $179-$303, and $47 for an office visit. All employees are extensively trained to deal with animals of all breeds and temperaments as well as fully certified and credentialed veterinarians. Banfield also offers services to animals such as birds, fish, rodents, rabbits, small mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. Banfield is a national brand and can be found in nearly every state excluding, Alaska, Hawaii, Maine, North and South Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming.

In a last stitch effort, the last recommendation is to have your pet vaccinated and tested by a humane society or SPCA. Unfortunately, not all shelters are willing to bring in outside pets for vaccinations or any care. Please contact your local shelter for more information on their services.

If you're having a hard time providing the best care for your pets because of the expense, don't fret, you are not the only one! The fact that you care so much is a huge step forward, now it's time to explore your options. There are a lot of companies and nonprofits out there who live and breath animal healthcare. This may sound surprising, but most vets want you to be able to afford to care for your pets! Start looking at the options you have, know your pets, and keep the vaccinated and up to date on testing.

Links:

Banfield Pet Hospital: https://www.banfield.com/

PetIQ/VIP Petcare: https://www.vippetcare.com/