| When you own a pet you are no stranger to pet | | | | adding up. Heck bringing two puppies to the vet in |
| care costs. From the time you get your first puppy | | | | their first week was several hundred dollars just for |
| you will be bombarded with one cost after another. | | | | checkups and shots. |
| You will have to get rabies vaccines, flea and tick | | | | In the past I have had dogs that required a lot of |
| medication, shot for Lyme disease, teeth cleanings, | | | | long-term medications. Dogs are capable of having |
| grooming, and a host of other costs. These are all | | | | seizures, fluid buildup, tumors, and a host of other |
| necessary costs for your pet. We try to factor | | | | issues that can cost thousands to fix, if they can be |
| these costs into the overall cost of ownerships for | | | | fixed at all. In the event you need medical facilities |
| our pets. But the problem most people have is | | | | outside of a standard vet, such as Tuft's University, |
| coming up with the money for those random, | | | | then expect the bill to go up considerably higher. |
| unexpected costs that always seem to happen. By | | | | What can you do to have your back up plan? Luckily |
| not having a backup plan in place for your pet's | | | | it is the same stuff you do to keep yourself "backed |
| health costs you will likely be stuck making bad | | | | up" You get insurance. Some insurance companies will |
| decisions concerning your pet's vet care. | | | | offer pet medical insurance for those who wish to |
| I recently got two new puppies, and while I was at | | | | purchase it. Sure you might consider it a waste of |
| the breeders a swift reminder came up of how | | | | money, if so, and then you might as well cancel your |
| rapidly pet care cost can skyrocket out of hand. One | | | | own insurance too because you think nothing bad can |
| of the puppies in the litter she was raising had a | | | | ever happen. |
| throat blockage and required surgery. Here was an | | | | But if you realize that bad things can happen to your |
| 6-week old puppy that had nearly died do to this | | | | pets, then consider looking into pet insurance through |
| obstruction. | | | | your local insurance companies. You just simply never |
| An unexpected trip to the vet cost this breeder | | | | know when something bad will happen to your pets. |
| $2500 dollars to have the puppy operated on. I | | | | Having a little peace of mind, even if it costs you |
| commend that breeder for caring enough to spend | | | | some money each month, is much better then |
| the money on a puppy that she only sells for a | | | | making decisions about your pet simply because you |
| portion of that. This was after all a pure breed | | | | cannot afford it. |
| German Shepherd puppy, and she was the cutest | | | | On a side note, the puppy that was operated on is |
| thing in the world. | | | | doing fine. She has lots of spunk, vitality and life. Last |
| However, most of us would not have been able to | | | | I knew she was heading for Florida to train as a |
| come up with that money on the spot. All too often | | | | rescue service dog. My best wishes go out to that |
| people cannot afford vet bills because they just keep | | | | puppy and I hope she saves many lives. |