3 Ways to Prevent Costly Vet Bills

As a pet owner, maintaining your pet's health is something you should never
compromise; especially when it comes to veterinary care. However, there are
some instances in which you can help reduce the cost during each visit to the
vet. In many cases, it's as simple as being proactive about your pet's health.
Below we tackle some of the most common reasons for vet visits and explain
how you can help maintain your pet's health, while also keeping your money
in your wallet.

	Protect your dog or cat before fleas attack. Topical flea medications are extremely helpful in protecting against potential flea infestations when they are used as directed. Using flea medications can reduce the risk of contracting tapeworms and the development of skin allergies caused by flea allergy dermatitis. For households with more than one pet, you should treat each pet individually. Never split flea medications between pets as this will cause a significant decrease in effectiveness. Products to consider: K9 Advantix II, Frontline Plus for dogs; Advantage II, Revolution for cats.

	"Advantage is absolutely wonderful! As an employee of a local Animal Shelter I constantly bring home fleas on my clothes. Advantage has kept my 4 fur-babies flea free and I would never use anything else on them. Advantage has never caused my pets any bad reactions or problems and I would highly recommend it to anyone who has been having issues with fleas. Advantage really does give you the upper hand in the fight against fleas!!" - Jessie


	Kill and prevent adult fleas on your pet. If you've noticed adult fleas on your dog or cat, using a fast-acting product like Capstar kills biting fleas within 30 minutes. Following up with Frontline Spray can also help to keep fleas off your pet. And to prevent flea eggs and larvae from maturing into adult fleas, try Program Tablets.

	"I am so happy someone recommended Capstar to me. We used another popular flea medication for years, but for some reason last year it stopped working. I have four dogs and live on 6 acres which is heavily wooded. Last year was a nightmare, until I found out about Capstar. Granted, it kills only the current fleas and ticks and does not control the eggs, but it gives the dogs relief and me peace of mind." - Dolly

	Treat your home and yard for fleas. Flea offspring (eggs, larvae, and pupae) can hide in furniture and carpet fibers for months before maturing into adults. That's why it is important to treat your home with a room fogger, spray, or carpet powder, such as those offered by BioSpot, or Virbac Knockout Fogger. Outside areas, especially patio furniture, should be treated since warm and humid areas are a favorite spot for fleas to thrive. Use Virbac Yard Spray in your yard.

	"I worked at a Veterinary hospital in WA state. It was summer time and my house got infested with all stages of fleas. It happened in a matter of days. My boss told me to take Virbac Knockout Fogger home and told me how to use it. Shortly after using the product, they were gone and didn't come back. I could not believe how well this product works! I love it and would absolutely recommend it to anyone!" - Tiffany

	Have your pet tested for heartworms annually.
	The American Heartworm Society reports dogs and cats being diagnosed with heartworms throughout the year in all 50 states. And with the hot and humid summer months in full effect, protecting your pet is extremely important. If your pet isn't already on heartworm preventatives, you should consult your veterinarian about scheduling a heartworm/blood exam. Having your pet tested can determine if your pet currently has heartworm disease and if preventatives are safe to administer.


	Give heartworm pet meds each month. Prevention against heartworms is certainly the most cost-effective way to avoid costly vet bills. But most importantly, heartworm prevention helps protect your pet against contracting this potentially fatal disease. When giving your pet heartworm medication, always give it the same time each month. This will help the effectiveness of the medication and reduce the risk of infection. In addition, some heartworm preventatives also protect against other intestinal parasites such as roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms. (See individual product package for full details) Products include: Revolution for cats and Heartguard Plus, Iverhart Plus Chewable, Interceptor, Advantage Multi and Sentinel for dogs.


		Max's Tip: Heartworm-infected mosquitoes are the transmitters of heartworm disease. Consider using a flea medication like K9 Advantix II to protect your dog against fleas and mosquitoes.