Pet Pip » Prevention

Does Your Pup Need Prozac?

admin — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 12:00:59 +0000

Prozac has been used for a lot of people who have anxiety and depression problems, but a lot of pet owners don’t know that it can be used in dogs, as well. If your pet is struggling with depression or an anxiety problem, you can talk to your vet about getting a Prozac prescription for your pup. Don’t be afraid to do something like this if it helps your animal feel better and have a more enjoyable life.

What Does Prozac Do?

Prozac, like many other drugs for anxiety and depression, helps to lift a depressed mood, lower anxious moments, and make a person (or a dog) feel more stable and comfortable. By evening out moods, there won’t be huge variances between the highs and lows that your pet will feel. He’ll be happier, and you may also see some behavioral problems disappear or lessen.

Is It Safe For Dogs?

Prozac is generally believed to be safe for dogs. Just like in humans, there’s always the chance that there will be a negative reaction or an allergic reaction to the medication. Prozac should only be given to your dog with a veterinarian’s prescription, and only if it’s really necessary. Over-medicating an animal just to keep it calm isn’t a good idea.

When To See Your Vet

If your dog is very anxious or lethargic, or he has other serious behavioral issues, talk to your vet about whether Prozac would be a safe and helpful choice, or whether there’s something else you should be doing instead. There may be other alternatives, or a combination of therapies could be the best choice.

Don’t buy Prozac from a source that isn’t reputable or give it to your dog without your vet’s ok. It’s a prescription medication for a reason, and you’ll want to be informed and careful so you don’t compromise your pet’s health.

Is Pet Health Insurance A Good Idea?

admin — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 12:00:41 +0000

A lot of people buy health insurance for themselves and their children, but not that many people buy this kind of insurance for their pets. Whether you should buy pet health insurance has to be a personal decision – but some people find it a better idea than others. Depending on how many pets you have and your financial situation, pet health insurance can be a very wise choice.

The Cost Of Pet Health Insurance

How much you’ll pay for pet health insurance depends on several factors. The age of your pet matters, of course, because younger pets tend to have fewer health problems. What type of pet you have, whether it’s been spayed or neutered, and if it has any preexisting conditions also matters when it comes to cost. You may also pay more for certain breeds of dog or cat because they have more genetically-predisposed health problems.

What Does Pet Health Insurance Cover?

If you want to get insurance for your pet, it’s important to know what it covers. Not all pet insurance plans are created equally. In other words, you’ll have choices to make regarding your pet’s health insurance, depending on how much you want to spend and what conditions or issues you really want to cover.

Which Pets Should You Cover?

Covering all of your pets might not be possible, depending on how many pets you have. If that’s the case it’s best to cover the oldest pets and any that are genetically predisposed to be sicker as they age because of their breed or other factors.

Pet insurance can be a great idea for people who want to avoid paying out a lot of money if their pet gets sick. However, like any insurance it seems a bit of a waste of money if you don’t use it. In the end, your own financial situation will dictate whether pet insurance is right for you.

Diagnosing A Sick Dog

admin — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 12:00:48 +0000

In order to diagnose a sick dog properly, you have to have some veterinary knowledge. Just guessing could make your pet even sicker than he already is. If you don’t know what’s wrong with him, the vet can tell you. However, if you’ve got some knowledge and/or it’s not a serious illness, you may be able to diagnose your sick dog.

Gastric Illnesses

Illnesses of the digestive tract are relatively easy to notice because they generally manifest themselves with vomiting and diarrhea. These are signs that any pet owner can spot, and it’s often not a cause for alarm, unless it continues or there’s blood involved. Many dogs eat things they shouldn’t, but if the problems continue a vet should be consulted because the gastric upset could be from something more serious.

Sprains and Strains

A dog with an injured leg is often a pitiful sight. If you notice your dog avoiding putting weight on a leg or limping, try to see if the problem is in the pad of his foot or in the joint of the leg. Where the pain is coming from can help you make a diagnosis of what might be wrong with your dog and whether it’s time to consult the vet – or whether it’s just a minor injury.

Serious Problems

Some things require immediate medical attention, and others warrant an appointment with the veterinarian. Any dog that’s very sick and lethargic should see the vet, and the same is true with dogs that don’t appear to feel well but don’t have obvious signs of injury or disease. Some problems don’t lend themselves to a home diagnosis.

If you aren’t sure what might be wrong with your dog, see the vet. Don’t wait if you’re really worried, because your dog can’t tell you how he feels. He’s relying on you to be his advocate.

Discount Pet Medicine

admin — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 12:00:42 +0000

Medication for your pets, just like for you or your family, can get very expensive. That’s why so many people who can’t afford their medications either don’t take them or don’t take them as they should. You can avoid that with your pets by getting the right medication for them at a great discount.

Are Discount Pet Meds Safe?

Safety is very important when you’re considering giving medication to your pets. You don’t want to buy something you aren’t sure about, because you could be giving your pet something that might make it sick. However, discount pet meds are the same medications you can get anywhere else – they just cost less. The quality is the same and you won’t need to worry about safety at all.

What Kind Of Meds Can I Get?

Most pet medications that you’d get at your veterinarian’s office are available at a discount in other places. Don’t assume that you have to buy from your veterinarian, but some pet medications do require a prescription, so that’s something to keep in mind. Looking around for the best prices on pet medications is a great idea, because you can often get what you need for less and have more money for other things.

Considerations For Discount Pet Meds

When you’re buying discount pet meds, make sure what you get is the same med your vet recommended or that you could get elsewhere. Don’t buy something you aren’t sure about just because it’s cheaper.

Discount pet meds are the same medications at a lower price – not some other type of medication that’s supposed to do the same thing. Make sure what you’re buying is the best for your pet. If it’s not safe and effective for your pet, it’s not a good deal at any price, no matter how inexpensive it might be.

Most Common Pet Illnesses

admin — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 15:00:36 +0000

Pets, just like people, can get sick and suffer from a lot of the same, common illnesses that humans get. You can’t always protect your pets from sickness, but you can treat them so they feel better sooner and get over their illness as quickly as possible. For many people, their pets are like their children – and they want to do everything they can to make them feel better fast.

Food-Borne Illnesses

Food poisoning can be very serious. It not only makes you feel bad, but it can keep you from getting adequate nutrition and adequate hydration – two things that are desperately needed for life. For a pet, this kind of problem can be even more serious. In order to help them, be sure their food is clean and fresh.

Strains and Sprains

Running, playing, jumping, and other things can injure your pets. Limping is a sure sign that your pet has injured himself or herself, but the injury might be very mild. If the limping persists or the animal is whimpering, refusing to put weight on its leg, or otherwise in obvious pain, a trip to the vet’s office might be in order. A leg doesn’t have to be broken for an animal to be in pain.

Colds and Respiratory Problems

When the weather is damp and there are airborne illnesses around, pets can catch them, too. Make sure you keep your pet warm and dry. If you have to board your pet or it’s around other animals a lot, have it vaccinated for illnesses like kennel cough and other respiratory problems.

By knowing about the most common pet illnesses and what should be done to prevent and treat them, you can help your pet live a longer and happier life. That’s a bonus for both you and your cherished pets.