TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Hernando Today

Companion Animals Facing Tough Times

ADVERTISEMENT

By VIRGINIA DIAZ

Hernando Today coorespondent

Published: February 19, 2009

Updated: 03/09/2009 06:08 pm

They don't come in a bottle and you can't get them at a doctor, but pets are good for our health. Numerous studies have documented that fact: According to the Centers for Disease Control, companion animals can decrease your blood pressure, cholesterol levels, triglyceride levels, and feelings of loneliness. They also help their owners get up and out by increasing opportunities for exercise and socialization — all important components for a healthy lifestyle.

But tough economic times are forcing some pet owners to decide if keeping their dog or cat is even possible. Many are trying to do the best they can to keep an animal on reduced income but sometimes it's not possible and the end result is visible at area shelters.

"We've seen about a 30 percent increase in the number of people coming in to surrender pets since the economy has taken a dip," says Joanne Schoch, executive director of the Humane Society of the Nature Coast in Brooksville, "the reasons are foreclosures and loss of jobs."

Charlene Lambertsen, president of the SPCA in Brooksville is in the same boat. "People will just drive up in their truck and say I can't afford to take care of this animal. We just want to drop it off."

Keeping a pet in the family is good thing for all involved especially in light of the emotional and physical benefits pets provide. But veterinarians say cutting back on healthcare and prevention is a dangerous and, in the end, not a cost effective way to go.

"There are people who say if you can't afford treatment for a pet, then you shouldn't have one" says Dr. Raol Figarola of ASAP Animal Clinic in Brooksville. "I love animals. I think people should have pets. I think it's a great comfort. I think they're therapeutic whether you have an animal for a therapy dog or not. So there's got to be alternatives."

And there are some ways to cut back so that all-important furry friend can remain part of the family.

Finding The Savings

Some pet owners are cutting back on "luxuries" by giving fewer treats. Others are buying less expensive toys or re-cycling older ones. And some pet owners are learning new tricks from the old dog by grooming at home.

"We see fewer people getting their dogs groomed, " says Dr. James Hicks, DVM of West Side Animal Clinic in Spring Hill. "I think there's less people going on vacations so we're seeing less boarding."

Food is a big part of the budget. Hicks say if your dog or cat is generally in good health, a cheaper food is OK for a while.

"Most dogs can handle minor changes in their diet," says Hicks. "I don't recommend buying the cheapest food found on grocers shelves, but I am saying cut back on the 'yuppie' diets or health food diets. Feed some scraps from the table, too, but go easy on fat and no bones."

New toys and expensive treats can easily be cut out.

"Don't spend money on chew toys and such," suggests Hicks. "If Fido has a homemade or home found chew toy he likes already – old towels, old shoes or whatever — that's fine. And he can live without his favorite snacks. Put some dry food in the fridge or on the counter and give him that. Most snacks aren't as nutritious as a well balanced dog food anyway."

When it comes to hygiene — baby shampoo works just as well as dog shampoo. Fido has smelly ears? Hicks says try a 50-50 mix of vinegar and alcohol to clean them out. You can also use this mix after the dog gets wet to help prevent swimmers' ear.

Where Not To Cut

As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. And this old adage is the cornerstone of the advice veterinarians are offering.

First and foremost, keep current with vaccines, heartworm testing and medication and flea treatments.

"If you take care of them, they're OK," says Figarola. "You have people coming in here with a dog with Parvo and they can't afford the treatment. They could have gotten the vaccine. It really doesn't cost that much."

Figarola points out that places like PetLuv, a low cost spay and neuter clinic in Brooksville, also provides routine shots at reasonable prices. You can buy heartworm medication and flea treatments there, too, at a lower price than many other places.

"Don't stay away from the vets when the pets get sick and when they need their vaccines," says Hicks. "People can play it straight and communicate financial problems with a vet. Most of them will work with you."

Other Ways To Save

While cutting back on vaccines, heartworm and flea treatments is not recommended, there are some temporary measures that can help you get over the hump.

There are many human medications that are the same as the ones prescribed for pets and they are often less expensive. Antibiotics are very commonly the same ones people take and that can represent a big savings.

"Thank goodness right now we have someplace like Publix where you can get free antibiotics," says Figarola. "Some veterinarians are advising that, some don't. But I do have some clients who've gone elsewhere and have paid $30 or $40. If you're saving on antibiotics, maybe we can do a little more toward testing and trying to find out what's wrong."

"On routine health care checkups, if the pet is on heartworm prevention religiously then he shouldn't have heart worms or bowel worms so ask the vet to skip those to tests this year," says Hicks.

"And if the pet is middle aged and has a good history of vaccinations, hold off on all but the rabies shots which are required by law but make sure you get the dog checked once or twice a year."

The reason for being able to skip shots, especially for older dogs, is that over time, they build up immunity to the diseases they've been vaccinated for, but you should always talk to the vet first.

It's OK to ask the vet for generic drugs whenever possible and that includes heartworm treatment. During the winter try using less expensive flea prevention.

If you have a cat, Schoch has a suggestion. "If your cat doesn't go outdoors and you don't have another animal coming in or out, you might be able to cut the flea prevention." And cats are not as susceptible to heartworm as dogs. Again, when it doubt, check with a vet.

Some other money savers:

Instead of buying an expensive bed, cruise thrift stores, flea markets or garage sales and get your dog or cat a nice comforter to lounge on.

Look for coupons for food and look stores that are having sales.

If a catalogue has a low price for heartworm or flea and tick treatments, see if your vet will match it.

When it comes to food, another alternative is to take advantage of discounted prices by getting together with friends and ordering in bulk.

The Last Resort

Giving a pet up is a choice of last resort. It's stressful and painful to be forced to break that human-animal bond.

If you find yourself at the end of the line and have to give up your pet, Schoch says it's critical to plan ahead.

"We have people whose homes are being foreclosed on and they call us and they're leaving home tomorrow and can't take the animal.

"They didn't just find that out the day before, they knew they were in financial trouble. They knew they were going to be moving. Don't call a shelter or anyone the day before.

"Start planning what you're going to do for your pet. Because if a shelter doesn't have room today, they'll have room next week. Get on a list. Plan ahead.

"You cared enough about the animal to take it in, care enough about it to care what you're going to do."

For more information: If you would like to donate food, cash or other items to either the SPCA or the Humane Society or check out the services that Pet Luv offers, here's how to contact them:

Humane Society of the Nature Coast, Inc.
Mail: P.O. Box 10328, Brooksville, FL 34603
Where are they: 7200 Mobley Rd, Brooksville
Contact: Call them at 352-796-2711
Web site: www.naturecoasthumanesociety.org

The SPCA of Hernando County
Mail: P.O. Box 3161, Spring Hill, FL 34611
Where are they: 9075 Grant St., Brooksville
Contact: Call them at 352-796-7000
E-mail: spcahernandocounty@yahoo.com

PetLuv

Where are they: 7346 Broad St., Brooksville, FL 34601
Contact: Call them at 352-799-9990
Web site: www.petluv.org

Virginia Diaz writes regularly for the Hernando Today Health Today section. She lives in Brooksville and can be contacted at virginia.diaz61@gmail.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT