Pet wellness plans protect health, wallets

Keeping a pet's health from going to the dogs has become a top priority for many people in the U.S. Americans will spend $41 billion this year on their pets and nearly $10 billion of those expenses will be on veterinary care.

Still, it doesn't have to cost a fortune to be a responsible pet owner.

With a knowledgeable veterinarian, some preventive care and a little financial planning, welcoming a fourlegged member to the family can be less expensive than one might think.

The role of veterinarians. A good veterinarian can make all the difference in the cost of caring for a pet and the quality of a pet's care, so choose a doctor wisely. Talk to family and friends about their experiences and check with area breeders, kennels and pet stores for vet recommendations.

Develop a wellness plan. After choosing a veterinarian, work with him or her to develop a preventive health care plan for the animal. Pet doctor visits can help identify health problems in their earliest stages, when they tend to be easier and less expensive to treat.

Many veterinarians recommend pets receive two physical exams each year. A physical exam may include an assessment of a pet's general appearance, skin, breathing, heart rate, eyes, ears, digestive system and lymph nodes. Depending on the age of a pet, a veterinarian may wish to run a fecal test for internal parasites as well.

A vet can also counsel on the need for different vaccinations for the animal. Vaccines can help ward off disease and protect a pet's long-term well-being.

Consider the costs. Routine veterinary care can potentially save a pet owner thousands of dollars and low-cost pet health insurance helps defray the costs of regular visits.

Emergency care. Even when pet owners take preventive measures, pets may still require an emergency surgery at some point in their life.

Surgeries cost an average of $574 per incident for dogs and $334 per incident for cats, according to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association.

The right pet insurance policy can be an affordable way to handle these often unexpected costs. Medical plans can range from $25 to $30 a month and help with the cost of examinations, testing and treatment of multiple conditions and illnesses.

This story is provided by North American Précis Syndicate Inc.