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You take your pooch for her annual check-up, but some ailments warrant more than just a once-yearly vet visit. According to a pet insurance company and an Ontario-based vet, we’ve compiled some of the most common reasons pets go to the doctor.
Life is certainly unpredictable, but the more you know, the more you can try to do to prevent certain health issues from happening–and possibly, from happening again! Luckily, pet insurance, like coverage offered by Lemonade, can help take the bite out of costly, unexpected vet bills.
1. Bad Breath / Teeth Issues
“Brushing teeth is great and you should start your pet when they are young to at least get them used to the idea and the feeling,” Dr. Llera writes on the OSPCA blog. “You’ll want to use an enzymatic pet toothpaste since human toothpaste can damage the enamel of your pets’ teeth.”
He adds, “When it comes to dental cleanings, it can be expensive because your pet needs an anesthetic. It’s better to have a prophylactic [disease-preventative] cleaning done before the teeth get so bad that extractions are required.”
Lemonade has several options when it comes to taking care of your pet’s teeth. Lemonade’s Preventative+ Care package covers your dog’s routine dental cleaning. Plus, you can also choose to add Lemonade’s dental illness add-on, which can help cover treatments, medications, and procedures related to dental illnesses, like periodontal disease and gingivitis.
2. Limping
Of course, this can happen when your energetic dog has an accidental tumble at the dog park, but older arthritic dogs can also develop a limp.
“As pets live longer, we are seeing more cases of arthritis but you can help by starting a glucosamine supplement,” says Dr. Llera. “Other medications, along with keeping them at a good body weight, can also help alleviate discomfort.”
He also adds that the culprit could be a torn ACL, so if the limp lasts more than a day, consult with your vet. In the meantime, don’t let your dog run free, which could cause even more damage.
3. Urinary Issues
“Females are prone to infections whereas males suffer more problems from bladder crystals or stones,” Dr. Llera says. “To help reduce this risk, it’s always a great idea to keep your pet at an ideal body weight as obesity has been shown to make these problems worse.”
4. Gastro-Intestinal Problems
While the occasional upset tummy happens to all of us, Dr. Llera explains that you should not wait several days to see your vet if your dog is consistently vomiting, has diarrhea, or isn’t eating.
“If you ever see blood in the stool or vomit, they should be seen right away,” he says. “Bottom line, if they still won’t eat, are lethargic, vomiting or having diarrhea for more than 24 hours, then it’s time for a check up.”
Lemonade’s base accident and illness policy can help pay for expensive vet bills from services like diagnostics, procedures, and medications if your pet isn’t feeling well or ate something they shouldn’t have.
5. Vaccines
While it’s very important to keep your pup up-to-date with his shots, Dr. Llera explains that routine vet visits are even more pertinent in regard to your pup’s continued health.
“I want to stress that vaccines are important but not the most important part of these visits,” he says. “The actual examination is the most critical part of the visit as it allows us to assess your pet’s total body health and possibly find problems before they become more serious. It also gives us a chance to discuss the things you should be watching for especially as your pet gets older.”
Have you taken your pooch to the vet for any of these reasons?
Over the course of your pup’s life, they are bound to end up at the vet for a whole host of reasons. Whether it’s to stay healthy, prevent disease, or treat them after an unexpected accident or illness, Lemonade Pet insurance can help take some of the financial burdens of expensive vet bills off your shoulders, so you can focus on what matters most—cuddles, treats, and belly rubs.
Toledo, United States.
