While the government struggles to find a way for Americans to get good health care, pet owners must rely on their own resources to take care of their furry, finned, or feathered friends.

What can you do to defray the cost of good medicine?

Prevention really is the best policy.   Spend your time and money on annual exams for your pet and you’ll keep small problems from becoming big & expensive health issues.  Routine parasite prevention and vaccinating for your pet’s lifestyle will also optimize your pet’s health.   Find a veterinarian you trust and get guidance on creating a healthy life with your dog.  (Of course, at DogRunDog we think that includes running …)

Do you need pet insurance?    No question, it can ease the pain in your pocket if your dog gets hit by a car or your recently adopted mutt  decides to chew his way through his new life.   More than a dozen companies now offer pet care policies.  It’s even an employee benefit at some corporations.  Check out www.petinsurancereview.com to compare policies, prices, and options.

If your pet needs a prescription a few options can  bring down the price per pill.  

One possibility is a written prescription for an online pharmacy,  but buyer beware: check the the product and the  label to make sure you receive the right drug at the right dose.  

Price matching with online pharmacy products is offered by some veterinary clinics,  especially for  flea/tick/heartworm prevention medications.  When you get a product through your vet, the manufacturer  stands by their product if anything goes wrong (it doesn’t work as expected or your dog has a reaction).

Human pharmacies can  fill some pet prescriptions and you  get discounts for AAA memberships (yes! even on pet prescriptions).   Look up www.aaa.com/prescriptions for more information.  Walgreen’s has a family program that can include your pets: for a small membership fee you may save big.

When you’re watching your budget, every money saving strategy helps.  I hope these tips help you keep your pup healthy and active.  Run, dog, run!

Liz Devitt, DVM