The Pet Fund

Preventative Care

One of the primary goals of The Pet Fund is to inform pet owners about preventative care practices which can help to avoid medical crises in future. By making the long-term health of our pets a priority on an ongoing basis, we can avoid many medical problems and increase the well-being and longevity of our furry and feathered family members. The Pet Fund is not responsible for the outcome of any medical procedure or preventative care measure listed below, but we hope that pet owners will be able to benefit from the common sense approaches we include on our website and in our Pet Fund publications and materials. While the staff of The Pet Fund cannot advise anyone regarding medical treatment of any kind, we hope that you will find the following suggestions useful. The following are a list of suggestions and resources that may be useful to pet owners to both enhance overall pet health and develop good preventative care practices.

Spay or neuter your pets. By spaying and neutering your animals, you will decrease their chances of getting mammary tumors and prostate disease, they will be less likely to wander and get injured or lost, and pregnancies can be avoided. Not only are pregnancies potentially risky for your pet, but additional puppies or kittens will add to already significant overpopulation problems and will also cause a financial burden for you. Many areas offer free or low-cost spay and neuter programs, so it is well worth your time to take advantage of these programs and spare your pets disease, injury or death.

Vaccinate your pets. By vaccinating your pets, you decrease their chances of getting serious and preventable illnesses. Many communities also offer low-cost vaccination clinics, so be sure to ask your veterinarian about these services.

Feed a good quality diet. Consultation with your veterinarian is the best way to determine the correct diet for your pets, and spending a little extra money on a quality product can promote long-term good health for your pets.

Use preventative heartworm medications. Your veterinarian can advise you about the risk in your area for heartworm infestations. This is a preventable problem, and a potentially fatal one if ignored.

Get regular “well-pet” checkups. Waiting to see the veterinarian until problems develop is not using good preventative care practice for your animals. As with humans, problems are easier to detect and treat when they are caught in the early stages, and regular checkups will help insure the long-term health of your pets.

Walk your dog every day, and make sure they get enough exercise. Ask your veterinarian about the amount of exercise your breed of dog requires, and provide them with plenty of exposure to fresh air and sunshine. Spending time playing with your cat can also help them to stay active and increase their longevity.

Maintain proper weight for your animals. Avoiding obesity can also help prevent associated conditions like joint problems, heart problems, and diabetes, so it is critical that your pets maintain a healthy weight. Again, consult with your veterinarian about the ideal weight for your pets.

Keep your dog on a leash in public at all times. Do not let your dogs wander loose for any reason – the chances of being hit by cars or getting lost are too great to risk letting them run free. Keeping your cats indoors will also help them live longer and prevent them from being injured or killed in traffic as well.

Consider getting your pet microchipped. If your pet does get lost for any reason, this will help them be located and returned to you. Be sure that your dogs and cats are wearing ID tags on their collars at all times.

Keep your house and yard safe for your pets.

a. Bring your car to the gas station to change the antifreeze rather than have this deadly poison anywhere around your house, yard, or garage. If you must keep this product (or any other dangerous product, like transmission fluid) around your house, make sure that you keep your pets away while it is being used and use extreme care to clean up thoroughly afterwards. Do not spill these products into the gutters or street – other pets in the neighborhood may be exposed to these dangerous poisons and you may be liable for their injuries.

b. In addition, do not use any toxic pesticide, fungicide, or fertilizer on your yard where your pets have access to them. If you must use these products, do so very carefully, and keep your pets indoors.

c. Store all potentially toxic household products including detergents, etc. out of reach of your pets.

d. If you use non-stick pots or pans in the kitchen, replace them with non-Teflon coated kitchen pans if you have birds – the fumes from heated non-stick pans are fatal to birds.

e. Be mindful of your pets while you are cooking – keep them away from the stove or other potential dangers in the kitchen.

f. Keep all drugs including aspirin, Tylenol, and all prescription medications for humans away from dogs and cats – these can be fatal. Ask your veterinarian before administering any medication used for humans for your pets.
Use appropriate flea and tick control. Ask your veterinarian for recommendations about these products, and if you must buy these products without veterinary consultation, choose products carefully and be sure to follow the instructions very carefully. To avoid problems and choose appropriate products, it is best to ask the advice of your veterinarian.

Brush your dog or cat’s teeth on a regular basis with a toothpaste formulated for dogs or cats – never with toothpaste designed for human use. This practice can help avoid expensive and serious dental problems later on.

Socialize and train your puppies early. This will help avoid confrontations with other dogs later in life and will also help avoid behavioral problems which can be difficult to deal with in adult dogs.

Spend time with your pets every day. Pets should be regarded as members of the family, and spending quality time with them will help their emotional well-being and thus enhance their overall health.

Never keep your pets in the car on a hot day. Temperatures in the car, even with the windows down, can reach fatal levels within minutes.

When traveling with your pets, keep dogs in a dog carrier or restrained with a special dog seatbelt (not a human seatbelt) and keep your cats in carriers as well. This will help prevent your animals from being injured in an accident, and bear in mind that even at low speeds, unrestrained passengers in the car (whether human, dog, or cat) can be seriously injured.

Consider insuring your pet with a pet insurance program. There are several national pet insurance programs which will cover your pets’ needs in the event of an accident or illness. Making these arrangements ahead of time is practicing good preventative care for your pets.

Quick Care Pet Insurance Programs - You can't predict the future of your pet's health, but you can prepare for it. Accident and illness coverage for your dog or cat. Financial protection for you.

QuickCare Pet Insurance Programs eliminate the financial stress of providing unexpected medical attention. We understand that if your pet is ill or has an accident, the last thing you want to think about is money. How much will it cost for medical attention? QuickCare Pet Insurance Programs give you peace-of-mind. We're meeting the real-life needs of today's cats, dogs and owners.

Pet insurance is a critical resource for all pet owners. Since all companion animals need a lifetime of well-pet services and medical care, planning ahead for veterinary expenses is the best and most cost-effective plan for ensuring your pets' access to needed care. Pet insurance is an essential means of protecting your pets' health and well-being as well as your financial future.

www.quickcarepetinsurance.com

Pets Best Pet Insurance - Pet Insurance That Really Pays! The plans at Pets Best Insurance were created to provide peace of mind and financial relief for pet owners. Pets Best Insurance provides pet insurance based on consumer cost savings and enabling access to veterinary care.

Pet health insurance is a simple, affordable solution for those who love their pets but are concerned about the financial hardship of high-quality pet care.

With Pets Best you receive:
- Extensive Coverage – Get more for your premiums and more coverage for your pet than is currently available in the market.
- Best Value – There is no benefit schedule or complicated reimbursement. It’s up to your pet’s veterinarian and you to determine the best care for your pets.
- Choice of Veterinarian – We know choosing your own veterinarian is very important to you. We don’t set fees or procedures, which means you and your veterinarian determine your pet’s care, even for referrals and specialists.

Visit Pets Best Insurance at www.petsbest.com

www.PETCO.com - PETCO offers a variety of preventative care services. The health and well being of your pet is PETCO’s number one concern! PETCO Vaccination Clinics offer low-cost preventative care products and services, including low-cost vaccinations, Heartworm testing and medication, Feline Leukemia and AIDS testing, deworming using veterinarian recommended flea and tick products, grooming, and other important services. PETCO clinics are staffed by licensed veterinarians, and appointments are not necessary. Also, learn how vaccines can protect your pets with a yearly immunization program. PETCO also provides pet insurance options and canine education programs. For more information, check out the “Veterinary Services” link at www.PETCO.com. At PETCO, animals always come first!

www.PETCO.com

CareCredit - As a service to our clients, we are pleased to offer CareCredit, the nation’s leading patient client plan. With CareCredit you can finance 100% of your vet care and there are no upfront costs, no annual fees, and no pre-payment penalties. So, you can begin treatment today and conveniently pay with low, monthly payments.

CareCredit offers several payment plans so you can find one that works best for you. With the popular No Interest Payment Plans* there are no interest charges if you pay your balance in full within the specified time period. Monthly payments can be as low as 3% of your balance. For treatment plans from $1,500 to $25,000, CareCredit offers 24, 36, and 48 month plan options with low monthly payments available.

CareCredit can be used for pet supplies, ongoing, or emergency treatment without having to reapply. And by using CareCredit for your pet's health, you can save your other credit cards for household or unplanned expenses. It only takes a few minutes to apply for CareCredit and you'll receive an online decision in seconds! Apply Now

www.carecredit.com

Animal Wellness Magazine - one of the foremost resources for pet health information, will donate $5.00 to The Pet Fund for all new subscribers who mention The Pet Fund. To learn more about this invaluable resource for pet owners, click on the following link:
www.animalwellnessmagazine.com

Whole Dog Journal - The Whole Dog Journal offers well-researched, in-depth articles about all aspects of dog care and training. They feature natural care, diet and training advice, information about complementary therapies like chiropractic, massage, acupuncture, and homeopathy, and advice from experts in the field. They also test, review and evaluate products, and they are 100 percent subscriber-supported - they do not carry advertising.

www.whole-dog-journal.com

Natural Rearing - Nutritional information and alternative health resource for pets. Holistic products and guidance available. The website provides information on Natural Rearing and holistic health care for pets. It includes a free copy of the Natural Rearing newsletter and a directory of dog and cat breeders using natural modalities in their program. There is also a comprehensive natural product listing of herbal, homeopathic, glandular, Bach flower remedies, books, and supplements utilized by caring animal owners in the health maintenance of their animals. Phone: (541) 899-2080 or write to Natural Rearing, c/o Marina Zacharias, P.O. Box 1436 - Jacksonville, OR. 97530

www.naturalrearing.com

Pet-Togethers – PetCentrx - PetCentrx "Vim & Vigor" wellness formula for dog and cats is our tasty all-natural supplement designed to prolong pets’ lives and provide full, vibrant health. “Vim & Vigor" is a unique blend of the purest natural ingredients. Recommended by veterinarians, this amazing supplement is formulated to give your pet:

More Energy

Healthier Appearance

Greater Mobility

Stronger Bones and Muscles

Better Digestion

Fewer Visits to the Vet Due to Illness

For every purchase made from this link, Pet-Togethers will donate 20% of the purchase price to The Pet Fund monthly for as long as you continue to use PetCentrx. By doing so, we believe we positively impact the lives of pets and their caregivers all across America.

www.pettogethers.com

Flint River Ranch - Flint River Ranch Dog and Cat food is made with all natural, high quality, whole human grade ingredients. Slowly twice-oven baked at low temperatures for easy digestion and maximum nutrition, Flint River Ranch Dog and Cat foods have no by-products and are naturally preserved with Vitamins E & C. Flint River Ranch has been formulated to help your companion animals heal holistically through properly balanced nutrition. The secret to Flint River Ranch's great nutrition is how many nutrients are present in the food and how efficiently they are utilized when digested. Thank you for Loving your Dogs and Cats Enough to Feed the Very Best!!

www.flint-river-ranch.info

Flower Essence Society - Veterinarians will receive a 20% practitioner discount on all products from the Flower Essence Society. Pet owners can access these links to find helpful information regarding the use of flower essences for animals:

www.fesflowers.com
www.flowersociety.org

ThePetCheckup - Now there is something you can do right in your own home to help your dog or cat live a longer and healthier life! Used in addition to routine veterinary care, ThePetCheckup helps you know when your dog or cat needs medical attention—even before symptoms appear. ThePetCheckup specially packages the same urinalysis test materials that are commonly used in veterinary clinics so that you can now take a more active role in your animal's health care. Good health is the goal—but if the health screen does indicate a potential problem, you will be able to get help for your pet at an early stage—when treatment is generally less painful, less expensive, and more effective.

ThePetCheckup can indicate imbalances that lead to many of the most common illnesses that affect your animal including: kidney infection, kidney disease, urinary tract infections, bacterial infections, diabetes, bladder infections, autoimmune diseases, and hepatitis and other liver conditions. ThePetCheckup is not a substitute for veterinary care, nor is it intended for use as an alternative to veterinary diagnosis—it is a convenient tool which assists pet owners in early detection of possible warning signs for a variety of common illnesses. Only a veterinarian can make an accurate medical diagnosis.

Give your pet, your veterinarian, and yourself the advantage of early detection. ThePetCheckup—the early detection, at-home health screen for dogs and cats: 1-800-833-8528

www.thepetcheckup.com/

ASPCA National Animal Poison Control Center - 888-4ANI-HELP (888-426-4435). Fee is $45 per case; credit cards only; no extra charge for follow-up calls. 1-900-443-0000 — The charge is billed directly to caller's phone. Follow-up calls can be made for no additional charge by dialing 888-426-4435. There is no charge when the call involves a product covered by the Animal Product Safety Service.

www.aspca.org

Cornell University Poisonous Plants Informational Database - This is a growing reference that includes plant images, pictures of affected animals and presentations concerning the botany, chemistry, toxicology, diagnosis and prevention of poisoning of animals by plants and other natural flora. There are many poisonous plants and substances which are not represented here. Please do not assume that a specific plant is ok just because it is not listed.

www.ansci.cornell.edu/plants

Dr. Bob’s All Creatures Site - Original articles prepared at All Creatures Veterinary Hospital on pet health and related topics, including a comprehensive group of links for each pet species, as well as information on poisonous chemicals and plants and preventative health care.

www.petdoc.ws

Vitalife Products – Dr. Carol Osborne - DrCarolsPets.com is the official website of veterinarian and author Dr. Carol Osborne, DVM. Dr. Carol is the developer of the pet supplement referred to by many pleased pet owners as the "Canine Fountain of Youth.” Dr. Carol has created a unique formula that offers safe, effective natural solutions guaranteed to help pets enjoy the longest, happiest, healthiest lives possible. Dr. Carol's products are delicious all-natural nutritional treats that enhance the health, physiology and well being of both dogs and cats. For additional information call toll-free 866- 999-7297.

www.drcarolspets.com

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