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Doctor's Orders: Dirty Pets Make Healthier Babies

Posted by Brandon Weaver | Wed, Jan 16, 2013 @ 10:06 AM

dirty pet healthy babyAlthough vet care costs continue to rise, research shows that routine care is necessary for the overall health of pets. Even with rising costs, there are ways to help soften the blow of a high vet bill.

Just like a yearly physical, routine visits and preventative care help reduce the risk of serious diseases in pets. For veterinarians, this is good news because the more repeat visits, the more their bottom line can grow. For pet owners, this can be costly and it is advised they have a plan to manage these payments. Some other options include:

  • Purchasing pet health insurance
  • Regularly setting aside money in a pet savings account and contributing to it on a regular basis. Of course, this is great in theory, but how many people will actually do it?
  • Asking your veterinarian if they offer payment plans, so you are not forced to pay the lump sum at the time of visit

For the last suggestion, vet offices can offer customers a Multiple Check program as a payment option. This service is not only a payment plan but is advantageous for both vet offices and pet owners. Pet owners can make up to 4 payments for the total amount over a 30-day period, while vet offices receive guaranteed checks provided by the check service provider. Not only that but Multiple Check helps discourage pet owners from deferring care in the event a quoted price is too high for owners to pay all at once.

From the economy's perspective, Obamacare may have an impact on vet care spending too. Specifically, some medical devices commonly used in veterinary practices will be affected by Obamacare's 2.3 percent device tax. As a result, the manufacturers of these supplies are likely to raise prices and vet offices will then pass the cost onto pet owners. Such supplies include examination gloves, sterile catheters and infusion pumps.

No question that maintaining a healthy pet is not only beneficial for pets themselves but newborn children too. Pets can act as a protector of children but the Los Angeles Times reports on a study in Finland that kids under 1 year old get sick less frequently in homes with dogs and cats. This is even more important here in the United States where dogs and cats are the most popular pets.

The study followed 397 newborn babies in the first year of their lives and how much they were exposed to pets, with the most encouraging results from dogs. In particular, children with dogs:

  • Developed 31% fewer respiratory tract symptoms or infections
  • Experienced 44% fewer ear infections
  • Received 29% fewer antibiotic prescriptions

The proof is in the dirt. Outdoor dogs had more of an effect because of the potential for more microbes to be brought in the house. This can develop the child's immune system more and fight off infection naturally while exposing them to allergies sooner as well.

What's the moral of the story?

Pet owners should get routine vet care. Let pets out of the house to get dirty. Cleaning up a little dirt or mud in the house never hurt anybody - it's actually better for newborn babies. Mopping the kitchen floor or scrubbing muddy paw prints off the couch is a fair trade for a newborn's overall health, isn't it?

 

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Topics: Veterinarians

Written by Brandon Weaver