It has become ever more difficult for many people to care for their pets properly in the current economy. For patients with serious health problems, veterinary bills can be astronomical. Nevertheless, there are some strategies that may make veterinary healthcare costs more manageable.

A healthy lifestyle is a good start (for ourselves as well as for our animals). Proper exercise, especially for dogs, is important psychologically as well as physically. Far fewer animals would be considered “hyper” or would show signs of separation anxiety if they got enough exercise. How much exercise is enough? It varies depending on the breed and the individual. My dog Isaac is a pointer, a breed known for being crazy hyperactive. But Isaac is the perfect couch potato as long as he's had his daily romp, which for him is four to ten miles running off leash in the woods with me. A cocker spaniel might not require the same regimen, but all dogs need to be engaged mentally and physically. The effort can pay huge dividends: the cost to replace the torn sofa cushions, the prescription drugs (and monitoring lab tests) for separation anxiety, and the need to pay for doggy day care in exchange for canine sanity (and yours) are just a few of the benefits.

Cats benefit from exercise as well, especially those that are prone to obesity. There are plenty of toys that encourage vigorous play activity in cats. One of the most attractive and least expensive is a piece of string (too long to be ingested) or rope that you can drag around. One of our cats loves to play “soccer” with the cap from a milk container, a very affordable toy.

A healthy diet is another simple lifestyle choice. Feeding an appropriate amount kills two birds with one stone: feeding less saves money up front, and in the future by potentially preventing health problems such as diabetes or arthritis, which are associated with obesity. Dietary indiscretion can cause a host of problems ranging from nuisance vomiting or diarrhea to life threatening conditions such as pancreatitis or intestinal obstruction. Keeping trash or chocolate candy well secured can save money as well as lives.

Maintenance of a healthy coat saves money not only in terms of trips to the groomer, but in avoiding many dermatological problems. Some people learn how to clip their dogs' coats to minimize grooming costs. Most cats can be persuaded that combing and brushing is, if not enjoyable, at least tolerable. This is especially important for long haired cats. Regular brushing stimulates the skin as well as preventing tangles for both dogs and cats. And while brushing will not prevent all skin infections, you'll be able to spot these problems earlier, before they become more serious. There is no doubt that preventing flea infestations is a huge savings, both financially and for creature comfort, compared to treating them. Flea and tick control has been revolutionized in the last decade by the various spot-on products, but they only work if you use them. The first line of prevention for Lyme disease is tick control, even before vaccination.

Regular ear cleaning can be a huge factor in preventing ear infections. Use a solution that is specifically designed for ears, and avoid sticking Q-tips down the canal, which can push debris against the ear drum.

Dental health can impact the total health of an individual. There's a great variation in the propensity to build up tartar and have reactive gums, just as there is in people. Certain breeds are more at risk, including Yorkies, small poodles, schnauzers, greyhounds, and others. Patients with periodontal disease are at increased risk for other conditions, especially kidney disease. Regular tooth brushing can go a long way in preventing severe periodontal disease. Dental experts advise brushing twice daily. That might be pretty time consuming, but brushing at least daily makes a lot of sense. Consider how much brushing dentists recommend for our own teeth. Start slowly with your pet's favorite flavor. (Isaac prefers poultry flavor.)

Is it counterintuitive to spend money on veterinary visits when you're trying to save money? Not really. Identifying potential health problems will help pets stay healthy, and may even avert an expensive medical crisis. While followup is essential if there are ongoing health problems, sometimes it can be managed with a simple phone call. Your observations are critical for that feedback, and can help us make better decisions for further treatment.

Emergency clinics are a godsend when there's a true emergency, but they're usually much more costly than regular veterinary clinics. Some clinics may recommend more aggressive or exhaustive diagnostics or treatments than are strictly necessary, which can translate into some exorbitant bills. A few months ago I saw a report for a patient in which the final diagnosis was “intestinal gas”. The tally for blood tests, x-rays, and fluids was $800. So what can you do when you're worried about your pet? Learn what's normal for body temperature, gum color, heart and respiratory rate, and other baselines for your animal. If an animal has vomited once or twice but they're bright and alert with moist gums, they probably aren't in trouble. If we were talking by phone and you were wondering if you should bring in an animal that's vomited once and feels fine, I'd probably tell you to withhold food and water for a while and then start feeding ice chips followed by a bland diet; and to come in if the vomiting persists. Of course, my advice would be different for an animal that's already dehydrated, elderly, or has other health problems.

Regular checkups can catch diseases in their early stages, before they require expensive middle-of-the-night emergency care. Knowing normal values and a little first aid will help you feel comfortable foregoing some of the expensive procedures that might be recommended. I'll have more to say about first aid in future articles.

Finally, there's what's “ideal” and there's what's “real.” An ideal way to diagnose and treat severe pneumonia, for example, would include blood tests, radiographs, sampling fluid from the lungs for a culture, intravenous fluids, and antibiotics. But if funds are tight, it might not be unreasonable to check radiographs and then treat with subcutaneous fluids and a broad spectrum antibiotic. Ask questions: how can I do the best for my animal on a limited budget? Is this a test that we really need to do? We will always try to provide you with an estimate for the procedures that we're recommending, which in turn helps you anticipate costs and discuss options.