Preventive Care Priorities if You Can’t Do Everything: How Veterinarians Think About Risk, Urgency, and Sequencing When Cost is a Barrier.
When it comes to balancing veterinary care AND your budget, there is no set formula that works for every person and every pet. Age, lifestyle and comorbidities (simultaneous medical conditions) are important considerations when it comes to understanding which elements of care should be prioritized and when.
Just as babies are extra vulnerable to disease as their immune systems develop, puppies and kittens are at high risk of death or serious complications from some nasty but highly preventable diseases like parvovirus and panleukopenia. The pathogens that cause these illnesses live in the environment and are extremely difficult to eradicate and avoid. Vaccination is a vital step to protecting young pets or pets with additional immuno-compromising conditions like feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) or feline leukemia (FeLV) and takes top priority - in many cases, area shelters and rescues may host free or significantly discounted vaccine clinics in order to make sure owners have access to this crucial care.
Antiparasitics and dewormers, on the other hand, can be a little more case-by-case. While some puppies and kittens may have the tell-tale distended abdomens that accompany intestinal worms, warranting a dose or two of medication, these medications aren’t always necessary for older animals unless the pet is having diarrhea or passing live worms in their stool. Tapeworms, which are passed when a pet grooms itself and ingests live fleas, often appear like little grains of rice around the anus. Fleas are also often the source of other, more severe concerns - itching, rashes, skin infections - and keeping current on flea medication is advisable for pets of all ages.
While vaccination and an initial round of dewormer is a priority for vulnerable populations and dogs and cats who spend considerable time outside - and have potential for run-ins with stray animals and wildlife - it may not be as necessary for an older pet with a history of vaccination and who spends more time inside snoozing than they do outdoors. An expired vaccine is not ideal, but understanding how an older pet’s organs are functioning may be a little more important, especially if you are beginning to observe subtle changes like increases/decreases in appetite, thirst or urination. In this case, saving up for bloodwork, sometimes called a senior screen, may be a better use of your dollar.
What you can do at home
Keeping track of vaccination and annual exam appointments and calling clinicians ahead of time to price check can be a good way to make sure important dates and the potential costs don’t become unexpected surprises. Be mindful that “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” - while a routine wellness check for a seemingly healthy pet may seem frivolous in the moment, these exams, especially for geriatric pets, can help veterinarians catch potential issues before a bigger, more expensive medical intervention becomes necessary. It also allows you to continue purchasing prescription strength flea medication, which is the ultimate defense against flea-related rashes, allergies and nuisances.
It’s also important to stay attuned to your pet in order to recognize changes or abnormalities - are they sleeping more than usual? Peeing outside the box? Are they a young pet that suddenly doesn’t seem to have energy, or has begun to vomit after meals? The sooner you recognize a problem, the greater your chances of arranging an appointment with a general practice veterinarian, which is significantly cheaper than a trip to the emergency room.
TL;DR
Not all pets need the same treatments - you and your vet can discuss your pet’s specific risk factors (age, lifestyle, medical history) when determining what makes the most sense for you.
Remember, a doctor’s suggestions are just that - suggestions. You don’t have to approve every item on an estimate, and it is always acceptable to ask for clarification or for the doctor to help you triage the most important of their recommendations.
Stay on top of appointment dates - a missed vaccine may mean that you need to repeat a booster, leading to an extra cost.
Even if your pet is healthy, a vet can legally only prescribe medication for one year after your visit - this includes flea medications. A regular wellness makes sure you continue to have the ability to get the medicine you need to prevent problems from getting out of control.