TAKE AN OBJECTIVE, CRITICAL LOOK AT YOUR VET
One of the biggest and most unpleasant surprises in rescue work has been the large number of vets we've encountered who are mediocre or truly less than competent. Like all dog owners we used to assume that all vets were created equal and now we know that THIS IS NOT THE CASE. Although most vets are qualified to do routine yearly wellness exams and vaccinations -- we have found that only a small percentage are skilled and gifted diagnosticians.
Time and time again we encounter rescue dogs and our volunteers' dogs who are hurt, permanently harmed, and even die because of an incorrect diagnosis and improper and non-aggressive treatment. We see owners who have spent thousands of dollars on chronic ear and allergy issues with no results - however these dogs are cured in a very short time once the proper medications are prescribed.
Most people pick their vets because the clinic is convenient to their home and because the vet is a nice, kind person. Although that is good starting point, it is important that geographical convenience and a pleasing personality are not the only reasons that you entrust this person to care for your beloved dog. Dogs cannot verbalize where it hurts, so YOU are the health advocate for your dog.
A vet should be chosen with the same care as your personal physician or your child's pediatrician. Please go to our website at www.adoptagoldenatlanta.com under the Medical Section for a checklist you can use to evaluate your current vet or to interview a new one. Additionally please review our list of AGA recommended vets.
We believe these vets to be the best anywhere and they earn our trust and respect everyday with the care they provide the many AGA dogs they treat.
Most important of all, if your dog is ill or injured and after a visit to your vet is not improving or is getting worse PLEASE CONTACT US ASAP. We can and will help!
BUY PET INSURANCE
It is not a surprise that the costs of veterinary care are rising, especially as more sophisticated treatments become available for animals. The charges for a simple injury or illness can be $500 and a serious medical event can run into many thousands of dollars. The only thing worse than a dog being sick or injured is for the owner to be in a position where decisions about the dog's care must be based on what can be afforded. In fact, many dogs are turned into us simply because the owner could not afford medical treatment for the dog.
Pet Insurance provides you with the peace of mind that you will be able to financially manage the medical care your dog needs. There are many companies who offer pet insurance and while we do not endorse a specific carrier, our research shows that the most popular companies are ASPCA http://www.aspcapetinsurance.com/ and VPI http://www.petinsurance.com/.
Like human health insurance there are a variety of coverage options with corresponding costs from those that cover basic wellness and polices that only cover catastrophic medical events. To find the policy that best meet the needs of you and your dog, please read the coverage and reimbursement schedules closely - ALL have deductibles, pay only a percentage of costs and may exclude some pre-existing condition .
We haven't spoken to anyone who has pet insurance who has not told us that it was a good decision and that the cost they pay for the annual policy has been paid for several times over through coverage that they received.
Carolyn Gambino
Director, Health and Canine Wellness
