Keep pet costs down | Pet Peeves
I’ve done a similar column before, but it seems like a good time to revisit what we can do to minimize cost and maximize health for our pets.
There are so many things we think we need for our dogs and cats, but the number of necessary things can be streamlined so that we keep costs down without sacrificing our pets’ health.
The first thing we need to be sure we do is keep our pets vaccinated properly. For cats, this means adult cats should have a rabies vaccine and a distemper (FVRCP) vaccine kept up to date. These can both be given every three years. The feline leukemia vaccine is a must if your cat goes outside, but it can be left off if it is an inside-only cat. Leukemia vaccines are given once a year.
Kittens need a FVRCP every three weeks from the time they are 8 weeks old until they are 16 weeks old. The rabies vaccine is usually done on the last set of kitten vaccines. It also is recommended that kittens be tested for feline leukemia. This is because they usually get the virus from the mother and, if you are exposing this kitten to other cats in the home, it is best to be sure you are not bringing the virus in.
Also, it is good to know the leukemia status before starting any leukemia vaccines. Most veterinarians recommend getting the feline leukemia series for kittens. It begins as a series of two vaccines given three weeks apart, and they are started at 12 weeks of age. This is recommended because the future lifestyle of the kitten is unknown. It may be an outside cat, and it is good to have the feline leukemia protection until this is determined. If the cat becomes inside-only, the leukemia vaccines can be discontinued.
Puppies need to get the parvo and distemper vaccine (DAPP) every three weeks from the age of 6 weeks until they are 16 weeks old. The bordetella is a lifestyle vaccine and can be declined if the pet is not going to be groomed or boarded, or go to any dog parks. The rabies vaccine is usually given when the last vaccines are given at around 16 weeks of age.
Adult dogs should be kept vaccinated for distemper and parvo, which are usually given every three years. The rabies vaccine is legally required by the state and can be given every three years or once a year depending on which vaccine is used. Leptospirosis is another lifestyle vaccine. Lepto is shed in the urine of wild animals like raccoons, foxes and such. If your pet is exposed to woods or outside standing water, creeks or the bay, lepto is recommended once a year.
Dogs should be started on heartworm medicine when they are puppies, but it is never too late to start heartworm medicine. Heartworms are carried by mosquitoes, and they are very prolific here in Florida.
Heartworm medicine can be purchased individually for a cheaper price, but here in Florida, fleas are so bad that it is recommended that pets be on heartworm and flea medicine. In those cases, the combination products of flea and heartworm will be less expensive than giving a separate flea medicine from the heartworm medicine. Flea medicines that are included in the heartworm product also are usually safer and more effective than anything you can get over the counter.
This has been a quick review, but more information is easily obtainable at your veterinarian’s office. Let them know you are trying to keep costs down; I am sure they will help tailor a plan for your pet.
This article originally appeared on Northwest Florida Daily News: Keep pet costs down | Pet Peeves
