Vet Care - Thinking Outside the Wallet

Last weekend, shoppers descended on stores all across the country to get a jump on holiday gift buying. Because of the downturn in the economy, people are looking more closely at expenses and spending. But veterinarians caution that now is NOT the time to scrimp on preventive care, because that could cost more in the long run. Take heartworms for instance. You may think that cold weather kills the devilish mosquitoes that spread the illness. While in a perfect world that’s true, but the widespread flooding across the country increased mosquito populations, which can increase risk in even indoor cats and dogs, according to Dr. Sheldon Rubin, the president of the American Heartworm Society and a Chicago area veterinarian. Yep, I said “cats.” While dogs are the definitive host and, if infected, can be cured with expensive (sometimes $1000+) treatments (now THERE’S a hit in the pocketbook!)--cats also are frequently affected by heartworms. And they can’t easily be treated--but feline heartworms can be easily prevented. Feline heartworm disease has recently been redefined as Heartworm Associated Respiratory Disease (HARD), an infection that can often lead to severe lung disease (often mistaken for asthma or bronchitis). Cats with heartworms often have no signs before they simply die. My dog Magic and cat Seren(dipity) both take monthly heartworm preventive medications. For me, it’s simply not worth the risk, especially since N. Texas where I live has such ify weather, a warm thaw in February can hatch new mosquitoes. The American Heartworm Society has partnered with the American Association of Feline Practitioners and Pfizer Animal Health with the KNOW Heartworms campaign. Learn more at www.knowheartworms.org