8 ways to save money on veterinary care

When a close friend had a pacemaker implanted in her ailing Boston terrier, I was astounded. I knew that my friend loved her dog and that she could well afford that level of medical care, but the price tag of the pacemaker, surgery and follow-up – in the five figures – still left me reeling.

I asked myself what the average person, someone who does have budget concerns, would do if a beloved pet (my grand-dog, for instance) needed expensive medical care. I learned that certain organizations offer help to pet owners who can’t afford necessary but costly treatments. Here are eight ways to find cheaper health care for your pets:

Find grants or charities to help cover costs. RedRover offers grants to pet owners in need and also has a directory of sites on which grants and other assistance may be found. IMom may offer aid for life-saving treatment; The Pet Fund also offers assistance to owners who cannot afford necessary veterinary care. The Humane Society lists charities that may offer financial aid for life-saving treatments.
Ask your vet for a discount of a payment plan. If you already have a vet you trust but are suddenly hit with the need for an expensive procedure you can’t afford, ask if he or she can help in any way, either with a discount or an extended payment plan.
Seek out discounted routine care, such as vaccinations, from local animal welfare organizations, rescue groups and shelters. Those groups often provide low-cost vaccinations, spaying and neutering, and other routine procedures. Petfinder has a list of such organizations. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals also has a list of low-cost programs for spaying or neutering your pet. Experts urge pet owners to spay females prior to their first heat cycle because this prevents uterine infections and uterine cancer and nearly eliminates the risk of breast cancer. Neutering males prevents testicular cancer and enlargement of the prostate gland and reduces the risk of perianal tumors.
Check out veterinary schools. Procedures are performed by students, but they are always supervised by a fully qualified veterinarian. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has a list of accredited veterinary colleges, so check to see if there is one near you.
Shop wisely for prescriptions. If you’re buying those from your vet, compare the prices with those at online sites like 1-800-PetMeds and Pet Care RX. If you see a big difference in price, ask your vet if he or she can offer competitive prices. If you decide to buy your meds online, make sure you patronize only reputable sites like those mentioned here. The U.S. Food and Drug administration warns that some companies sell counterfeit or expired drugs. Its site has more information on how to spot such companies. You can also get pet medications at a discount from some human providers.
Take steps to keep your pet healthy. One way is to schedule regular checkups and make sure that necessary vaccinations are done at the right time. Another is to prevent the kind of food-borne (or plant-borne) illnesses that happen at home simply by dangerous foods and toxic substances way from your pet. The ASPCA has a list of foods you should never share with your pet as well as a list of toxic plants. With regular common-sense care your pet can avoid common mishaps.
Keep up a schedule of dental hygiene (regular brushing), nail and paw care and grooming.
Find a vet before an emergency happens. If your pet has never seen a veterinarian, don’t wait until you have a sudden emergency, when you may have no choices beyond expensive emergency care. Choose a vet, either in private practice or at a veterinary hospital, so you will have someone to consult when the need arises.

Note: Some pet owners prefer to think ahead and purchase pet insurance. The ASPCA offers policies for both cats and dogs, as do other reputable providers. These are not cheap, so if you are considering coverage, the ASPCA recommends that you ask the following questions: