Pet Doctor Offers You Veterinary Payment Options

When it comes to our pets, we want to do all we can to protect them. But unfortunately, sometimes things don’t always go to plan despite our best intentions. Unforeseen incidents, illnesses and injuries can occur. Often at the worst time possible which can make it difficult for you to cover the unexpected costs.

Thankfully, there are options out there that can help you.

VetPay

VetPay is a service that helps you to pay off your vet expenses over a period of time. Without having to worry over the high expenses you would have to otherwise pay upfront. VetPay arranges a balance amount which is carried out over fortnightly direct debit payments from your bank account. This option helps to lighten the load of having to pay a large amount all in one swoop. Therefore, allowing you to be able to focus on your recovering animal instead of your recovering bank account.

VetPay is offered by all good South Australia veterinarians – including Pet Doctor Woodville and West Lakes clinics. For further information, visit the VetPay website.

Pet Insurance

Pet Insurance helps to act as a safety net to protect your pet and cover any unexpected costs that may come your way. When applying for pet insurance, there are many options on the market. Make sure you take into consideration your pet and their needs to help guide you into making your decision.

Speaking to any Adelaide Vet is a great start as they can suggest which options may suit you your current financial situation best.

Here are some common Pet Insurance companies to help get started:

• Medibank Private
• RSPCA
• Pet Plan
• Pet Insurance Australia
• BOW WOW
• Pet Secure
• Vets Own
• Pet Cover
• Insurance Line

You can also check with your own private health insurance provider to see if your existing policy covers anything for your furry family member. You may be entitled to a certain amount of cover, without even being aware prior.

Here at Pet Doctor, we are more than happy to assist you and your pet. Whether it’s for payments, insurance plans or general vet health enquiries.

Pet Simmer’s Club

Pet Doctor is proud to announce our brand new program. It will become a permanent fixture at our Woodville and West Lakes clinics. Our Pet Slimmer’s Club works in conjunction with Royal Canin. This program will help your pet become fit for Summer and healthy for life.

Slim Pet, Healthy Pet

1kg extra on your pet may not see like a lot – but have you considered what that would mean in human terms? Based on the average human weight of 65kg;

• 4kg Cat, such as a Domestic Shorthair, Himalayan or Manx: + 1kg = +16kg for a human
• 10kg Dog, such as a Beagle, Cocker Spaniel or French Bulldog: + 1kg = +7kg for a human
• 25kg Dog, such as a Staffy, Boxer or Husky: + 1kg = +3kg for a human

We’re sure that you’ve heard the phrase ‘in moderation’ when it comes to your health – and the same goes for your pet. Love does not equal food, and it is this mindset that is causing the pet obesity epidemic that Adelaide veterinarians such as the team at Pet Doctor see far too regularly.

Join Today

At Pet Doctor, we’re committed to keeping your cat or dog as happy and as healthy as possible. If you think your pet could be overweight or at risk, we encourage you to book an appointment with a member of our friendly team. We will happily speak to you about what’s involved in our Pet Slimmer’s Club, which includes;

• Free introductory consultation
• Fortnightly weigh-ins
• Support and analysis of your pet’s weight

Contact us if our Pet Slimmer’s Club sounds like the right fit for you – and take a look at Pet Doctor’s very first success story!

Sally’s Story

Sally was an unhappy, tired, obese dog that would beg for, and even steal, food. At 22.5kg Sally’s tiny legs were beginning to show signs of soreness.

Since commencing the Pet Slimmer’s Club at Pet Doctor’s Woodville clinic on 2nd August, Sally has become far more energetic and has stopped begging for food. She now runs around the backyard and plays with other dogs – particularly her fur-sibling, who is enjoying the newfound playtime almost as much as Sally is!

Sally is very close to reaching her goal weight after only 3 short months. With the fantastic help of her owners and Pet Doctor’s Pet Slimmer’s Club, she now weighs a stunning 17.9kgs – which of course is much closer to the ideal weight for her breed.

Sally Before

Sally After

Dermatology Month

During October, it is known as Dermatology month. For others, it may mean that it’s daylight savings! Which means light filled mornings and plenty of time to play with your pets after work. As our body clocks adjust to the time change, spring is also in full swing! With the seasonal change in the air, pollen is floating around from trees, flowers and grasses. This can cause your pets to feel similar allergy symptoms to us humans.

We have put together a list of common symptoms to look out for in your pets:

• Increased scratching
• Itchy, red, moist or scabbed skin
• Irritated, runny eyes
• Itchy ears and possible ear infections
• Sneezing
• Vomiting
• Diarrhorea
• Constant licking or biting at one or multiple areas

If you suspect that your dog or cat has any of the above symptoms, please get in contact with our team. We will give them a full assessment and recommend a treatment plan. Allergies can easily turn into chronic conditions. Therefore, it is important to seek advice in the very early stages.

Home Allergy Treatment:
• Regular bathing of your pet with a mild hypoallergenic shampoo. Using this can assist in removing allergens from sitting on the skin and reduces itching
• Reduce your pets’ exposure to environmental triggers eg. keeping them inside on high pollen or grass cutting days

Pet Doctor’s Treatment Options:
• Medicated shampoos, conditioners, sprays, or other topical agents
• Antihistamines
• Antibiotics
• Antifungal medicines (for yeast infections)
• Fatty acid supplements
• Short-acting corticosteroids for immediate relief
• Immune-mediating drugs, such as cyclosporine
• Immunotherapy injections (allergy injections individualised for each patient)

With only two months left until Christmas or 66 days to be precise (but who’s counting 😉), it’s time to think about making plans on how your pets will be cared for during the festive season. Therefore, Pet Doctor at Woodville and West Lakes is your #1 local and go-to Adelaide veterinarian. Contact our friendly team who are happy to assist you with all pet enquiries.

(Sources for allergy symptoms and treatment: https://pets.webmd.com/dogs/allergies-dogs#1 and http://www.americanveterinarian.com/journals/amvet/2016/march2016/its-spring-and-my-pet-itches-a-look-at-seasonal-allergies)

Feral Cat Day

Here at Pet Doctor, we love to celebrate anything to do with our four-legged companions. The 16^{th of} October is Feral Cat Day but why is this something to celebrate you may wonder? Well, this day helps to shed some light on the strays and helpless kitties roaming our streets. We love to educate you and other animal lovers on how you can help.

Pet Adoption

Apart from introducing a cuddly companion into your home, you are also, in turn, save a life. By adopting, you are helping your feline friends live a much healthier and safer life. Saving it from harm and the potential diseases of the backstreets. Shelters such as Paws & Claws Adoptions, the RSPCA South Australia and the Animal Welfare League (AWL) and have adoption processes to help you find your purrrrfect match.

Pet Doctor has been working closely with Paws & Claws Adoptions for a number of years. They help us foster and rehome animals who may have been surrendered or abandoned. Over the years, they have found the furever homes for many of Pet Doctor’s cats and kittens.

At the RSPCA, they take the liberty of colour co-ordinating their cats. Making it easier to identify your enthusiastic kitten from your mellow kitty cat. The AWL also operate by a similar system by asking a series of simple questions. This makes the adoption process smooth and easy for you to find your new buddy.

Desexing

De-sexing your cat helps to decrease the number of kittens growing up without a place to call home. By de-sexing, it can also lead to a much healthier lifestyle as it eliminates the chance of your cat from getting uterine disease. It also reduces the chance for mammary tumours (breast cancer). This surgery can be conducted at Pet Doctor’s Woodville or West Lakes clinic. To ensure your cat’s surgery progresses along well after their vet visit, it is vital to listen carefully to your vet’s instructions to make the post-operative process a successful one!

Even though it may not be Feral Cat Day every day, we do not forget about our helpless feline friends. We try to do our best to help them live happy and healthy nine lives.