Economic Downturn Is No Reason To Skimp On Cat’s Care

Local Veterinarian Explains Why Avoiding Check- ups can Cost Cat Owners in the Long Run

Orlando, FL – Cat owners are much less likely to seek veterinary care for their pets than dog owners– and now, given the state of the economy, it appears to be getting worse, according to Diane Delmain, DVM, medical director at Bay Hill Cat Hospital in Orlando. “This is problematic because cats usually do not show signs of illness until they have serious problems,” explains Delmain, a board certified feline practitioner at Bay Hill Cat Hospital in Orlando. “Preventative care and early diagnostic testing give us an opportunity to identify diseases before they become significant.”

Regular animal check ups save money by preventing serious illnesses. “Routine wellness exams are the key to saving money and maintaining your cat’s quality of life. Many wellness exams uncover a health concern that can be addressed early on,” according to Delmain. These routine physical exams should take place once or twice a year, depending on the age or condition of your cat.

HOW PREVENTATIVE CARE CUTS COSTS

  1. A comprehensive visit should include a nose-to-tail physical exam along with an assessment of your pet’s ears, eyes, teeth, heart, lungs, abdomen, and joints. This will help catch any infection, lumps, or disease early, which is likely to be more manageable and less expensive. The average cost of an exam is $65, while the cost to treat some forms of cancer, if not caught at an early stage, can exceed $20,000.
  2. Younger pets receive vaccines or boosters to build immunity, while senior cats (nine years and up) get blood work, urine and stool evaluations to identify early signs of liver, kidney or intestinal parasite diseases. The average cost for vaccinations ranges from $10 to $150. Many vaccines prevent highly contagious, non-curable diseases. Going without vaccines can mean continual climbing costs, in effort to treat symptoms and alleviate pain, for the rest of the pet’s life.
  3. Cats should be on year-round heartworm and flea prevention. Cats infected with heartworms cannot be safely cured, and many infected cats develop severe respiratory problems or even die. Diagnosis and treatment for heartworms in cats can exceed $1000 and is often unsuccessful. A safe and effective combination flea and heartworm preventative runs approximately $11-20 per month.
  4. Routine dental cleanings cost approximately $300. Most cats should have a complete dental cleaning every 2-5 years, depending upon their rate of tartar build-up.
Prevention V Treatment
The average cost of a wellness exam is $65. This helps catch any infection, lumps, or disease early, which is likely to be more manageable and less expensive than a later diagnosis 1. Cancer The cost of treating cancers if not caught at an early stage can exceed $20,000. Surgical removals can start at $200.
Vaccines range from $10-$150 They protect against diseases such as upper respiratory infections, distemper, rabies and feline leukemia. 2. Vaccines Many diseases prevented by vaccines do not have cures. Treatable diseases can run from $500-$1500. Treating symptoms of incurable diseases can vary.
Heartworm preventative runs approximately $11-$20 per month 3. Heartworm Treatment ranges from $500-$1500 depending on the severity of the infestation.
Routine Dental Exams and cleanings cost approximately $300. 4. Dental Treating gum disease, abscesses or performing extractions start at $400-$500+

The Bottom Line

Regular physical examinations and laboratory tests can add years to the life of your cat. Avoiding the veterinarian, due to a slow economy, can cost much more in the long run and can be dangerous, or even deadly for pets. “Costly surgeries, serious illnesses, and heartbroken pet owners are often the real end results of avoiding preventative care treatments and wellness exams,” explains Delmain. “In so many of these cases, had the affected pets just received some simple and inexpensive preventative care, the owners would have healthy, happy cats at home and more money in their pockets.”

For any questions about your pet’s health, contact your local veterinarian.

Media Opportunities: On any given day, Dr. Delmain can be seen in action performing wellness exams on her patients. She is available for interview, photos, or video at Bay Hill Cat Hospital. Media inquiries and booking requests, please contact: Libby McKenna, 813-476-3894, or libby@fetchingcommunications.com.

About Diane M. Delmain D.V.M. : Delmain has been certified in feline practice by the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners and currently practices feline veterinary medicine at Bay Hill Cat Hospital in Orlando, Florida. Dr. Diane Delmain is a University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine graduate. She is currently one of only a handful of ABVP feline boarded specialists in Florida. She worked at the Cat Hospital of Philadelphia-one of the first feline only practices in the United States- prior to veterinary school. Before opening Bay Hill Cat Hospital, she was an associate veterinarian at the Cat Hospital of Campbell, CA. She is on the exam committee for the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners feline specialty board. In her spare time she enjoys horseback riding.