Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Be In Tune With Your Pet -- It Could Save Their Life!


The bond you share with your beloved animal is unlike any other you will experience in your lifetime. When it comes to your pet's well-being, you are literally their lifeline. You are their voice. Being in tune with your pet can mean life or death for them in certain situations.

You may initially feel frustrated with your pet if they have an "accident" inside the house or if he or she simply hasn't been listening to you like usual. Instead of getting frustrated, ask yourself if perhaps your pet may not be feeling well.

- Is she moving slower?
- Have her eating habits changed?
- Does she act as though she wants to be left alone more often?

Be careful not to dismiss certain behaviors as "no big deal." If your pet has started to lose his balance, for example, it may be time for a visit to your veterinarian. Niko, a Pekingese who Brown Dog Foundation assisted, started falling over and losing his balance shortly after a car accident. Unfortunately, he lost his life due to the injury being left untreated for too long. Because the family was short on cash, Niko lived with his injuries for 4 months. Time can play a crucial role in saving your pet's life.

When it comes to finding a veterinarian for your pet, it is essential to do your research first. In the age of the internet, research and reviews are right at your fingertips. Old-fashioned word-of-mouth referrals will always stand the test of time. Your pet absolutely depends on you to communicate precisely to the veterinarian what issues they are experiencing. Because pets cannot tell us what hurts, it is essential to be observant of any changes in their behavior and habits. If you feel that your veterinarian is dismissing some of the problems your pet is having or that something is left unresolved, you may need to push for other tests to be conducted or even locate a new veterinarian. But, realize, if you push for testing... you will need to pay for it or find assistance to do so.

It is important to keep in mind that doctors are still human and with that being said, they are not perfect. They can make mistakes just like the rest of us. Doctors simply cannot diagnose and treat an animal without proper testing being conducted. With this in mind, it is mandatory that you be prepared for emergencies your pet may face. Have a savings account set aside or invest in pet insurance. Veterinary care is relatively affordable but can feel astronomical when you are unprepared. In times of crises, the costs can certainly add up. Although veterinarians truly love animals, most are not in the position to write-off the expense of diagnostic tests and surgeries that may be necessary for your pet. This would put their business and their own livelihood in jeopardy.

Brown Dog Foundation personnel are committed to having a hand in saving the lives of animals in need, but note that they are not veterinarians. You must communicate with your veterinarian. Your pet's livelihood depends on YOU. Communication with your veterinarian is essential and plays a key role in ensuring your pet's well-being. Be sure not to leave out any details. If you feel that something is amiss, don't ignore your instincts. Most importantly, be in tune with your pet at home. Your quick response to their change in behavior could save their life!

2 comments:

  1. The story is not excatly correct. We took NIko to the vet just as soon as he started falling. The vet checked his front paw and said that there was nothing wrong, and sent us home. But Niko kept falling, we took him back to the vet and it was always the same answer, there is nothing wrong . This went on for another 3 visits, and finally the vet said that there might be a problem with on of his disc in his back but the test would be about $400.00 , This is when someone told us about Brown Dog Foundation, and they stepped in to help with the bill. After a week at the vet we brought Niko home and everything seamed to be good, then after 4 days he started to fall again and started to pass blood thought his urine. We called the vet, but it was 1 hour till close and was told that there was nothing they could do and they would call us back. So we took him to an after hours vet and she gave us some medicine and sent us home. The original vet never called us back and after 2 days we took him back to the emergency vet and after checking him and watching him fall , she said that he had a spinal cord injury and that it had gone too lone and that there was noting we could do. If the original vet had found this problem in the beginning , there might have been a chance. But poor Niko could not even get up to empty his urine. He had gained 3 pounds in 2 days and was drowning in his own fluids, so we had to make the hardest decision that I ever had to do , and that was to let hiim go.We love you and Miss you everyday Niko. Love Mommy and Daddy

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  2. my dog goes with me everywhere..when i have my jogging he goes with me and when i sleep he also sleeps with me..

    pet funeral services pittsburgh

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