Pet insurance, is it right for you?
 

By Merle F. Marks, DVM
 

Timberland Animal Clinic
 

Over the years, I have seen many changes within veterinary medicine. Improvements

in technology, discovery and treatment of diseases old and new, and

formation of HMOs are just a few changes. One thing which has changed

is the cost of treating our sick pets and keeping them healthy. One

thing which hasn't changed is our love, compassion and bonding with

them. In the next three series of articles, I hope to explain to some

small degree the reasons for rising veterinary costs, the slowly emerging

pet insurance market, HMOs and individual pet hospital plans, and

some personal opinions on them. Please note that I am not endorsing

any particular company or plan, but only relaying information. Also

any numbers may have changed due to fee increases and time lapses. These

numbers are in the ballpark so to speak.
 

Rising Costs
 

An area which constantly surprises me. Prices go up. Nothing stays

the same for long and almost nothing ever goes down in price. Gasoline,

bread, milk, wages, insurance, rent, everything is going up.  So does

the cost of flea products, antibiotics, employees wages, surgical

equipment, x-ray film, etc. Everything in our clinic costs more than

it did a year ago. Veterinarians are also tired of working 8-12 hour

days and just making ends meet. Many forfeited 9 years of being in

the work force to go to medical school. Many are having to pay back

$50,000-$100,000 in school loans upon graduation. It is predicted

that many students will not have those loans paid off until they retire. To

some degree, the veterinary community has taken on the commitment

of being determined to elevate the quality of medical treatment and

service provided, along with being recognized as highly trained and

educated physicians.
 

Rising Technology
 

New breakthroughs are occurring every day. There are now once-a-month

medications and treatments for prevention of intestinal parasites, heartworms

and fleas which are extremely effective and safe. They have made pet

ownership much easier and pets much healthier.
 

But they cost a great deal to invent, test, license and market. That

cost is passed on down the line.
 

So where does this lead us?
 

Initially, people MUST realize that veterinary treatment often is

expensive but can be lessened with good, consistent preventative care. Second,

once realizing that, people SHOULD formulate a plan for their pets

health. You don't have to save for their college education. You don't

have to buy them clothes or gifts at Christmas (although many people

do). All you have to do is feed them, love them and try to keep them

as healthy as possible to keep them around as long as possible. No

more hoping that the bill wont be too high. No more whining. It has

to be planned for, just as with your retirement. In my three articles,

we will address how to plan and possibly defray costs, I will show

you how to develop a budget and how pet insurance works into this

mix. EC
 

Merle F. Marks, DVM is a co-owner of Timberland Animal Clinic.