Diabetic Dogs and Affordable Care

English: Two Dogs (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I just found the time to read the July/August issue of the AARP Bulletin, and in their annual "99 Great Ways to Save" article, they have several pet items.  Number 80 asks if you are having trouble affording your pet and suggests searching under that at humanesociety.org.  I tried it, because I know firsthand how much it can cost to have a pet with any kind of chronic health issue, but it took some doing to get to the right page, which is at http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/trouble_affording_pet.html

The page lists a lot of organizations all around the country that can help, also indexed by state.  None are specifically for diabetic dogs (several are only for canine cancer), but there are some that offer assistance with prescription drugs.  I don't know if any will help with insulin, but it couldn't hurt to check.  It turns out that the Humane Society of the United States also has a program called Pets For Life,  which is aimed at underserved communities, and they offer info on how to start one going in your area.

They also have a program for people with pets who are facing foreclosure.  Unlike some animal rights organizations that seem only to care about getting their names in the paper, by some pretty bizarre means at times, and soliciting donations (you probably know which one I'm thinking of here), the HSUS appears to be trying to deal with the practical needs of pets and their owners.  Having said that, however, I must note that they also have their detractors, as you can see from the title of one of the articles listed below, but you can get another viewpoint from the slate.com article. 

Related articles

• Diabetes in dogs and cats (diabetic-dog-food.blogspot.com)
• Breaking News: Hundreds of Dogs and Other Animals Rescued in South Carolina (hsus.typepad.com)
• US: Investigation: Illegal Sale of Domestic Dog Fur (careforchineseanimals.net)
• HSUS: Like PETA with suits and deodorant [erv] (scienceblogs.com)
• Vegan Feud (slate.com)

The Dangers of Ask-a-Vet Websites

Veterinarian (Photo credit: Army Medicine)

As always, I am on the alert for issues concerning pet health, and I've come across one that I haven't seen before.  DogChannel.com has an interesting and thorough article about the pitfalls of ask-a-vet websites (which are becoming numerous, with many charging for their services).  Nikki Moustaki, a well-known writer on dogs, examined a bunch of these sites, interviewed a few REAL veterinarians (some of the sites in question don't actually have vets on hand, just "experts") about them, and found some fairly troubling issues.  The one that I think is a dead giveaway is that some of them carry the disclaimer that the website and its advice are "for entertainment purposes only."  Yeah, I'm sure sick dogs are entertaining . . . to some sick people.

The bottom line is that if you are worried enough to be willing to pay for veterinary advice over the web, you are certainly worried enough that you should take the dog to his or her regular vet, the one who has seen the dog year after year and has records of previous exams.  Don't take chances.

Related articles

• Your pet holds equal importance (castlecover.co.uk)
• Hollywood Vet Promotes Stress-Free Office Environment (virtual-strategy.com)
• House calls a growing trend among veterinarians (kansascity.com)
• Pet vaccines as important as those for humans, vets say; compliance rates in Maine dangerously low (bangordailynews.com)
• Dog Flu Dangers: What You Need to Know (fox8.com)
• Your Pet's Other Best Companion [del.icio.us] (smilingdogbakery.com)