Our Dog is Dying

If your dog had an upset stomach, could you afford to pay close to $1,000 out of pocket? How about other costly emergencies? Our family currently has a male Doberman who is 9 years old and suffering from an enlarged heart. We brought him to the veterinarian today because it appeared he had breathing difficulty, and wanted to make sure he was okay. After some x-rays, came the bad news. We were told that our dog was suffering from dilated cardiomyopathy, which is found in most Doberman Pinschers, Saint Bernard's, Cocker Spaniels, Great Danes, German Shepherds and Labrador Retrievers. It is not common in small dogs.

So unfortunately it's just a matter of time before we lose him. So now he needs to have an electrocardiogram, drugs and who knows what else we have to face in our dogs future. It's unfortunate, but these things happen in life and we just have to deal with it. It's going to be costly to take care of him from this point on, and of course we want him to be as comfortable as possible. When owning a dog or other pet, you have to expect that these things are a part of life, whether there illnesses or accidents. Sometimes pet owners are caught completely off guard, because you never know when these things are going to happen.

But inevitably in every life form these events are going to happen, at some point, whatever the degree. Fortunately we have pet insurance to cover whatever costs there will be, and believe me, that's a big load off our minds. Just having to deal with the sadness of knowing that you are about to lose a treasured member of your family, is enough to worry about, without having to worry about how where going to have to pay for everything. A Physical It's very important to set up regular visits to the vet to routinely check your pet's general health on a yearly basis. Often pet owners say to themselves that the dog is fine, and why should they bring them to the vet. After all the dogs fine and nothing seems to be wrong.

Actually putting this on the back burner can have its future disappointments. One thing most pet owners seem to forget is that dogs age quickly and are unable to tell us when they are not feeling well. Remember, taking a year off from taking your dog to the vet is like ten of your years. That's a long time to get checked by the doctor. Your dog could be sick for weeks and you would never know it. That's because your dog usually hides their illness, until it's far advanced. So believe me. It's always a good idea to bring your dog in for a physical, so you can have piece of mind. After all, your veterinarian is trained and highly experienced in finding subtle illnesses in your pet.

Increased lung sounds are usually an early indicator of many illnesses, similar to what has happened to our dog. Listening to the heart could reveal possible heart murmurs. Checking your dog's eyes could also reveal the beginning stages of cataract and other ocular issues. Comparing weight annually can also determine other health issues and weight problems. If your dog is losing weight that could introduce a whole new set of issues you weren't prepared for. As your dog ages, annual physicals should become common practice for you.

Remember your veterinarian's primary goal is to insure you that your dog is healthy. If they suspect that your dog is not doing well, then they might recommend additional tests, just to make sure. Your goal is to insure your pet's quality of life, so making the good habit of setting up regular visits to your veterinarian, is a step in the right direction. After all, your veterinarian cares a great deal about your dog, and will do everything possible to make sure that they have done the very best for you and your dog.

Some common Illnesses.....Found in Dogs.

1. Osteo arthritis-Is found to be one of the most common of illnesses. Symptoms to look for are trouble with mobility and lameness. Trouble walking a general movement.
2. Vomiting/Gastritis-Could be nothing and also can be very serious, when combined with loss of appetite.
3. Ear Infections-Itchy, Red or smelly ears, could be signs of infection.
4. Inflammations of Eyes-common issues are Watery, Itchy and Red irritations.
5. Diarrhea/Enteritis-Very loose or frequent stools can be an issue to look into. You may also want to bring a sample to your veterinarian so they can check for worms and other issues.
6. Benign Skin Tumors-Symptoms include inappropriate urination, frequent urination or bloody urine.
7. Hot Spots/Pyoderma-Any painful areas on the skin. Hair fallout, moist areas on the neck and rear end areas.

There are many more, but these are the most common. Like I had mentioned in the beginning of this article about my family's dog and his Current life threatening issues. Where would we be if we didn't have pet insurance? I know there are many of you, who have lost your jobs, or have to make many financial cutbacks, to make ends meet. Pet Insurance is not costly, and could save you thousands in the long run. We go into more details and concerns on our website Healthydoggy, where we go in depth with the type of information you may want. And to get a closer look at Pet Insurance and its costs.