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Pet health and quality of life don't have to become economic casualties.Through a not-for-profit pet health resource - The Merck/Merial Manual for PetHealth - Merck and Merial, leading global pharmaceutical and animal healthcompanies, are teaming up to educate pet owners about the power of preventivemeasures as the cornerstone of a sound financial strategy for pet care. Thebook is an easy-to-read version of the manual veterinarians have been usingfor years, and it might be one of the most thoughtful and practical gifts youcan give to the pet lover in your life this holiday season.
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"We have known for a long time that early detection of ailments andproactive health maintenance can extend a pet's life by years, but it can alsohelp your pocketbook as well," said Scott Line, DVM, associate editor, TheMerck/Merial Manual for Pet Health. "In the long run, it is dramaticallycheaper to prevent health problems than it is to treat them, and consumersneed to keep this in mind when seeking ways to reduce costs in their pet carebudget."
Cut Costs Without Cutting Out What's Important: Top Tips From Dr. Line
Note: The following tips do not replace consultation with a licensedveterinary practitioner.
1. Be a Grooming DIYer: Grooming is an important part of maintaining yourpet's health and condition, but it is a skill anyone can perform withpractice. An added incentive for taking an active role in your pet's groomingis that you can identify problems early (e.g., bumps, lumps, changes in coatquality, etc.) that a groomer may not think to tell you about. Doing thegrooming yourself can save as much as $400 to $1,000 per year, but to avoid acostly mistake be sure to use products, such as shampoos, that are designedfor pets and not people.
2. Bulk Up: Resist the urge to buy pet food, heartworm and otherpreventatives in smaller quantities to cut immediate costs at the cashregister. The reality is, as long as you're mindful of expiration dates,buying in bulk is generally cheaper.
3. Don't Wait to Vaccinate or Medicate: Making sure your pet is currenton all recommended vaccinations will save you a bundle in the long run becauseyou'll help ward off preventable diseases. Vaccinations such as one thatprevents rabies, for example, are particularly critical and may save youranimal's life. Similarly, routine medications such as heartworm preventivesshould be given every month. Skipping doses can be expensive, as treatingheartworm costs as much as $800 - $1,000. In addition, treating the disease isrisky and can be painful for your pet.
4. Spay and Save: For the average pet owner, spaying or neutering is amust. If you have a limited income, you may be able to save by takingadvantage of low-cost clinics for these services. Keep in mind that spayingor neutering your pet can prevent the immediate expense of new pets in yourfamily and the societal expense of unwanted pets being turned in to shelters.It also reduces the occurrence of some common diseases, such as breast cancerin pets.
5. An Ounce of Prevention: Prevent an unplanned, emergency vet visit thisholiday by doing your part around the house. Many items that are a routinepart of holiday celebrations could be toxic or harmful to your pet. Examplesinclude:
-- Mistletoe and even poinsettia, while beautiful, are highly toxic todogs and cats
-- Chocolate and macadamia nuts are toxic as well, and yeast-based breaddough can actually be fatal to your pet as it causes intestinal bloat
-- Tinsel, if swallowed by a curious kitten or puppy, might causeintestinal blockage
Consult The Merck/Merial Manual for Pet Health for more in-depth guidance.
6. Brush Up: Proper dental care is an often-neglected component of thepet health regimen. Regular use of an inexpensive toothbrush and toothpastedesigned for pets can delay or avoid a professional cleaning costing severalhundred dollars. You also can purchase pet food designed to help eliminatetartar.
Best-Selling Resource Helps Owners Navigate Pet Health Decisions
The Merck/Merial Manual for Pet Health will guide owners in taking asensible, preventive approach to their pets' health. This trusted resource isbased on The Merck Veterinary Manual, the best-selling reference used byveterinarians for more than 50 years. Authored by more than 200 veterinaryexperts and written in simple, layman's terms, The Manual for Pet Health isthe most comprehensive guide to health care for all common pets. It providesaccurate and trustworthy information about animal health and lets ownerscommunicate more effectively with their veterinarian.
The Merck/Merial Manual for Pet Health can be purchased online atwww.merckbooks.com for $15 and wherever books are sold.
About Dr. Scott Line
Scott Line, DVM, PhD, DACVB earned his veterinary degree at Ohio StateUniversity in Columbus, Ohio. He then completed a residency at the Universityof California, Davis, where he also earned a doctoral degree in animalbehavior. In addition, he is a board-certified veterinary behaviorist. He hasheld a variety of research, clinical, and teaching positions during his25-year career as a veterinarian. He works for Merial Limited, where he is theassociate editor of the Merck/Merial Manual for Pet Health. He lives inDecatur, GA with his dog Gromit and his cats Ben and Jerry.
A Tradition of Educational Publishing
The Merck/Merial Manual for Pet Health joins Merck's comprehensive list ofmedical, veterinary and scientific manuals published as a not-for-profitservice to physicians, scientists and consumers. In addition to the MerckVeterinary Manual, Merck also publishes the best-selling Merck Manual, firstpublished in 1899, The Merck Index (a one-volume encyclopedia of chemicals),The Merck Manual of Medical Information-Home Edition, now in its secondedition (2003), as well as The Merck Manual of Health & Aging. All of themanuals have strict editorial independence and do not include marketinginformation or promote pharmaceutical medicines.
About Merial
Merial is a world-leading, innovation-driven animal health company,providing a comprehensive range of products to enhance the health, well-beingand performance of a wide range of animals. Merial employs approximately 5,000people and operates in more than 150 countries worldwide. Merial Limited is ajoint venture between Merck & Co., Inc. and sanofi-aventis. For moreinformation, please see www.merial.com.
About Merck
Merck & Co., Inc. is a global research-driven pharmaceutical companydedicated to putting patients first. Established in 1891, Merck currentlydiscovers, develops, manufactures and markets vaccines and medicines toaddress unmet medical needs. The Company devotes extensive efforts to increaseaccess to medicines through far-reaching programs that not only donate Merckmedicines but help deliver them to the people who need them. Merck alsopublishes unbiased health information as a not-for-profit service. For moreinformation, visit www.merck.com.
SOURCE Merial
