The District Magazine Vol. 3 NEW BEGINNINGS 2018 | Page 41

pet. A complete list of the medications with which you can use the Inside Rx Pet card, as well as
pricing information and other details, can be found at https://InsideRx.com/Pets.
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Benefiting from these discounts is easy for pet parents: If your pet's veterinarian writes a
prescription for an applicable medication, simply download the free discount card from the
Inside Rx Pets website and present it with the prescription at one of the 40,000 participating
pharmacies located across the U.S. that fill prescriptions for animals. These include national
chains such as Kroger Family of Pharmacies, CVS and Walgreens (yes, the same pharmacies you
go to for your own medications).
Exercise and focus on nutrition
Obesity is a growing concern for many pets. Poor nutrition paired with limited exercise causes
pets to put on additional weight. This weight can put them at higher risk for health concerns like
diabetes, osteoarthritis and ligament injuries. These health concerns not only risk the quality of
life for Fluffy or Fido, but also can deeply impact your pocketbook.
Pets, just like humans, require exercise and proper nutrition to stay healthy and feel their best.
Whether that's letting your rabbit out of the cage to run or going on a walk with your dog,
be sure to make regular exercise a part of your fur family's routine. If you're unsure what is
appropriate for your pet, call your veterinarian or bring it up at a wellness visit. They'll be
delighted you reached out for more information to keep your pet healthy.
Start an emergency fund
Choosing between a pet and an unexpected health expense is something no one wants to
experience. Being prepared can make a big difference when facing difficult decisions, so it's
wise to have savings set aside in case of a rainy day.
Some people are starting pet health savings accounts (HSAs) that are similar to the accounts
that people hold for themselves to pay for medical expenses. Whether you choose that path or
a traditional savings account, when you have an emergency fund you won't have to worry about
any unexpected expenses, so you can simply focus on getting your pet well again.
Keep your pet smoke free
A recent study demonstrated an increased risk of malignant lymphoma (also called lymphoma or
lymphosarcoma) in pets with exposure to env ironmental tobacco smoke (ETS). The relative risk
for malignant lymphoma in cats with any household ETS exposure was almost 2 ½ times higher
than that seen in cats that lived in smoke-free households.
This study and others also strongly suggest a link between oral cancers in cats and third hand
smoke. It is thought that cats groom the toxins contained in tobacco smoke out of their fur,
which damages tissues in their mouths. This eventually leads to oral cancer.
Dogs can become seriously ill after long term exposure to second and third hand smoke as well.
Several studies have determined that cancer of the respiratory tract was more common in dogs
that were exposed to environmental tobacco smoke. Interestingly, the type of cancer the dogs
got was influenced by the shape of their heads.
The risk of nasal cancer increases by 250% when dogs with long noses were exposed to tobacco
smoke. On the other hand, dogs with short or medium noses tended to develop lung cancer
under similar conditions.
There are many studies over the past 10 years that demonstrate the damage that tobacco
smoke does to the lining of the respiratory tract and possible links to non-cancerous diseases
such as chronic bronchitis and asthma.
Being proactive is important for keeping your pets healthy for many years.
From scheduling annual wellness visits to their nutrition and regular exercise
routines, there are many easy actions pet parents can take today to reduce
costs so furry family members stay well.
THE DISTRICT - TAMPA’S URBAN DWELLING MAGAZINE
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