According to a whitepaper recently released by Partners for Healthy Pets, the veterinary profession is putting more emphasis on preventative healthcare for pets, but the frequency of veterinary visits has not increased.
Data presented by Karen Felsted at the 2012 Summit for Urban Animal Strategies shows this trend is especially true for cats. The Partners for Healthy Pets paper, Reversing the Decline in Veterinary Care Utilization: Progress Made, Challenges Remain, claims that while veterinary professionals are getting the message about preventative care, it seems to be lost on pet owners.
READ MORE: Reversing the Decline in Veterinary Care Utilization: Progress Made, Challenges Remain
Executive Directors of both the American Animal Hospital Association and the American Veterinary Medical Association found the results disappointing but remained optimistic.
"The fact that preventative care has gained traction among practicing veterinarians - and, more important, among veterinary educators - bodes well for the future," said Michael Cavanaugh, CEO of AAHA.
A survey of pet owners conducted by Urban Animal™ earlier this year determined that Cost of Medical care factor in the pet experience. Many pet owners have become increasingly concerned about some aspects of veterinary care, including the need for regular exams, the cost of care, and the stress and inconvenience of the exam experience.
READ MORE: Cost of medical care identified as biggest obstacle to a positive pet experience
Despite this trend, Partners for Healthy Pets believes veterinarians can thrive in today's economy and market for services. "But individual practices must meet challenges identified in the veterinary care usage studies in order to achieve their full potential."
READ MORE: Partners for Healthy Pets reports elicit concern, optimism over preventative care statistics
More and more Canadians are heading south of the border in search of cheaper veterinary care for their pets. And many are finding it, according to a recent CTV NEWS article.
CTV Winnipeg reports that a spay or neuter service in Winnipeg could cost as much as $500, while $300 is the top price in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Some pet owners report savings of more than $400 on dental work in the US.
Indeed, the cost of pet health care was identified by 2013 Urban Animal delegates as one of the most significant barriers to a positive pet experience. But Calgary North Veterinary Hospital's Dr. Drew Van Niekerk asserts that most vets are trustworthy and simply trying to make a living like everyone else.
"All practices have financial realities to deal with. Some practices have higher overhead, with diversity of services, quality of care and hours of operation factoring heavily into this," he told InfoStream. "Understanding a client includes knowing the intricacies of their relationship in the family, the resources they have to put toward pet care, and the fashion in which they make decisions."
According to Dr. Van Niekerk trust is the single, most important element of the pet family/veterinarian relationship.
"Veterinarians should understand the need to build that transparent and honest trust with a client," he said. "If it doesn't develop, then one has either to question the vet about issues until satisfied, or find another if it isn't there. The most skilled and intelligent veterinarian who doesn't develop the trust, never gets to show his or her skills."
In an effort to educate the public on adoption costs and shelter responsibilities the BC SPCA released materials outlining the cost of care for cats and dogs in its shelters.
On average, adoptable dogs incur $485 worth of care while cats cost an average of $784 to care for. Releasing these facts and figures may help pet families understand the reason for adoption rates and need for donations.
Each year the BC SPCA helps nearly 29,000 animals across the province. The BC SPCA is a non-profit organization that must cover the costs of sheltering animals including the facilities and more than 400 staff, food, medical costs, vaccinations, sterilization, and behavioral and welfare monitoring and assessment.
