PET PEEVES: Technology has improved how we care for our pets - The Northwest Florida Daily News

Dear Readers,

While modern technology leads us further and further into the virtual world, we who live with and work with animals are kept firmly grounded in the real world. Pet owners don’t upgrade to “canine2.0”. No one is standing in line at the pet shop for the newest version of “cat.”

Our pets don’t change. The human animal bond does not change. But technology has improved how we care for our pets. We see this in improved heartworm, flea and tick medicines. We see it in more accurate testing and treatment for diseases. Advances in surgery have improved the outcome of many surgical conditions.

For the pet owner, the internet has also become a great tool for accessing pet information. The biggest concern veterinarians have about owners using the internet is that the information be accurate and helpful.

For instance, pet owners today want to use online pharmacies to order medications. Veterinarians are concerned the pet owner needs to be sure the pharmacy they choose is safe.

How to know that an online pharmacy is safe? Be sure it is accredited by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy. The NABP is an impartial professional organization that supports the state boards of pharmacy in protecting public health.

Look for the Verified Internal Pharmacy Practice Site, which is a voluntary program the NABP has set up. Examples are 1-800 Pet Meds and KV Supply. A website to see a list of pharmacies that are compliant is https://ift.tt/2OKxvof.

Pet owners are becoming interested in health insurance for their pets. This is a good thing because the cost of owning a pet has gone up along with everything else in the world. When a medical emergency occurs, you don’t want to have to say no to the treatment because you can’t afford it. An emergency visit can cost thousands of dollars.

How can you study pet insurance and know if you are choosing the right policy for your pet? Go to www.petinsuranceu.com and click on the tab "compare" at the top of the page. You can compare all plans or compare two plans. You can read reviews for each company and see which policy looks best for your situation.

Are you thinking about going out of town and you want to take your pet with you? There is a website for reviewing hotels in the area you plan to travel. Go to the web site www.petswelcome.com and you can find hotels, vacation rentals. They even have a trip planner at the site.

There are so many helpful sites on the internet. Just be careful. If you are not sure of a website, ask your veterinarian to check it out and give you their opinion.

Have a question for Dr. Johns? E-mail her at JohnsDVM@aol.com. Write to Pet Peeves, P.O. Box 2949, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32549. Johns is a Niceville veterinarian.

https://ift.tt/2pxFWYW