Dr Liesel van der Merwe is a small animal medicine specialist. Send her your questions: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Dr Liesel van der Merwe

The current economic environment is not a friendly or hopeful one. Money needs to be turned over a few times before it is spent. This doesn’t mean not to spend it at all but to spend it wisely, to plan ahead and consider the value of your expenses.

For many people pets are almost beginning to feel like a luxury. This should not be the case – pets are integral to our health and wellbeing in my opinion. However, your pet still needs to be cared for and looked after.

Our pets need food and shelter but we all know that their lives are enriched with love and interaction. It is also our duty to maintain our pets in a state of good health. Some of these factors require financial input and others require time.

If I dare to give some advice:

Basics
Please do not put off the basics, such as sterilisation or vaccination and parasite control. Budget for these surgeries and essential veterinary visits. The complications of unwanted pregnancies, birth complications and c-sections are much more expensive.

Additionally, animals are already being surrendered to overfull rescue centres. That is if they are lucky. Many are just being abandoned. Last week we received two dogs into our care where the rescuer had seen the owner drop them off and drive away, abandoning them in an open area near the highway. There are too many dogs looking for homes. Do not breed with your dogs.

Ticks and fleas
In Gauteng we are also endemic for biliary (bosluiskoors) as well as ehrilichiosis. Both diseases are carried by ticks and can cause severe illness and death if untreated. In recent times we are also seeing infections continue throughout winter – probably due to a change in weather patterns.

It is essential, if you are in a semi-built-up area or take your pets walking, that you use tick and flea control. There is a product to fit any price range – the cheapest being dips, which require weekly application, right up to the oral three-month treatments. In-between these there will be a treatment to suit your pocket and your pets’ lifestyle.

Avoidance
Do not avoid dealing with early health issues you may notice in your pet. We may avoid dealing with signs that something is not right in our pets for financial or emotional reasons. Neither is good for the wellbeing of the pet. Early diagnosis and treatment can lead to easier and maybe less costly management or it may allow you to make a humane decision for euthanasia earlier and prevent unnecessary suffering for your pet.

Insurance
Plan ahead by taking out pet insurance. There are a variety of plans. Accident plans are cheaper and do not cover chronic disease and have a set amount per annum. Other full plan options offer extensive cover.

Search online, read the fine print. For most you will need to pay the vet and they will reimburse you. There are some which will pay the veterinarian directly. Ask for these options when enquiring. Check what the sub-limits are for certain procedures, X-rays, anaesthetics, etc and have a realistic understanding of what is and what isn’t covered.

Decision
You may decide ahead of time that you will only be prepared to cover accidents but not manage your pet if he or she develops an expensive chronic disease. That is a fair decision. These decisions are individual and everyone will have their own point of view.

My point of view is that, as long as the pet doesn’t suffer, I can deal with it. It may not be what I would have liked if I am unable to treat a patient due to costs, but I would rather euthanize humanely than leave an animal sick or in pain.

Neglect by avoiding the issue is still neglect. Avoiding the issue is going to be worse now that money is tighter. Please take responsibility for the welfare of your animals. Be proactive. Prevent preventable illnesses. Take early action on problems.