After the long wait, here's the final part of the Cost vs. Quality series. I hope you have take these advice to heart. Don't be sorry when your pet is already suffering, that is don't even let your pets suffer because of the mistakes that could have be averted by learning from others. Well here it it, enjoy!
Veterinary Costs
I am sure I will raise a lot of eyebrows when I say, "not the most expensive veterinarian, but one who really cares." I used to have a separate vet for my dogs, another for my birds, and then another one for my small animals and reptiles. Today, I just call one and despite the population of pets here at home outnumbering humans 20 to 1, then it is really practical to go with someone responsive and attentive to your needs. Someone who does not charge you simply because you are looking the other way or you are too busy at work when they come around to your house.
There exists ethical standards for veterinarians to do business with. However, the more known ones and ones with established branch networks, will surely have to cover their overhead costs and will therefore be more expensive. I have gotten around to understand the nature of their business. The mere fact that my American veterinarians earn much more than human doctors in the US shows me the fact that people care a lot more about their pets than they want to admit.
If you want to have your vet bills come at a manageable rate, you have to do your part. Quarantine new pets. Deworm all new puppies before they are allowed to roam around their new surroundings.
Same goes for birds and reptiles. For reptiles most specially, before buying them, make sure you know the distinction between wild caught and captive bred. This makes for a whole lot of difference in care. All wild caught animals should be automatically dewormed for parasites and infestations because they bring in from the wild. You will be the happiest if you research well on what you are getting into.
Find people who have experience about these pets and go ask them.
Vitamins and Supplements
Like specialized diets and bird seed mixes, these vitamins and supplements are easily localized with a steady and tenacious research on the hobbyist's part. I always start out with imported stuff and try them out. If they work then start reading the labels and instructions thoroughly. Find out the main active ingredients and voila! You have just made yourself into a practicing nutritionist. Half he battle with disease and sickness goes with good vitamin support and the right supplemental feeding. Remember your pets originated from the wild and no longer have access to vital natural energy providers. You must replace these lost elements and give them to your pets in the right quantities.
I find it specially appealing when I have to give vitamins to my fish. some books suggest to implant the tablets in their normal food, while others suggest using a food processor and make your own fish food already blended with the right vitamins. However, I do know of one show winner, Victor Tan, who actually mixes his aquarium water with children's multivitamin formula. The correct dosage remains to be his secret. With the various show fishes I purchased from him which were very, very healthy, I tend to believe Vic really know his stuff. Thanks for sharing!
It's also quite obvious that at this point, mutivitamins for humans work very well for dogs, birds, guinea pigs, rabbits and fishes. Reptiles would have a difficult time with certain elements of the vitamin mixes. Their calcium should almost need to be phosphorous-free. Therefore, it is a necessity to purchase reptile specific vitamin preparations.
On the other hand, most reptiles need very minimal supplementation for their diets. The main element that I feel most people should remember to provide their reptiles is the heat lam. Being cold blooded, they would necessitate being stimulated by heating elements before they start scrounging around for food. Often times stuffing themselves to the brim before they withdraw to quietly digest their food intake in a cold dark corner.
Accessories
Webster's Dictionary defines the word, "accessory" as a non-essential addition. Need I say more? Get rid of all your "borloloys" quick and give your pets a break. Throw away those pillows for your dogs, in the long run they stink and become breeding grounds for fleas. Look at your water wheels in the aquarium, they must not get in the way and often injure your fish unnecessarily. They even eat up space for the fishes to grow. I have often told friends to get rid of founds and bird bath basins. Why? Because in a few minutes after the new water is placed, the bird bath gets dirty with bird poop and as the birds drink from these fountains or basins. The chances of getting sick up. Get real and think for the birds and not for the owners to think like birds. now you know where the phrase "bird brain" came from.
Summary
Looking at the bottom line does no necessarily mean alwawys getting the cheapest cage, veterinarians, dog food, or vitamins. Value for money is a product of a lot of common sese and prudent management of resources. Since our hobbies do not generate a fair amount of revenue, it's always good to be on the discerning side of things. Fulfillment does not come from having the best pets or the most number of different types of animals under your care. Success is also measured by the love and care we have given to your pets using our God-given talents. At the end of the day, what have we learned? More importantly, what have our pets taught us in their quiet and pleasing ways?
We thank them not only for allowing us to learn new things every day but more importantly by living with us in this wonderful world.
I am sure I will raise a lot of eyebrows when I say, "not the most expensive veterinarian, but one who really cares." I used to have a separate vet for my dogs, another for my birds, and then another one for my small animals and reptiles. Today, I just call one and despite the population of pets here at home outnumbering humans 20 to 1, then it is really practical to go with someone responsive and attentive to your needs. Someone who does not charge you simply because you are looking the other way or you are too busy at work when they come around to your house.
There exists ethical standards for veterinarians to do business with. However, the more known ones and ones with established branch networks, will surely have to cover their overhead costs and will therefore be more expensive. I have gotten around to understand the nature of their business. The mere fact that my American veterinarians earn much more than human doctors in the US shows me the fact that people care a lot more about their pets than they want to admit.
If you want to have your vet bills come at a manageable rate, you have to do your part. Quarantine new pets. Deworm all new puppies before they are allowed to roam around their new surroundings.
Same goes for birds and reptiles. For reptiles most specially, before buying them, make sure you know the distinction between wild caught and captive bred. This makes for a whole lot of difference in care. All wild caught animals should be automatically dewormed for parasites and infestations because they bring in from the wild. You will be the happiest if you research well on what you are getting into.
Find people who have experience about these pets and go ask them.
Vitamins and Supplements
Like specialized diets and bird seed mixes, these vitamins and supplements are easily localized with a steady and tenacious research on the hobbyist's part. I always start out with imported stuff and try them out. If they work then start reading the labels and instructions thoroughly. Find out the main active ingredients and voila! You have just made yourself into a practicing nutritionist. Half he battle with disease and sickness goes with good vitamin support and the right supplemental feeding. Remember your pets originated from the wild and no longer have access to vital natural energy providers. You must replace these lost elements and give them to your pets in the right quantities.
I find it specially appealing when I have to give vitamins to my fish. some books suggest to implant the tablets in their normal food, while others suggest using a food processor and make your own fish food already blended with the right vitamins. However, I do know of one show winner, Victor Tan, who actually mixes his aquarium water with children's multivitamin formula. The correct dosage remains to be his secret. With the various show fishes I purchased from him which were very, very healthy, I tend to believe Vic really know his stuff. Thanks for sharing!
It's also quite obvious that at this point, mutivitamins for humans work very well for dogs, birds, guinea pigs, rabbits and fishes. Reptiles would have a difficult time with certain elements of the vitamin mixes. Their calcium should almost need to be phosphorous-free. Therefore, it is a necessity to purchase reptile specific vitamin preparations.
On the other hand, most reptiles need very minimal supplementation for their diets. The main element that I feel most people should remember to provide their reptiles is the heat lam. Being cold blooded, they would necessitate being stimulated by heating elements before they start scrounging around for food. Often times stuffing themselves to the brim before they withdraw to quietly digest their food intake in a cold dark corner.
Accessories
Webster's Dictionary defines the word, "accessory" as a non-essential addition. Need I say more? Get rid of all your "borloloys" quick and give your pets a break. Throw away those pillows for your dogs, in the long run they stink and become breeding grounds for fleas. Look at your water wheels in the aquarium, they must not get in the way and often injure your fish unnecessarily. They even eat up space for the fishes to grow. I have often told friends to get rid of founds and bird bath basins. Why? Because in a few minutes after the new water is placed, the bird bath gets dirty with bird poop and as the birds drink from these fountains or basins. The chances of getting sick up. Get real and think for the birds and not for the owners to think like birds. now you know where the phrase "bird brain" came from.
Summary
Looking at the bottom line does no necessarily mean alwawys getting the cheapest cage, veterinarians, dog food, or vitamins. Value for money is a product of a lot of common sese and prudent management of resources. Since our hobbies do not generate a fair amount of revenue, it's always good to be on the discerning side of things. Fulfillment does not come from having the best pets or the most number of different types of animals under your care. Success is also measured by the love and care we have given to your pets using our God-given talents. At the end of the day, what have we learned? More importantly, what have our pets taught us in their quiet and pleasing ways?
We thank them not only for allowing us to learn new things every day but more importantly by living with us in this wonderful world.
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Hi Dr. Ang,
ReplyDeleteWhere can we contact you? Do you treat sick love birds? Pls let me know. Thanks. Natalia