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Issue Date: May 15, 2001
How do you know when it's time to say goodbye to your beloved pet?
(A new website, MyPettribute.com, provides a variety of information on "mature" pet care.)
Red flags
You can help your pet age well, with comfort and grace if you watch for these key signs each day and report any changes to your vet immediately:
 Changes in eating or drinking pattern
Changes in activity level, or mobility (stiffness; pain)
Changes in elimination patterns or quantity
Changes skin or hair
Disorientation (getting "lost" in the house, confusion)
Tremors or shaking
Lumps or bumps
Bad breath (dental problems, gum disease)
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Pet pharmaceuticals
Commonly prescribed Rx for pet ailments:
Arthritis: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as buffered aspirin, Rimadyl and Etogesic; and chrondro protective agents that contain glucosomine and chondrotin sulfate supplements such as Cosequin. Acupuncture is another treatment option.
Heart disease: Lasix, the same drug people use; theophylline, a bronchodilator that helps pets with heart disease breathe easier, digitalis drugs such as Digoxin and Digitoxin; Anacard, the dog version of Vasotec, the human drug for high blood pressure; nitroglycerine cream to treat cardiomyopathy in cats.
Kidney disease: Anabolic steroids or Epogen to treat anemia associated with kidney disease by stimulating red blood cell growth.
Thyroid disease: Supplements for low activity and blockers for hyperactive thyroids, plus radiation for hyperactive thyroids in cats.
Endocrine disorders: Insulin (or a combination of an oral pill plus diet changes) for diabetes, hormone suppressants for Cushing's Disease, which causes obesity and muscular weakness.
Pet insurance
Some insurance plans that provide medical coverage for your pet:
Veterinary Pet Insurance Company
(petinsurance.com)
800-872-7387
Premier Pet Insurance
(ppins.com)
877-774-2273
Pet Care Plus + Inc.
petcare-plus.com
800-645-2939
Only enrolls groups of 20 or more
Pet Plan Insurance
petplan.com
800-268-1169
Only available in Canada
Pet Saver Health Plan of America
pet-savers.com
888-926-7387
A pet HMO
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