INSURANCE OR NOT: VETERINARIAN'S BEST TIPS TO REDUCE MEDICAL COSTS

Pets are expensive when they are healthy. The cost of training, food, collars, and flea repellants (not including extras like toys and clothing) is increasing rapidly. In tough economic times, spending wisely is even more important. We asked Dr. Nancy Kay, author of "Speak for the Scores: Becoming an Advocate for What Your Dog Needs to Live Healthier, Happier, and Longer" to share her tips for reducing veterinary prescriptions and pet insurance bills, but at a high level of medical care.

I recommend considering the following when you have a limited budget:

- Consider purchasing pet health insurance. Under the policy, premiums typically cost $300 to $400 a year, but can typically cover about 80 percent of out-of-pocket costs. Since any major surgery, today can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, having pet health insurance can save you a lot of money.

- Keep your financial card on the table while talking to your veterinarian. Just as discussing your finances with your veterinarian can be difficult, so too can making the right choices to help you save money without jeopardizing your pet's health. There is rarely only one way to diagnose and/or treat a medical problem. For example, antibiotics can be prescribed for $20 instead of $120.

- Do you have a product or service that you think is worth exchanging for veterinary services? Maybe you wash or paint the windows. Perhaps the artwork you created might be what your veterinarian wanted in his office or home. It never hurts to have a barter scene for veterinary services.

- Ask them for a written cost estimate before providing veterinary services. How do you know if your bill is $200 or $2000? With a quote, you'll avoid the unexpected factor and end up not paying for things you don't think are necessary. Asking for an appraisal has nothing to do with how much you love your pet; it's just a matter of financial responsibility.

- Avoid over-vaccinating your puppy. We used to think we had to be vaccinated against viruses and parvovirus every year. We now know that these vaccines protect for at least three years (after mass vaccination of puppies is done). Break the habit of getting vaccinated once a year. If your vaccination reminder label says otherwise, speak directly to your veterinarian.

- Be a savvy consumer of your dog supplements. Some supplement suppliers want you to believe that your dog's health depends on its products from an early age. Consult with your veterinarian to determine which supplements are worth spending on your pet. Then only use the recommended products instead of paying for the other three or four that might be included in a combination supplement.

- Stores sell prescription medications for your dog. If the drug is prescribed for human consumption, compare the price of the drug at the human pharmacy with the price of the drug at your veterinary hospital. Large pharmacies or chains buy medicines in bulk and pass the savings on to you. Costco has some of the best prices, and some drugstores offer massive AAA discounts on pet prescriptions. You can find savings on the veterinary prescription medications your dog receives regularly (heartworm prevention, flea and tick control products, prescription diets). Get the most bang for your buck with an online pharmacy (keep in mind that not all such pharmacies are reputable, it's worth doing some research). Yes, your veterinarian's permission is still required. You can get a written prescription from your veterinarian and use it as your own. Another option is to send your request to the online pharmacy, which will fax it to your veterinarian to request authorization. These days, veterinarians are used to accepting such requests.

A final word: If your pet is injured or sick, pet health insurance can help you pay for expensive veterinary bills. The cost of each plan varies depending on the company, the breed and age of the pet, and the coverage you choose.