Posts in Category: ZimmVet News & Events

By Dr. Maria Krenz Owner and Veterinarian at ZimmVet

What is Pet Insurance and How does it Work?

Pet insurance is becoming commonplace.  The purchase of pet insurance has been growing about 20% each year.  2021 has been a record year for pet insurance enrollment. Having pet insurance allows pet owners to provide the needed care for their furry friends, especially during times of unexpected illness or accidents. There are 20 major pet insurance companies in the United States. In this article, we will discuss the difference between insurance plans and items to be aware of.

Reimbursement plans

All pet insurance companies either use a percentage of the invoice or a benefit schedule to calculate reimbursement.

With pet insurance, the pet owner pays the veterinary clinic at the time of service. The pet owner then submits receipts and needed paperwork to the pet insurance company. The pet owner then is reimbursed from the insurance company.

1. Percentage of the Invoice: The insurance company covers a percentage of the total bill. This is usually after a deductible is met. Some companies have a set percentage while others let you pick from a couple percentages (70%, 80%, 90%) based on your budget.

Example: You met your deductible, and your plan reimburses 80% for illnesses. Your pet has an ear infection, and your total bill is $250. You are reimbursed $200 from the insurance company.

Pets Best petsbest.com is an example of an insurance company that is a percentage of the invoice.

• Benefit Schedule: Reimbursement is capped at a set amount for each condition per year.

Example: Your pet has an ear infection, and your total bill is $250. Your insurance company allows up to $400 per year for skin/ear infections. You would get $250 reimbursed. If your pet has another ear infection that year you would be reimbursed $150 since the maximum per year is $400 total.

Nationwide petinsurance.com is a common insurance with a benefit schedule

Types of Coverage

There are different coverage options and different insurance companies have different terminology. It is important to read the details of what they include. Here are some common examples:

1. Accident: This is usually a low-cost option that covers unforeseen accidents such as broken legs and trauma.
2. Illness: This covers sickness such as ear infections, skin infections, urinary tract infections. It may not cover hereditary conditions or joint conditions such as hip dysplasia or a torn cruciate.
3. Wellness: This covers wellness items such as exams, routine lab tests, vaccinations, heartworm, routine surgeries, and dental cleanings as well as flea and tick medication. It is usually something you can add on to a medical plan.
4. Whole Pet: Many companies have combination plans that cover both Accident & Illness and may have options to cover hereditary or joint conditions. Often high-expense care such as cancer care may also be an added cost.

Items to be aware of

It is always best to get pet insurance as soon as possible, ideally as a puppy. Insurance companies will not cover pre-existing conditions. There may be a waiting period where conditions are not yet covered. An example of a condition that commonly has a waiting period of 6-12 months is a torn cruciate ligament. Some insurance companies will not cover a pet over a certain age, but others will cover any age pet. Some insurance companies have a deductible, in some cases you can choose the deductible amount based on your budget (example $500, $1000). It is very important that you read all the stipulations, so you are clear what is and what is not covered in your plan, deductibles, and reimbursement schedules.

Disclaimer:  This written content is meant to be educational and is not medical advice.  Always consult a veterinarian about medical advice for your pet.

By Ashley Middendorf CVT at ZimmVet

Presurgical exam: Each pet will come in for a presurgical exam prior to the day of surgery. This will allow the doctor to evaluate your pet as well as update any necessary lab work and vaccines that your pet needs.

Schedule the surgery: The actual surgical appointment can be schedule over the phone or in person. Wait times vary depending on the procedure but the sooner you schedule the better.

Consent form: The surgery consent form will be sent to you via email and be completed prior to the surgery day.

Night before surgery day: No food after 10pm, but water is ok up until your pet is at the clinic

Morning of surgery: You’ll be dropping off your pet with the surgery technician at a scheduled time usually between 7:30 am and 8:30 am.

Surgery will be completed for your pet.

After Surgery: You will be notified of you pets completion of surgery and how he or she is recovering.

Discharge time: You will be scheduled a discharge time to pick up your pet and go over discharge instructions/medications with a certified veterinary technician.

Recheck: Depending on what surgery your pet had you may need to bring he or she back for a recheck with the surgery doctor in a certain time frame.

By Keri Hesse CVT ZimmVet

What is Leptospirosis?

Leptospirosis is a bacteria that is found in stagnant, slow moving water but can be found in the soil near or around where there had been stagnant water. The common carriers of Leptospirosis is wildlife which is the most common route of exposure to our pets. This disease is also zoonotic; meaning that our pets can transmit it to us.

How does our beloved pets become infected?

The bacteria is penetrated through the skin through a cut/abrasion from the contaminated water or the contaminated urine of wildlife, reproductive organs exposed to the bacteria, even the consumption of infected tissues can be the cause of Leptospirosis.

What happens if my pet gets Leptospirosis?

Once exposed to Leptospirosis, the bacteria is spread through the bloodstreams causing inflammation of the vessels, fever, abnormal bleeding, and bruising of tissues. By the time symptoms have started showing, Leptospirosis has set up in the kidneys, causing inflammation of the kidneys and can disrupt urine production, ultimately leading to kidney failure. Some strains of Leptospirosis can cause inflammation of the liver and ultimately causing liver damage or failure. 

Is there treatment for leptospirosis?

If caught readily, Leptospirosis can be treated with hospitalization, IV and oral antibiotics, and IV fluids to help flush the bloodstream and kidneys of Leptospirosis.  During this time, it is crucial to protect ourselves from the contaminated urine to prevent infecting ourselves.

Can I prevent my pets from getting Leptospirosis?

Leptospirosis can be prevented ultimately with a vaccine.The first vaccine is given and then boosters in 3-4 weeks and lasting a year. So, it is important to make sure your pet is vaccinated yearly for this bacteria.

Most common thought is that our dogs that are either hunting, camping or around our lakes are the most exposed pets. But, with the amount of wildlife that come into our backyards any dog could be exposed to these serious bacteria. This can all be prevented with a yearly vaccine, please vaccinate your dogs. If you have questions, reach out to one of our staff members for more information.

By Dr. Maria Krenz, DVM – ZimmVet

Multiple factors lead to pet weight gain. Heavy pets have more problems with arthritis, and they are at higher risk for diabetes, heart disease and many other ailments. Preventing weight gain and obesity in your pet can add years to their lifespan, creating more time to spend with your special friend.

Measure your Pet’s Food

Pet owners need to take control of their pet’s calorie intake.  Most pets, if left to eat as they wish, will overeat and become obese, even as early as 6 months of age.  The pet food bag gives a guideline of how much to feed your pet. The key is to measure the food for the weight your pet should be, or its ideal weight.  Your veterinarian can help you determine the ideal body weight and calculate the appropriate calories for your pet.

Separate Feeding

Feeding can be difficult in multi-pet households. Each pet should be separated during feeding to make sure they are eating the correct amount and type of food for their size. Pets should be fed the correct food based on their life stage: Puppy/Kitten, Adult or Senior. Dogs over 50 lbs should be fed a large breed dog food. Pet food needs to include a grain. There are many tools available to help with multi-pet feeding. Having separate kennels for each pet to eat in can work. A newer product on the market Sure Pet Feeder (surepetcare.com) is linked to a microchip or  tag and only opens for the pet linked to the feeder.

Treats

Many pet owners are feeding the correct amount of pet food, but their pet is getting too many calories from other sources. It is common, especially with small dogs, for owners to be giving 2-times or more of their daily calorie needs in treats. People food, dog treats, rawhide bones, dental bones or anything a pet ingests, counts toward their daily calorie allowance. Your veterinarian can help you calculate how many calories per day in treats your pet can have, which is normally no more than 10% of their daily calories. For small dogs this can be as little as 10-20 Calories per day, larger dogs may be able to get 100-200 Calories per day in treats.

Inactivity

Keeping your pet active is an important part of managing your pet’s weight. Older pets that are having joint pain can struggle with activity. Getting an older pet on appropriate pain management can help to get them more mobile again. Winters can also face a challenge to stay active. If your pet doesn’t like spending time outdoor in the cold consider a daycare facility that has indoor play space like ZimmVet.

Other Tools

Your veterinarian can help you formulate a weight management or loss plan for your individual pet.  Other treatments may include blood testing for diseases such as hypothyroidism and prescription weight loss diets.  Adjusting the food intake of your pet can be a challenge if you have multiple pets.  However, your veterinarian can help you work through problems to create a solution for a healthy weight for your pet.

Disclaimer:  This written content is meant to be educational and is not medical advice.  Always consult a veterinarian about medical advice for your pet.

By: Mysi Szczech, ZimmVet Assistant

There are many options that are safe for your pets as well so you can all live happily!  Safe plants not only provide an aesthetic appeal to your home but they also have benefits such as regulating humidity levels in the home and minimize dust content.

Common houseplants that are TOXIC to pets are lilies, aloe vera, ivy, jade, dumb cane (dieffenbachia), elephant ear, pothos (devils ivy), ZZ plant, asparagus fern, cyclamen, azaleas, tulips, kalachoe, hyacinth, sago palm, etc.

Common houseplants that are SAFE to be around pets are baby tears, spider plant (cats love this plant!), calathea, fern, Christmas cactus (or any cactus, little pokey but safe), haworthia, friendship plant, parlor palm, burro’s tail, etc.

If you suspect that you pet has been in contact with a toxic plant they may have oral irritation, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty breathing.  You should also contact your local veterinarian or call the ASPC animal poison control at (888) 426-4435.

Always remember to look up information on a plant if you plan on adding it to your home to know how to care for it and where to keep it to keep our fur babies safe! 

By Gianna Tuckner CVT at ZimmVet                                       

Heat exhaustion can happen because most dogs want to be with the people they love. Knowing the signs of heat stress and reacting to a pet in danger is important.

Humans deal with hot weather by sweating, but dogs shed heat by panting. In the wild, dogs seek shade during the hottest part of the day; left to their own devices, most pet dogs will, too — unless they are lured into activity by playing fetch or going on a walk.

Leave your pet at home when it’s warm, never leave your dog in the car even on a mild day (heat builds up quickly), and exercise your pet in the cooler mornings or evenings. If you wonder if a street or sidewalk is too hot for your pet to walk on, place the palm of your hand on the pavement: if it’s too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for your dog’s feet.

For dogs with short faces, such as Bulldogs, Pugs, Pekinese, and mixes of these breeds, the risk is even higher. These dogs cannot breathe well even under the best of circumstances and should be kept in air-conditioned areas during the warmer months. Older dogs, overweight or obese dogs, and unfit dogs are also at higher risk.

A dog’s normal temperature is between 100.0-102.5. More than a couple of degrees up can be concerning, and it’s certainly an indication that you need to get your dog calm and cool. Since most people don’t carry a thermometer around, they have to rely on the signs of an overheated dog. These include: Heavy or rapid panting, drooling, distant-eyed expression, anxiety and restlessness, confusion, exhaustion or fatigue, bright red or blue/purple gums, vomiting or diarrhea and collapse.

If your dog is overheated, move your pet immediately to the shade or an air-cooled area. You can use cool water, not ice-cold water or ice, on your dog’s belly, fousing on the groin or put a fan in front of your dog and have it blow over them. If you have a thermometer, lubricate the tip and insert it gently into the rectum to get an accurate temperature to share with your veterinarian. Offer your pet cool water to drink but don’t force water into your dog’s mouth.

Then call your veterinarian or an emergency veterinary clinic to let someone know you are on your way.

Adapted from Dr. Marty Becker, DVM Vetstreet article

By Abby Gustafson, ZimmVet Receptionist

Did you just get a new dog? Well, congratulations! You probably want to take him/her to the nearby dog park now, right? Have you thought about this? Taking your new dog to a dog park, regardless if on or off leash, can be a bit rewarding as well as scary to pets and to you.

Let’s dig a little deeper into this. What are the benefits of a dog park? Well, for starters, your canine companion gets socialized with other dogs and humans. A tired dog is a happy dog. Your dog can learn from other dogs on how to play, interact, and possibly have fun.

On the other side, a dog park can carry diseases and parasites if dogs go that haven’t been dewormed or vaccinated. Other owners might not fully pay attention to their dog as it runs wild without notice.

Other dogs might not be friendly to other dogs – some dogs may not like others that are bigger or smaller than them.

It would be best for your dog to be trained to the recall or come command before heading to a dog park. Making sure your dog will come to you whenever you call it over, as well as making sure your dog is up to date on vaccines as well as a dewormer.

By: Amy Johnson, CVT ZimmVet

Yes, you read that title correctly — cats can do the same things that dogs can do, and maybe even better. Discover how to teach a cat to fetch, and impress all of your neighbors and friends.

Think Like a Cat

Dogs love to please owners; however, cats are more concerned with pleasing themselves. By realizing this simple concept, you can understand why teaching a cat to fetch has to be approached differently from how you would train your dog. When it comes to training a cat, there are some basic techniques that you must know in order to be successful. These basic principles all start with the letter “R,” so that makes it a little easier to remember!

Respect

You need to respect what cats do and don’t like. Don’t stare at your cat or make loud noises during training or playtime. When they doesn’t feel up for play, don’t force it. Try to train them when they are feeling extra playful.

Reinforcement

Consistently recognize when your cat does things you want her to do, and be consistent in how you let your cat know she is doing things you don’t like (for instance, walking on your counters). A firm “no” or clap when she misbehaves may work, but when she does something you approve of, don’t give her a round of applause. Instead, pet her or give her a treat.

Rewards

Cats love small treats as a reward for good behavior. One of the secrets of how to teach a cat to fetch may be hidden in simply having the right treats. Use them only when she does the action you want her to, and don’t overdo it, so as to not add unwanted pounds.

Timing Is Everything

First, you have to get to know your cat, and build a trusting and loving relationship before you can start training them to do tricks or play fetch. Figure out what toys or items in your house they’re drawn to the most. These items are the ones you should try to use for playing fetch.

Cats are drawn to hunt and pounce on things — throwing a soft item and allowing your cat to chase it, and then going over and placing a treat near the item may reinforce and reward the first step in fetching. After a few days of successfully getting your cat to pounce or go near the item you throw, you are ready to attempt having them bring you the item. You can do this by leaving a trail of treats after throwing the item. As time goes on, make the treats closer to you and farther from the object. Keep in mind, it is best to do all of this at a time of day when your cat is most active. Make sure to always use the same verbal queues to reinforce the action such as “fetch,” or “bring it here.”

Fetching Failures

If it seems like all of your attempts at training your cat to fetch have failed, take a break for a few days and then try again with new toys and different treats. Not all dogs like the same games, so it is possible your cat won’t ever be interested in fetch. However, don’t give up too quickly. Allow several different people in your home to try to train her. Cats sometimes bond with one person more than another and may only want to play fetch with their favorite human.

If you are successful, be sure to catch it on video so that all of your friends believe you! Everyone loves fun cat videos.

By: Ashley Middendorf, CVT ZimmVet

1. Presurgical exam: Each pet will come in for a presurgical exam prior to the day of surgery. This will allow the doctor to evaluate your pet as well as update any necessary lab work and vaccines that your pet needs.
2. Schedule the surgery: The actual surgical appointment can be schedule over the phone or in person. Wait times vary depending on the procedure but the sooner you schedule the better.
3. Consent form: The surgery consent form will be sent to you via email and be completed prior to the surgery day.
4. Night before surgery day: No food after 10pm, but water is ok up until your pet is at the clinic
5. Morning of surgery: You’ll be dropping off your pet with the surgery technician at a scheduled time usually between 7:30 am and 8:30 am.
6. Surgery will be completed for your pet.
7. After Surgery: You will be notified of you pets completion of surgery and how he or she is recovering.
8. Discharge time: You will be scheduled a discharge time to pick up your pet and go over discharge instructions/medications with a certified veterinary technician.
9. Recheck: Depending on what surgery your pet had you may need to bring he or she back for a recheck with the surgery doctor in a certain time frame.

By Keri Hesse, CVT ZimmVet

What is Leptospirosis?

Leptospirosis is a bacteria that is found in stagnant, slow moving water but can be found in the soil near or around where there had been stagnant water. The common carriers of Leptospirosis is wildlife which is the most common route of exposure to our pets. This disease is also zoonotic; meaning that our pets can transmit it to us.

How does our beloved pets become infected?

The bacteria is penetrated through the skin through a cut/abrasion from the contaminated water or the contaminated urine of wildlife, reproductive organs exposed to the bacteria, even the consumption of infected tissues can be the cause of Leptospirosis.

What happens if my pet gets Leptospirosis?

Once exposed to Leptospirosis, the bacteria is spread through the bloodstreams causing inflammation of the vessels, fever, abnormal bleeding, and bruising of tissues. By the time symptoms have started showing, Leptospirosis has set up in the kidneys, causing inflammation of the kidneys and can disrupt urine production, ultimately leading to kidney failure. Some strains of Leptospirosis can cause inflammation of the liver and ultimately causing liver damage or failure. 

Is there treatment for leptospirosis?

If caught readily, Leptospirosis can be treated with hospitalization, IV and oral antibiotics, and IV fluids to help flush the bloodstream and kidneys of Leptospirosis.  During this time, it is crucial to protect ourselves from the contaminated urine to prevent infecting ourselves.

Can I prevent my pets from getting Leptospirosis?

Leptospirosis can be prevented ultimately with a vaccine.The first vaccine is given and then boosters in 3-4 weeks and lasting a year. So, it is important to make sure your pet is vaccinated yearly for this bacteria.

Most common thought is that our dogs that are either hunting, camping or around our lakes are the most exposed pets. But, with the amount of wildlife that come into our backyards any dog could be exposed to these serious bacteria. This can all be prevented with a yearly vaccine, please vaccinate your dogs. If you have questions, reach out to one of our staff members for more information.