Going to the vet is an expense many Labrador retriever owners are afraid to take on. The high costs of vet visits can cause many dog owners to avoid taking their pet to the vet for routine visits, saving those bills for emergencies. However, there are things you can do to cut down on the cost your Labrador dog’s vet bills, allowing you to save money and keep up with the routine care your dog needs to stay healthy.
Clean Ears
Some Labradors are more susceptible to ear infections than others. If you take the time to clean your dog’s ears out at home on a regular basis to clear out excess wax and allow for proper drainage, you will be able to keep your dog’s ears healthier. It will also avoid additional costs when the vet cleans out his ears for you.
Trim Nails
Your dog’s nails need regular trimming to avoid splitting and other problems. If you take your Labrador retriever to the vet with untrimmed nails, he will trim them for you, often charging you for the service. As long as you are careful and use the right trimming tools, you can safely do this task at home to save money.
Proper Tooth Care
Too many people neglect the health of their dog’s teeth. Manually brushing your dog’s teeth is always a good idea unless your dog is not receptive to the idea. However, even if he isn’t, you can help care for his teeth by giving him bones on a regular basis so he can fulfill his need to chew and keep his teeth healthy at the same time.
Collect Specimens at Home
If you are taking your Labrador dog in for a suspected bladder infection or he needs a stool sample, take those samples at home if you can. Many vets charge for specimen collection. If you need to wait for your dog to go while you are there, you could end up spending more on your vet visit.
Leave Other Pets at Home
It may sound unusual, but some people will bring all their pets with them to the vet. When this happens, they often say something about an issue they see in another pet. This causes the vet to decide to look the other pet over as well, which will cost you nearly twice as much as the initial visit. If you have more than one pet, leave the rest at home unless you already have an appointment for all of them.
When you take the right steps, you can decrease the amount you spend on your vet visits, making pet ownership easier.
