Let’s face it—we’ve all been trying to save money and tighten our belts in the face of uncertainty. Yet, prices keep going up and up on many items we really, really NEED–gas for our cars, utilities for our homes, and food for our pets. The question is, what are you paying for and are you getting real value for your dollar?
At Broad Ripple Animal Clinic and Wellness Center, we aren’t trying to compete with the pet superstores. We are delivering quality medical care and at times, that involves prescription food for your pet. There are many medical conditions that can be treated with prescription medications and therapeutic diets. Early diagnosis and treatment of many conditions can save you money in the long run. A classic example is a kitty that develops crystals in the urine. Once a cat becomes “blocked” by crystals or debris, it is an emergency situation that will more than likely require surgery and hospitalization. If your regular veterinarian is unavailable and you end up at an emergency clinic, you could be facing more than a thousand dollars in critical care for your pet. Once your cat has this condition, it is likely to reoccur. Your veterinarian will probably prescribe a therapeutic diet to help prevent and control the formation of urinary crystals in the future. Treatment and prevention will also involve monitoring your pet through scheduled, periodic urinalysis.
The costs involved with purchasing these types of diets go above and beyond the actual ingredients, packaging materials, and transportation costs. The research and on-going technological developments play a key part in the cost of these diets. All major manufacturers of veterinary prescription diets have spent years in research and development—all of which costs money. At some point, the market will reach its limit, though and we hope these companies recognize that our pet food prices must reach a ceiling very soon. They must pro-actively balance research and development with what is truly affordable and attainable by pet owners.
In light of the trends we’ve seen in pet food pricing, we’ve searched for alternative, quality pet food for your dollar. Our only line of non-prescription food is Honest Kitchen. As we said earlier, we’re not here to compete with the pet food superstores, nor do we want to carry a plethora of alternative choices. We looked for a pet food line that made sense to us, as veterinarians–quality, whole ingredients that meet the needs of the “whole” pet. We love this line of food! It makes sense, stores well (it’s dehydrated natural food), and pets love it! A 10-lb box of Honest Kitchen food , once re-hydrated is the equivalent of 43-lbs of fresh, nutritious food. You can order it direct-shipped to your home from www.thehonestkitchen.com or save yourself the wait and stop by either of our clinic locations to purchase your pet’s food.
Not sure what kind to get? Ask any one of our front desk staff. Is your pet on a prescription diet, and are you interested in seeing if there’s a viable alternative? Speak to any of our veterinarians. Their advice may be to stay on your current diet, due to a medical condition, but it never hurts to ask. Stop by today or call us at 317.257.5334 or 317.726.2711.
Dr. Christine Heinz has been chosen as the 2010 Nestle Purina PetCare Award! We are so proud of Dr. Heinz’s accomplishment, as it is a well-deserved recognition for her hard work as a veterinarian.
Halloween and Trick-or-Treat is fun for people of all ages. Even dogs have been known to dress up and go trick-or-treating with their families!
Every fall, our neighborhoods are overtaken by ghosts and goblins and other scary creatures for a night of fun and tradition. Children love getting dressed up in costume and going door-to-door to collect Halloween treats. There are all kinds of safety tips to protect kids on this night each year, but what about pets?
BRACpet Connect 