Who Doesn't Love a Frenchie?

The French Bulldog - adorable, playful, pint-sized and energetic.  Hearing the distinct snorting and seeing the all too familiar butt wiggle of this spirited breed brings a smile to everyone’s face.  We have been noticing an increase in the amount of French Bulldogs to our hospital, and I’m sure, many hospitals throughout the country.  There are countless YouTube videos featuring these adorable pups in action, as well as numerous websites dedicated to this breed.  If you’re thinking that a Frenchie is the right 4-legged addition to your family, keep in mind there are a lot of things that you should consider prior to making this important decision.

Just like any breed, there are specific breed-related considerations one must keep in mind prior to taking on the responsibility of a new pet.  The best way to ensure you choose the right breed for you is to do the research prior to making your final decision.  To help with your decision, we wanted to highlight a few conditions that are susceptible to French Bulldogs.  Frenchies have been known to be prone to skin allergies.  While these allergies are manageable, they can come with a cost, which is something to keep in mind when looking into this adorable breed. 

Additionally, French Bulldogs are a brachiocephalic breed.  What on earth is a brachiocephalic breed?  Brachycephalia refers to a flat and wide skull shape.  This skull shape gives these dogs the characteristic flattened face and short nose.  While this appearance is tremendously cute, it does come with risks.  Brachiocephalic breeds are at higher risk of breathing issues, which can be managed, but should be kept in the back of your mind.  Obtaining pet insurance when introducing a new pet is an excellent idea, regardless of the breed, and can reduce the costs of conditions should they arise.  

French Bulldogs are undeniably endearing and a wonderful fit in the right home.  Their personalities are one-of-kind and can bring many years of joy to their human counterparts.  We hope you find this blog informative and encourage all Frenchie lovers to pay us a visit – even if it’s just to say hi! 

  

  

 

 

 

When Faced with the Unexpected

We’ve all been there.  Our fluffy four-legged companion suddenly becomes ill, and we find ourselves in a panicked state.  What should I do?  Where should I go?  How am I going to pay for this?  This is a difficult, yet very important topic of discussion when being a pet owner.

First and for most – to answer the questions of what should I do and where should I go, it is imperative to have an established relationship with a trusted veterinarian.  This will ensure that you can be seen in a timely fashion and your pet receives the necessary care that he/she deserves.  Nonetheless, we are all too aware that these things happen during the most inconvenient times (i.e. holidays, evenings, weekends, etc.) when your trusted veterinarian is unable to see your pet.  Don’t fret, there are emergency facilities that are open during these times that can help you!

That brings us to the touchy question of how am I going to pay for this?  Thankfully, there are many solutions/programs that are available to offset the financial burden that many of us face during these stressful times.  We cannot stress enough about the importance of having a pet insurance plan.  There are many to choose from, and doing your homework to select the right plan for you and your pet is imperative!  Some insurance plans are geared more towards preventative/annual maintenance, while others are more focused on emergency situations.  Other factors come into play such as breed, age of pet and monthly plan costs; when selecting the right plan for you.  A few that we recommend are Trupanion, V.P.I. and Pets Best, but we strongly encourage you to exhaust all options prior to making this important decision.

Another option for pet owners that has helped is the option of Care Credit.  Care Credit is a medical usage credit card that many veterinary hospitals accept.  This gives owners the option to move forward with treatment when current finances may have limited them previously.  As with any credit card, one can expect interest charges, but there are some promotions that may lessen the amount of interest the owner will be obligated to pay.  In some cases, the owner may not pay any interest at all!  To learn more, go to carecredit.com to see what programs they offer.

Bottom line – the best offense is a great defense when it comes to the medical care your pet needs.  We hope that you consider looking into the aforementioned options to help protect you and your pet if you are ever faced with an unexpected emergency. 

Veterinary Associates of Cape Cod Care Club

With advancements in veterinary diagnostics and preventable measures at our fingertips, we are learning that there is a direct correlation between the quality of life of our four-legged furry family members, and the quality of veterinary care we offer them.  We understand that veterinary care can be a hard expense to swallow, but it is imperative to keep your pet healthy and happy.  Regular Wellness Exams, vaccinations and recommended bloodwork; all play key roles in the health and well-being of your furry family member.  To encourage regular wellness visits, we are proud to offer VACC Care Club packages for both dogs and cats!

We offer two Care Club Packages – the Basic Care Club and the Premium Care Club.

 The Canine Basic Care Club Package includes the following:

• 2 Wellness Plans
• Comprehensive Oral Health Assessment
• Unlimited Additional Office Visits
• Heartworm/Tick Blood Screen
• Lab Work
• CBC, Chemistry Panel, and Urinalysis
• Intestinal Parasite Screening
• Recommended Core Vaccines
• DA2PP
• Rabies
• 2 Nail Trims

The Canine Premium Care Club Package includes all of the above and the following:

• Lab Work
• Thyroid Test
• Chest/Abdominal X-Ray Screening - 4 Views
• Ocular Pressure Test
• Recommended Core Vaccines
• Bordetella
• Influenza
• Lyme
• Unlimited Nail Trims

The monthly cost of the Basic Canine Care Club Package is $27.50/mo and the Premium Canine Care Club Package is $59.95/mo.  Either package has a one-time $69.00 enrollment fee.  When totaling the individual cost of both the Basic and Premium Canine Care Club Packages, we see a savings of over $76 annually for the Basic Plan and over $165 in savings with the Premium Package.  As an added incentive, if the year is paid in full, the $69.00 enrollment fee will be waived!

The Feline Basic Care Club Package Includes:

• 2 Wellness Exams
• Comprehensive Oral Health Assessment
• Unlimited Additional Office Visits
• Feline Leukemia and FIV Testing
• Lab Work
• CBC, Chemistry Panel, and Urinalysis
• Intestinal Parasite Screening
• Recommended Core Vaccines
• FVRCP
• Rabies
• 2 Nail Trims

The Feline Premium Care Club Package includes all of the above and the following:

• Chest/Abdominal X-Ray Screening - 2 Views
• Blood Pressure Screening
• Recommended Core Vaccines
• FeLV
• Unlimited Nail Trims

The monthly cost of the Basic Feline Care Club Package is $27.50/mo and the Premium Feline Care Club Package is $59.95/mo.  Either package has a one-time $69.00 enrollment fee.  When totaling the individual cost of both the Basic and Premium Feline Care Club Packages, we see a savings of over $36 annually for the Basic Plan and over $75 in savings with the Premium Package.  Again, we will waive the $69.00 enrollment fee if the policy year is paid in full!

Both Canine and Feline Care Club Packages are eligible for pets between the ages of 1 and 7.  Monthly payments plans versus the traditional upfront costs of annual and semi-annual visits, give pet owners the opportunity to give their furry family members all of the recommended treatments and preventative care that they deserve.  Furthermore, if you are able to pay for the entire year, your enrollment fee will be waived – furthering your savings on keeping your pet happy and healthy!  Keep in mind that unlimited additional office visits can save you a considerable amount of money during those unexpected situations that inevitably happen with our furry friends.  Diseases and illnesses can creep up quickly and quietly, making frequent preventative visits a great way to ensure your pet stays healthy.  Unfortunately, pets are great at hiding signs of illness from their owners, however, regular office visits can help add more healthy years to your pet’s life.   Additionally, unlimited nail trims offered in our premium packages can add up to a significant amount in savings!  Please feel free to contact us by phone or inquire within if you have any additional questions!