When your pet winds up in an emergency situation, struggling to scrape together funds for an unexpected bill is an additional strain during an already stressful time. While dipping into a pet health savings account or relying on pet insurance for financial aid would be ideal, many pet owners do not have these measures in place.

We understand that preparing for the worst is something you may not want to consider, but avoid gambling on your pet’s health. Fortunately, there are financing options available that can relieve financial tension and allow both you and our veterinary team to focus on providing life-saving care for your beloved pet.

Financial options

Whether it’s a routine checkup or emergency medical treatment, you shouldn’t have to worry about how to finance the best veterinary care for your beloved pet. That’s why we’re pleased to offer several different financing options to allow you to say “yes” to treatment immediately.

  1. CareCredit is a credit card designed exclusively for health care, for both people and pets. This credit card is similar to a standard credit card, but without the high interest rates or annual fees. Perfect for fitting your budget, CareCredit offers extended financing options, so you can take your time paying off the balance with low monthly payments. Interest can be deferred for 6 to 18 months, and no prepayment penalties are charged if you settle up your balance ahead of schedule. Applying for CareCredit is a cinch and can be done over the phone or online, right here in the clinic.
  2. Scratchpay offers payment plans, so you can make monthly payments to cover your pet’s veterinary care, rather than paying the entire invoice at once.
  3. Catastrophic or accident pet insurance is an excellent way to provide life-saving medical care for your pet. Cheaper than comprehensive medical insurance, which usually includes wellness visits and vaccinations, accident pet insurance covers the big stuff, such as emergency surgeries or long hospital stays. Pet insurance is perhaps the best way to financially provide for your pet in case of an accident, illness, or emergency situation.
  4. A savings account set aside strictly for pet care can be easy to budget for—simply give up a couple of Starbucks runs or a pizza every week and deposit that cash in a savings account. Soon, you’ll have a nice cushion to fall back on in case of an unexpected illness or accident. Saving throughout the year can also allow you to provide excellent preventive care when recommended for your furry friend, potentially staving off illnesses that could have been prevented down the road.

 Costs of not having a financial plan

All too often, heartbreaking decisions are made based on finances. Lack of financial planning for your pet can lead to less than optimal care or euthanasia, even when the condition is treatable. Quality veterinary care is not free. While pet insurance is steadily growing more popular—benefitting both your pet and your pocketbook—it is still not utilized widely. Sign your pet up for a decent medical insurance plan to provide for her in case of an emergency.

Failure to plan for a pet-related disaster will add up quickly. According to Trupanion, a company that provides medical insurance for pets, here are the average costs of some common pet emergencies:

  • Foreign body ingestion = $2,964
  • Gastric dilation volvulus = $3,525
  • Parvovirus = $5,084
  • Cruciate ligament tear = $5,439
  • Seizures = $1,984

Predicting and preventing emergencies is impossible, especially when a four-legged friend is involved. Whether it’s a simple sneeze or a major life-saving surgery, you shouldn’t have to worry about how to provide the best veterinary care for your beloved companion. Set up a financial plan and budget for your pet to be prepared for the unimaginable.

Interested in learning more about our financing options? Give our office a call for details