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Thursday, March 28, 2024

A ‘fur-pect’ love

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By Theriz Lizel R. Silvano

Owning a pet brings joy and pleasure. These furry companions lift our spirits, help alleviate stress, and accompany us ain desperate times. But having a pet also means being responsible for their welfare. 

Owners have to look after their pets’ needs such as shelter, food and nutrition, exercise, and attention. Their lives depend on us. 

In the “FURfect Love Protection” webinar held recently, Dr. Norbert Robles, veterinarian and founder of Petlink Veterinary, talked about caring for pets, particularly dogs. 

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LOVE IN FOUR LEGS. Pet owners/parents are responsible for their pets’ needs such as shelter, food, exercise, and protection from uncertainties such as diseases and accidents.
LOVE IN FOUR LEGS. Pet owners/parents are responsible for their pets’ needs such as shelter, food, exercise, and protection from uncertainties such as diseases and accidents.  

Keeping them well-fed and healthy

“Like us humans, they [pets] need carbohydrates, protein source, vitamin source, or any supplements. And of course, tayo [pet owners] yung magbibigay ng (will provide) proper water and food to our dogs and to our other pets as well,” he said. 

As pet parents handle food and nutrition, Dr. Robles said seeking professional help would be most beneficial for medical concerns.

“Yung basic needs kasi na pino-provide natin, kayang kaya natin yun.” (We can easily take care of basic needs.) But for medical concerns, he said, “your trusted veterinarian will help you” with vaccinating against diseases and diagnosing and treating health problems. 

And since not all pet parents can have a veterinarian at their beck and call, Dr. Robles reminded them to observe their dog’s energy level and changes in food habits to know if they are experiencing any health problems. 

“Checking our dogs is important because there are signs that your dog is sick,” Dr. Robles said. “You as a fur parent should have that eye, na malalaman natin na parang may mali, parang ‘di siya kumakain ng tama (that knows something is wrong, like they are not eating right).”

He mentioned the different kinds of diseases and issues dogs could have, such as common viral diseases (canine parvovirus, distemper virus, and coronavirus), bacterial diseases (leptospirosis, blood parasite, Bordetella, Salmonella, E. coli), parasitic infections (intestinal worms, heartworm, mites, ticks, fleas), nutritional cases (urinary problems, bladder stones, diabetes, obesity, malnutrition), and accidents.

Veterinarian Dr. Norbert Robles encourages pet owners to ‘trust the vet’ especially on their pets’ healthcare needs.
Veterinarian Dr. Norbert Robles encourages pet owners to ‘trust the vet’ especially on their pets’ healthcare needs.

In his presentation, the veterinarian explained the ideal appearance of dogs based on body conditioning scoring (BCS): the ribs and spine can be easily felt but not seen, the waist can be viewed from above, and the abdomen is not sagging when viewed from the side. 

“Our dogs will convert [the food that they eat] into good and proper muscle. [There is a problem] when the muscle or the body is not converting it into what you want your dog to have: a good body,” Dr. Robles said.

What can we do to protect our fur babies

Get them an insurance. 

The aforementioned responsibilities can be overwhelming, but one thing that can help ease pet parents’ minds is getting their furry friends protection from uncertainties. 

Malayan Insurance Co. (MICO) earlier introduced Pet Care Insurance, a “3-in-1 insurance plan” for pets and pet owners. It provides medical reimbursement for any veterinary treatment, liability coverage, and personal accident (PA) insurance for dog owners.

“The pet insurance of Malayan can lessen your worries and fears about your dog’s health. This is our way to give peace of mind to fellow fur parents since we recognize that having dogs can be financially demanding,” said MICO vice chairperson Yvonne S. Yuchengco.

Medical reimbursement covers up to P300,000 of medical expenses incurred to treat or diagnose the insured dog in case it gets involved in an accident or acquires a disease.

The owner’s liability benefit covers damages and costs incurred for any liabilities to third parties caused by the insured pet like accidentally attacking other people.

The PA also covers the insured dog owner in the event of accidental death, disablement, and dismemberment while the policy is in force.

Dogs qualified to avail of the Pet Care Insurance have to be between six months and eight years old, and currently vaccinated as prescribed by the Philippine Animal Hospital Association. 

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