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2014 Healthy Living
Part Of The Family: Insuring Your Pet’s Health Costs By RICHARD PALOMA rpaloma@oakdaleleader.com
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any people nowadays consider their pet a family member. Since they travel, have outings, relax with the rest of the family inside the home, it’s impossible to tell if the furry friend will be healthy or have a serious illness or accident during its lifetime. If something bad should happen to them, owners don’t want to have to decide whether to spend thousands of dollars to save their pet or put them to sleep. A 2010 study by the Associated Press found that 41 percent of pet owners are extremely or somewhat concerned they could not afford the veterinary bills for a sick dog or cat. If you’re an individual who would do anything to save your pet in case of emergency or a serious illness, including
spend thousands of dollars on veterinary care, pet insurance might be a preferable alternative to going into debt. Pet insurance is a safety net designed to protect pets and owners’ pocketbooks when the unexpected happens. Today’s veterinary care can provide your pet the latest medical advancements, but this expertise can be costly. Not too many years ago, most veterinarians handled their own emergencies. Now there are one or more emergency centers in most cities. These pet hospitals often deal with life-threatening problems that need intensive care or even emergency surgery – usually at hours when a regular veterinarian isn’t available. There are also veterinarians and technicians who actually specialize in emergency and critical care.
Since pets like Gino and Dante, shown here, are more than ever now considered to be part of the family, pet insurance may be an option to avoid costly vet bills. Today’s veterinary care can provide your pet the latest medical advancements, but this expertise can be costly. PHOTO BY RICHARD PALOMA
FAMILY, Page 7
Online Scheduling Coming Soon Patty provides clinical facials for the treatment of age management, acne and rosacea. She also gives therapeutic facials for head-to-toe relaxation • Call/text to 209-403-3284.
Introducing Kari McLean of Intuitive Massage
Kari McLean, Intuitive Massage
She is delighted to help clients meet their personal health goals. Call for your appointment – 209-840-9024 730 W. F Street, Ste. B, Oakdale, located behind Clipz & Styles
Patty Lopez, Licensed Esthetician
Dr. West is new to the central valley and is excited about his new location in Riverbank.
The office is located in the NE corner of the Riverbank Professional Plaza on Patterson Rd. Upon graduation from the University of the Pacific School of Dentistry, Dr. West attended the University of Colorado where he completed his orthodontic residency. A California native, he and his family moved to Modesto after graduation and purchased an existing practice in Modesto on McHenry Ave. Dr. West and his wife have four boys to clean up after and chase around the house. They are pleased to call the central valley home and look forward to straightening some teeth!
Dr. Jeremy T. West, DDS, and Family