When you first bring your new puppy home the furthest thing from your mind is heart disease. But heart disease in dogs is on the rise, and it may strike sooner than you expect. It’s heartbreaking to watch your best friend lose his strength, and struggle to try and do the things he used to do, and as any true dog lover will tell you, cost is not an issue when it comes to getting the medications that will make your dog comfortable for as long as possible. But make no mistake, there is a cost! The three common medications given to dogs with heart disease are Vetmedin, Salix and Enalapril. The total cost depends on the size of your dog, because dosage goes by weight, but a 60 pound dog’s medication will run around $300-350 per month. Yikes! I know. It’s just one of the things to take into consideration when adopting a puppy. Puppies will grow old, if all goes well, and geriatric dogs can be expensive to care for. There are also sleepless nights, and trips to the vet. They all take a toll. But would we trade the love and companionship our loyal furry friend has brought us through the years? Not a chance.
