Pets on Meds: Healthy or Too Much?

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By C.J. King

According to recent studies 46 million people are without health care. The United States is leading in substandard health profiles in the developed world. Just ask Michael Moore who when asked about his new documentary on healthcare said, "Sicko' is a comedy about 45 million people with no health care in the richest country on Earth." Perhaps the better question is, does your pet have health insurance?

Not only are pets experiencing the high life as jet-setters and spa-goers, they are also quite accustomed to something your average Wal-Mart employee can only dream of. Is this really necessary?

I was driving down the highway listening to NPR when I hear of one of the newest health problems facing our community; dogs and obesity. From pets on Prozac, drugs for separation anxiety, to drugs that ease your pet's carsickness, you have to wonder with all the drug-pushers who bombard our minds via the televison screen, is the pharmaceutical industry so desperate that we are now over-drugging our pets? I think most of us are so doped up on prescription drugs or Meth that we are losing our minds. Never before have I heard of so many pets with so many health issues? Dogs with asthma?

I know people love their pets and consider them part of their family. After all, there are 61 million dogs in U.S. households and more than 58% percent of all Americans have at least one pet in their homes.However, perhaps we should focus more on ensuring the best possible health care for humans before we tap into Fido's health needs

Fuzzy takes a hit

Comments

Gayle 4 years ago

Hi C. J. King, Yes, an interesting subject. It's amazing to see how pet health care has advanced. 'Best to you! Gayle

C.J. King profile image

C.J. King Hub Author 4 years ago

Michael Moore would be disgusted!

Best Wishes,

C.J.

Whitney05 profile image

Whitney05 Level 2 Commenter 4 years ago

I think that some medicines are a must, but some are obsessive and too much. I am interested in seeing what comes of medicines in the future. I think this would be a great hub with more statistics and info about popular meds that people give their pets.

Sally's Trove profile image

Sally's Trove 4 years ago

C.J., I agree with Whitney05.  You have brought up a subject that needs more attention.

In the past but not so long ago, perhaps only a human generation's distance, a dog was fed scraps from the table, was let loose to roam the streets, and had a life expectancy far less than now. If the dog was abused, run over, injured, or starved, the "dog catcher" would eliminate the problem.

Times have changed.

In recent times, the science of animal health care has paralleled the science of human health care.  The reasons for this change, which have much to do with advertising, money, and the media, is a hub in itself. 

You are listening to NPR, so I'm guessing that you watch Animal Planet too, and you know that pets are big business.

Sometimes I think we go too far with pets, in terms of preserving their lives.  When is a medication or a procedure just too much?  On the other hand, why would we want our pets to suffer?

There's a balance here between human preservation and animal preservation.  I think that we are closer to understanding that balance than we were in the past.

So, I hope you will explore a very important subject, one that you feel strongly about.

Best regards, S.

Paulart profile image

Paulart Level 3 Commenter 4 months ago

Wow awesome hub. Thanks for sharing with us.

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