Welcome To Spring!

Spring is here! You can almost smell the morning dew and the flowers starting to bloom. You and your pet are restless from the long winter months and are ready to play Frisbee in the park! To keep from getting too restless during the cold winter season we stay busy by exhibiting at various conferences, sponsoring events and being here to help take the financial pressure off you while protecting your furry loved one so that you are both All taken care of.......

2009 marks the 20th anniversary of pet health insurance in Canada. To celebrate such a milestone, we have created a 20 year logo, changed our top 10 eTails lists to our top 20 and will be running various contests throughout the year.

We are VERY excited to announce the official launch of the newest section to our Petsecure website:
Pet Healthipedia! Pet Healthipedia is the go-to resource for all pet health related information, including hundreds of articles, videos and breed profiles for dogs and cats.

In partnership with VPI Pet Insurance, Petsecure is happy to be celebrating Pet Parents Day on April 26th, 2009. Be sure to check our website closer to the date for more information and to send out an eCard to fellow pet parents celebrating this great day.

Until our next eTails showers your inbox, we hope you find some useful
'money-saving' tips below and wish you and your pet a happy spring!

- The Petsecure team

Uncertain Economic Times

Uncertainty in the Economy = a Reason to keep your Pet Insured!

In uncertain economic times it's even more critical that you prepare and plan for the unexpected.That's why it's important as responsible pet parents to stay prepared with your Petsecure policy. You know that if you need to, you can provide your pet with the very best veterinary treatment and care available, ensuring they are...All taken care of!

Pet health insurance provides protection against financial stress should your pet need veterinary care. By paying a small monthly premium towards your Petsecure policy you're ensuring that if a treatment is needed you're able to go ahead because you have coverage. For example, did you know that if your pet develops hip dysplasia you could spend close to $7,000 for treatment? Most people don't have that kind of money just sitting around - especially these days. Pet health insurance allows you to be worry-free if your pet gets injured or ill and saves you from having to make a tough decision over what you can and can't afford.

Caring for your pet is obviously one of your top priorities. If you are worried about cutting back on the amount of money you spend on your pet, why not stretch your wallet further by trying some other money saving options?

• Use direct withdrawal on your Petsecure policy - Avoid paying interest charges or late fees to a credit card company when you can have your payment instantly come from your bank account at no extra charge.
• Make your own pet treats - Why buy pre-made treats when you can make homemade quality snacks with ingredients you already have at home? Dogs in Canada has great recipes online to get you started. We have also included one of their clever cookie recipes in this issue of eTails.
• Buy pet products in larger quantities - Dog food, kitty litter and pet treats are all common items that are sold in larger amounts. Even though you may pay more initially, you'll save in the long run.
• Do your own home grooming - Buying a pair of nail clippers, shampoo or even a good hair brush, can save you money on monthly grooming bills.

Petsecure helps you budget for the cost of care for the lifetime of your pet. But don't just take our word for it, read what David Hayward had to say about his experience with pet health insurance.

"We purchased pet health insurance right after we purchased our puppy Kona; we didn't want to have to choose between our dog's health and money. At nine months we noticed him limping and took him to our veterinarian. We found out he had hip dysplasia and that it could be repaired with a titanium hip - a $5,000 operation. It is at times like this that we were glad we have coverage with pet health insurance."

If your pets could talk we're sure they would thank you for ensuring that even in uncertain economic times they continue to be...All taken care of.

Easy 5-Step Leftover Cookies

Why not create your own leftover dog (or cat) cookies from the meals you prepare on a day-to-day basis? You can use up the extra food and give your pet a special treat, all at the same time. It saves you money on expensive treats and they're easy to make in just five simple steps!

Leftover Cookie Ingredients:

• 1 cup (250 ml) mashed potatoes, cooled
• 1/2 cup (125ml) chicken or beef broth
• 1/2 - 1 cup (125-250ml) chopped chicken, turkey, beef or pork
• 1/2 - 1 cup (125-250ml) cooked vegetables (ex. carrots, peas or beans)
• 1 large egg
• 2 tbsp (30ml) canola or olive oil
• 2 cups (500ml) whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup (125ml) cornmeal
• 1 tsp (5ml) baking powder

Easy 5-Step Leftover Cookie Recipe:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F.
2. In a large bowl, combine: mashed potatoes, meat, vegetables, broth, egg and oil.
3. Add: flour, cornmeal, baking powder, stir till blended.
4. Drop large spoonfuls of dough onto a cookie sheet that has been sprayed with a non-stick cooking spray.
5. Flatten each cookie (just a little) and bake for 15-20 minutes until springy to touch.

That's it! You have officially created an inexpensive (and healthy) treat that your pets will
love you for!

Thank you to our friends at Dogs in Canada for featuring this recipe in their January 2009 issue.

Do you have your own pet-friendly recipe that you'd like to share with other pet parents? E-mail us and your name and recipe may be featured on our website and in an upcoming eTails.

Canada's Top Veterinary Practice Employee - Nominate Yours Today!

Have you taken your furry loved one to their veterinary practice lately and received exceptional service? Is there someone at that practice that always remembers your pet's name and treats them with as much love as you do? We want to hear about it.

Petsecure is running a contest to find your favorite veterinary staff across Canada. We are excited to hear about the great service, treatment and even the extra smile you and your pet receive. The winning clinic will receive lunch for their entire team and they will be featured in our upcoming eNewsletters, on our website and have the bragging rights of being one of the very best in Canada.

By nominating your favorite veterinary staff member you will also be entered to win great prizes from Petsecure. Contest closes May 1, 2009.

Enter the contest today.

Is your Pet a Few Extra Pounds?

What you Should know About Overweight Pets!

Overweight pets are an increasing health concern for pet parents across Canada. Just as in people, being overweight contributes to a large number of diseases in pets. The problem can be metabolic, such as with hypothyroidism, but most often is a result of one problem - more calories eaten than expended throughout the day.

Some connections between having an overweight pet and disease are easy to realize. Joints can be over-burdened by carrying too much weight and develop arthritis, an inflammatory reaction that causes pain. Furthermore, the dog or cat can rupture a cruciate ligament in the knee from being overloaded. Overweight pets are more likely to develop a herniated disc in the spine which can cause a great deal of pain.

Other problems are less obvious, but equally hard on your pets. Excess body fat can contribute to becoming diabetic. Diabetes is a serious disease that causes blood sugar levels to soar uncontrollably leading to all sorts of ill effects and is one of the most claimed for illness, especially in cats.

Did you know that if a pet develops diabetes the initial assessment and treatment can be around $350.00 for cat and $850.00 for a large breed dog? Treatment costs for ongoing monthly insulin shots can add up quickly. Cats typically cost $600 per year to treat and dogs will cost any where around $2,000. For example, if you have a six year old cat that develops diabetes and lives to be 16, your total cost for the next ten years of insulin would be $6,000!

Overweight pets are also more susceptible to heat stroke because dogs and cats don't sweat to keep themselves cool. The fat acts as an insulating blanket over their body. Respiratory problems and heart disease are caused by and complicated by obesity. Overweight pets are also at increased risk during anesthetic and surgical procedures.

Prevention is Key!

Overall, if your pet is overweight it can reduce quality of life and shorten their lifespan. One Purina study showed that dogs with ideal body conditions live on average, 15% longer than pets that are overweight. Keeping your pet healthy, on a well-balanced diet and physically active will ensure a long lasting life with your four-legged friend.

Ask-A-Vet:
Dental Care - What's the Best Approach?

Dear Dr. Webster,
None of my pets like getting their teeth brushed even though I started them off at a very young age. There are many products on the market to use, are they safe?
What should I do? - Cleaning Teeth Curious

Dear Cleaning Teeth Curious,
I think the best approach is to use one of the many dental diets that are available for long term preventive dental care. Brushing your pet's teeth can be difficult so if you're having trouble or not comfortable with sticking your hand in your pet's mouth, visit your veterinarian for an annual routine dental cleaning.
- Dr. Webster

Do you have a question about your pet's health and/or wellness that
you'd like answered? E-mail us and our Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr. Lynn Webster will answer your questions.

Introducing...Shelby

(and pet owners Glen and Cora Passfield)

After deciding that a puppy would be a good addition to Glen and Cora's household they decided to get a yellow lab. They found a breeder that they liked and felt comfortable with and a few weeks later they had their new addition to the family, Shelby. After having her at home for a few weeks she became very lethargic and was constantly drooling. They immediately called their veterinarian and explained the situation. Their veterinarian told them to bring her in as soon as possible....read more of Shelby's Story

Interested in providing your own True Tail about your experience with pet health insurance and sharing it with other pet parents? We'd love to hear your story. Contact us today

Top 20 Dog and Cat Breeds with Petsecure Polices

In honour of the 20th Anniversary of pet health insurance in Canada, we've replaced our regular 'Top 10' list with our new 'Top 20' list for each issue of eTails edition. Our first list is for the top 20 dog and cat breeds with a Petsecure policy. How does your pet's breed stack up? Check out the list below.

The Top 20 Dog Breeds with a Petsecure Policy Are:

1. Labrador Retriever
2. Golden Retriever
3. Shih Tzu
4. German Shepherd
5. Yorkshire Terrier
6. Pug
7. Boxer
8. Chihuahua
9. Bernese Mountain Dog
10. Bichon Frise
11. Border Collie
12. Miniature Schnauzer
13. Bulldog
14. Cocker Spaniel
15. Pomeranian
16. Beagle
17. Boston Terrier
18. Jack Russell Terrier
19. Maltese
20. Poodle

The Top 20 Cat Breeds with a Petsecure Policy Are:

1. Domestic Short Hair
2. Domestic Medium Hair
3. Tabby
4. Domestic Long Hair
5. Siamese
6. Calico
7. Ragdoll
8. Persian
9. Himalayan
10. Bengal
11. Maine Coon
12. American Short Hair
13. Burmese
14. Abyssinian
15. British Short Hair
16. Russian Blue
17. Devon Rex
18. Birman
19. Sphynx
20. Cornish Rex