Veterinary fees: HSA Eligibility

Vet fees for a service animal are eligible.

What is a veterinarian?

Most veterinary physicians work in clinical settings treating animals. Veterinarians can be general practice, treating animals of all types, or they may be specialized in a specific group of animals such as livestock, zoo animals, companion animals, etc. They can also be specialized in terms of the medical discipline, specializing in surgery, internal medicine, dermatology, etc.

What sorts of treatments do they provide?

Veterinarians treat disease, disorder or injury in animals. They can handle the full cycle starting with diagnosis, then treatment, and finally aftercare. Veterinarians can offer regular check ups, specialty consultation, and most will be able to perform surgery as needed. Owners should try to provide a medical history for the veterinarian to combine with observations and clinical signs to have the best diagnosis.

The results of pertinent diagnostic tests such as radiography, CT scans, MRI, blood tests, urinalysis and others are very important in this field. Blood, urine, feces, and biopsied tissues are commonly tested to detect potential abnormalities your dog or cat may be unable to verbalize. Digital radiology can instantly capture and show detailed images of your pet's insides to diagnose intestinal blockages, bone breaks and fractures, bladder stones, tumors, chronic arthritis and more. ECG technology assesses heart health by measuring heart rhythms and electrical impulses (Sokanu).

What are some common reasons to visit the veterinarian?

Common interventions include vaccination against common animal illnesses, such as distemper or rabies, and dental prophylaxis to prevent or inhibit dental disease. Regular check ups can help to ensure that your pet is in good health and prevent diseases from becoming too serious down the road.

Sometimes veterinarians will have to make a call on the appropriateness of euthanasia or putting an animal to sleep. This is recommended if a condition is likely to leave the animal in pain or with a poor quality of life, if treatment of a condition is likely to cause more harm than good, or if the animal is unlikely to survive any treatment regimen.