Treat your pets with a trip to the local drug store

Save money and keep your pets healthy. Nobody likes big, fat vet bills so we found a new book, written by a doctor that shows you how to treat your pets with a trip to the local drug store.

Doggie-only medications can be pricey and only come from a vet.

“Many of the people would come in and drugs were so expensive, they couldn't afford things. So why don't you go to so-and-so and buy this? And they would," said Dr. Robert Ridgeway, Veterinarian.

Dr. Ridgeway just wrote the book, "How to treat your dogs and cats with over the counter drugs".

He says simple meds made for people can help your pet, if you know what you're doing. "Here's one, Tinactin. It'll treat fungus. You can go buy that anywhere. You can buy it at grocery stores, buy it at pharmacies."

Ridgeway wrote the book to keep pet owners from trying to figure it out themselves and hurting their animals. "Here's the mentality: gosh, if a little bit works, a whole bunch ought to be great. Well, no you're killing your dog or your cat."

Ridgway says even meds like this one to treat parasites in cows and a pig that’s available at feed stores can be safe for dogs and cats...if you give the right amount. "All you have to do it know the weight of your animal, come across to the chart, and it will give you the dose."

Ridgeway says seeing a vet first is always best for your pet. Only a vet can diagnosis what's wrong...and keep you from treating the wrong thing.