Pet Sense (Archives)
All Creatures Animal Hospital
1894 Ohio Pike 797-(PETS)
Is pet insurance right for you
Daily someone says to me, I wish they offered medical insurance for pets and daily I say - THEY DO!! It is frustrating to have to discuss costs for extensive procedures with owners who have to make tough choices on their pets care based on cost. I recently had an owner with insurance receive coverage for a referral surgery and treatment that would have cost her over $4000. This is why we want our patients to have insurance. It’s smart to evaluate medical coverage for your dogs and cats. Animals are living longer, they are treated like members of the family and veterinary care costs are rising by more than 9% per year. Whether your pet is old or new, some of today’s pet insurance plans can provide you with affordable options to cover unexpected accidents and illnesses.
Here’s what to look for:
• Find a policy that is simple to use and easy to understand. With so many different options and plans available, it can be confusing to know what is covered.
• Some policies put a cap on the amount you can receive per incident or per year. Others provide unlimited coverage with no payout limits. Find a policy that has no limits.
• With some policies you can choose your own deductible to best fit your budget.
• Reimburses a high percentage of your bill. Some cover 70%, while others cover 90%. Also make sure they won’t change your coverage amount if you file a lot of claims.
• Many breeds are prone to hereditary and congenital disorders, look for a policy that covers them.
• Make sure the policy reimburses based on your actual bill, not from a predetermined payment schedule.
Some questions you should ask
• What is not covered?
• What are the per incident limits? Annual limits? Lifetime limits? What about ongoing conditions like diabetes?
• What is the percentage amount paid to you by the insurance company? Make sure it is a percentage of the actual bill, not a percentage of a benefit schedule.
• Will premiums increase as the pet ages? How much? (This is important as many policies start low and raise the rates due to pet aging or if you file a lot of claims)
• Visit petinsurancereview.com and make sure the company you choose is highly rated by consumers.
One of the best places to start is with your veterinarian. We offer all puppies under a year of an age a free thirty day insurance policy after their examination. Ask about other options for your pet. You should also spend time looking at pet insurance coverage online with companies like ASPCA, PetsBest, Trupanion and VPI. Many pet insurance policies will detail answers to your questions and provide sample policies that you can review. By finding the answers to your questions, you can make the best decision on whether pet insurance is the right option for you.
The Most Expensive Dog Breeds
It is well known that each breed of dog tends to have certain health problems more common to that breed. This is probably due to genetics. As canine DNA is studied, it is hoped that we can eventually develop genetic tests for early detection and possible prevention of these diseases. In the meantime, when dog owners are considering adopting a certain breed of dog, they should consult a veterinarian to discuss what diseases are prevalent in that particular breed.
Trupanion, a pet health insurance company, did a survey of their claims over the last decade to determine the five most expensive dog breeds from a health care standpoint. They are, in order, the English Bulldog, the Bernese Mountain Dog, the Rottweiler, the Great Dane, and the French Bulldog.
The English Bulldog is prone to cherry eye, an enlargement of a gland on the third eyelid that appears as a red swelling in the inner corner of the eye; this responds to surgical correction. English Bulldogs also commonly get brachycephalic syndrome, a complex of several problems that includes a soft palate that is too long and makes it hard for the dog to breathe. They may even faint when they have this problem; this also makes it easier for them to suffer from heat stroke. Another part of this syndrome is stenotic nares, which means their nostrils are very narrowed. This contributes to the problem of breathing. All of these conditions can be helped by surgery. Bulldogs are also prone to the orthopedic problems of hip dysplasia, and patellar luxation. The hip problem leads to arthritis. Patellar luxation causes the kneecap to go in and out of place, and may lead to a rupture of the cruciate ligament inside the knee. Surgeries are available for these problems as well.
The Bernese Mountain Dog is prone to cataracts, and two kinds of cancer: mast cell tumors and histiocyctic sarcoma. Elbow dysplasia is a very common problem, this leads to arthritis of the elbow. Gastric torsion is more common in this breed. This where the stomach twists on itself, cutting off the blood supply to the stomach. Even with emergency surgery there is still a significant mortality rate.
The Rottweiler is predisposed to elbow dysplasia, gastric torsion, and hypothyroidism, a condition
where the body does not make enough thyroid hormone. This is easily diagnosed with a blood test, and if low, the dog is given thyroid supplement medication for the rest of its life. Rottweilers are also prone to allergies. The symptoms most commonly show as itchy skin, but food allergies may also present as chronic vomiting and / or soft stools.
The Great Dane is inclined to get elbow and hip dysplasia, gastric torsion, and cardiomyopathy. This last disease is a severe condition of the heart muscle that has a poor prognosis. An ultrasound of the heart, called an echocardiogram, is required to diagnose this problem.
French Bulldogs are prone to allergies, brachycephalic syndrome, stenotic nares, and hip dysplasia.
Every dog breed has their own set of conditions to which they are predisposed. Unfortunately, no breed is perfectly healthy, but some are better than others! Your veterinarian can discuss each breed and any diseases.
Other Problems Associated with Certain Breeds
* Dachshund - Back Problems
* Cocker Spaniel - Glaucoma
* Chihuahua - Hydrocephalus
* Dalmation - Bladder stones
* Westies - Yeast Infections
* Cavalier - Heart Disease
* Bichon - Allergies
References: trupanionpetinsurance.com
