Dog Insurance is a Sensible Precaution
Most dog owners never consider dog insurance until they’re faced with a large veterinary bill. And the fact is that you can never foresee when you’ll need to seek veterinary care, or how much it will cost. Not infrequently, a visit to the vet to treat an injury or an unexpected illness can cost hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars. Ouch!
How easy would it be your dog or puppy to break his leg? It happens every day, regardless if these pets stay indoors or are allowed to roam free in the yard. And can you guess how much it will cost you out-of-pocket? The average veterinarian costs for a broken bone is around $900. The monthly premium for dog insurance is pennies compared to such an expense for medical care.
Dog Insurance Options
Look into the different types of dog insurance plans available. The same as with other types of insurance, dog insurance policies do vary, so it’s wise to compare a couple before you buy. All good dog insurance policies should cover the following items:
Spaying and Neutering: As you know, all dogs (except those being professionally bred, or shown) should be de-sexed. Many dog insurance policies cover the entire cost of spaying and neutering, which is great, because those procedures cost at least a couple hundred dollars for a straightforward operation – never mind if your dog experiences expensive complications, which can happen with any surgery.
Prescription Flea Control: Most dogs remain flea-free with Frontline and similar flea control products that are available over the counter at your veterinarian (or at pet stores or online). But a few dogs have ongoing problems with fleas such that prescription flea meds may be required. Most dog health insurance plans cover these prescription flea control meds.
Annual Examination: Whether or not your vet has conned you into thinking that annual vaccinations are essential for your dog, the annual examination is a necessity. It will identify minor health problems before they become major health problems, and treatment can start while there’s still a good prospect of success. Your dog insurance policy should cover the annual exam.
Heartworm Medication: Should your dog be diagnosed with heartworms, the medication needed may also be covered by most dog insurance plans.
Lab Fees: Blood tests and other lab work should also be covered by most dog health insurance plans. Such tests may include blood work for worms, diseases, and abnormalities with pregnancy.
Teeth Cleaning: If your dog suffers periodontal disease, or you are unable to keep his teeth clean by other means, surgical teeth cleaning is often required. And because it’s performed under anaesthetic, it’s pretty expensive. Good news – your dog insurance should cover this, too.
Hospitalization Costs: Your dog may need to be hospitalized if he becomes ill or if he is injured. We already know that injuries are a considerable expense. And yes, hospitalization is an additional impost. Make sure you pick a dog health policy that covers hospitalization (all the good ones do).