Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Anna Raymond nickname Bunny on January 11, 2012 at 5:30pm

Hi, I have health ins for scout.  I didn't have it for  my first corgi. I got Pet Plan. I love it.  You can choose your level of coverage and deductible.  It covers genetic disorders and everything else.  Not routine visits,but any accident or injury including emergencies.  Scout broke a toe in July of 2010.  it covered 100% of the bill.  Faxed it had a check a few days later.

I figure if I don't use it again, I will when he is older.  it just takes the financial issue out of the way while trying to make medical decisions for a geriatric dog

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Melissa and Franklin! on January 11, 2012 at 5:44pm

I too have PetPlan for my chihuahua. Franklin does not have health insurance, with all of his issues I'm not sure anybody would take him on! :-) At the vet I used to work at I always would ask clients their opinion on the various insurance companies they used. What I found was PetPlan was preferred by far over any of the other insurance companies. But I also found that 9 times out of 10 owners said they wished they would have just put the monthly fee in a bank account specifically for the dog and they would have saved a lot of money that way. Insurance generally ranges between $25-$60+ a month and if you just put that money aside each month, unless you get a REALLY unhealthy pup, your savings should be enough to cover any accidents that may arise. The only reason the chihuahua has it is because I can tell she has a luxating patella and wanted to get her on an insurance plan so they will cover surgery when the time comes. 

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Linda Hlinka on January 12, 2012 at 10:09am

Hi,
I’ve had insurance for my Molly for about 9 years. I have Veterinary Pet Insurance https://my.petinsurance.com/ They’ve been pretty good with her various problems over the years. They pay relatively quickly. Good luck.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Yuki & Ellie on January 12, 2012 at 10:31am

I don't have health insurance for my dogs, so I don't have any input for that, but there are sites, like this one, where they rate such things.  One alternative to insurance, though, is to take what you would pay monthly (say, $30) and instead put that into a savings account that you use only for pet care. 

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Scott+Nicola+Brody on January 12, 2012 at 1:33pm

I had health troubles for my first corgi... my vet also suggested opening a new bank account... and putting the monthly into the bank account.... since health insurance doesnt cover everything.... Unfortunately I had to put Bailey my first pup down due to congenital problems.... As sad as it is. I knew I did the best for her...but financially...it put us in to a bit of strain..... We adored Bailey ...But.it also gave me and my husband time to learn something before welcoming our new pup in a few weeks (Brody).... 

you never know what will happen....

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Mike and Vicki Baylus on January 25, 2012 at 6:30am

We had debated about health insurance too. We currently don't have it. Yolie and Leela both were stung by bees. Yolie we had to take to emergency twice for it. Now we know what to do and when Leela got stung we gave her benadryl and was just fine. I want to comment that as they got older that was no longer a problem. The did get stung but didn't react anymore. Why do they go after bees????

Then Yolie ended up getting bladder stones this month. That cost us 1,000.00 which was a good deal from what I found out. She is still not completely over the "dry" peeing so we may have more to deal with there.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by rae on January 25, 2012 at 10:34am

We have VPI pet insurance for the cats.  It's been pretty good.  It's not so much for the general checkups/wellness exams (though it does cover annual visits) but more comprehensive for catastrophic events, accidents and illnesses (www.petinsurance.com). We did have another insurance company about two years ago, they sucked.  We also have a CareCredit account for emergencies just in case, and may be increasing that. 

And I'm thinking of doing this for our new puppy: http://www.banfield.com/Pet-Owners/Optimum-Wellness-Plans/Plan-Type...

Based on the info so far, I think we may even add the cat plans for our cats to our standard insurance.

DEFINITELY better to e prepared than have something happen and not be covered.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Heidi Robson on January 25, 2012 at 12:04pm

I have Pet Plan for my girls...

• ▶ Reply