Pet insurance (bulldog, vet, breeder, infection)

[MAK802]

We desperately need pet insurance now since we seem to be regulars at the e-vet. We've been there twice in the last 3 weeks and spent $1500 in such a short time. Since we have a Bulldog (he's only 5 mos old), many companies won't insure for those things that the breed is prone to have (cherry eye, hip dyspasia, etc.) We heard of Embrace and they will cover those things, but before we sign up, I'd like to know if anyone has experience with them. I'll take all other recs as well, since we really need to sign up right now because I have a feeling we'll be back at the e-vet later today or tomorrow. Thanks for any help.

[wheelsup]

Look into Banfield pet hospitals, we've had really good luck with ours. Free visits w/ their plan mean you don't pay an office visit, just services provided. As an example we had our dogs anal glands expressed and it was $80 at our local vet, $17 at the Banfield. They seem to be just as knowledgeable as the local vets were, and they are open more hours. In addition you get a discount on services depending on your plan level.

Most insurance plans won't cover pre-existing conditions, I would call them and tell them what has been going on. And get the plan in writing before signing up! From what I have heard *most* folks using pet insurance come out far, far, ahead had they just saved their money they spent on the plan and socked it away.

Our 5 year old dog needed one $35 vet visit in her life until 2 months ago, $2000 later we are hopefully out of the woods. I know how you feel.

[MAK802]

Our vet is a Bulldog specialist. We don't take him to just any vet because of his breed. The doctors at the Banfield here are horrific and I hear nothing but horror stories. The regular vet is not our problem; we don't mind paying him since he is absolutely wonderful with the breed. It's these emergency visits that cost $750 each time we go and we went twice in 3 weeks.

I know about the pre existing conditions, but I took him to 2 different e-vets in the last 3 weeks. The first time, he was diagnosed with coccidia, so I know that it's now a pre existing condition and he must be coccida free for a year to be able to claim that. This time, I did not disclose our regular vet's name, so this is not even documented by our vet (I assume the pet insurance gets info about him from the regular vet and has no idea we went to the evet this time).

[ReturningWest]

Pet insurance can be a rip off, I'd suggest having a savings plan for your pet for emergencies. Save a little at a time.

[Honeycrisp]

Do an advanced search for Insurance in the Dog forum, you'll be able to bring up several threads. A lot of issues are not covered, it may be better to set a certain amount aside each month should he need to go to the vet, bulldogs (and other brachycephalic breeds) tend to have issues. Glad he's feeling better today.

[miu]

I also think that pet insurance is a rip off. The insurance companies are in the business to make money, not give away "free" pet health care.

[mimosa]

I used ASPCA insurance and thought it was great till I realized they pay on their scedule, not what you are billed. I live in NJ, everything is high, and I don't know where they got their amounts from, but I didnt receive most of what I should have. They only had one deductible for the year, but didnt pay enough. I agree, open a savings account for the pet and pay yourself. The insurance charges are getting out of hand.

[Dashdog]

I looked into pet insurance when Jazz and Dash were young and decided not to do it. Now that they are old I am glad I did not as most do not cover cancer without a special rider that costs even more. Cancer is where all of our vet costs have been and just this past year. My dogs were healthy until then and little things like foxtail removal or even the bladder stone removal where not that expensive. I figure with all I have spent including for the cancers that I would have spent as much and probably even more had I gotten insurance when they were young.

If you are someone with no savings that has a hard time saving then yes pet insurance may be a good thing as something could happen that you might not be able to afford at the time so it could come down to life verses death all because of money. But if you have a healthy savings then I think you are probably better off with out it .

[maggiekate]

Wow, where did you get the puppy from? Not that it matters much now. Was it a pet store, or a breeder. If you did a research, and did get a good breeder, I would make a call about your puppy.
Vet Insurance, you need to read all the fine print, and also now with this economy many many
just go out of business. Search for a vet that does know your breed of dog. Even go on the AKC
breeder club web site, they usually are good about breed problems.

[MAK802]

We got our puppy from a very reputable breeder and he was with me at the evet the entire time I was there. He even brough me the medication I was prescribed. We love him. Our dog had coccida and a bacterial infection, which is not the breeder's fault. We take him to the beach, dog park every night, and around places where dogs are so he is bound to catch things. How is a bacterial infection the breeder's fault?? I can understand if he had genetic diseases, but we allowed the dog to drink from a communal bowl at the bulldog contest on Sunday and I can almost guarantee he got it there, since 3 other puppies that were there are now sick with similar symptoms. Our breeder extensively screens his dog before breeding to ensure they don't have health issues and we are very happy to have him and glad that he is so involved and helpful when our pup is sick.