Monday, December 7, 2009

Why You Need Dog Insurance


By Geraldine Dimarco

If you have taken out dog insurance to cover the veterinary costs you may incur for your dog or puppy, then you're in the minority. The majority of pet owners never think about dog insurance - until, that is, they receive a vet bill in the hundreds, or thousands, of dollars. And to think that dog health insurance would have covered those fees!

Have you ever suffered a broken bone yourself? Well, your dog is no less likely to do so. Dog bone fractures occur across the spectrum, as well - a dog that stays indoors is not much less likely to break a bone as a dog that spends all his/her time in the backyard. And broken bones of course also occur elsewhere - when you're out walking, or running, with your dog, or if your dog takes off on a jaunt of his own, as many do if they get half a chance. And broken bones are not cheap. The avery vet bill for a broken leg is almost one thousand dollars.

Dog Insurance Coverage

As with any type of insurance, dog insurance types vary from company to company. Some label their products as pet assurance, as opposed to pet insurance, but it's pretty much the same type of cover. Either way, you can expect most dog health insurance plans to provide coverage for the following:

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 Treatment: If your dog is diagnosed with heartworm, immediate treatment is required. And it's expensive. Although it's certainly by far preferable to avoid the heartworm infestation in the first place by using heartworm prevention, your dog insurance should in fact cover the cost of heartworm treatment should the need ever arise.

Lab Costs: Blood tests and other lab work is covered by most dog health insurance plans. You never know when your vet may want to order blood work - especially if serious diseases are suspected, such as diabetes or heartworm.

Teeth Cleaning: Having your dog's teeth cleaned probably never occurred to you, but this service is something you can take advantage of by enrolling in a dog insurance plan. It is refreshing to know that you can have your dog or puppy's dental work maintained and keep his gums and teeth healthy for years to come.

Hospitalization Fees: Accidents and illnesses do have a habit of occurring when you least expect them. And they can be very expensive, as already noted. There is also the possiblity of complications of other procedures, such as de-sexing procedures or even teeth cleaning. Complications of surgery may require that your dog have blood transfusions or be monitored in intensive care. Now that's a big expense. So instead of being landed with an exorbitant vet bill, your dog insurance will cover you.

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