Pet Insurance saved our dog.

[Desert grandma]

On July 10, we noticed that our dog Mona was listless and was not eating. She had thrown up that morning. Our regular vet had no openings, so we took her to a pet "urgent care clinic" that evening. She was diagnosed with an autoimmune condition called IMHA. The immune system attacks the red blood cells leaving the dog very anemic. Mona was there overnight, but the next day her condition had not improved, in fact it had gotten worse, so she was transferred to VCA Emergency Hospital for an immediate transfusion. The outcome for this condition is guarded, because treatment involves depressing the immune system enough to allow the red blood cells to increase. Mona was in the hospital for 6 days, including the one night at the urgent care. She had two transfusions. The total bill was 800+ for the urgent care and $9700 at VCA Emergency Hospital. So happy to report that she doing well. She sill takes immune suppressant drugs, but we are slowly decreasing the amounts. She will be totally off of Prednisone tomorrow. Fortunately, when we rescued Mona from a shelter we put her on Pet Plan pet insurance immediately. Pet Plan requires that you take your dog in for yearly exams, which we always do. Our policy is a $300 deductible and then they pay 90%. We are being reimbursed $8764 for her VCA stay and $500 for the urgent care stay. We are so grateful that we were able to give her every opportunity to survive. A huge shout out to Pet Plan pet insurance. They have been awesome!

[targetpractice]

1. Smart.

I wish I had done that when my baby girl was younger.

What was your monthly premium? I've heard good and bad about Pet Plan.

[Desert grandma]

4. They have been great for us.

We pay $806 annually as a premium. Mona is 7 years old and a little poodle mix. The premium increases as the dog ages. Pet plan processed the claim within 2 days after they received all the medical records and the invoice.

[CountAllVotes]

2. You are fortunate

I had a dog a number of years ago and I bought a health insurance plan for her.

She was 3-1/2 years old when I got her and she was very sick (figured this out not long after I got her).

The person I got her from finally got her due justice last year I found out recently. She was heavily fined, etc. for animal abuse! Good god, that poor poor dog!

I did all I could for her but she never improved and it was not a few months after I got her that I had her put down after finding her in a large pit she'd dug in the yard that was next to where my mother's dog is buried. That told me all I needed to know about her condition in hindsight.

They didn't pay for much of anything and gave me a partial refund on the policy being it was only a few months later that she was gone.

I'd never do it again, never.

Glad it worked out for you in any event.

[Desert grandma]

5. Sorry about your negative experience.

I have heard that there are some pet insurance companies that are not very good. I reviewed pet insurance companies before I went with Pet Plan. The reviews went from five star to one star. I googled "reviews of Pet Insurance companies". For us it has been a lifesaver.

[RobinA]

6. I Have Pet Plan

I hope I never need it, but your story is why I have it. Wishing your baby well!

[elocs]

7. It's nice that pet insurance saved your dog,

but that's something poor people, like myself, just cannot afford. That $680/year I read you quoted would pay my rent for 3 months and pretty much equals my home and car insurance for a year.
My pets have pretty much all died of old age with my cats living to 20. We miss them when they die, but our pets are unaware of their dying--they live in the big now.
My greatest concern as a retired senior citizen is that one or both of my cats might outlive me.

[SWBTATTReg]

8. That too, is my biggest concern, that something might happen to one or both of us, what would...

happen to our 3 dogs? I'd be afraid for them, I mean, I know that the neighbors know about the dogs but in case something happens to us? I always wondered if there was some kind of available service that would kick in should something happen to the two of us, and help shelter the animals until we're back on our feet or find them suitable and loving homes.

Perhaps someone in DU land knows of some kind of service or such for animals?

Take care!

[Desert grandma]

10. Perhaps a no kill rescue would help.

If something happened to us I feel fairly certain that one of our children would take our 2 fur babies. That is always a concern though, isn't it?

[SWBTATTReg]

11. Good that you do have children that would hopefully step in and take care of them (the 2), I am...

somewhat surprised that there isn't some kind of pet service that would kick in, especially for those whose families aren't in the same town/city so they could swoop in and take care of the animals. We do have friends that would do this, but I kind of thought that there might be a service out there that would offer such care in case of sudden need, e.g., a single surviving parent or person living alone w/ pet(s), and then something happens, kind of like a Pet Alert vs. a Medic Alert.

Perhaps one day ...

Take care!

Oh, by the way, I like your name Desert grandma!

[CountAllVotes]

12. +1

My fear too.

However all of my cats are from a kill shelter. One of them was on the way out and would have been put down had I not appeared. I know that as they told me to bring her back and they'd refund the money. I did no such thing and I still have her today.

So I tell myself this often.

Such a worry indeed.

[Karadeniz]

9. Whew! That was a close call! So glad Mona was able to get the help she needed!❤

[wyldwolf]

13. I learned my lesson and got it for my dog a few years back

He was bit by a copperhead. Not the most venomous, but incredibly aggressive snake.

[peggysue2]

14. I've picked up the pet insurance for my last 2 dogs and . . .

picked it up for my latest pup Kiera. With both my Bernese Mountain dogs (Berners) the policy paid for itself because the animals did have issues and were both cancer prone. Our deductible was $250-300 with a 90% reimbursement on the treatments, surgeries and emergency care. Canine medical costs have gone through the roof. Sound familiar? My husband and I simply do not want a huge medical bill foisted on us unexpectedly. I'd rather pay the modest premium and not worry about future medical costs.

That being said, it's a matter of choice. My sons who are also dog owners think the pet insurance is beyond silly and a waste of money. So far they've been fortunate in that their animals have not had a major injury or illness. I'd never wish bad luck on them but I do know that if you're faced with a serious canine medical concern, the costs will produce genuine sticker shock.

In a way, it's pay me now or pay me later. I just like having the peace of mind.

[LTG]

15. I have both mine insured.

Both our dogs are covered through Embrace Pet Insurance. I’ve had nothing but good experiences with them. They generally approve within 2 or 3 days and direct deposit to an account the next day.

I carry a second coverage from them for each dog. For a premium of a little less than $300/year they cover one hundred percent of annual physical, shots, special dental treats or vet recommended dog food. They even cover therapy massages, pool therapy and acupuncture. There is a $400 dollar limit on ours, but no deductible.

I have a $500 deductible and 80% regular policy. Have it mostly for catastrophic issues, but it’s paid back my premiums, deductible and a little more a couple of times. The annual limit is $10,000 with no lifetime limit.

Provides a lot of peace of mind. Have seen too many people that have to put down their fur babies because they couldn’t afford to treat them.

[woodsprite]

16. So glad you had a great experience with them. Good to know.

We didn't get it for our girl, Noelle, and now at 12yo it's not going to happen due to age and too many pre-existing conditions (she's a shepherd with pancreatic enzyme deficiency, cholesterol buildup in her eyes, and arthritis). Hubby's feeling at the time we adopted her (at 5mo) was that it was an expense we didn't need. He had second thoughts a few years ago after she made 2 trips to the emergency vet within 2 wks. One was for a bite from a pit bull mix and the other was for an accident where she tore her nail loose at the root.

I've heard that our work is going to be offering pet insurance starting next year in our benefit's package. I would definitely get it if we ever get another dog, but Noelle is still trucking along at 12yo.

[cate94]

17. We didn't have pet insurance...

Our dog has IMHA. We were lucky to be able to afford her treatments. Even without transfusions, we guesstimate at least 15 grand. Our specialist told us, year 1, 50% don’t make it. Year 2, another 50% don’t make it. Goldie is now in remission. Good luck to you on the wean. I hope your dog pulls through! I’m glad you had insurance!