Pet Insurance

[eillac@dow]

Ok.....who out there has pet insurance?

When did you get it....why did you get it? Are you happy you did? Do you think it is worth it?

My baby....19 month old german shorthaired pointer is basically the love of our lives.... but he has a keen way of draining our bank account.

At the age of 9 months or so he developed what was commonly referred to as Puppy Strangles...which is an Immature Immune System. Over it now.....Thank God....but cost us more than you can imagine.

2 weeks ago...."baby" got a Respiratory Infection and Conjunctivitis.....cost a good amount.

Now today....the "baby" ran through the electric fence (battery collar was dead....come to find out).....ran through the woods for a good 25 minutes....came home with a cut on his paw. Good size cut....today is Sunday...but you got to do...what you got to do. So a visit to the vet we go. More $$$$

So my question is......we never got Pet Ins. We had thought about it.......but before we knew it the "baby" got sick and it was to late. I think I read that once the pet is cleared 6 months from an illness they will be covered. So anyone got any thoughts....pros/cons of getting insurance? Am I too late?

Thanks everyone. You have always been so helpful regardless of what I am asking

[BroadHopper]

has reasonable pet insurance. My cat Duke has asthma and its a godsend.

Be aware though, if the pet has pre existing condition it will not be covered. Also, they may require a complete check up.

[ironhorsetim]

Some good friends of our's had a 4 year old boxer named Bo. They bought insurance for Bo when he was 6 months old, exam required (he passed). Well one day after Bo went running as he did almost everyday, our friends had to take him to be checked out (his breathing was labored) The vet told our friends Bo had a rapid heart beat but wasn't covered as it was a pre-exsisting condition, needless to say he died about 2 weeks later from heart failure. It could be worth it but look deep into the small print

[moose tracks]

Our 6-year-old Dachshund came in one night from her daily walk and was walking very wobbly across the kitchen. We did not think much of it at the time but the next day she got worse. On day three her back legs were paralyzed and she was dragging herself around with her front legs. The Vet put her on crate rest. To make a long story short, she received a MRI on day five which revealed a ruptured disc in her back. After surgery to remove the ruptured disc she is back to walking and in a few more weeks, hopefully she will be running again. The cost for this care was over $5,000. Sure wish I had insurance.

[eillac@dow]

Thank you all for responding......

I am happy to hear from you when I hear the good things....like Duke....being covered for his asthma.

Ironhorsetim....what a shock reading your post. How horrible.

Moosetracks.......Sorry to hear of your troubles. Mine were somewhat similar....but not as much $ It just kills you how much pet care costs. We had talked about insurance, but just never did it. And where did it get us? Deeper in the hole!

Thanks everyone....and great point about reading the "fine" print.

[MJM]

We've had insurance (we got VPI, which seems fine, but I can't speak to which is best, etc.) since our Golden joined the family.

The way we look at it is this: For normal, routine,and minor stuff, it doesn't matter either way. But we have it just in case something major comes up.

[robmac]

We have Banfield which so far has been great,funny we got a call the other day to inquire if we wanted the wellness plan. After many other pets and no insurance,they are part of the family and I wouldn't want them insured as I wouldn't so I have piece of mind. ( and it's much more cost effective ! )