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  1. #1
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    Default Pet Insurance???

    Hi DoxieLovers!
    Haven't been on here in awhile, hope all is well with everyone!
    My little guy Sonny is doing great - 3yrs old now!

    He has his own website: https://sonnysdoggoneworld.wordpress.com/
    And FB page: https://www.facebook.com/ScottyGaaDoStuff/


    I do have a couple of questions...
    My brother-in-law has Sonny's dad (who's only about a year older then him) and is now having bad back problems!
    Vet quoted him big $$'s first for MRI & then operation. Of course he doesn't have that type of money & is trying some holistic options.
    Now my wife is petrified that this may be genetic!
    So I was wondering...
    * Does anyone have any suggestions/comments that I can pass along to him?
    * Does anyone use, or have recommendations on, pet insurance? (My wife thinks we should look into it.)
    Thanks in advance for any info you can send my way!

  2. #2
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    Default

    Realistically, doxies are horribly designed dogs. They have short legs. Long backs. And lots of energy. It IS GENETIC. They can be in phenomenal shape and still have back issues that can range from needing steroids and crate rest to full surgery (leaking disc vs. blown disc. and you will know the difference, and both require immediate care). I have had 3 x 100% dachshunds and all 3 have had some sort of back issue, from minor to major, the most major was Pogo who need $7K worth of back surgery and care.

    I had the insurance debate with a co-worker this week, so it is neat that it came up again. If you are not a good saver, you need insurance.

    Realistically, you need to put away $250 per month until you reach $5K and then you can taper it down or not until you reach $10K. The money needs to be 100% for dog emergencies, nothing else. If he makes it through his life and you still have $10K at the end, it is yours not an insurance companies, then if you want to add another dog to your family, you already have the money aside. If you are not a saver, pet insurance is a very, VERY good idea. If I could go back, I would put insurance on my dogs. Basically you don't want to be in a position that you have to choose between your dog and financial distress. You will either resent your dogs, or your heart will never be the same if you decide to put him down because you couldn't afford to treat his condition.

    ..POGO....PIXEL.....P’NUT....PEPSI

  3. #3
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    Default

    Terrific response, Lisa. Beware of pet insurance.. many do not cover issues that are inherent with certain breeds, such as back issues with dachsies!
    Hoomom who was blessed with Jack. RIP Sweet Cynda 6/3/10, loving Lexie 9/13/13 and Jack, 3/22/16.

  4. #4
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by LexieLuvr View Post
    Terrific response, Lisa. Beware of pet insurance.. many do not cover issues that are inherent with certain breeds, such as back issues with dachsies!
    Thanks for your comments Lisa!
    LexieLuvr - This is exactly what I'm worried about in trying to choose one!

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by LexieLuvr View Post
    Terrific response, Lisa. Beware of pet insurance.. many do not cover issues that are inherent with certain breeds, such as back issues with dachsies!
    I agree. Lisa's response was right on. I've gone thru many dogs with back problems. Only one had surgery. I looked into pet insurance years ago, but the ones I looked at didn't cover back surgeries so I passed.

    I have a credit card that lives in my desk drawer. I used it once every 6 months or so to keep it active but no other times. If I have a dog that needs surgery, I use that card and pay it off as I can.

    Whatever method you decide to use, you do need to have fund available for emergencies. Not only back problems. I also had one that had cancer surgery. It was not as expensive as the back surgery but it was in the thousands. Gotta take care of our little buddies.
    Patrice and the Houston Duo

    DREAM Dachshund Rescue

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  7. #6
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by NAUTIQUE View Post
    Thanks for your comments Lisa!
    LexieLuvr - This is exactly what I'm worried about in trying to choose one!
    Read the fine print very, very carefully!
    Hoomom who was blessed with Jack. RIP Sweet Cynda 6/3/10, loving Lexie 9/13/13 and Jack, 3/22/16.

  8. #7
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    Default

    I totally echo Lisa's comments. When Maxe first went down, and again when I got Alex, I investigated pet insurance really thoroughly. What I found was that if you were lucky enough to have a dog who never needed any serious vet care (what a concept LOL...totally foreign to me ), it was probably worth it, but not otherwise. like most insurances, it's the companies gambling with your money that you'll never need to make a claim and then doing everything they can to avoid paying out. Plus very few of them cover any animal after the age of 8, which is just about the time things start to go wrong. My advice is to take the same amount of money you'd be paying in premiums and sock it away in an account, or else do like Patrice says and get a credit card specifically for that. You might even make sure it has a credit balance if possible then when something big does happen, it won't be so painful.

    and yes, IVDD is genetic. And I sure hope that "holistic" treatment includes steroids and crate rest....
    Paula & Buster
    & my s Maxe, Alex, Wendal, Jules & James, Patti, Ferkel and Heidi,

    "The greatest of all mistakes is to do nothing because you can only do a little. Do what you can."

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  10. #8
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    Default

    I just read the OP's original post. The best suggestion I have for using holistic methods is to find a good holistic vet. I have one that I've used for years. They have knowledge and resources that you aren't going to find on the internet. Mine also has access to supplements that are a lot better than the ones in health food stores and thus work much better. Depending on the severity of the back problems, I've had good luck with holistic supplements and crate rest. I was very strict about the crate rest. For me having a stroller was a real help. That way I could keep the pup quiet while doing what I had to do in the house. I just rolled him from room to room with me. He was very happy and would just take a nap in the stroller while I did what I had to do. If the dog is completely down, it may take steroids to get the swelling down and get him back walking. In some cases, the surgery is necessary.
    Patrice and the Houston Duo

    DREAM Dachshund Rescue

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  12. #9
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    Default

    FYI - Just to update...
    Did some research & came up with my top two choices of HealthyPaws & PetsBest.
    Ended up going with Pets Best.
    They offer an accident/illness only policy.
    We went with their "Elite" level which had the "unlimited" yearly cost coverage.
    Used a $1000 deductable & 90% payout coverage.
    Policy cost about $18/month.

    Seems to be a decent deal to give peace of mind ...
    Elite Option - Details
    Accidents or Illnesses that result in:
    Accident & Illness Exam Fees
    Rehabilitative therapies
    Alternative therapies - such as, but not limited to acupuncture, chiropractic, laser therapy (some limitations may apply)
    Emergency visits
    Hospitalization and surgeries
    Rx medications (see formulary)
    MRI, CAT and X-ray
    Specialist care
    Outpatient care
    Medication injections
    Lab tests
    AND:
    Cancer treatments
    Hereditary and congenital conditions

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  14. #10
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    Default

    Be careful. There are quite a few bad reviews for PetsBest.
    Olga
    Remembering my angels Sebastian and Sofie.

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