Coworker's golden retriever - reminder to get insurance!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

This topic comes up frequently on DK, but I notice we have a lot of new members waiting on puppies (it's that season I guess) and I had to tell a story that will stress the importance of insurance.  It's a tear jerker, so be prepared.

 

My coworker has no human kids. Two goldens and two horses are her babies. Two weeks ago one of her goldens, Foster (8 yo), stopped eating and began throwing up.  He had a bandage on him for some allergy problems on his foot.  They suspected he ate it.  Xrays showed he did.  I am giving you the short version here, but they spent $9,000 on TWO surgeries and 10 days in emergency care.  And sadly, I found out upon returning from vacation, they lost him. He was leaking fluids and they were forced to make the decision to put him down to avoid him suffering any longer. 

 

They did not have insurance, but fortunately, they have plenty of money to pay for the surgery and all of the surrounding care.  When I told her she should get pet insurance for the other golden, she didn't even know it existed!  I explained we really get it for catastrophic care - what if Peri gets hit by a car? What if she eats something bad?  What if she needs joint surgery? 

 

If you get insurance when your dog is young and has no problems (aka pre-existing conditions), they are insurable and insurance would cover things like hip dyplasia, emergency care, etc...  GET INSURANCE NOW so you don't have to be forced to make a potentially terrible decision in the future.

 

Sad story for the week but this happened and it prompted me to remind all DKers to get pet insurance if you have not already.

 

Recent discussions about types of health insurance (you can also do a search for more):

 

http://www.doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/pet-health-insurance-1

 

http://www.doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/help-me-decide-on-these-tw...

 

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Should you have an opportunity to have a conversation with this lady about insurance again, please let her know I respectfully disagree with her thought process.  In the last 8 months I've had over $5000 in Vet bills between a CCL repair, chemo, and allergy specialist.  Did I have $5000 in the bank, yes I did, and because I had this pet insurance, I still have $5000 in the bank.  Did I have to pull it out for a little while ... yes I did, but I got it back and that is the important part.  Many Vets have Care Plan or whatever it is call where you can apply for credit if you didn't have the money up front.  Then you would get reimbursed back the money and pay back the care plan.  Either way beats the heck out of loosing the $5000 from my account. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

You could also put the $5000 on a credit card and pay the bill when you got reimbursed by the insurance company. :-)

[Jennifer and Jack]

Pet plan has a new thing that will pay your primary vet instead of you if your vet is willing to take it. I don't believe they do that for specialist ......I have no extra money and pet plan does not pay you back until the bill is paid....it is very easy for me to use my emergency credit card or borrow the money knowing full well I can pay back...

For instance my mom was just put of the country and I was with Jack and Molly myself. I had to go I to the ICU and had to board Jack and Molly, under Pet Plan Gold...my hospital stays will,pay for care for Jack and Molly.....Jack and Molly's boarding bill was $800.00 for everything .....they stayed in a suite....I don't have that money....my mom paid it but will be reimbursed by Pet Plan...after I get all that paper work in...that one hospital stay for me covers more then their whole cost of insurance for the year.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Jennifer, I'm just trying to understand what you just said.

Pet Plan will pay the Vet directly?  For example, vet bill is $500.00.  Human has no cash, so Pet Plan can/will work directly with the vet?

Is this only in some cases and some plans, but a new general rule

[Jennifer and Jack]

I will post the information directly from their website when I find it later....I was told by Pet Plan that they would do that....pay vet directly, not specialist if the vet agreed to that type of payment. I know my vet would I just never set it up...when I get back to my big computer I will look to see if I can find it...

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Jennifer, how are you feeling?

[Jennifer and Jack]

Of course I went to the website and can't find a thing about it but they did tell me that they offered direct payment to regular vet I would just have to fill out forms. I haven't gotten to it.........I will have to call them and when I do I will come back and post.


Thanks for asking Sue...I will write a quick blog or update so I stop hogging people's posts with my stuff..

[Sally S Miles]

I think that was the woman's point - it was a brief conversation, but her main point was her exploding credit card from other medical bills...

I do have insurance and a cc..

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

I'm with you Sherri, I will pay about $6-7000.00 in insurance, over both my dogs estimated lifetimes.. We all know how quickly Vet bills can add up with one major illness or accident. And with two, we double dog owners have twice the possibilityof something happening to cost that much or more.
Even though we have the money, I worked really hard for it and really hard keeping it, so any help in that direction gives me peace of mind. Which is priceless. Along with knowing that there will never be the question of "what should we do?" If or When a high Vet bill comes. As I write this I am watching for the remains of a tooth brush and plastic tube of doggy toothpaste to re-appear. I would hate to add the stress of money to having a sick or injured dog.