Pet Insurance -- New Members Please Get Some!

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

For me, although DK is a really fun place to come and just yack about our Doodles and make some great caring friends, the main purpose I like to think is for EDUCATION.  Because I'm so passionate about this issue I feel that it cannot be addressed enough!  As we continually get new members I always want to be sure this issue is readdressed!  If you do not have Pet Insurance, please stop now and get some.  Just in the last week we had 3 more doodles whose parents did not get insurance that were facing huge medical bills they had no way to pay.  So, this morning when I was on Pet Plan checking on the status of my pending claims I wrote down some numbers that I wanted to share with those of you who do not have insurance ... Please don't wait!  (These are the amounts Pet Plan paid after deductibles and owners responsibilities.

$4952 for Splenic Tumors

$4155 for Cruciate Ligament Repair (CCL Surgery)

$3102 for Vomiting & Diarrhea

$2644 for CCL Repair

$1896 CCL Repair

$1858 for Intervertebral Disc Disease

$969 Anemia

$928 for Dermatitis

$1384 for Foreign Body Ingestion

$1859 Mass

$670  for Conditions related to vomiting

$5689 for Hip Displaysia

$528 for Inflammatory Bowel Disease

$865 Growths

$3152 for Foreign Body Ingestion

$1893 for Inflammatory Bowel Disease

$3000 for Inflammatory Disc Disease

$1496 for Foreign Body Ingesiton

$3936 for Gastric Torsion (Bloat)

Do you have this kind of money laying around just looking for somewhere to spend it.  If you spent this much money today, could you turn around and do it again tomorrow when something else happens?  Yes, some people get really lucky and never have to lay out these types of expenses ... but can you take that chance ... do you wanna roll the dice!  It really is not all that expensive.  You don't need insurance to cover those regular exams and shots.  You knew when you got a dog you were going to have those expenses.  You need insurance for the big things, the unexpected things!  It can be a little overwhelming when you start looking at the different plans, but it is really important that you stick with it and get some insurance NOW!  I was so relieved the day I finally hit the send button and put those policies in place for my girls.  I prayed I'd never have to use them, but knowing they were there if I needed them was a huge relief. 

If you have questions, just search "PET INSURANCE" here on doodle kisses and you will find so many discussions that answer many questions.  If you can't find your answer I will be happy to TRY and address your questions!

[BG and Gavin]

Very good reminder Sheri.  Thank you for posting.

[Bonnie and Kona]

Sheri, Your post is an important one. Pet medical care has skyrocketed in the past 10 years and must be addressed with insurance. There just is no other way. I knew nothing about pet insurance before DK, and I am so grateful to have learned about it. 

Those of you choosing puppies... get insurance right away.

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

Thank you Sheri for posting this and alerting everyone how important insurance is to a family.  Like Bonnie I knew nothing about insurance for dogs until I joined DK and I am so glad I researched and purchased a policy for Libby!  Hopefully with fingers and paws crossed we will never have to use it!   Thanks again!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Got it! Great post. Good reminders.
I do have insurance but when you lay all those common costs right out there- $$- 0uch

[Amy, Cubbie & Ollie]

Thanks for the reminder Sheri.  This is so important for all the new doodle owners out there. 

[Sue & Lily Grace]

This is very important.  I had insurance for Cassie, she was healthy for 2 years and I dropped it.  In the next four years she had 5 surgeries to remove mast cell tumors and then was on chemo for 6 months.  This was in addition to all the other heath issues that the surgeries and chemo caused.  Do not look back in a few years and be sorry.  I would have done anything to save Cassie and fortunately I did not have a family to consider.  I applied for insurance for Lily Grace as soon as she came home to me.  

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

It's like human health insurance - you can think you are totally healthy, but what happens if you were to, say, get in a car accident tomorrow???  I didn't get it for my chihuahua and it's too late now (10 years old, kidney disease, dental problems, etc...).  Get it, get it!

[Jill, Woody & Maxi]

Thank you for posting!!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thank you for posting this, Sheri. IMO, there is no purchase more important or necessary for any pet owner than pet insurance. The first thing I would do with any future pets is get an insurance policy, before I would buy a bed, a bowl, a toy, etc.

I have had four separate occasions within the past 18 months where JD's bill at the vet clinic was more than $1000, (one bill was over $3000) and I could not count the number of single vet bills that have been $300 or more. 

Unfortunately, some of our doodles do get sick, and there is no way to predict when or if that will happen, no matter how healthy a puppy or dog may seem at the moment. many of these diseases are ongoing and will require treatment for life. Once something shows up, it's too late to get insurance, you now have a pre-existing condition that won;t be covered. I hope everyone who reads this and does not have insurance will get a policy today. Your doodle's life literally depends on it. 

[Amy, Cubbie & Ollie]

do you have access to a video camera?  You should do a DK public service announcement about pet insurance since you are now the biggest advocate (with good reason).

 

"Hi my name is Karen and this is my dog JD.  We just wanted to take a minute to tell you how important it is to have pet insurance..."  I can picture it already.  :)

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

I love it ... I think the PSA should be something that must be watched before you can get on to enjoy DK! 

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Just like reading the guidelines :) LOL