The health of our pets is often the first thing affected when money is scarce. A recent survey found that 67% of pet owners would not be able to afford emergency care for their pets if they were hit by a car and needed emergency surgery. In 2003, the average veterinary bill has increased to over $400 per visit to the emergency room. The average cost of fixing a fractured femur with 2 days of hospitalization ranges from $3000-$7000 depending on the severity.
Having been an emergency veterinarian for years, I see pets put to sleep every day due to financial constraints. Sadly, I have found that the #1 factor influencing treatment for pets is the cost of the treatment. If I could tell owners one thing that would save their pets lives it would be to get pet insurance.
Having pet insurance ensures that you will be able to make the best medical decision for your pets and not have to worry about how much it will cost. It also allows you the freedom to visit different hospitals for a second opinion from specialists. They also include advanced imaging such as Cat scan and MRI.
Pet Insurance is slightly different than human health insurance, so you should familiarize yourself with these differences. Pet insurance covers older animals as well as young ones. Unlike human health care your pet will not be turned down due to age or preexisting health conditions.
Here are some of the specifics of pet insurance:
o You always pay the veterinary bill up front and you are then reimbursed a percentage by the company
o Most companies allow you to choose any veterinarian which quite different from HMO programs in human healthcare.
o Some companies exclude hereditary diseases associated with certain breeds for example: German Shepherds with hip dysplasia or blindness in Dalmatians.
o The average cost of 1 year of pet insurance is $150-400.
o General health packages- great for puppies and include spay, vaccinations and annual blood work.
o Some companies allow coverage for genetic disposed diseases for an additional fee.
o Many companies have a $5000 cap for diseases such as cancer and heart disease.
Pet Insurance can be confusing but there a couple things you should know before choosing a company. Always make sure that the pet insurance company has a good repetition and accepts your specific breed. Also, certain states have separate regulations such as California so check up on your specific location. Getting a quote should be the first step to getting started with pet insurance.
By : Dr. Micheal Fredrick DVM
Please visit our site to find out more about the most trusted pet insurance companies by reading our pet insurance comparison [http://www.petvetwisdom.com/pet_insurance/Comparing_Pet_Insurance_Companies.html]. Also, to use an easy 5 step method for finding the pet insurance company that best suits your individual pet(s).
Petvetwisdom.com was created by veterinarians to help our pet owners find trusted pet insurance companies.
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