Pet Insurance. What level of cover is right for you?

pamril1

I'm starting this thread for those looking at pet insurance and are deciding what level of cover may be best for them.
For instance if their breed of dog/cat or any other pet is at particular risk of a certain condition or injury they can look on here and see the true cost of what the possible treatment could end up costing them thus they will be able to make a more informed decision as to what level of cover they may require.

If anyone viewing this could put the following.
1) Type/breed of animal
2) The condition your pet has/had
3) Type of treatment given
4) Cost or estimated cost
5) Were you live (if you do not wish to describe exact area just list midlands etc)

My reasoning behind this? I for one (and like many others I'm sure) hadn't realised just how costly some treatments could be and honestly thought my level of cover would be enough for any treatments my dogs may need (I have never had to claim as my dogs never needed urgent treatment until now), had I realised I would have opted for a much higher level of cover and although my claim wasn't related to the breed in particular it would have been beneficial for me to realise the possible costs of different treatments, so I hope this may assist those currently chosing their pet insurance cover.


I'll get the ball started then.

1) Siberian Husky
2) Cruciate ligament damage (caused by injury)
3) TPLO and ligament replacement surgery
4) £2500-£3000 estimated so far
5) Treatment given in Blyth North East

lowis

might be an idea to put location too...London vets are much more expensive than rural vets I think! I am in London and my info is as follows:

1) Siamese Cat
2) Feline Lymphoma (cancer)
3) Chemotherapy - Madison Wisconsin protocol, followed by ongoing check-ups, then the CHOP chemo protocol when the cancer returned a second time.
4) Approximately £11,500 over 18 months (£3500 of that was spent on finding out what was wrong / diagnosis).
5) Central London

flossie217

Border Terrier
Grass seed injury resulting in abcess
Op 1 didn't find grass seed
Grass seed travelled internally up leg resulting in huge abcess
Op 2 to flush abcess, still no grass seed ( which came out of op wound on its own 2 weeks later)
Treatment - 2 operations, 3 courses of antibiotics, 1 anti inflammatory and 1 anti inflammatory cream. 11 consultations over 5 week period.
Cost £350
Canterbury postcode.

cocoluvsmummy

1) collie /lab cross
2)Ruptured cruciate ligament
3) TPLO, then arthroscopy to check why still swollen, then tight rope suture to repair cruciate a bit more as TPLO had not stabilised joint enough, wound infection, operation to remove tight rope suture and take tissue sample, treatment for MRSA..so far.. still not sorted, still limping
medication ....painkillers, antinflammatories, antibiotics, dressings for heavily leaking wound
4)£7500 so far
5) cheshire

Bromley86

1) Lab
2) Hip dysplasia
3) Total Hip Replacement (+hydrotherapy)
4) £5,000 for op (total ~£7,000 so far, possible £5,000+ next year on other hip)
5) East Sussex

Kimberley

It's always best to get the very best cover that the insurance would have.

orlao

1) Rottie, male
2) Both cruciate ligaments repaired, 3 ops in total
3) The wire repair, sorry can't remember the proper name!
4) Just under £4k including diagnosis, xrays and aftercare inc antibiotics for an infection.
5) Essex but the Royal Vet College in Potters Bar did the ops

I didn't think the bill for this adventure was too bad considering the amount of work that went into it! The vet college bill was about £2750 inc a couple of check ups....the rest was my own vet, drugs and dog sitters while I was at work when he was confined to one room to take him out to the garden twice a day......that cost £300 in total, not sure if that could have been claimed on insurance though?

1) Cat, moggy type, 12 years old at the start of the problem, now 15 years old.
2) Hyperthroidism
3) Felimazole, 2 x 5mg a day
4) Tabs, £25 per 100 (online purchase, going to cost an extra £4 a prescription charge from the end of October) ,6 monthly blood tests approx £50 inc consultation.Diagnosis and initial monthly bloodtests to stabilise the dosage about £300
5) Essex

the_little_one

1) English Springer Spaniel
2) Luxating Patella and Cranial Cruciare Ligament Damage
3) TPLO Surgery
4) Estimated £1800 (surgery due to take place next week)
5) Northamptonshire

One thing to consider (I'm a Canine Hydrotherapist and come across this on a daily basis) it's an idea to see if your insurance covers complementary therapy such as hydrotherapy and physiotherapy, we have countless owners who aren't able to claim for their dogs hydrotherapy sessions and have to fork out themselves - PetPlan are very good and DO cover this.
Limb and spinal conditions tend to be referred for swims as the non-weight bearing exercise can help rehabilitation, so check you can claim for the swims. *The hydro pool needs to be a member of the CHA in order for the insurers to recognise them*

Hope that helps x

elsien

My dog has had many illnesses over the years -some are breed related, some are just me being unlucky, although I think you could argue that as a pedigree she may just be more prone to things going wrong than a mongrel, so I agree with Kimberley's comment that you should always get the best level of cover you can afford. Non breed related problems include mange, colitis, skin cancer and cysts.


1. English bull terrier
2a -repeated urine infections due to congenital deformity of innards
2b- arthritis due to hip dysplasia
2c- skin allergies and infections
2d- behavioural problems/damage through destructive behaviour
3a - 1 visit to consultant =£1000, plus a few hundred pounds a year in treatments and preventative medication
3b - again, £200-£300 per year for medication and consultations
3c - as 3b
3d - £1000 to replace dad's hearing aid(!), plus hundreds to cover chewed household woodwork furniture and carpets. (May be covered by household insurance.) I don't know what the dog training costs add up to, but I would recommend insurance that covers costs of behaviourist if possible.
4. West midands


There is also the extra costs for food for sensitive dogs and evening primrose oil etc.

frugglewump

1) Akita
2) Cruciate ligament injury
3a) TTA surgery. Specialist preferred to TPLO in larger dogs due to quicker recovery time
3b) Hydrotherapy
4a) £2,000
4b) £25 per half hour session (£225 for 10)
5) London, Heathrow area

pamril1

bumping up and thanks to all who have posted