Pet insurance - hindsight

melbury

I took out insurance for our puppy last year and thought there is no way he is going to need any treatment for years, so just got a basic 12 month per condition policy.

He has developed a bit of stiffness/lameness on getting up after he has been resting, so took him to the vet and they have said could be elbow dysplasia / arthritis and he is booked in for an x-ray this coming Weds.

I had fully intended to switch to a more comprehensive policy this year, but no chance of anything covering this now. As they say hindsight is a fine thing

Current policy is due for renewal in 5 weeks time, so I am wondering when I have put in the claim for the cost of the x-ray, what will happen to the premium for next year:eek:

Absolutely pig sick about it:(

Does anyone know how much vets charge for x-rays?

sheramber

Xrays are charged according to the weight of the dog for the amount of aneasthetic needed and how many plates are needed.

Your vet should be able to give you an estimate of the cost.

You can check your policy document for how long you have to claim. Each company has its own time limit. Some are one month, some six months and some 12 months.

Again the increase in premium will depend on the company.

elsien

If it gives you any comfort, my last was diagnosed with mild hip dysplasia prior to being insured so all hip conditions were excluded. However it didn't bother her for years, and when she did develop arthritis it was initially in her front legs, which was covered as only the rear end was excluded.

So in practical terms it didn't make any difference as when she got arthritis at the back, she just had the meds already prescribed for the front end.

melbury

Well the Xray didn't show anything obvious, so he is on Loxicom for a month and restricted exercise to see if that helps. I have also ordered some Youmove Active dog, which has brilliant reviews, so fingers crossed.

I have to say I was rather shocked at the cost of the Xray, it was £666 in total:eek:

The vet asked if we wanted her to send the Xrays on to an orthopaedic vet for a second opinion, but for the time being we have declined.

Have to say he hasn't limped once since, but of course that could be the medication.

calleyw

melbury wrote: »

I have to say I was rather shocked at the cost of the Xray, it was £666 in total:eek:

So am I :eek: , a week ago we had to do an out of hours visit to the vets. Doggy had jumped up and hurt his back leg and was dragging it. We had 3 x-rays and and of course cost for out of hours appointment and came to £900. And that included the fee for doing a direct claim to the insurance company.


Yours


Calley x

melbury

I just wanted to say how impressed I am with the efficiency of the insurance company.

From the initial claim to my vet being paid was just 13 days.

Due to it all being done online there was none of the usual having to print off a form, fill it in and take it to the vet for them to fill in their bit. In the past I have found claims can drag on for ages, but I didn't have to chase up anybody this time.:)

P.S. I still think the cost of the x-ray was prohibitive though!

Kattykitt

I can't believe your vet has charges this much for x-rays. We had one done on our dog and it was £48 including the examination.

melbury

Kattykitt wrote: »

I can't believe your vet has charges this much for x-rays. We had one done on our dog and it was £48 including the examination.

That is an amazing price and did that also include your dog having a general anaesthetic?

Just out of interest, what part of the country do you live in?

Kattykitt

No anaesthetic. I didn't think about that. That would drive the cost up. I am in the northwest.
Our vets are very good with pricing. Our other dog had to have a 3 week stay with them. This included fluids and antibiotics the whole time he was there, 3 xrays and multiple blood tests. The total was just over £900. Sadly our boy didn't make it and had to be PTS but the level of care he received was brilliant. I know the vets did everything in there power to give him the best chance possible.