Pet Insurance

[cpfstich]

After the expenses with Muchacho, we're looking again at pet insurance for Mooch and his brother. We were going to get it before but never did.

Has anyone ever had it on their pets? Do you have any recommendations, pros/cons, etc? Thanks for any info you have.

[Doggiemom]

I have looked into it and found it veryyyyyyyyyyy expensive! Although I would spare no expense on my pets you would hope that the very few times you do have to spend the $$$$ far outwieghs the expense of the ins.

[cpfstich]

Originally Posted by Doggiemom

I have looked into it and found it veryyyyyyyyyyy expensive! Although I would spare no expense on my pets you would hope that the very few times you do have to spend the $$$$ far outwieghs the expense of the ins.

True it is not cheap, but Mooch's illness is over $5000.00 as of now, so in the long run???

[himynameisjan]

Craig, it's something I've thought long and hard about. All three of our dogs have long term medical issues. For two of them it's really expensive. I swear we spend more on the dogs than we do on ourselves some months. Our issue is that the insurance I've looked at won't cover pre-existing conditions. Our best hope now is that doggie medical expenses become tax deductible.

[MaripositaII]

Originally Posted by himynameisjan

Craig, it's something I've thought long and hard about. All three of our dogs have long term medical issues. For two of them it's really expensive. I swear we spend more on the dogs than we do on ourselves some months. Our issue is that the insurance I've looked at won't cover pre-existing conditions. Our best hope now is that doggie medical expenses become tax deductible.

Wouldn't that be nice?

We looked into insurance as well but with a pre-existing condition we're screwed. Ours had cancer (mouth) two years ago, and knock wood, is doing quite well, but the follow up visits, ultrasound, X-rays, bloodwork etc. shocks me on each visit Still, he's a sweet pooch, and deserves to be cared for.

[MikeW]

We've talked about it.

I don't know what the final expenses for Socks were, but in a one-year period I'm sure it went over $10,000. This is BonnyWs' domain. Since BonnyW is the caretaker of this, she will spare no expense so this is something we are considering.

We have a feeling Frodo is going to be an expensive cat. He doesn't act like a normal cat, he's kind of neurotic, has anxiety issues. He's really smart. Very soft fir, long black hair. Can't sleep for very long at a time. Still likes to be held to go to sleep, while he suckles himself. Flips out if he doesn't know where his brother is.

[MaripositaII]

Originally Posted by MikeW

We've talked about it.

I don't know what the final expenses for Socks were, but in a one-year period I'm sure it went over $10,000. This is BonnyWs' domain. Since BonnyW is the caretaker of this, she will spare no expense so this is something we are considering.

We have a feeling Frodo is going to be an expensive cat. He doesn't act like a normal cat, he's kind of neurotic, has anxiety issues. He's really smart. Very soft fir, long black hair. Can't sleep for very long at a time. Still likes to be held to go to sleep, while he suckles himself. Flips out if he doesn't know where his brother is.

Did you get him as a kitten?

[MikeW]

Originally Posted by MaripositaII

Did you get him as a kitten?

Yep.
Brothers.
They were taken from their feral mother at 6 and 7 weeks. I think that's right. The girls working at the vet took them home for 3 or 4 weeks and took them everywhere with them. We got them about 10 weeks (I think).

Sam was still kind of feral when we got him, not anymore. Sam is a classic looking and acting cat. Sam looks just like his mother. Frodo has always been, well Frodo.

[MaripositaII]

Originally Posted by MikeW

Yep.
Brothers.
They were taken from their feral mother at 6 and 7 weeks. I think that's right. The girls working at the vet took them home for 3 or 4 weeks and took them everywhere with them. We got them about 10 weeks (I think).

Sam was still kind of feral when we got him, not anymore. Sam is a classic looking and acting cat. Sam looks just like his mother. Frodo has always been, well Frodo.

Must be the name Have you posted pics?

[MikeW]

Originally Posted by MaripositaII

Must be the name Have you posted pics?

A few


Socks

Katy - the Feral Mom of Frodo and Sam

Frodo and Sam as kittens

In the bookcase

Frodo and Sam exploring

[BonnyW]

Originally Posted by cpfstich

After the expenses with Muchacho, we're looking again at pet insurance for Mooch and his brother. We were going to get it before but never did.

Has anyone ever had it on their pets? Do you have any recommendations, pros/cons, etc? Thanks for any info you have.

I had it with my very first pound dog-Shawney. I was lucky and the Blue Cross pet insurance (not around any more) was relatively cheap--cheap enough that it actually completely covered her well dog visits.

Shawney developed ovarian, uterine and breast cancer about 3 years later and at that time in my life...there would have been no way I could have paid for all the surgery and therapies that she needed. She did really well with all the surgery tumor removals. Over her life, I think there were 12 surgeries or so...She ended up living until the ripe ol' age of 22.

After 14 year old Sox-the-miracle-cat and all his expenses, I am looking into the VPI (1-866-vet-pets) (petinsurance dot com) for Sammy and Frodo. So far, the VPI Standard wellcare plan at $250 per cat is looking good at age 1 As they get older, I may increase it to the VPI wellcare premier at $400/year per cat because it covers urinalysis.

The Wellcare plan covers up to 9K in accident, illness, x-rays, surgeries, cancer, 'cripts, hospitalization and wellcare like vaccines, flea control and heartworm.
You have to pay for it, then fax or mail the claim form and then you get reimbursed for 90% of the benefit schedule.

[cpfstich]

Originally Posted by BonnyW

I had it with my very first pound dog-Shawney. I was lucky and the Blue Cross pet insurance (not around any more) was relatively cheap--cheap enough that it actually completely covered her well dog visits.

Shawney developed ovarian, uterine and breast cancer about 3 years later and at that time in my life...there would have been no way I could have paid for all the surgery and therapies that she needed. She did really well with all the surgery tumor removals. Over her life, I think there were 12 surgeries or so...She ended up living until the ripe ol' age of 22.

After 14 year old Sox-the-miracle-cat and all his expenses, I am looking into the VPI (1-866-vet-pets) (petinsurance dot com) for Sammy and Frodo. So far, the VPI Standard wellcare plan at $250 per cat is looking good at age 1 As they get older, I may increase it to the VPI wellcare premier at $400/year per cat because it covers urinalysis.

The Wellcare plan covers up to 9K in accident, illness, x-rays, surgeries, cancer, 'cripts, hospitalization and wellcare like vaccines, flea control and heartworm.
You have to pay for it, then fax or mail the claim form and then you get reimbursed for 90% of the benefit schedule.

VPI is one I've checked out too.