If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Pet Insurance ? Cruciate Ligament Injuries
Ok, well Max came in from the outside the other day with a rear leg in
the air. He was just out for a little potty break (maybe 10 - 15 minutes). I checked his pad for any foreign objects and found none. I figure he will shake it off and maybe he just sprained it. The next day he was still limping and I thought - nuts! Turns out he has a partial tear in his cruciate ligament. He screamed in pain when the vet streched his knee and had to be muzzled for the rest of the exam. I got some Rimadyl supply for 2 weeks and told to start giving him glucosaminel / chrondroritin daily. And after two weeks decide if I wanted the surgery, I was told this will only get worse and surgery is necessary. Well, my heart sunk. This is a VERY active dog like my last one, and he blew out both legs during his adult life. I cannot see Max inmobile for weeks after the surgery, and then afraid it will happen again! Right now he is miserable as I am taking him out on a leash everyday - it is like he is at a kennel or apartment not being able to use the yard, it will be worse after the surgery! Well, one week later he is somewhat better, he asks normal outside like nothing is wrong, but you can tell he doesnt put too much weight on it indoors. If he continues to take the Rimadyl he will need consistant blood work for liver complications and it will not fix the condition - according to the vet. So I have to do "something". Well, it is benefit enrollment time at work, and we get a discount on VPI petinsurance through Metlife. My girlfriend's daughter works at the vet and has Max registered as her pet and gets good discounts on routine exams and such. She would get the surgery at about 1/2 price, instead of the charge of $1200 - $1300, she would (I mean me) pay $600 to $700. Which is cool. But it seems this pet insurance would be better - but I have read plenty of stories of denied claims based on pre-existing conditions, genetics, etc. For about $24 a month (superior plan), they would pay up to 90% of the claim (up to $1200) and for the $12 a month (standard plan) they would pay up to 90% of the claim (up to $725), if the cruciate ligament was covered (it is on their benefit chart) - after a $50 deductiable. Of course, I would have to take Max to a new vet so this would be a "new" incident and no pre exisiting condition. I just wonder if this would work? And should I do the insurance in case this happens again so it would not be pre-existing. Or just take the daughter's discount and take my chances?!? This is a tough call that I have to make quickly - a) max needs help, b) insurance wouldn't kick in until first of the year if I registered today, c) I dont know how long max can go in this current "state". Only thing Max has on his record is a broken fibual which he got when at leader dog for the blind (which is the other leg and should have nothing to do with Cruciate ligament even if it was the same leg I am guessing). He is up to date on all this shots. Any advice on the surgery and non-surgical options / opinions would be appreciate as well as advice and experience with pet insurance (specifically VPI) when it comes to this dog ! |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
Pet Insurance ? Cruciate Ligament Injuries
Canine insurance is not worth a damn...I carried pet insurance for 7 years
(over $100 per month)...The first time I used it I was turned down on much of the bill...For example...At the time my girl needed on-going blood test to monitor things...She had an awful auto-immune disease...VPI said they would only pay the first two tests...This was just one of many similar issues...So in anger I canceled and went to another major provider...My male needed an abscess drained which they did pay 80%...But when it was needed again 4 months later I was told it was now considered a pre-existing condition and was not eligible for coverage for six months after the first procedure...BS...But it is in there fine print...I remember when I first got involved someone on this list said she saved the monthly cost herself and when she needed care the money was there...I felt insurance in a major crisis was worth the cost...The major issue is that canine insurance is very different from human and unless you are aware of the differences you have no idea...You probably won't be allowed to cover any current condition anyway...As I said I was a believer...It's bogus and not worth your money...Just one dissatisfied user...Maybe someone has something positive to say?...GG "buzzsaw" wrote in message ups.com... Ok, well Max came in from the outside the other day with a rear leg in the air. He was just out for a little potty break (maybe 10 - 15 minutes). I checked his pad for any foreign objects and found none. I figure he will shake it off and maybe he just sprained it. The next day he was still limping and I thought - nuts! Turns out he has a partial tear in his cruciate ligament. He screamed in pain when the vet streched his knee and had to be muzzled for the rest of the exam. I got some Rimadyl supply for 2 weeks and told to start giving him glucosaminel / chrondroritin daily. And after two weeks decide if I wanted the surgery, I was told this will only get worse and surgery is necessary. Well, my heart sunk. This is a VERY active dog like my last one, and he blew out both legs during his adult life. I cannot see Max inmobile for weeks after the surgery, and then afraid it will happen again! Right now he is miserable as I am taking him out on a leash everyday - it is like he is at a kennel or apartment not being able to use the yard, it will be worse after the surgery! Well, one week later he is somewhat better, he asks normal outside like nothing is wrong, but you can tell he doesnt put too much weight on it indoors. If he continues to take the Rimadyl he will need consistant blood work for liver complications and it will not fix the condition - according to the vet. So I have to do "something". Well, it is benefit enrollment time at work, and we get a discount on VPI petinsurance through Metlife. My girlfriend's daughter works at the vet and has Max registered as her pet and gets good discounts on routine exams and such. She would get the surgery at about 1/2 price, instead of the charge of $1200 - $1300, she would (I mean me) pay $600 to $700. Which is cool. But it seems this pet insurance would be better - but I have read plenty of stories of denied claims based on pre-existing conditions, genetics, etc. For about $24 a month (superior plan), they would pay up to 90% of the claim (up to $1200) and for the $12 a month (standard plan) they would pay up to 90% of the claim (up to $725), if the cruciate ligament was covered (it is on their benefit chart) - after a $50 deductiable. Of course, I would have to take Max to a new vet so this would be a "new" incident and no pre exisiting condition. I just wonder if this would work? And should I do the insurance in case this happens again so it would not be pre-existing. Or just take the daughter's discount and take my chances?!? This is a tough call that I have to make quickly - a) max needs help, b) insurance wouldn't kick in until first of the year if I registered today, c) I dont know how long max can go in this current "state". Only thing Max has on his record is a broken fibual which he got when at leader dog for the blind (which is the other leg and should have nothing to do with Cruciate ligament even if it was the same leg I am guessing). He is up to date on all this shots. Any advice on the surgery and non-surgical options / opinions would be appreciate as well as advice and experience with pet insurance (specifically VPI) when it comes to this dog ! |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
Pet Insurance ? Cruciate Ligament Injuries
"Gary G" said in
rec.pets.dogs.health: I remember when I first got involved someone on this list said she saved the monthly cost herself and when she needed care the money was there. I use the credit card method. I use direct debit for almost everything; so, on the two credit cards I have, there's plenty of room for emergencies. -- --Matt. Rocky's a Dog. |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
Pet Insurance ? Cruciate Ligament Injuries
Any advice on the surgery and non-surgical options / opinions would be
appreciate as well as advice and experience with pet insurance (specifically VPI) when it comes to this dog ! These tears generally don't heal on their own. Surgery is usually the only permanent option. The problem with leaving it is you end up medicating to handle inflammation which stresses organs. It's fine for the short term, but not long term in a young dog with alternatives. Worse though, is the fact that the dog will start to depend more on the opposite healthy leg and eventually blow that as well. |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
Pet Insurance ? Cruciate Ligament Injuries
a écrit dans le message de
ups.com... HOWEDY sharon aka sharon too, This will introduce you to the new dog lovers: Subject: EMERGENCY!! What to do with baby Possum? From: Sharon Date: Tues, May 16 2006 10:30 pm Email: "Sharon" Groups: alt.med.veterinary, rec.animals.wildlife, rec.pets My cat brought in a baby possum tonight. My question is, should I just release it into the woods behind my house tonight? I don't know if it will be okay, or if it still needs its parents. I could certainly feed it for a few days if necessary, but I'm just not sure what would be best (or if it would even accept food from me while in captivity). Don't touch wildlife at all. They carry parasites cut +++ the worst amongst these all is named J.r.y. Wizowowow... |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
latest on pet health insurance | Laura Bennett | Dog health | 6 | June 1st 05 06:31 PM |
Ruptured Cruciate Ligament | Mona | Dog health | 3 | March 16th 05 12:36 AM |
Cancelled Homeowners Insurance | RIBuck97 | Dog behavior | 0 | December 12th 03 03:01 PM |
Insurance after a dog bite | bigdaddy | Dog behavior | 15 | September 23rd 03 06:35 AM |
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Surgery | Deb | Dog health | 15 | September 20th 03 10:49 PM |