Pet Health | Pet Health Insurance Is Useful, But Comes With A Price

Caring for a pet can be an expensive proposition, particularly on Martha’s Vineyard where costs for any type of medical care run above the national average. Increasingly, pet owners are turning to insurance designed specifically for animals.
Pet health insurance, according to Times columnist and veterinarian Michelle Jasny, functions more like property insurance than human health insurance. The main focus is on situations when the property, or the pet, is damaged by accident, injury, or illness. Depending on the age and breed of the animal, the annual cost of pet health insurance can range anywhere between around $100 and upward of $1000.
In a telephone conversation recently, Ms. Jasny said that pet insurance is “a nice thing to have if your cash flow allows it. If you can afford to pay the regular premium then it certainly is a good idea.”
As ideal as it would be for all owners to be able to provide their pets with insurance, for some people that is not a option. “It’s always nice if an animal can get optimum care, but for some people it’s not a financial reality. If you choose to have a pet, you should be able to afford routine health care, but no one should feel guilty if they don’t have the finances to do heroic measures for their pets,” Ms. Jasny said.
In a letter to the editor published on August 5, Janet Zeller described her own quandry. She described her response to one of Dr. Jasny’s weekly columns. In the column, Visiting Veterinarian: spinal cord injuries, the animal was in need of a very expensive treatment that the owners were able to afford and provide for the dog.
Ms. Zeller wrote, “It is wonderful that Franny the greyhound’s owners could afford the huge price of her treatment, but 99.9 percent of equally loving and willing-to-go-the-distance pet owners could never shoulder the herculean expenditure involved on this dog’s behalf.” Ms. Zeller said that her solution was to turn to Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI), a company based in La Brea, CA. She said that for $300 a year, the company provided excellent coverage and allowed her to seek treatment from any vet. She said making a claim is extremely easy, and that she would “highly recommend this solution for every pet owner.”
The Times, intrigued by Ms. Zeller’s letter, did some research on some of the pet health insurance companies.
The company Ms. Zeller recommended, Veterinary Pet Insurance, has two pet health care plans, the VPI standard plan and the VPI superior plan. According to the website, the VPI superior plan offers comprehensive health protection for dogs. Owners will receive the highest reimbursement for accidental injuries, emergencies and illnesses, including cancer. This plan provides for those seeking maximum reimbursement for their pet’s veterinary treatments. The VPI standard plan is designed for pet owners who want peace of mind but seek more affordable premiums. The plan offers a moderate level of reimbursement for accidental injuries, emergencies and illnesses, including cancer. Both plans cover accident, illness, lab tests, surgeries, cancer, prescriptions, and hospitalizations.
Another company, ASPCA Pet Health Insurance, says on its website,”Pet health insurance helps you pay your veterinary bills for your dog or cat. It can help make sure you never have to choose between your pet’s wellbeing and your personal finances.” The ASPCA allows owners to use any licensed veterinarian in the US or in Canada. To submit a claim, all the owner needs to do is fill out the one-page claim form and then fax, mail, or email it to the ASPCA with the receipts from the vet’s office. Insurance from this particular company can cost anywhere from $132 annually to more than $1000 annually, depending on the age and breed of the animal and which level of coverage the owner chooses. Each level offers 80 percent reimbursement of usual and customary charges for all levels, $100 annual deductible per pet, 10 percent discounts on multiple pets, and a 30-day money back guarantee.
Ms. Jasny addressed the issue of pet insurance in a column published in summer 2007.
She wrote that routine expenses such as vaccinations, worming, and heartworm pills are not covered, except in plans where the owner would pay extra for that benefit. The older the animal is, she writes, the higher the premium, and the cost of the premium can also be affected by where the owner lives, as well as the average veterinary fees in the owner’s area. Most policies exclude congenital, hereditary, and preexisting conditions, and carry deductibles, co-pays and annual caps.
Ms. Jasney recommended that pet owners research pet health insurance companies as much as possible before committing to one.
Unlike human health plans, where the doctor is very much involved in the process of obtaining the insurance, with pet insurance the veterinarians are generally kept out of the loop. Pet health insurance is a contract between the pet owner and the insurance company, Ms. Jasny told The Times. All the veterinarian has to do is fill in a diagnosis on a form and hand the owner the bill. That is the extent of the vet’s involvement. The owner pays the vet, files the claim, and is reimbursed by the insurance company, so long as the company covers the procedure.
Most pet health insurance plans let owners go to any licensed vet they choose, but there are a few programs that limit providers to veterinarians that are enrolled as a part of the company’s network.
Ms. Jasny wrote that it is worthwhile for some pet owners, to have the peace of mind and to know that, should an accident occur, he or she will not have to make the medical decision based on finances. If a pet is insured, the owner will be far less likely to ever lose their animal to what Ms. Jasny likes to call “economic euthanasia,” which is, essentially, sacrificing a pet because the expenditures are too large to afford.
Owning a pet is not inexpensive. In 2010, according to the American Pet Products Association, total U.S. pet industry expenditures came to $47.4 billion. Of that $47.7 billion, $18.28 billion is spend on food, $11.01 billion is spent on supplies and over-the-counter medicine, $12.79 billion is spent on veterinary care, $2.21 billion is spent on live animals purchases, and $3.45 billion is spent on pet services, such as grooming and boarding. According to “The Cost of Dog Ownership,” by veterinary technician Jenna Stregowski, the annual cost of a dog is estimated to be anywhere from $700 to $2,800, and up to $300 of that is spent on routine veterinary care.

Pet Health Insurance | Pet Insurance-Pumpkins Schwarzenegger Consumer

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger this week vetoed a bill that has more access to buyers of insurance against animal diseases, and could theoretically have led to consumer decisions.
The bill, sponsored by Dave Jones, Assemblyman and Democratic candidate for State Insurance Commissioner, would have required insurers to send the pet calendar full of advantages and limitations on their website and indicate what they cover and do not want to cover.
When we recently analyzed nine pet insurance policies from four different companies Consumer Reports Money Adviser, we found that T always easy to identify some of these tables, it was not. "We recommend that you search for them or ask a customer service. If possible, get hold of these documents, go to another company.
In fact, the benefits that these programs may deter purchase. When we analyzed the amount of the policy is paid for 10 years in medical costs for a generally healthy beagle, we found that there was not worth the money. When we added on invoices for treatment of costly chronic diseases, arthritis, incontinence, hypothyroidism, and a couple of methods ", we found that five of the nine provides a net return policy.

Pet Health | Pet Health Insurance for the National Exhibition PurinaCare

2010/09/15-SAN ANTONIO "September 2010" PurinaCare Insurance Services Inc., a provider of pet health insurance PurinaCare, is already approved to offer its products in the state of Florida and now you can help pet owners provide a life care for dogs and cats in 50 states and the District of Columbia.
PurinaCare was launched just over two years with unparalleled knowledge of animal care, an intense passion for animal welfare and the national commitment to help alleviate the burden of increased veterinary bills. PurinaCare pet health insurance provides peace of mind with the freedom to choose any of Veterinary Medicine, and choose from a variety of plans to suit your pet care needs and your budget.
"We believe that no pet owner is forced to choose between cost and welfare of their pets," said David Goodnight, DVM, President and Chief Operating Officer of PurinaCare Insurance Services, Inc. " Featured Adoption Florida allows us to provide that peace of mind for pet owners from coast to coast. "
A survey by the American Pet Products Projects pet owners spent $ 47700000000 dollars for their pets in 2010. The estimate of 469 000 529 000 dogs and cats in Florida may join the growing number of animals in the family loved PurinaCare enjoy a lifetime of care with health insurance top branded pet Purina. Some examples are:
Beautiful Border Collie PurinaCare reimbursed $ 4900 because of elbow dysplasia
Maverick and Goose "golden retriever" PurinaCare repaid $ 5.500, due to knee injuries
Winston "Ragdoll" PurinaCare paid more than $ 1.500 due to congestive heart failure
Katie "Labrador Retriever" PurinaCare paid $ 14,400 because of a rare disease of blood clots
Animal owners in Florida can now join the rest of the national peace and increased by PurinaCare mind, under the name Purina, one of the most trusted names in pet care.
If IncPurinaCare PurinaCare Insurance Services Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Nestle Purina PetCare Company is dedicated to providing pet owners with a duration of care for their dogs and cats.PurinaCare is committed to promoting responsible pet care home training of people, supporting the involvement of the pet community and promote the positive link between people and their pets. PurinaCare pet health insurance offered to owners of dogs and cats in 50 states and the District of Columbia and guaranteed by the Central States Indemnity Co. of Omaha, a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. For more information.

Health insurance for pets | A pet peeve: it's a safe for your dog really worth it?

But "the bottom of metalworkers Chihuahua (tequila and Mexican beer), or may be tempted to actually go and buy a pet insurance.
According to Consumer Reports Money Adviser, most owners are better off saving your money to spend on premiums for managing the daily needs of the health of Fluffy and Fido.
Sometimes, however, pet insurance to pay if your dog or cat suffering from a serious illness or seriously injured in an accident.
"Previously, we have, I told him that it is not absolutely worth it," said Tobie Stanger, managing editor of Money Advisers. " This time we found cases where it might be worth. But overall, we think you keep your pet healthy and save for emergencies, in most cases this will be enough. "
If we consider a policy it should be noted that all exclude pre-existing conditions, deductibles, co-payments, or both, and can limit what you pay for certain diseases in one year or during the time the policy. They also have the right to exclude common diseases such as hip dysplasia.
"There are so many things and conditions to be aware that for the typical pet healthy, you probably heard was not worth it," Stanger said.
Then it is the case of accidents. My neighbor is a German shorthaired pointer, Chuck, was hit by a car this summer, which cost thousands of dollars.
To avoid such accidents, Stanger suggested that it might be better to put a dog run or find a way to keep your dog away from traffic. "Just make sure that the fence is safe and well save for contingencies," he says.
If you want to add insurance to cover disasters, buy it when the dog is young and low interest rates, get the highest deductible, and read the policy documents to see what I did not cover and what the limits to be.
The high self-esteem, but just mad your pet can be. Take a California Labrador Retriever named Ellie, who has just won this year's award's Hambone Veterinary Pet Insurance Co. said pet insurance more unusual. Ellie could eat an entire hive of bees, although most of the bees had died after being sprayed by exterminators.
That's what I call a honey of an accident. And without insurance, is Ellie "the owner would" I can afford.

Dog Health | Insurance for your dog

You always need a good dog insurance if your pet has a problem can look like. You may be surprised to know that is not the PET coverage as expensive as if your dog has to go to the vet. If your sweetheart is something wrong with them a trip to the vet can be very expensive. Having adequate insurance prevents worry, if you for surgery for your dog or do not pay. You should be confident and sure that your dog the insurance they need care.
The good news is that it now can experience treatments for many diseases and conditions, the dogs. However, this treatment is certainly not cheap. If something happens to love our pets well, it is our responsibility to process payments. And for those who can make thousands of dollars at a time to pay the insurance for pets is definitely the right way.
You can contact your insurance agent and, if an insurance policy for your pet insurance than you already offer. In some cases, multiple insurance contracts, so you save money. All of our pets as our children deal with and to ensure that our children have health insurance is sufficient. You must also do the same with your dog because you never know when something might happen to them and should be taken to hospital. You can be sure that adequate insurance, what happens to them, are covered.
Pets are subject to both the cost of insurance premiums and annual deductibles, and people.
The premiums vary depending on:
* Policy Type "only emergency care to fill routine care alone.
* Dog "Some breeds are more prone to problems and / or injury.
* Age of the dog "puppies need vaccines, such as dogs or much more likely to need expensive drugs, guidelines for dogs can be expensive.
* Dog Health ", including pre-existing conditions.
* Lifestyle of the Dog "A pet is usually less risk of injury than hunting or work.
* Multi-tier discounts may be available.
* Different insurance companies may affect the price too.
* Deductibles can also vary, but average $ 100.
In this sense, it is important to explore their options for health insurance for dogs and make good time. Both your bank and your best friend will thank you.
For further information, free insurance concept Scouts

Vets | Dog Health Care Article: When is it time to say goodbye

The decision to euthanize a pet is a difficult decision, the majority owner. Talk to your veterinarian to help you make the right choice. Some pet owners are not cope with the daily care of a sick animal. Tasks, focusing on care, cleaning, catering and the costs can build resentment against pet. and deprive them of happy memories. Some animals have been due to behavioral problems such as aggressiveness and slaughtered barks. Please contact your veterinarian or animal behaviorist, selects the hold one. They focus on the possibility of litigation or deportation instead of love for their pet. healthy dogs are euthanized because owners situation has changed. The owner believes they live in an apartment where pet. are allowed to live. Instead of consulting with their veterinarian or a farmer chooses employment euthanasia. Either they do not want to believe that they think someone else to trust their pets are skeptical of the institution pet, or do not want the cost and effort to find someone one to their pet.
We all have the term "quality of life, not quantity." Listen, if a dog has old or sick, or pain, it could be the best thing is most amiable and the animal at rest and go with dignity. Your veterinarian should always be consulted before and during the decision. He / she will know when the right time for you and your pet is so neither you nor your dog's suffering excessive physical or emotional.
The act of euthanasia is never as bad as we imagine. We can choose to be present or not during the actual euthanasia. The shot is painless and calm many veterinary animal, many animals respond to the nervousness of their owners and response. gives your pet a chance to say goodbye to you to close your last and may your relationship. If the pain is unbearable Ask your veterinarian for a series of brochures on pet loss. Be assured that when you talk to your vet along during the life of your pet and disease, you have now created a smart, informative and fair. Be calm and put your thoughts on happy memories.

Pet Products | Why shop in a pet shop – What Do You Think

Most pet owners are probably unaware of the PET product or purchase accessories for their animals. In addition, most pet stores have in your place does not even offer a wide range of choices when it comes to buying accessories for your pet. This is actually the reason why animals need us, are becoming more popular lately. When you buy online pet supplies, you get different options and allows you the best rates available.
It is very easy to do something, you need to find a new online store. Some pet owners believe that the financial statements provide online is much more difficult, compared to a real pet. But in fact makes it a little easier and easier. The main reason is that most of your local pet store pet supplies to make a precise number, because if a particular brand of products to generate much revenue, they do not sell in the store.
Another great thing about shopping online is that you can actually buy a better price compared to regular pet stores in your area. There are actually several reasons, most of the time, and most common is an online store to rent not on overhead costs such as buildings, electricity bills and the salaries of several employees to spend.
If you ask online buyers on why they prefer to shop online, the most common answer they give you for the convenience. If you only shop online now, as it is really useful. Imagine – not to have to go your way into the store and worry about parking and traffic, or is it just a foot in your place will save you enough time and effort to walk to the store easy to find what you need for your pet need. With online shopping, is all you need is a computer and an Internet connection and you can easily find the best products that deserve your precious animal.

Feline Leukemia | Cat Feline Immunodeficiency Virus leukemia can live a full life

The deck was stacked against Charlie.
A parasite that has been taken by the SPCA of Monmouth County, has been the cat with Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, a chronic disease that weakens the immune system diagnosed. But while many would have dismissed as a pet, Susannah Balsys was allowed in
The Wall resident and his family were seeking a special needs cat, said Balsys. She had internships at the shelter, and she wanted an animal to give a new impulse unhappy.
"We brought him home, and it fits perfectly," she said. "It was great there."
Many other FIV-positive cats hello'm so happy.
A diagnosis is a death sentence for a shelter for cats. This is partly because of misconceptions about the disease abound, said Dr. Peter Falk, a former veterinary Ocean County Veterinary Hospital in Lakewood.
Because IVF is in the same class of diseases as the most deadly and virulent feline leukemia virus, or FeLV, people often think that the influence of the two cats the same way. No, "said Falk.
"Feline leukemia virus is a serious, he said, because the cat very sick and kill quickly. If in the saliva of distributed much more relaxed, nursing each other reservoirs, the type of thing," he said.
IVF, on the other hand, usually through bites or transmitted from mother to kitten deep, he said, and infected cats can live long and healthy.
"Many cats with FIV can live their whole lives and have no problems," Falk added that his cat FIV-positive living to 15 years. But, he said, "they are less able to fight infections and are more likely to develop cancer," take good care of pets is a must.
Although there are treatments, "said Falk," no one seems to be something that is too easy and efficient management. "Ensure the best way to get a cat IVF, he said it is good food and one without stress, the inner life.
Why is stored FIV-positive?
Unfortunately, there are resources, "said Francesca Alexander the Monmouth County SPCA, the Charlie Balsys adopted to meet the family.

Puppies | English Bulldog Puppies

English Bulldog has many properties of normal rock dogs, but it also has a number of features of their own and that helps distinguish it from other breeds bulldog. Bulldog puppies usually mild and ideal family dogs, as well as excellent bulldog dog takes its name from the fact that they were originally designed to protect the bait bulls. Although the Bulldog is a descendant of the Mastiff type dogs also known as a bloodhound and will Mollusus Alaunt Bulldog puppies to be smooth and quieter than their ancestors who fought dogs in general.
For those looking to sell the English bulldog puppies. they must first be willing to live and choose ras also whether they think they are able to maintain and ensure the welfare of the puppies bulldog. And the choice of the farmer whose bulldog puppies are in the area, then choosing the right puppy.
Undoubtedly bulldog puppies easily conquer your heart and mind, so make sure you turn right Bulldog puppy to offer care to bring home your newly acquired puppy. You can also very careful when you get the source of puppies. because despite the fact find that you many different sources meet an English bulldog puppies for sale, will not everyone is able to be a good type of bulldog puppies.
Anyone selling bulldog puppies should be able to give satisfactory answers to the variety of ethics and must include information about former customers, as this ensure that you know exactly what to propose a bulldog puppies quality are acceptable. You should also check and ensure that the nursery where they were charged was fair and that the puppies seem healthy and happy.
Taking into account all factors, you will see that those who speak English bulldog puppies for sale by own methods of breeding these dogs and on the safe side, you do not just try a good breeder, because they are the ones best suited to the breed to follow standards and good ethics, while ensuring that the bulldog puppies are given proper veterinary care when needed. Of course there would be nothing worse than winding up or give your newly acquired Bulldog puppies, because they are not justified on health grounds and other desirable properties.
You can be sure that the Bulldogs reproduction is expensive and the margins are low, few people are breeding bulldog for a stroke, while at the same time, you have to be carefully puppy mills and pet stores and backyard breeders to breed these beautiful animals can only make a profit from their efforts to farming. Breeder or source that the puppy vaccinated document and show that the temperament of the bulldog puppies are healthy and others preferred.
Bobby Callahan is an avid dog race and has dedicated his life to teaching, breeding and care of several dogs. to buy English bulldog puppies are not easy, though, this paper aims to demonstrate best practices in procurement bulldog puppies. For your puppy the right choice for you, you are a breeder that you have a sense of trust and have the ability to make you a good bulldog puppies bulldog puppies have to do in their care.

Dog Training | What to do when what your dog a bath

Bathing a dog needs more it should be emphasized. This is because if you do not watch, swimming, the animal could end up getting many complaints. For example, if you do not block the dog's ears with cotton wool, the liquid simply explore the ear canal and cause an ear infection with symptoms such as output tireless poor dog's ears and shaking his head.
The frequency of bathing is actually breed. If your little friend is an example of breed cocker spaniel with long hair, in this case, the spa should take place once every six to eight weeks. If you wash your dog with long hair in the bathroom too often lose the dog's skin and coat some of their defensive qualities. But in some cases, such as when the dog shit on the skin due to digestive problems, intestinal permeability can lead to frequent, odor control, the dog be exposed to frequent bathing some of the owners.
Be alert to stay away from certain harsh soaps or soap rights. The materials used to make soap people are not suitable for dogs. Similarly, shampoo for many people of certain substances that is only if the amounts in the cases of dogs used. Therefore, you should always try to shampoo only primarily for use in dogs with now listed. Be careful when a new product.
Always ready and at hand, the products of vital importance to bathing in this special place with an availability of water resources. Most dogs love the garden sprinkler, rivers and the sea, and especially if you are a bath, you will need all in one place, and then start the dog a bath. Make sure the dog's leash, conditioner, shampoo and towels in the same place so lucky. Conditioner is useful to make it easier to comb the dog. Swimming should to be a pain-free activity for animals and humans. It makes it a hassle.