The true cost of insurance

 

If it's not one thing, it always seems to be another when it comes to dogs! 

Last year was all about Betty's legs and cruciate surgery recovery and this morning we made a return visit to our vet for stitch removal, after surgery to remove three worrisome lumps a couple of weeks ago.

After general anaesthetic and surgery, Betty looked very sorry for herself when I first collected her from the vet twelve days ago but 24 hours later she was much brighter and keen to shake off her woes. We were advised to have her lumps surgically removed as even benign lumps can grow much larger and cause problems. So, the lumps were duly aspirated, sent for testing and a surgery date booked. Although one lump was deemed to be a 'fatty lump', so nothing to worry about, the other two results were inconclusive, so as you can imagine, it has been a bit of a worry waiting for results.... but thankfully, today our vet greeted us with a big smile and the two words we most wanted to hear, 

'GOOD NEWS!'

It was such a huge relief! 

Betty stood perfectly still while the vet removed all stitches and while we were there, I asked him to give Bets her annual vaccination and check her ear as that has been a bit mucky of late; unfortunately she does have a little ear infection so didn't get off totally scot free this morning and also has to return for further blood tests to check thyroid levels in a couple of week's time ... but that aside, she is fit, well and we no longer need to worry whether those nasty lumps were malignant. So, all's well that ends well!

When you adopt a puppy it can be almost impossible to see health hurdles further down the track and I am sure most new owners don't fully comprehend the full financial impact of potential canine health issues. In Betty's case, as a puppy she came with a good five generation pedigree, relevant puppy health certification for hips etc and as far as I could tell, most likely a healthy future ahead of her. There were no health warning flags on her horizon. I am so glad I took out a decent lifetime insurance policy for both my dogs and have kept it going since they were puppies. Betty is now almost seven and a half years old and Polly nine and a half, so I am certain they will need further regular vet attention as old age creeps up, to ensure they have the best care and most comfortable old age possible. 

If anyone reading is curious, Betty's two cruciate ligament surgeries last year and subsequent recovery care and x-rays etc, have probably cost not far short of £10,000 in total and the latest lump removal surgery has been another £800 or so ... blood tests for thyroid function will be around £200 and if she needs medication subsequently, there will be further regular blood tests, as well as the cost of the meds, to be added. 

So, as you can see, mature dogs can prove very costly to take care of properly and if you own more than one, plus other pets (we also have Polly and our two cats) then a solid insurance policy is absolutely essential. Every year when the cost of our insurance policy rises, I grit my teeth and flinch but stick with it because I know that without that insurance, my dogs can't receive the care they may need. In these days of economic hardship for everyone, insurance policies for dogs are possibly something owners of healthy dogs may consider cancelling, but I would say please do everything you can to keep your dogs properly insured ... you really never know when you might need to make a claim and how much of a difference it will make to their outcome.

Betty was a superfit, active, energetic six year old when her life took an unfortunate turn and she needed two major surgeries. We couldn't have predicted what happened to her and without that surgery our beautiful, loving girl wouldn't have walked again, would have been in constant pain and may very likely have had to be euthanised. Today, she is fit, active, energetic and loving life once again, thanks to excellent veterinary care...

... and her insurance policy.