Posts Tagged ‘Pet Insurance’

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Ruby the Deaf Blue Heeler Puppy is a Rock Hound

Friday, July 2nd, 2010

Thanks so much for putting Ruby’s photo on your website. She’s so cute — but eating rocks and vomiting them up at night. Hopefully that will stop!

I would love to have you sign my THE DOG BIBLE — believe it or not, it’s been passed around and around, getting a ton of exposure. My mother has it now, with Ruby. But it is SO informative I’ll pick up another one at the Bennington Book Store for you to sign and keep at my own house for reference and safety.

Tiffany

So glad the book is making a difference!

The rock eating will NOT stop and can cause a huge medical issue and vet bill — not to mention broken teeth. I need to bring you the brochure for Pets Best pet insurance with my listener’s discount code (AP 5252) because this is just the kind of behavior that can wind up in a surgical procedure if she does NOT vomit them up. You have got to keep her away from rocks or anything else she is swallowing — even use a muzzle if need be to keep her safe. You also need to find a few good chew items that will satisfy her teething and need to chew.

–Tracie Hotchner

The Dog Bible

The Dog Bible

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Tracie’s Mailbag & A New-To-Me Danger: Exercise Induced Collapse (EIC)

Friday, July 2nd, 2010

From Christine:

I think it was Laurie G. that originally posted the info on the Exercise Induced Collapse (EIC). She might have triggered her memory because my agile Boykin Spaniel is one of the positively IDd for AFFECTED DNA. It’s listed in the OFA databank as Carolina’s Duck Duck Goose. Feel free to use him as an example if you want.

I have CC’d Paisley Stevens Knudsen, president of the Boykin Spaniel Club (AKC parent club) and also Terrie Tomlinson, Chair of the Boykin Health Committee. Terrie also has Labs and has a lot of knowledge on EIC. She was instrumental in identifying the EIC disease in the Boykin Spaniel — which until that point was mis-diagnosed as a variety of mystery illnesses. Terrie is also in direct, frequent contact with the University that does the EIC DNA testing. These 2 ladies might be of some help on the subject if you need anecdotes or other info.

I would be very interested to listen to the podcast sometime — please let me know when it will be available!

Christine Prince
Boykin Spaniel Club of America
Education & Communication Outreach Ad Hoc Committee

Dear Christine, Paisley, and Terrie:

Thank you for forwarding the email to me. I hope you will listen to Dog Talk® this Saturday (July 3) when Dr. Philip Padrid will be on the show to discuss this and other related topics. If you’re unable to listen on Saturday morning, a podcast will be available later in the day, on July 3. Click on the Dog Talk® link for more information.

–Tracie Hotchner

Tracie,

I had talked to you a few months ago right after Christmas and was on your show, regarding my Shepherd mix, Lucy, who died suddenly in my back yard the day after Christmas. Your time with me on the phone and being able to spill myself on the show briefly was a help. Today marks the 6th month to the day that Lucy passed, and while it’s still rough sometimes, I’ve come mostly to terms with it and how things played out.

Unfortunately, yesterday, I had to have my 2nd dog, Retriever-mix, Roxy, euthanized. She was Lucy’s companion for nearly 13 years, but finally her battle with Lymphoma and a heart illness took it’s toll and she was no longer able to perform basic functions. It was a sad ending for me, as while I loved Roxy dearly, in a way, she was also a living link to Lucy as well since they were literally like Thelma and Louise when growing up together. While Roxy lived, a tiny bit of Lucy lived on in her personality. With her death, not only did I lose her, but the last bit of “living” Lucy passed as well. It’s very sad, but at least unlike Lucy’s unexpected death, this time I had a heads-up on what had to be, and it was not unexpected.

My point in writing about all of this is that when I made the decision to have Roxy euthanized, I chose an in-home pet euthanasia service here in the Atlanta area, as there was no way I could take her in to the Vet’s office (which terrified her) to have this done on a metal table surrounded by strangers, and none of my local Vets will do house calls for this. Did some research and found one with some good customer testimonials. The cost was high for me considering my very basic income ($379.00), but it was very much worth it as the Vet and her assistant who came to my home were extremely nice, sympathetic, and caring. They took their time, checked Roxy first, agreed it was well past time for her, and gave me time to be alone before the shots were administered. They then stayed a while to make sure I was going to be ok before they left.

I’m sure the NYC/Long Island areas have these services, and hopefully they are all staffed by caring people as well. I just wanted to pass this story on to you because in-home pet euthanasia might be a topic you may wish to discuss as an option for pet owners on your show if you’ve never done it. I feel it’s well worth the money to do it, as the pet can pass in the most comfortable environment possible, and it’s much less stressful for the Pet owners as well. I have one remaining dog and should she have to be euthanize at some point due to illness, this is the route I’ll take with her as well.

Greg

Dear Greg,

Thank you for the email. I apologize for the delay in responding. It’s a rather hectic time!

First and foremost, I’m so sorry to hear of your loss. The loss of a pet companion is always difficult. You’re in my thoughts.

While it’s wonderful that Roxy was able to remain at home as she lived out her last days, I’m surprised to hear that your regular veterinarian did not perform the euthanizing. So many Vets today do provide a house call service under such circumstances and often times it’s done for free.

All pet health issues are expensive. Have you considered pet insurance? It’s such a good investment and has saved pet owners literally millions of dollars. Most insurances will also cover the cost of euthanizing a pet which can be costly. If you log into my website, you’ll find information about Pet’s Best Health, which is the company I use.

Wishing you the best,
–Tracie Hotchner

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She Needs Help With Her Dog’s “Cracking” Nose

Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010

Hi, Tracie,

First I wanted to Thank You so much for taking my call about my poor Abby’s cracking nose. I was just scanning through the stations and I was so happy to see one talking about pets, I hope I can find it again. Are you always on at the same time?

You asked me to email you as a reminder for you so you could contact a vet you knew who might be able to give us some more information about what may be causing it internally. Also, would you be able to give me the website or the name of the product you mentioned, I only caught mushers secret then something about SmartPak Canine. I’m afraid I just don’t understand my own notes — Ha ha.

When I got home I noticed Abby’s nose seemed to be at one of its worst stages, so I snapped some quick pics with my phone, and I am sending them along, so you can see exactly what I mean by “cracking” it is also bleeding sometimes (as you can see in the pictures) Thank you so much for the help, I was very disappointed in my vet’s answer to my question and I could never find anything about cracking dog noses online, you were so kind and unbelievably helpful, it’s almost like I was meant to find your show yesterday :)

Your newest fan!
“Dawn”

I’m delighted you got in touch. My official dermatologist answered immediately — and as i suspected you need a proper vet who will do a biopsy and prescribe — poor Abby!! Here is what he said — but I do recommend you get a veterinary dermatologist after you CHANGE VETS. Frankly, I think the attitude yours had was negligent.

(I am attaching a welcome letter so you can learn all the ways to find me, live & on podcast. I do 1-1:30 EST every Wednesday on Sirius #112/XM 157 & CAT CHAT® is that night at 8 PM EST. But check out the letter.)

Dr John Gordon’s (MedVetOhio.com) is below, and you can pay to have any vet consult with him by email or phone, which I actually recommend and I’ll be blogging about this too

Now one more thing: GET PETS BEST INSURANCE immediately! The welcome letter mentions it. Although it won’t cover this existing condition right now, if it were to return you’d get 80% of every bill paid on this and anything else that happens to her. Otherwise costs are ruinous, right? Call Pets Best at the number on my website and tell them you listen to Tracie’s shows and you want discount AP5252.

Dr John Gordon: “The cutaneous changes noted in the photograph can be characterized as edema, depigmentation, tan serocelluar crusting and erosive dermatitis of the nasal planum with minimal inflammation of the adjacent haired skin. The breed may be an Akita which would support the concern for an autoimmune skin condition. If this dog does not have any other skin lesions, the primary differential diagnosis is discoid lupus erythematosus. Other differentials should include pemphigus foliaceous, pemphigus erythematosus and epitheliotropic lymphoma. A skin biopsy from the margin of the affected area should confirm the diagnosis. If the condition is as expected, there are multiple effective therapies. The treatments are lifelong and often adjusted based on response and side effects. Avoidance of sustained, direct sunlight is recommended because ultraviolet light will exacerbate inflammation of the skin. I hope this information is beneficial.”

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Medication For Cat With Heart Disease

Thursday, November 12th, 2009

I got a medical question that is yet another example of the lack of constructive communication and trust that seems to exist between many people and their vets. Here is a situation where this cat owner does not have a clear idea of what her cat’s cardiac problem actually is — nor understand why she is medicating her kitty or what the intention of that medication is.  All these issues should have been addressed to her vet and answered by the doctor. Instead, she is turning to me.  I am honored to have her confidence but certainly cannot give her medical advice in this situation. The best advice I can think of is that she needs to interact more actively with her vet, or find one she feels more comfortable doing so with so she can be an informed partner in her cat’s health care. She wrote:

Last year my cat was diagnosed with heart disease.  Since then we have been giving her a transdermal dose of Atenolol in her ears twice a day.  (transdermally because pills and liquids were not going over well)   We are due to see the heart specialist soon but at her annual check up, the vet said there was no change in her heart murmur.

My question is: do we continue this treatment if we’re not seeing any changes?  The cats seems to be happy as always and hates the cream in her ears.  My cat sitter doesn’t deal with it well and it’s certainly expensive.  I want to do the right thing for my cat but it seems this treatment is more torture then benefit.

Your thoughts on heart disease and treatments are greatly appreciated.

There are a number of questions here: first of all, does your cat have heart disease and if so, what were you told it is?  A heart murmur by itself is not a disease — it’s a defect — but there are illnesses which do cause heart problems. This is something your vet should have explained fully to you, or you needed to ask enough questions to feel you were on top of the diagnosis. As to the treatment, was it explained to you the function of the Atenolol you are giving? Did you ask your vet whether the use of the medication has kept the heart murmur from deteriorating? Is the cream doing nothing — or saving her life? Only the doctor can tell you that since s/he knows the severity of the murmur (many people and animals have minor heart murmurs which they live with, problem-free. And how long ago did you have this check up which discovered the problem? It sounds like it was quite some time ago, yet you are only now seeing a cardiologist — and I’m wondering why the delay?  Last but not least, this is a great example of why pet insurance is so vitally important to protect you financially when there is costly medication and specialists. To learn more about Petplan — the company I just switched to because of their more reasonable rate and superior reimbursement and claim protocol — I urge you to go to my website TracieHotchner.com – and the website for my new radio show DogTalkandCatChat.com, on WOR in NYC. Unfortunately her heart condition will now not be covered because it is a “pre-existing condition,” but anything else will be reimbursed at 80% — or even 90% or 100%. Call Petplan at 866-467-3875 and ext 2411 is Fabrice. He will help you choose the best policy for you and let me know you’ve signed up because I am sending a donation to the Humane Society of the United States for every listener who signs up (and Petplan does the same!)

Tracie

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Switching to Petplan Insurance but…

Sunday, November 8th, 2009

You have heard me speak about one of my most astute listeners in Atlanta, Bob, who frequents the dog park with his good pal Smokey. Bob doesn’t let a thing get past him — he checks and double-checks every product and service I align myself with — and I welcome and appreciate his careful eye.

So I was truly delighted that Bob became the FIRST Dog Talk® listener to switch to Petplan insurance from Pets Best, which I had previously recommended. There were changes in the coverage Pets Best was offering and a number of listeners told me they had problems with claims (including myself — when Scooby Doo’s torn ACL ligament was not covered because I had “only” been with the company 10 1/2 months and I had no idea they required an entire YEAR of coverage before knee surgery would be covered). So I have been looking for a company I could wholeheartedly endorse and found Petplan, which is the oldest, and world’s largest (covers 40% of ALL pets in the United Kingdom!) insurer of animals.

I also really admired Petplan for their charitable relationship with the non-profit animal group I am proud to be associated with — the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), to which they give a donation for every policy written. I have declared that for every one of my listeners or readers who signs up for Petplan I will make my own donation to HSUS. I want to support those who stand by HSUS despite misinformation and sometimes misunderstanding of their mission.

Hi Tracie – Heard your show this morning on iPod and immediately looked up Petplan insurance, and switched to it from Pet’s Best. It is a great plan and I really like the idea of the 100% reimbursement option at a reasonable cost. Almost did not do it, since you said Petplan supports the Humane Society of the United States and I am opposed to the HSUS alliance with Michael Vick (Mr. “I feel sorry for me — not the dogs I killed — so I will make a phony apology”) It was really was a big shock to me, but the insurance is worth it, in my opinion.

Ciao – from Bob & Smokey

Thank you, Bob, for your confidence in my advice and opinion where Smokey’s welfare is concerned, and yours as well. I am truly humbled by your willingness to join forces with Petplan, despite the fact that this company supports the work of the HSUS. As you know from listening to my show for years, I am an ardent supporter of the HSUS so the fit for me with this pet insurance company was perfect. In addition, Petplan also has the most inclusive coverage with no breed discrimination and very easy, straightforward claim procedure without a bunch of forms to fill in.

As far as Michael Vick goes, I hope you did listen to the full hour show I did a couple of months ago with HSUS president Wayne Pacelle in which we discussed the Michael Vick case and how HSUS is using him to help stamp out dog fighting in the inner cities. (mp3) As I explained on the air, it makes perfect sense to put Vick to work talking against dog fighting to young men in rough neighborhoods. Who else can reach these at-risk young men than someone who shared their experience — did the crime, did the time, and now is doing community service to spread the word of how wrong dog fighting is, with the backing of the HSUS.

I hope you can separate your justifiable emotional reactions to Vick — what he did was heinous and a court found him guilty and sent him to Leavenworth prison — from the practical issue of whether there is a way to use Vick to make a positive difference in stamping out dog fighting in our cities. (By the way, it was solely the work of the Humane Society of the United States, which prompted the very legislation that allowed Vick to be tried and convicted). The HSUS is not attempting to be judge and jury for Vick’s dog fighting past — that has already been handled — instead, HSUS has devised a way to put a real person up in front of these kids in tough neighborhoods full of pit bulls and explain that what he did was wrong and that dogs need to be our friends and companions, not tools for violence.

On November 21st I do have Wayne Pacelle, the head of HSUS, coming on my new radio show Tracie Hotchner’s DOG TALK & CAT CHAT® on WOR 710 at 10 PM (EST). We are going to be discussing this issue. I hope you will call in to 212-766-7100 if there is anything you want to ask Mr. Pacelle or express to us on the air.

The following week I will have Def Jam founder Russell Simmons — who is a vegan, animal-loving man dedicated to educational issues — coming on the show to discuss his support of using Vick to stop other young men from going down the path he did.

But most of all I want to thank you for your trust in my advice and your swift decision to sign up for Petplan. I did the same thing and requested the reimbursement from my previous pet insurer that by law they have to pay of unused premium.

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Pet Insurance Even For Senior Citizens

Saturday, August 29th, 2009

Gracie, September’s Dog Talk Dog of the Month, just recently got pet insurance when her Mom Laurel discovered it was affordable with Pets Best, who will accept the older citizens other companies refuse. Here’s what she said:

Just thought I’d forward a couple of more pictures of Gracie to you. We are looking forward to having Gracie featured on your show next month as Dog of the Month. This is so much fun and such an honor. Furry Friends Rescue is also excited that one of their “alumni” is going to have her story shared on your show!

Also, I wanted to let you know that I have successfully purchased a Pets Best Insurance policy for her. She is very healthy but is also nine years old, so I never dreamt that I would be able to afford a pet insurance policy for her, due to her age and size, but for a nominal monthly premium I now have peace of mind that whatever medical problems we will face in the coming years, I will have financial help in meeting Gracie’s medical needs.

I have also recently purchased two more of The Dog Bibles to give as gifts to two friends who have recently adopted dogs and I have told several friends about your show’s availability through podcast so they can listen in and hear your advice (not to mention Gracie’s 15 minutes of fame!)

–Laurel

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THE DOG BIBLE May Have Solved Terrible Riddle

Monday, April 6th, 2009

I got this nice note from Charleen in Pennsylvania –- who got THE DOG BIBLE even though she doesn’t have a dog, but there’s a very sick poodle in her family:

I have THE DOG BIBLE and THE CAT BIBLE is on the way. After seeing you on Martha Stewart’s show I decided to purchase THE DOG BIBLE with hopes that I could find out what was wrong with my daughter-in-law’s poodle. Her dog started with a high fever when they were visiting me at Christmas. They took her to my vet and they started her on an IV of antibiotics. Tests didn’t show anything but they thought it was probably urinary tract infection. Dog improved for a short time but by time they got back home (Montreal) the dog had to be taken to emergency pet center. High fever returned. She had all kinds of tests including ultra sound of the heart and abdomen. Total of all tests were $5,000 and they never had a diagnosis. Well, after reading The Dog Bible I think I might know what she had: your part in the book regarding Lyme disease vaccine was very interesting. The dog gets a Lyme vaccine (don’t know how often) but apparently the vet in Montreal is giving her the vaccine. So, this condition may be a recurring illness. So, thank you so much for the info. I am so glad I bought your book. I have three cats (no dog yet) and The Cat Bible is on the way. Thanks so much.

Charleen

Oh golly, Charleen, this just breaks my heart to think that poodle and her people have suffered so much, all because a vet is giving a vaccine which can cause such nightmares. Of all the vaccines to avoid, the Lymes one is top of my list, as you know from my book. First of all, it can give the dog the disease it supposedly protects her against — and Lymes is a recurring disease with horrifying symptoms that can cause cyclical anguish to the pet and can even kill her. Also, now that she has been given the vaccine, there is no way to test whether she has the disease since she will test positive from having been vaccinated. But even more infuriating is that there are now several tick-borne diseases of which Lymes is not even the worst — so even if it DID work, the dog would still be at risk for the others. It just makes no sense at all. There are two things I would urge them to do: the first is to get pet insurance, which I beg everyone to get — because incredibly costly illness can crop up overnight. Secondly, you need to help them strengthen this dog’s immune system and especially joints which can become so painfully inflamed from Lymes.  She needs to have a generous dose of omega-3 fish oils daily which is an anti-inflammatory that will work throughout her body. Please go to my website and read why Nordic Naturals is the most effective and reliable brand. She also absolutely needs to be taking Platinum Performance Plus joint supplement because it is used not just for prevention and treatment of joint inflammation, but also as an immune-system booster by oncologists treating cancer patients with chemo. There is also a link to Platinum on my website. And of course tip-top nutrition is essential whenever there is any compromise. I am so sorry for what they have been through – and share their gratitude that you got my book and may have discovered what put them in this terrible position.

Tracie

The Dog Bible

The Dog Bible

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Listener Wiser & Happier, about “Kitty Crack”, Pet Insurance, Trusting Her Own Judgment

Monday, January 26th, 2009

Dear Tracie,

I saw you on the Martha Stewart Show and was so interested in what you had to say. We have four rescued cats we dearly love. A family of domestic shorthairs, Dad Putchie, Mom Pooh and offspring daughter, Skittles.

We also have a lilac seal point Siamese I found in a hospital parking lot, “Snickers, the Wild.” Putchie is sick right now with some kind of sneezing respiratory (cold? do cats get colds?)

The reason I am writing is Skittles. She has extremely painful defecation and eliminates in our family room or in my bedroom. At first it seemed like constipation and, of course they all eat “kitty crack” (until today). I took her to our vet and after x-rays and examination; I was given some kind of anti-inflammatory and painkiller to give her. I did give it to her a couple times but honestly, it made no sense to me. Skittles stools are still lumps but not hard as they were at first. I feel so bad for her I end up crying while she is trying to go. She has urinated inappropriately also and frankly it is getting annoying but I realize she is having a problem I am not able to address, other than the food issue.

Our vet’s practice was recently sold and I have little confidence in this new doctor. The other vet was a woman and she had cats…she seemed more attuned to our group. I have looked on the Internet at different sites and I have ordered your book but I am at a loss.

I am also considering the pet insurance because our male butterscotch calico, Putchie, has had bite abscesses and surgeries that cost us thousands.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for the website and the blogs. We don’t have Sirius radio and I wish I could hear your Cat Chat® but maybe at some point in the future when we get a new car, we will. I am so grateful to have a place to go when I have an issue. It is so wonderful to read all the stories. We love our cats and promised them a better life and with your help I think we will achieve that goal.

Without the “kitty crack”!

I am sincerely grateful.
Carol

Dear Carol – My what a cornucopia of problems you have! And I truly grateful that you have come to me with them because they really need addressing, maybe even more than you are already doing.

The first thing I will BEG you to do is sign up your entire crew for pet insurance. As you have already found out, the cost can go sky-high for even ordinary medical problems, and in a heartbeat you can find a cat in a medical emergency costing even more. You will get a multi-pet discount from Pets Best and more discount as a Cat Chat® listener (don’t worry, they don’t check whether you really have it!). Most importantly, they have a more generous reimbursement than any other insurance company – after a deductible per incident, they pay 80% of 100% of all bills for that event, regardless of the total charges. I only wish I had medical insurance that good for myself!

Secondly, you must get Putchie to the vet ASAP because that upper respiratory infection (yes, a kitty cold) is extremely contagious to the other cats and can turn into a more complicated illness. So while you’re writing about Skittles, Putchie really needs a vet’s help too. (Keep in mind that there is a two-week waiting period with pet insurance before you can make a claim- so that people don’t sign up right before getting an expensive procedure – so the sooner you sign up, the sooner this sort of visit will be covered).

The next thing is Skittles’ painful bowel movements and out-of-litter-box peeing. As you yourself surmised, the likelihood that this is diet-related is huge. Switching to all wet food immediately is the first step to a lifetime of health, and the resolution of this digestive problem. However, another essential addition to the diets of all the kitties is omega-3 fish oil, which will aid in digestion while nourishing every cell in their bodies.

And since you’ve ordered THE CAT BIBLE, I can send you an autographed bookplate to put in it, inscribed to your wonderful kitty cats – but I’ll need your mailing address. Along with it I’ll send some samples of Nordic Naturals Omega-3 fish oil (by far the freshest and purest one out there), a sample of Platinum Performance joint supplement if any of them are getting older and achy along with a card for Pets Best insurance so you have the phone number to call (better than using the website) and so you can share my discount with friends and family.

I’d say that about covers it! Oh – except my thanks for your very kind words. And I am going to sign you up for the pod cast of DOG TALK® which is often about cats, too, so you can hear more about the topics that matter to you and your pets every week, as a gift from me.

Tracie

The Cat Bible by Tracie Hotchner

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Posted in Cat Illness, Cats, Diet, Elimination Issues, Pet Insurance | No Comments »

Pomeranian with a Cold

Monday, January 12th, 2009

This is a complicated medical issue that is as good an example as I’ve ever seen for the need to get pet insurance the minute you get a dog. You never know when you’ll suddenly be facing huge vet bills for diagnostic work-ups. Pets Best Insurance would have paid 80% of 100% of her bills for all this testing and more, after one $75 deductible.

3 weeks ago my Pomeranian got a stuffy nose, since it was cold and she is currently bald (hair will not grow back) I thought she got sick. Took her to vet, received Clavamox and Temeril-P started to wheeze. She was on that 2 weeks then got switched to hydroxazine (I think) wheezing subsided to just when she’s excited and early in the morning, but sniffles came back. Took her back to vet again and she got scared and wheezed and snorted really bad and vet said she has a tumor, growth or valley fever and needs to have a Rhinoscopy done. She’s an indoor dog that is litter trained and goes outside once a day. She was injected with a steroid yesterday and is back on the Temeril-P and a new antihistamine. She also developed reverse sneezing in the spring, scratches her back on the carpet and when she goes out in the grass she will wheeze a bit and cough. Can a dog have a growth in their nasal passage if they only wheeze when they are excited or a little bit in the early morning when the temperature changes? Is it allergies or something more serious?

Thank you.
Kasia

Certainly if there is anything blocking that nasal passage it will cause more of a reaction when the area is stimulated (cold, excitement, a walk). You need to put your trust in your vet who wants to do a procedure to see what is in there and what, if anything, can be done abut it. By now you probably have followed through on some testing and I’d be eager to I know what the doctor learned and how you are coping. I have to say this is the perfect example of why having pet insurance is so important. I really feel for your worry for your Pom and for your own financial burden.

Tracie

The Dog Bible by Tracie Hotchner

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How To Know Which Pet Insurance Is Best?

Wednesday, December 3rd, 2008

Hi Tracie,

I am a loyal podcast listener. I love your show and your passion. I am researching pet insurance for my 2 dogs, Buddy (8 yr old lab) and Gracie (5 mo old shepherd mix). I know you love pets best but I received something from my vets office concerning the ASPCA insurance. Before I decide, I wanted to check with you to see if you have hears anything about this program. I know how much you love the ASPCA and I really respect your opinion. Any thoughts?

Thanks so much,
Jeannie, Santa Monica, CA

Jeannie,

Thank goodness you checked with me before making a decision – because your choice of pet insurance will make all the difference between what will be covered and how much will be reimbursed. I do think the ASPCA is wonderful but they are an insurance agency! They have made a deal with an insurer (as has the Humane Society of the United States and others) and they profit from every policy that is sold – but they are not the insurance company. On the other hand, all Pets Best does is insure pets – it’s their only business. What it boils down to is how much will the premium be – how they will reimburse and what is excluded. With Pets Best there is a one time $75 deductible for each illness or injury, and then they pay a flat 80% of every single eligible bill and they pay it quickly. As far as I know, no other company comes close to this level of reimbursement (most have a schedule of how much treatment “should” cost and they go on that scale. Not Pets best. You need to make two phone calls and decide for yourself. which is the better coverage.

Tracie

The Dog Bible by Tracie Hotchner

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