Posts Tagged ‘pets best insurance’

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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Posted in Dogs, Health, Insurance | No Comments »

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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Pets Best is Still My Choice of Pet Insurance

Saturday, January 30th, 2010

I got a good question from Nicole about whether I had decided to stick with Pets Best insurance. Her comment about the new audience’s response to all the nutrition advice I’ve been telling folks on my other two shows is really true — it’s refreshing to see people’s reaction when they hear for the first time that kibble isn’t all they’ve been telling us!

I love you on your new show WOR. It’s cute how the information that you give is so new to the group that is listening to that show.

Anyway, as you may guess I listen by podcast, sometimes many weeks later, and often out of order. So you were talking about possibly switching your pet insurance recommendation away from Pet’s Best to another company. But, then you said you switched back.

However, because I listened out of order, I’m not too sure about what came first the chicken or the egg, kinda thing. Can you talk about that again on the show?

Thanks for all that you do. Harley, is a healthy happy 10 year old kitten thanks to you and your awesome advice about nutrition.

On the January 30th DOG TALK® I explained why I stayed with Pets Best — reliability, transparency and customer service. And I do continue to recommend that everyone get insured — and use my discount code AP5252 for Pets Best when you CALL to get a quote — much better than the internet to be sure of what you are getting.

Tracie

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Posted in Cats, Dogs, Insurance | No Comments »

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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With Poochie, Proof is in the Pudding

Thursday, May 7th, 2009

I got this from Kirstin in Philadelphia, whose cat Poochie was a very special Cat of the Month on CAT CHAT®. Now she’s become an unofficial ambassador for Pets Best insurance and for Weruva, my totally favorite cat food. How can I not love someone who is blowing the mind of her own vet by showing by example that all dry food is “kitty crack” and feeding Weruva instead. She showed that the proof is in the pudding about cat health and what they eat. Go Kirstin!

I am encouraging people to use Pets Best whenever I can, and Weruva, too (and BFF) of course – thanks to you.

Just an update. Poochie has indeed lost 3 pounds in 5 months (!) due to canned (Weruva) food and a food scale (I thought he was 17 last weigh in at the vets, but he was 18 lbs), so he’s at 15 exactly now! The vet was BLOWN AWAY, really impressed and amazed and said he is definitely not obese or in danger any more. I’m so happy and Poochie is healthier every day.

Thanks for your support in kicking the “crack”! Poochie thanks you too!

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Posted in Cats, Nutrition | No Comments »

Pet Insurance Age Eligibility?

Wednesday, May 6th, 2009

This is from Kirstin, the Mom to Poochie, who was a Cat of the Month on CAT CHAT®. Turns out she taught me something I didn’t know about Pets Best Insurance — so now even more oldsters can get on board! Thanks Kirstin!

Dear Tracie,

I loved the show on Wednesday (as always!), but just wanted to let you know that Pet’s Best DOES seem to cover cats (and dogs) of any age, according to their website (you mentioned on your show that 12 was the cutoff for cats). Perhaps they used to have a cutoff, but it seems that now they don’t, thankfully! And thank YOU for directing me to Pet’s Best!This was under their FAQs in response to a question as to how old is too old to insure a pet:

You may enroll your dog or cat as early as 7 weeks of age. Like children, young dogs and cats have the highest risk of accidents. Since their immune systems aren’t mature they are more susceptible to infectious diseases. Unlike other companies we don’t have an upper age cutoff. As they grow older, our pets face the same risk of cancer, heart disease, kidney failure, and other problems of aging that we all do. An older pet may develop chronic disorders that require a lifetime of care and expense.

Oh, and i got THE CAT BIBLE and LOVE it!!! I can’t put it down…

Take care (and meows from the cats),
Kirstin

The Cat Bible

The Cat Bible

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May Day for Max – Looking for a Miracle

Sunday, May 3rd, 2009

The wonderful brave Golden retriever Max, and his Mom Pam and her daughter Julie, have just been dealt a real setback in his recovery from the amputation they did just a few months ago to stop the cancer that was found in his front leg bone. He’s been doing well with the chemotherapy (although it was ruinous financially since the VPI insurance Pam had so dutifully been paying for all four of her Goldens didn’t cover but a fraction of the charges, unlike the Pets Best Insurance I urge everyone to get, especially when hearing of a story like this). Here’s the update:

Max the Golden

Max the Golden

Tracie -This has been another emotionally exhausting day. We had been playing ball with Max out in the yard and stopped throwing the ball when we realized the heat had gotten to him. But when trying to cool him off with ice packs to the armpit and groin didn’t seem to help, we took Max to the emergency vet clinic near us in West Islip. His blood pressure was very low, his white blood count over 40,000 and he had a moderately high temp. They had to bring him in on a stretcher, he was so weak. They put him on IV fluids and antibiotics and kept him overnight. They also did a chest x-ray which was normal so they took cancer out of the equation for the time being and treated him for dehydration. They wanted to stabilize him. I went home and stared at the ceiling all night.

Next morning I saw a different doctor. He said based on Max’s history we should do further tests to make sure the cancer had not come back. But first he wanted to bring Max in to see me to see how he would respond. Well, Tracie, Max came round the corner and practically pulled the doctor down trying to get to me. I threw myself down on the floor and my handsome 75-lb lap dog sat on my lap like he always does. We all laughed and remarked what a difference the supportive care had made. Max was excited and lively. The doctor still wanted to take x-rays of Max’s belly and repeat the blood work, even though he thought that Max had probably just succumbed to the extreme heat and had indeed been dehydrated. The doctor said it was just a precaution and I really wasn’t worried.

X-rays showed his intestines pushed back in his stomach. The doctor said this could be normal for Max but we should ultrasound it to make sure there wasn’t something there. I started to get a little worried but, for some reason, I was still optimistic. I went outside to call Julie at work to let her know what was going on. The doctor came out with the ultrasound picture in his hand.There was a mass. The size of a softball. And it was black which meant it was bleeding. Probably hemangiosarcoma, he said. It was between the liver and spleen and he wanted to do additional views to zero in on the exact location. If it was on the spleen, we could do a spleenectomy and Max would probably be fine. On the liver — that was a different story with not a happy ending.

I waited and chanted inside my head: spleen, spleen, spleen… please… please… please…

But, it’s on the liver.

This morning the ER doctor called to tell me the follow-up CBC showed Max is very anemic. This means the mass is bleeding into his belly. He faxed everything to Animal Medical Center in the city and had a telephone consultation with one of Max’s oncologists. I think Julie and I are going to AMC in the morning for them to do another ultrasound and possibly an MRI or CAT SCAN. I say “I think” because I have been lying with Max all day and he has become very weak again and I’m not sure I want to put him through anything else. If AMC feels that the tumor is operable, Max would have to undergo major abdominal surgery with extreme risks. This is not like the amputation and AMC is not sugarcoating it. Under the best circumstances, he may only get 4 – 6 months. Under the worst, he could die during the surgery and that is a very real possibility. If we do nothing, he will bleed internally until he can’t breathe and then he will go into shock. This could be tonight, in a few days, not more than a few weeks. Of course, there is always the “other” choice.

I go back and forth between sadness and anger. IT IS ONLY 3 l/2 MONTHS! We were supposed to get the summer. Max was supposed to run on the beach and swim after tennis balls and sticks. I sound like a 5-year old when I scream “IT’S NOT FAIR!!!” I sat in the chemo waiting room every other Saturday and listened to stories of cats and dogs who defied the odds and outlived their diagnoses. Max was supposed to be one of them.

But then I know that Max is 10. And we have had a 10-year relationship like none I have ever had with any human. We have had a wonderful, full life together. He has thanked me every day since the day I adopted him through LIGRR (Long Island Golden Retriever Rescue), and I have been privileged to have him by my side. I want to hold him until his last breath. He IS my breath. He IS my bones. He IS my heart.

I wanted to let you and your listeners know about Max because of the tremendous support I received through your talk show and your wonderful audience. I don’t know what tomorrow will bring. If you know of a miracle, please send it our way. I’ll update you when I’m able.

Max’s Mom, Pam

I wrote to Pam & Julie:

Oh dear me. What a setback and blow to your dreams. In making the decision, just do your best to see it from Max’s point of view. You already know that. But being in your arms is what he wants, he showed you that at the vet’s. My thoughts are with you, as always.

Pam gave me an update:

We took Max to AMC. They took additional views on ultrasound. Three oncologist surgeons reviewed the pictures and felt it was a single liver lobe that could be removed. All 3 agreed it is definitely operable. And it COULD give him another 6 months to a year. Max is scheduled for surgery this Tuesday May 5th. There are horrible risks. If they get into his belly and find that it is much worse than can be seen on ultrasound they will tell us, and Julie and I have decided, in that case, we will not let them wake Max up. Even if all is well, Max could die during surgery or from complications after. But he can’t live with this thing growing inside him, so we have to give him this chance.

It is expensive. Another $4,000. I have to call Care Credit today and hope to God I get the additional credit. I will beg and plead. Max HAS to get this chance.

Julie and I are going to make this the most wonderful weekend for Max. I wish the weather was better because we would carry him down to the beach. We are going to take lots of pictures and movies. I’m praying for a miracle but we have to be realistic and know that this could be Max’s last weekend. I am going to try not to cry any more in front of him. The doctors are hopeful. Julie and I will be hopeful. Max is a dog FULL of love and hope and happiness. So that’s the motto for this very special weekend – love, hope and happiness.

I’ll write you after surgery. Wish us luck.

Max’s Mom, Pam

I honestly don’t know how you and Julie have the strength to go through this. I am going to post our correspondence and then put it on Twitter so more people can be praying and sending good vibes and karma your way for Tuesday’s operation. I admire your emotional strength and faith in Max’s will to live and thrive. You are a stronger woman than I am and an inspiration to all of us who call our pets family. I couldn’t even trust myself to talk about this on DOG TALK® yesterday — I was just going to lose it on the air, I know that.  So instead am going to send this turn in Max’s story out by internet and maybe get even more people pulling for him

Blessings on all of you.

Tracie

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Posted in Dogs, Insurance, Medical | 11 Comments »

Not Vaccinating Makes a Cat Healthier

Tuesday, April 7th, 2009

I got this adorable follow-up and also intriguing question about pet insurance:

I hope you are well! I had a blast talking to you in February, after Poochie was named CAT CHAT® Cat of the Month and thank you again for everything (including the treats!). I am pretty sure that Poochie has lost about 2 pounds (making him 15 pounds) since we spoke (!), but I can’t be sure until the vet uses her very accurate scale for him. I’ve been weighing out his Weruva and he is more playful and happy than ever – another reason I think I’m right about the two pound drop. I have attached a couple of recent photos. You can’t tell he’s thinner, but they’re just cute!

I just took out pet insurance for him and Solange and I actually had a question about it. I know how busy you are, so if you can’t let me know via email, maybe you can address it in the show? I used Pets Best (with the discount), as you suggested – my question is basically if I do not vaccinate them anymore (which I don’t want to do!), will this pose a problem for any future claim? I looked at the claim form and it didn’t mention it, but I just wanted to know if you knew for sure that this was not a problem. After listening to you and the vets on Martha Stewart radio, I know that I want to cease and desist on the vaccinations. Again, I know you’re busy. It’s hard for me to call in or I would. I wish you the best and thanks again for all that you do for the kitties!

What a fascinating question! It would never have occurred to me that not vaccinating might make my pets appear more at risk for illness from the point of view of the pet insurance company – except that unnecessary vaccinations of adult pets are being blamed for undermining their immune systems and even sickening them. A boarding facility might not be knowledgeable and sophisticated enough to understand how over-vaccination doesn’t protect animals but can harm them – but a pet insurance company owned by a veterinarian who is up on everything would not be a problem!

Tracie

The Cat Bible

The Cat Bible

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Music Teacher Needs Pet Insurance

Saturday, February 21st, 2009

I thought I’d said the name Pets Best Insurance enough times that everybody knew by now that I think it is the most solid company out there. But apparently I need to do some more reminders! I just got this from Mitch:

Dear Tracie – I presently have VPI for my dog and have become disenchanted with it because of so many exclusions. I can’t always listen to your show on Saturday mornings as I am a music teacher and have students often at the same time. What are your recommendations for pet insurance?

Alden – you should be signed up for the podcast if you cannot listen live. You would have heard me tell everyone time and again that Pets Best has the most fair and generous policies of any company: after a $75 deductible per incident they pay 80% of 100% of all bills. No schedules. Read the email trail on my bulletin board with Max’s Mom Pam who is going through cancer amputation and chemotherapy with VPI paying only pennies on the dollar. Contact Pets Best immediately. Tell them you want the Dog Talk® discount – hear the exclusions that might apply but just as important is how much they pay on each claim.

Keep that music playing!
Tracie

The Dog Bible by Tracie Hotchner

UPDATE:

I sent the email about pet insurance to Dr. jack Stephens, who “invented” the concept of pet insurance and actually owned VPI until it was bought away from him by a big national company (which is when many of us who were customers noticed the benefits diminishing). I asked Jack for his comments on the email aobut 90% reimburesment and his reply follows. The thing I have been trying to stress to folks is that you hve to really shop & compare. If a company like VPI has an allowed “scheduled” amount for a service then if chemotherapy, for example, costs $3,000 and they say it should cost $300 they will pay 90% of what THEY think is an acceptable fee. Just look at my website for the story of Max the Golden with the leg amputation and his mom Pam who paid for insurance for all four of her Goldens with VPI and is heartsick over how very very little they are covering of Max’s actual costs. I will stick to my guns and tell you all that Pet’s Best is the only one I’ve found with no confusing calculations – they pay 80% of 100% of your bills, no matter what. Here is Dr. Stephens’ reply to my blog posting and response to Sarah’s comment:

Tracie,

Very well said. VPI pays 90% of a schedule, which is much less than average vet charge. Two other companies offer 90% of Usual and customary, but you pay more for it. The consumer pays for what they get, if they want low deductibles, no copay then of course there will be higher cost and restrictions. the more they co-insure or have higher deductibles the lower the premium.

There are many good options out there now for pet insurance, but they all have their idiosyncrasies, including PB. We try to give the most value and what the pet owner needs to take care of their pet. We have a higher calling: pleasing the vets and saving pets. But all of us want and have to make money.

Yours, Jack

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