Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a GSD who will be 2 next month, and already we're starting in with the hip problems She went for a vet visit today and the x-rays alone are going to cost me $400... I was wondering if there are any pet insurance companies that you know of who will cover hip dysplasia, the few that I've checked into don't, and though I am going to have the x-rays done soon... I don't think I could afford a $3000 hip replacement surgery right now. Very lost and don't know which way to turn.. but she's part of our family and we love her dearly!! I'm probably not going to have luck with the insurance deal but doesn't hurt to ask...

I can certainly sympathize with you over the vet bills. One of my Shiba Inus is being treated for glaucoma. You can certainly look into doing the research on pet insurance but it makes me wonder if they will consider your GSD's hip problem a pre-existing condition. Still it never hurts to ask... I don't think there is much difference between insurance companies for pets and humans.
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Bob

If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.

Also, I know some ins companies won't cover it if it is known to be a problem in your breed.
staffordmom

Yeah, I figured that would be the case, and the pre-existing condition thing kinda kills me as well!! I have her on Deramaxx right now, and a daily glucosamine tablet, so we'll see if she improves at all with these, but either way I am going to go ahead in the near future and have her X-Rays done, it's the only sure way to diagnose hip dysplasia and at this point I really would like to know if she has it or not, so I can begin planning (and saving money!) from there.. her vet also told me about another medication, I cannot recall what she said it was, that was around $60 a bottle, and they've had pretty good success with it and hip problems.. maybe I'll give that a try too.

>>Yeah, I figured that would be the case, and the pre-existing condition thing kinda kills me as well!! I have her on Deramaxx right now, and a daily glucosamine tablet, so we'll see if she improves at all with these, but either way I am going to go ahead in the near future and have her X-Rays done, it's the only sure way to diagnose hip dysplasia and at this point I really would like to know if she has it or not, so I can begin planning (and saving money!) from there.. her vet also told me about another medication, I cannot recall what she said it was, that was around $60 a bottle, and they've had pretty good success with it and hip problems.. maybe I'll give that a try too.

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I think you will be happiest saving money to pay for the surgery and meanwhile using the medications to make the dog comfortable. Pet insurance does not get my vote. Let's face it, they are in it to make a profit. Better to just pay for the veterinary services. All of us animal owners need savings!
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47