Is pet insurance worth it for the Afghan Hound?
The Afghan Hound breed is prone to health issues such as hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, hypothyroidism, epilepsy, and eye problems such as cataracts and cherry eye. So pet insurance can help you pay for vet bills if these hereditary illnesses or accidents occur.
For the average purebred Afghan Hound, pet insurance’s common medical conditions include cancers and eye problems. The most common dog health problem for Afghan Hounds is bladder & urinary tract infections which can cause more without pet insurance.
The Afghan Hound is more than just their looks, though: They are also very active and friendly, but they can be challenging to train. Since the Afghan Hound needs regular grooming and has a strong prey drive, you’ll want to get him ready for any unexpected illnesses, injuries, or accidents with pet insurance.
What’s unique about Afghan Hounds? These dogs are high-energy, hound-dog types that need at least 20 minutes of vigorous exercise every day. They can also be stubborn and hard to train, so if injured, pet insurance might be required.
Common health conditions for Afghan Hound
Some of the health conditions most commonly seen in Afghan Hound are :
- Hip dysplasia: Hip dysplasia is a hereditary condition in which the thigh bone doesn’t fit snugly into the hip joint. Some Afghan Hounds show pain and lameness on one or both rear legs, but others don’t display outward signs of discomfort.
- Von Willebrand’s disease: Von Willebrand’s disease is a bleeding disorder. It’s similar to hemophilia in people. The breed tends to show a mild form of the disease, but some are more severely affected. Symptoms include nosebleeds; bleeding from the mouth, vagina, or other mucous membranes.
- PRA blindness: This is an inherited disease that causes gradual vision loss and eventually blindness. PRA is caused by a mutation in the rod-or cone-specific guanylate cyclase gene (GNAT1).
- Hypothyroidism: Hypothyroidism is a common condition in Afghan Hounds. It’s caused by the immune system attacking the thyroid gland. The thyroid is an organ located near the throat, and its job is to store and release hormones that control metabolism. If the thyroid becomes damaged, it cannot make enough hormones to keep your body functioning well.
- Allergies: Food allergies are one of the most common causes of skin conditions in Afghan Hounds. Signs of a food allergy may include itchy skin and ears, paw chewing, redness, and hair loss. Food allergies can pose enough of a problem to make your Hound’s life miserable. They should not be ignored.
What does pet insurance cover for an Afghan Hound?
Here’s what pet insurance generally covers:
- Accident: The accident pet insurance policy provides coverage for accidents such as if your dog is hit by a car, eats something poisonous, or gets bitten by another animal.
- Illness: illness plans cover ongoing conditions like cancer, allergies, and diabetes.
- Routine care: This includes vaccinations recommended by your vet, parasite control, wellness exams, teeth and gums cleaning, spay/neuter surgeries, and prescription or therapeutic diets.
How are pet insurance premiums determined for Afghan Hound?
Here are the factors that affect Afghan Hound insurance premiums:
- Age: A one-year-old is less likely to have health problems than an elderly dog, so premiums are higher for older dogs.
- Deductible: The deductible is the amount of money you pay towards a claim before the insurance company contributes. Deductibles play a role in determining how much you will pay when you share the cost of your care with your insurance company. You can lower your insurance premium by increasing your out-of-pocket deductible. This means that you will pay more of the costs for pet care before any insurance coverage is offered for these services.
- Gender: Male dogs are typically more expensive to insure than female dogs. This is because males are more are likely to develop testicular or prostate cancer, which can be costly to treat if they are not insured.
- Location: Location will affect the annual cost of your Afghan Hound insurance policy the most. Areas with a higher cost of living and more expensive veterinary care will result in higher premiums.
How to choose the best pet insurance plan for Afghan Hound
Here are some tips on how to choose the best pet insurance plan for your Afghan Hound:
- Define your needs: The cheapest pet insurance plan may not be the best, so it’s essential to consider your needs and compare coverage from a few different providers..
- Consider the budget: How much can you afford to spend? What type of monthly payment will fit into your budget? If you have a smaller budget, it’s best to get a high deductible plan. This way, if an emergency happens, you’re not paying out of pocket for something that could have been covered by pet insurance.
- Consider pre-existing conditions: Many pet insurance plans do not cover pre-existing health conditions, and some offer limited coverage. Ask yourself what kind of coverage you’re looking for. If it’s just accidents, you may need less coverage. Still, if your dog has diabetes, you will want to cover unexpected things like a trip to the emergency room or additional medication.
- Consider the company: Consider the company. Both your dog’s health and your finances are in their hands, so be sure you can trust them. Research the history of a company before buying a policy from them. How long have they been around? What is their track record of making claims payments? Do they have good reviews online? Check with the Better Business Bureau and the Department of Insurance in your state.