Is pet insurance worth it for an American Water Spaniel?
The American Water Spaniel is a fun-loving, energetic breed eager to please. Because of their friendly temperaments and hunting abilities, they’re prone to injuries and hence will necessitate an insurance cover.
Medical treatment for your American Water Spaniel can become very expensive, especially if they encounter a more severe issue that requires invasive treatment. Medical bills for treating a sick American Water Spaniel can quickly add up, costing up to a few thousand dollars. In these situations, you don’t want to be in the middle of a crisis and have to choose between your beloved dog and the affordability of their medical treatment.
To prepare for these unexpected circumstances, consider investing in pet insurance. It can help you afford your dog’s medical treatments and procedures while focusing on your pet’s recovery.
Pet insurance can also provide peace of mind that your dog can be covered for the necessary treatments when it has an accident, injury, or illness. This includes (but is not limited to) broken bones, cancer treatment, harm caused by another animal, and prescriptions for chronic conditions. Therefore, pet insurance can be essential and beneficial for your pet.
Common health conditions for an American Water Spaniel
Typically, an American Water Spaniel has a longer lifespan than the average dog. You can expect your dog to live somewhere between 12 to 15 years. However, like all dog breeds, there are certain medical conditions that your dog could develop, such as:
- Hip dysplasia: It is another common genetic disorder among American Water Spaniels. It affects the hip joints and causes arthritis, limping, and inability to rise from a resting position or jump up on furniture. The condition gets worse over time, especially if it’s left untreated.
- Allergies: American Water Spaniels can suffer from several allergies, including environmental and food allergies. These can cause itching, leading to skin infections or ear infections.
- Dental problems: American Water Spaniels are prone to dental problems, like plaque buildup and gingivitis. Brush your dog’s teeth at least two or three times a week to reduce tartar buildup and the risk of infection. Give your pet hard chew toys and bones to keep her teeth clean, and get regular veterinary checkups for your pet.
- Obesity: American Water Spaniels may be prone to obesity because they live to eat. That, coupled with their love of being couch potatoes, makes them prime candidates for packing on the pounds. Keep your American Water Spaniel on a healthy diet, measure her food and treat portions, and make sure she gets plenty of exercises.
- Eye problems: These dogs have problems with their eyes and can develop serious diseases such as progressive retinal atrophy, cataracts, glaucoma, and eyelid abnormalities. In general, dogs with long ears and loose skin on the face are prone to several eye diseases. The AKC recommends keeping their ears dry to prevent ear infections.
- Ear infections: If you see your dog scratching their ears or shaking its head too much, it could be because of an ear infection. Veterinarians recommend routinely cleaning the inside of the ears (but not deep into the ear canal) with a cotton ball dipped in a gentle ear cleaner.
- Bloat: This is when a dog’s stomach fills up with gas and twists on its axis. It’s a serious condition that can be fatal if not treated immediately. If your dog displays signs like drooling, vomiting, or gagging, it is best to call your veterinarian.
What does pet insurance cover for an American Water Spaniel?
Pet insurance covers a range of diagnostics, treatments, and procedures for your dog. Depending on the pet insurance plan, you may be covered for injury-only, illness-only, or combination. Based on your plan, you are eligible for the following coverage:
- Diagnostic and blood tests: When your dog is injured or sick, diagnostic tests like X-rays, ultrasounds, blood tests, and imaging scans are essential to pinpointing the cause. Pet insurance can help cover these important exams if your dog goes to the vet for an illness or injury.
- Hereditary and genetic conditions: Even if your dog is healthy now, heredity or genetics can put him at risk for certain conditions in the future. Pet insurance covers hereditary and genetic diseases from the first day of coverage, even if diagnosed later.
- X-rays and surgeries: X-rays can be used for broken bones to routine dental work. Surgery is needed for everything from spaying or neutering to treating internal problems like kidney stones, and most pet insurance will cover these conditions.
- Medication and hospital stay: Pet insurance helps cover medication and hospital stays for illnesses like cancer, allergies, ear infections, etc.
Pet insurance covers a range of treatments, but it does not cover preventative or wellness care. Regular check-ups with the veterinarian will not be covered under most pet insurance plans. You will need to take advantage of an individual wellness plan for this type of coverage or see if the provider has any add-ons for wellness visits. Most providers usually do have it as an add-on.
Moreover, most insurance providers will not cover pre-existing conditions before registering your pet for coverage. Review everything your potential pet insurance plan covers and what types of pre-existing conditions they exclude to ensure your pet will be eligible for coverage.
How much does pet insurance cost for an American Water Spaniel?
The cost of pet insurance depends on several factors, including the age, breed, and location of your pet. The average pet insurance price for an American Water Spaniel is $60/month or $703/year.
How are pet insurance premiums determined for an American Water Spaniel?
Many factors will determine the monthly premium rate for your American Water Spaniel (included but not limited to):
- Age: An older pet will have a higher insurance premium than a younger pet because the more senior pet is more likely to need costly medical care.
- Location: You may pay more if you live in an area with high veterinary costs.
- Gender: Male dogs are more prone to injuries because they’re generally more active and rambunctious than female dogs. So your male dog’s premiums will be slightly higher than if you had a female dog instead.
- Medical history: The more health problems your pet has, the more expensive it will be to insure them. Insurers will ask about general conditions and any trips the pet has made to the vet in the last three years.
- Deductible: A deductible amount you pay out-of-pocket before your pet insurance company pays anything towards your claim. The higher the deductible, the lower your premium will be.
- Reimbursement rate: Most pet insurance companies offer 80% and 90% reimbursement options. If you choose a 90% reimbursement rate, your monthly premium will be higher than an 80% reimbursement rate.
- Coverage amount: Your monthly premium will also be influenced by how much coverage you want for your dog. If you’re looking for comprehensive coverage with no upper limits to what you can claim, expect to pay more each month than if you have a low annual maximum and limitations on certain conditions.
How to choose the best pet insurance plan for an American Water Spaniel
Many pet insurance options are available for an American Water Spaniel, so how do you choose the best one? Here are some key factors to keep in mind as you are deciding on the right plan:
- Budget: The cost of your pet’s insurance plan will depend on the deductible, annual coverage limit, and reimbursement percentage you choose. To help you make an informed decision, it’s essential to know how much you could afford to pay out-of-pocket for your pet’s care if they become ill or injured.
- Customer feedback: Consider seeking preference from other pet owners. Additionally, read reviews from other customers who’ve taken out a policy with the same provider. This can help you get a better idea of their experience and whether they’d recommend taking out an approach with them.
- Conditions covered: Some policies may not cover certain pre-existing conditions or hereditary conditions in some breeds. It’s worth checking which conditions are covered before buying a policy with your insurer.
- Reimbursement rate: Most insurers offer 70% and 90% reimbursement rates. Your final reimbursement rate will be determined by how much you pay for your premium and how much your deductible and copayments are.
- Coverage amount: A lower coverage limit for older dogs and other pets with existing medical conditions could be more appropriate since they’re more likely to experience a significant medical event.
- Deductible: The higher the deductible, the lower your premium will be each month, so it’s essential to pick an amount you won’t have difficulty paying if you need care for your dog.