Is pet insurance worth it for an Artois Hound?
Artois Hounds are more than just their noses and ears. They’re loyal, good-natured, and easy to train. And they’re a good fit for active families looking for a dog with a great sense of smell and endless enthusiasm. Their scent-based instincts make them great companions for hunting, search and rescue, and tracking.
Medical treatment for your Artois Hound can become very expensive, especially if they encounter a more severe issue that requires invasive treatment. Medical bills for treating a sick Artois Hound 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 dog’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 Artois Hound
Typically, an Artois Hound 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:
- Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), the most common form of inherited blindness, is an inherited degenerative eye disease in which the retina atrophies. PRA usually starts between six and 12 months of age and is often progressive. Early detection of PRA is critical because early treatment slows the progression of PRA and can improve vision for many dogs.
- Hypothyroidism: Dogs with hypothyroidism are prone to weight gain, lethargy, and reduced activity levels. The condition may also lead to hair loss, skin problems, dry skin, itching, and even neurological symptoms such as muscle tremors, impaired coordination, or poor vision. Dogs with hypothyroidism should receive thyroid supplementation and be evaluated periodically by a veterinary ophthalmologist to ensure proper eye health.
- Hip dysplasia: Hip and elbow dysplasia are common ailments in many larger dog breeds. These conditions are characterized by a malformation of the joints that can cause lameness and arthritis-like symptoms in dogs. Dogs with hip or elbow dysplasia should not be bred, as this is an inherited condition.
- Epilepsy: Idiopathic epilepsy is a seizure disorder that has been reported in Basset Hounds, although it is scarce. Epilepsy can be controlled with medication, but affected dogs should not be bred.
- Cataracts: Many breeds of dogs can develop cataracts, an opacity of the eye lens that can cause blindness if left untreated. This condition can affect one or both eyes and may occur at any age. Cataracts may be inherited or acquired later in life through injury or systemic disease. Affected dogs should not be bred, and surgical removal of the lens may be necessary to restore vision to the dog.
What does pet insurance cover for an Artois Hound?
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: It can be very expensive if your pet needs a diagnostic test, such as an x-ray or MRI. Having pet insurance means that your policy covers these costs. This can help the veterinarian diagnose what’s wrong and get the right treatment for your pet. Your policy will cover all reasonable care costs after your deductible is met.
- Hereditary and genetic conditions: Many insurers exclude hereditary or genetic conditions from coverage, but others offer limited coverage for these conditions. Check your policy’s fine print to see whether the congenital conditions you’re most concerned about are covered.
- X-rays and surgeries: Surgeries, X-rays and other orthopaedic work are usually covered by pet insurance policies. Some policies cover a percentage of the cost of surgery, while others cover the entire cost up to a certain limit per incident. If your Artois Hound needs surgery, check with your vet beforehand to estimate how much it will cost.
- Medication and hospital stays: Medications such as pain relievers or antibiotics are often prescribed after surgery or injury to help manage pain and speed recovery time. Your pet will likely be required to stay in the hospital while receiving these medications through an IV drip or other means. This can cost hundreds of dollars per day, depending on how many days your pet stays at the hospital.
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 Artois Hound?
The average cost of pet insurance is $52/month, which means you’ll pay about $624/year for the best insurance policy. But it can vary a lot depending on your pet’s breed, age, and health history. The most common pet insurance is called accident and illness coverage.
How are pet insurance premiums determined for an Artois Hound?
Many factors will determine the monthly premium rate for your Artois Hound (included but not limited to):
- Age: The older your pet is, the more likely medical issues may arise that could require veterinary care. Because of this, it’s often more expensive to insure an older pet than a younger one.
- Location: It costs more to treat pets in some parts of the country than others. If you live in an area where veterinary care is expensive, you’ll pay a higher premium.
- Gender: Your dog’s gender will also affect how much premiums are. Female dogs are generally cheaper to insure because they usually live longer than male dogs, and they tend to be less aggressive.
- Medical history: A pet with a pre-existing condition might not be eligible for coverage or could have limited coverage options and higher premiums. Some pre-existing conditions can be managed with medication, but it may make sense to pay out-of-pocket treatment if your pet isn’t insurable.
- Deductible: The deductible is the amount you must pay before the insurance company pays out claims. The higher your pet’s deductible, the lower your monthly premium.
- Reimbursement rate: The reimbursement rate is how much you’ll receive after submitting a claim (the insurance company will cover the difference). The reimbursement rate can be set at 70%, 80%, or 90%, depending on your policy. Higher rates will mean a higher premium.
- Coverage amount: Most coverage plans have deductibles — you pay this much before your insurer pays anything. The higher the deductible, the lower your premium will be. Other plans have co-pays — you’ll have to pay this much toward treatment before the insurance kicks in.
How to choose the best pet insurance plan for an Artois Hound
Many pet insurance options are available for an Artois Hound, 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: It’s important to consider your budget when researching pet insurance. Many plans require a monthly fee, and in some cases, deductibles and co-payments may also be required. The cost of these things can vary significantly by the provider.
- Customer feedback: A reputable company should be able to offer at least a few references that you can contact to ask questions about their experience with the insurer. Be sure to contact the references and ask if they have any complaints or concerns about the insurance company and its policies.
- Conditions covered: Make sure you know what is included in a plan before signing up. Some companies will cover routine care while others don’t. It’s important to know whether that’s important to you and what it will cost to have it added if necessary.
- Reimbursement rate: Some insurers only reimburse you for a percentage of covered expenses, while others payout a flat amount per procedure or illness. It’s important to understand how much you’ll receive from an insurance policy before purchasing it, as providers’ reimbursement rates can vary widely.
- Coverage amount: This is the maximum your plan will pay per incident. Some plans will pay a set amount per service, while others will reimburse you for the cost of care, minus any deductible and copay.
- Deductible: A deductible amount you have to pay out-of-pocket before your pet insurance coverage kicks in. The higher the deductible, the lower your monthly premium will be. If you can’t afford a high deductible, look for a plan with lower copays or choose without a deductible.