Is pet insurance worth it for a Dogo Argentino?
The Dogo Argentino was bred to be a hunting dog and has many characteristics that make it a good choice for this purpose. These dogs are also brilliant, which makes them easy to train. Dogo Argentino also tends to be very loyal animals, making them good companions for families with children or other pets in the home.
Medical treatment for your Dogo Argentino can become very expensive, especially if they encounter a more severe issue that requires invasive treatment. Medical bills for treating a sick Dogo Argentino 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 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 a Dogo Argentino
Typically, a Dogo Argentino has a longer lifespan than the average dog, and you can expect your dog to live somewhere between 10 to 15 years. However, like all dog breeds, there are certain medical conditions that your dog could develop, such as:
- Hip dysplasia: Hip dysplasia occurs when the thigh bone does not fit properly into the hip joint, resulting in pain and lameness. The condition is caused by malformation of the hip joint, which can be inherited or acquired later in life due to injury or illness. Dogs with hip dysplasia may have difficulty standing straight, walking normally, and jumping onto things like couches or beds.
- Eye Problems: Dogs with short faces, such as the Dogo Argentino, often suffer from eye problems. Eye problems can include cataracts, corneal dystrophy, and glaucoma. Dogs with these conditions have trouble seeing usually and may have to have surgery to correct the problem.
- Ear Infections: Because of their large ears, which hang close to the ground, Dogos are prone to ear infections. Ear mites and diseases can cause your dog significant discomfort, so it is essential to watch your pet’s ears for irritation or soreness.
- Pyoderma (bacterial skin infection): This condition is caused by an overgrowth of bacteria on the skin or hair follicles. It can cause redness, crusting, and scaling around the affected areas. Pyoderma can also lead to secondary infections such as cellulitis and abscesses.
- Bloat: A condition where the stomach fills up with gas, causing pain and discomfort. The only treatment is surgery to remove the affected part of the stomach, but if it isn’t treated quickly enough, it can be fatal.
What does pet insurance cover for a Dogo Argentino?
Pet insurance covers a range of diagnostics, treatments, and procedures for your dog. Depending on the pet insurance plan, you may be substituted for injury-only, illness-only, or combination. Based on your plan, you are eligible for the following coverage:
- Diagnostic and blood tests: These tests can help determine whether your dog has an illness or condition and available treatment options. Examples include bloodwork, urinalysis, and ultrasounds.
- Hereditary and genetic conditions: Some breeds have higher risks for certain conditions like cancer or hip dysplasia. Pet insurance plans that cover congenital conditions will pay out-of-pocket treatments if your dog develops one of these illnesses.
- X-rays and surgeries: X-rays can help detect problems in your dog’s bones or joints, while surgeries may be required if their condition is severe enough. Without pet insurance, these treatments could cost thousands of dollars out-of-pocket.
- Medication and hospital stay: If your pet needs prescription medication or stays at the veterinarian’s office overnight, the cost of these services can add up quickly without pet insurance coverage.
Pet insurance covers a range of treatments, but not 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 or see if the provider has any add-ons for wellness visits. Most providers 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 a Dogo Argentino?
Dogo Argentino’s can vary from 25 pounds to 70 pounds and are bred specifically to be guard dogs. Because of their size will typically have higher costs than other breeds, such as Retrievers or Bulldogs. The average pet insurance cost for Dogo Argentino is $30 per month or $360 per year.
How are pet insurance premiums determined for a Dogo Argentino?
Many factors will determine the monthly premium rate for your Dogo Argentino (included but not limited to):
- Age: An older dog is more likely to develop specific health problems than a younger one. For example, hip dysplasia often occurs in dogs older than 6 years old. Older dogs also tend to have more expensive medical bills because they may require more extensive treatment than younger dogs.
- Location: Where you live affects the cost of pet insurance. If you live in an urban neighborhood or near an emergency clinic, your policy will likely cost more expensive than it would be if you lived in a rural area with less access to emergency care.
- Gender: Certain conditions are gender-specific, such as pyometra in female dogs or benign prostatic hyperplasia in male dogs. Gender also influences how much you’ll pay for pet insurance premiums because males tend to have higher rates of certain conditions than females do.
- Medical history: A dog with a clean bill of health may be less likely to need expensive medical care than a dog who has had several surgeries or whose parents had specific health issues. However, even if your pet has no history of any health problems, they may still need emergency treatment, and you’ll want to be prepared for those expenses.
- Deductible: A deductible is an amount that has to be paid towards any claims before the insurer pays out anything. The higher the deductible, the lower your premiums, and the less money you can claim back should anything happen to your pet.
- Reimbursement rate: This is how much money will be paid out by the insurer for specific treatments such as surgery or medication when they are carried out by a vet (usually 80% or 90%).
- Coverage amount: This is the maximum amount that the pet insurance company will pay per incident and year. Higher coverage means more expensive monthly payments, but they also suggest that a single illness won’t wipe out your lifetime coverage for your dog and leave you with nothing for the future.
How to choose the best pet insurance plan for a Dogo Argentino
Many pet insurance options are available for a Dogo Argentino, 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 pet insurance depends on the type of coverage you’re looking for and how much money you want per month. Some plans cover basic care costs, while others cover more extensive treatment options.
- Customer feedback: Customer reviews will help determine whether an insurance company has good customer service and how reliable its claims process is. Look for companies with positive feedback from customers who’ve used their services before.
- Conditions covered: Different types of pet insurance policies offer different levels of coverage for various diseases. It’s important to know what each policy covers before purchasing so you know whether it will meet your expectations or not. You can also get a list of pre-existing conditions not covered by your policy so that you do not make any mistakes while choosing it.
- Reimbursement rate: This is the percentage an insurer pays out after receiving a customer claim. The higher this number is, the better quality of service you’re likely getting from your insurer.
- Coverage amount: This is how much money your insurer will payout in any given year. Some plans have a low annual limit, while others offer unlimited coverage. The coverage amount is the essential factor in determining what type of plan you should purchase. This is because this number can determine whether or not your pet will be covered for medical expenses if they become ill or injured.
- Deductible: This is the amount of money you must pay before your insurer starts paying out claims. A high deductible means that you’ll have to pay more out of pocket for medical care before the insurer begins paying for treatment.