Is pet insurance worth it for a English Pointer?
An English pointer has a relatively long life expectancy of 10 to 12 years. This means that your dog may be more susceptible to health issues as they get older.
Surgery can be expensive for any pet, but even more so for a large breed like the English Pointer. This breed is prone to a few conditions that may require surgery, including hip dysplasia and gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV). This painful condition requires immediate surgery to save the dog’s life, and these treatments can cost thousands of dollars.
Pet insurance can provide peace of mind that your dog can be covered for the necessary treatments when it has an accident, injury, or illness.
Common health conditions for a English Pointer
Some of the health conditions most commonly seen in an English Pointer are:
- Hip dysplasia: Common in many large breed dogs, this inherited condition causes the thigh bone to fit poorly into the hip joint. This may cause lameness or arthritis as the dog ages.
- Elbow dysplasia: This inherited condition affects the growth of cartilage in the elbow, resulting in arthritis in that joint.
- Eye disorders: Some eye disorders that are common include progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), glaucoma, and cataracts. PRA causes gradual vision loss. Glaucoma increases pressure within the eyeball, and cataracts cause opacity of the lens in the eye, resulting in blindness if not treated surgically.
- Thyroid problems: The English Pointer may have problems with hypothyroidism, a deficiency of thyroid hormone that results in weight gain and lethargy, among other symptoms.
- Obesity: Overfeeding any dog is not a good idea as it can shorten their life expectancy, but some dog breeds are more prone to obesity than others, and you’ll need to be particularly careful about what you are feeding your English Pointer to keep them at a healthy weight
- Epilepsy: Epilepsy is a common brain disorder that causes repeated seizures. It’s not uncommon for multiple members of the same litter to develop epilepsy. There isn’t any way to prevent it, and treatment involves drugs to control the seizures.
- Cancer: Like all dogs, the English Pointer is susceptible to cancer, particularly lymphosarcoma, osteosarcoma, and mast cell tumors. While these tumors can affect many breeds, research has found that the English Pointer is more likely than other breeds to develop them.
What does pet insurance cover for a English Pointer?
Here’s what pet insurance generally covers:
- Illnesses: Pet insurance covers treatment for common ailments like ear infections, eye problems, and severe or chronic conditions like cancer and diabetes.
- Routine care: it covers vaccinations, spay/neuter surgeries, dental cleanings, and more. This is usually an add-on to the standard plan.
- Accidents: If your pet is injured in an accident, pet insurance will help cover the cost of treatment.
- Accidents and injuries: These plans cover accidents, injuries, illness, lacerations, bites, foreign body ingestion, and more.
Just keep to note that pre-existing conditions are generally not covered by pet insurance companies. This means if your pet has a health issue prior to enrolling, it may not be covered.
How are pet insurance premiums determined for a English Pointer?
Here are the factors that affect English Pointer insurance premiums:
- Age: The older your pet gets, the more likely it will develop health problems and the more expensive it will be for you to pay for treatment.
- Gender: Males tend to be more aggressive then females, so you’ll pay a higher premium for a male dog.
- Deductible: A deductible is an amount you pay before your policy begins to cover a claim. If you choose a lower deductible, you’ll pay a higher premium.
- Location: Some states have higher medical costs than others. If you live in a state with high veterinarian costs, it will cost more to insure your pet. Vets tend to charge more in urban cities for treatment than vets in rural areas.
How to choose the best pet insurance plan for a English Pointer
Here are some tips on how to choose the best pet insurance plan for your English Pointer:
- Consider Your Budget: Pet insurance can be expensive, so you’ll need to figure out early on how much you can afford to pay each month.
- Check out the company’s reputation: Speak with other people that have the plan. One great source is your vet. See how your vet has expierenced that specific insurance provider.
- Consider pre-existing conditions: Some plans won’t cover pre-existing conditions, which means that if your dog has a chronic illness or ongoing condition diagnosed before the policy began, it wouldn’t be covered.
- Define your needs: Before you even begin shopping for pet insurance, take a step back and consider your pet’s needs. Is your dog getting older? Do you need to cover more than just accidents and illnesses? These answers will help you narrow down the best pet insurance plan for your English Pointer.