Is pet insurance worth it for a Lhasa Apso?
Lhasa Apso is a playful, active, small dog breed that is intelligent and observant. They are also highly adaptable to new environments and conditions. However, Lhasa Apso dogs are prone to various diseases.
Some of these conditions include the eyelids folding inward and scratching against the corneas, which is common in this breed. It can lead to blindness without proper treatment. Cherry eye, which causes the gland in the third eyelid to pop out, is also common in these dogs. These conditions require surgery to correct and may recur if the dog inherits them from both parents.
These treatments could cost thousands of dollars from expensive vet bills and potentially cause you financial distress. If you’re looking for peace of mind that your dog will be covered in case of an injury or illness, then pet insurance can be a great option.
Common health conditions for a Lhasa Apso
Some of the health conditions most commonly seen in Lhasa Apso are:
- Epilepsy: This is a neurological disorder characterized by seizures. While the cause isn’t clear, epilepsy is thought to be hereditary in a Lhasa Apso. Seizures can be mild or severe and life-threatening, depending on the type of seizure. Medication can control some seizures, but surgery may help others.
- Eye disorders: Some eye disorders seen in a Lhasa Apso include progressive retinal atrophy (PRA).
- Cataracts: This is a condition where the dog experiences a clouding of the lens in the eye.
- Hip Dysplasia: This is a hereditary malformation of the hip socket that can cause lameness or arthritis in older dogs, but most dogs lead comfortable lives with this condition.
- Allergies: Lhasa Apso are very sensitive to environmental allergens such as dust and pollen. They can have just as much trouble with seasonal allergies as people do. Some of the signs that your dog is suffering from an allergic reaction include sneezing, itchy skin, watery eyes, red eyes, or a runny nose.
What does pet insurance cover for a Lhasa Apso?
Here’s what pet insurance generally covers:
- Accident-only policy: This covers injuries, including bites and falls, but not illnesses such as cancer or diabetes.
- Wellness policy: This covers annual exams and vaccinations, flea control, and heartworm prevention.
- Accident and illness: This policy covers the treatment costs for your pet if they get injured or sick. This can include anything from a broken bone to cancer treatment, and it covers all related medical care, even emergency visits.
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 Lhasa Apso?
Here are the factors that affect insurance premiums:
- Age: Lhasa Apso dogs under the age of 5 are more likely to be accepted for insurance. They also cost less to insure than older dogs. The reason is older dogs tend to get more sick then younger dogs, so it will cost more in medical bills. Your premiums will be higher for an older pet.
- Neutering: Neutered dogs are less likely to have a problem with aggression, and therefore insurers consider them less risky to insure.
- Health of your pet: The healthier your dog, the cheaper your insurance premium will be. However, if you already know that they suffer from a particular condition or illness, most insurers will exclude this medical condition from your coverage.
- Gender: Males are more likely to engage in behavior that could lead to accidents, like roaming or fighting with other animals. Therefore, male have higher insurance premiums.
- Location: Depending on where you live, your dog’s risks can vary greatly. If you live in a very urban area, there are more chances for accidents or illnesses than if you live out in a rural area. Furthermore, if your area has high veterinarian costs, that will be reflected in a higher insurance premium.
How to choose the best pet insurance plan for a Lhasa Apso
Here are some tips on how to choose the best pet insurance plan for your Lhasa Apso:
- Know your needs: You can choose from several levels of coverage, so make sure you know what you want before you start looking at different policies. Some are more comprehensive than others, and some might cover more than others, so try to find one that fits your needs.
- Pre-existing conditions: Most pet insurance plans won’t cover pre-existing conditions, which means any illness or injury your pet had before enrolling in a plan will not be covered. This is a common exclusion in pet health insurance plans, so make sure to read the fine print carefully and ask questions before signing up.
- Check out the company’s reputation: Speak with others and look for reviews on the pet insurance company to see how they treat pet owners.