Is pet insurance worth it for an Olde English Bulldogge?
The truth is that pet insurance can be worth it, but only if you are ready to pay the monthly premiums for many years. If you have a pure-bred dog, especially one with specific breed health problems, pet insurance is worth considering. This is especially true for an Olde English Bulldogge.
They have several health issues common to their breed. They have a short nose and flat face, leading to breathing problems requiring surgery. Hip and joint problems are common to the breed, requiring surgery to repair.
The costs of these surgeries can run into thousands of dollars. If you don’t have pet insurance, all of those costs will come out of your pocket, which can be financially devastating.
The good news is that pet insurance policies cover most of the costs associated with breed-specific health issues. Choose a policy that covers “accidents” and “illnesses,” including hereditary conditions related to your dog’s breed. You should be able to get the coverage you need without paying too much in premiums each month.
Common health conditions for an Olde English Bulldogge
Here are some common health conditions for an Olde English Bulldogge. Remember, you can always ask your veterinarian if you have any concerns:
- Hip and Elbow Dysplasia: In dogs, it describes misalignments in the hip and elbow joints that cause pain and lead to arthritis. It’s usually genetic but can be made worse by poor nutrition or excessive exercise as a puppy. Signs of dysplasia include stiffness, reluctance to climb stairs, lameness in the legs, and difficulty getting up after naps.
- Brachycephalic airway syndrome: This common respiratory syndrome is typical of short-nosed breeds such as bulldogs. The symptoms include noisy breathing, snoring, exercise intolerance and gagging/vomiting after eating or drinking too much.
- Cherry Eye: The Olde English Bulldogge has a third eyelid that can become inflamed and prolapse out of the eye. It appears as a pink mass protruding from the corner of the eye that looks like a cherry! This condition requires surgery to correct it and prevent secondary complications such as discomfort and an increased risk for corneal ulceration or infection.
- Demodectic Mange: Demodex mites are normal inhabitants of your dog’s skin, but an overgrowth of these mites can cause hair loss, crusty skin, itching, redness, and odor. Secondary bacterial infections are common as well.
- Parvo: This is a highly contagious virus that affects dogs and puppies. Parvo is spread through contact with the feces of an infected dog. Once your puppy has been vaccinated, you can avoid parvo by staying away from unvaccinated puppies and dogs or places where they have been
- Rabies: This is an acute viral infection transmitted to humans or other mammals, usually through the saliva from a bite of an infected animal. It is also zoonotic, which can be transmitted from animals to humans. Although rabies can be found in dogs, bats, raccoons, and foxes, any warm-blooded animal can carry rabies.
What does pet insurance cover for an Olde English Bulldogge?
Pet medical coverage is available for the following types of conditions:
- Accidents: Most pet insurance plans cover accidents. That’s why it’s easiest to get reimbursed for an accident. Get a quote and see how much money you could be reimbursed for veterinary bills if your dog has an accident.
- Illness: Most pet insurance plans will cover illness. Get a quote to see how much money you could be reimbursed for veterinary bills if your dog gets sick.
- Routine care: Most pet insurance companies offer routine care packages as optional add-ons to their plans. These packages may include coverage for teeth cleanings, vaccines, heartworm prevention medicine, nail trimming, microchipping, spaying/neutering, flea treatments, and deworming medications.
How are pet insurance premiums determined for an Olde English Bulldogge?
Pet insurance can help you cover the cost of treating your pet’s medical issues. But depending on the breed and age of your pet, your insurance might cost more than that of another person’s. Fortunately, there are several ways to keep costs down. Here are a few factors that affect how much pet insurance for an Olde English Bulldogge will cost and what you can do about them:
- Location: If you live in an area where the cost of veterinarian care is high, your policy will likely reflect this fact. If you’re concerned about the affordability of veterinary care in your area, call local veterinarians to ask about their prices before buying a policy.
- Age: It’s no secret that as animals get older, they become more susceptible to health problems. The older your dog is, the more likely it is that he’ll need treatment for a medical issue. Because of this, older pets can be more expensive to insure.
- Deductible: The deductible is the amount of money you pay toward your medical bills before your coverage kicks in. Pet insurance plans with a lower deductible will cost more each month, while plans with a higher deductible will cost less.
- Gender: Male pets tend to have higher premiums than female pets because they’re more prone to certain health problems, such as cystitis (bladder infections). Moreover, Female dogs tend to live longer than male dogs, so female dog owners usually pay lower premiums than male dog owners.
How to choose the best pet insurance plan for an Olde English Bulldogge
Choosing the best pet insurance plan for your Olde English Bulldogge isn’t easy. Several companies to choose from and thousands of plans, each with unique pros and cons. But you can land on an affordable policy that meets your needs if you follow the steps below:
- Check out the company’s reputation: When researching pet insurance companies, check out their history and reviews. How long has the company been in business? Are they financially stable? What do other pet owners say about them? You can check out companies at the Better Business Bureau website.
- Consider your budget: Do you have a certain amount of money you want to spend on pet insurance each month? Or maybe a figure that you don’t want to go over? If so, decide which financial option works best for your household.
- Consider pre-existing conditions: If your dog has any preexisting conditions, you’ll want to look for a pet insurance plan to provide coverage. Most plans do not cover preexisting conditions, but some provide coverage after a waiting period.
- Define your needs: Are you looking for coverage for accidents, illnesses or both? Is there a particular condition you want to be covered? Are you looking for coverage that will pay out a certain amount per incident or condition? How much are you prepared to spend on premiums?