Is pet insurance worth it for a Papillon?
It’s great that you’re thinking about your little buddy’s future so far in advance. Pet insurance can make a real difference in the quality of care an ill or injured pet receives, but the importance of pet insurance is not just about money.
Pet insurance is a way to give you peace of mind that if your dog gets sick or injured, you’ll be able to afford all necessary treatments.
The most common reason I recommend pet insurance is when an owner has an older pet with a chronic or life-limiting medical condition. Once a pet has cancer or another severe illness, the cost of veterinary care can quickly add up, often to several thousand dollars per year. In those situations, pet insurance can be beneficial by reimbursing much of the cost of care. (Note that some policies will not cover pre-existing conditions.)
Pet insurance is an essential part of being a pet owner, and there are many reasons you should consider purchasing it for your Papillon. Pet insurance for the breed is essential because its small size means that car accidents or dog fights can easily injure it. If a Papillon is injured, their medical bills can be very costly, especially since they tend to develop health issues later.
This breed has a long lifespan, and as they age, they become more susceptible to diseases such as arthritis and cancer. With so many potential issues that could affect Papillons, pet insurance is a great way to help offset the costs of these diseases and injuries if they occur with your dog.
Common health conditions for a Papillon
Despite their delicate appearance, Papillons are generally healthy dogs. However, some health conditions affect this breed more than others. These include:
- Hypothyroidism: This is a condition in which the thyroid gland produces too little thyroid hormone and is relatively common in dogs, especially in medium and large breeds. Symptoms include lethargy and weight gain, but this condition isn’t often diagnosed in Papillons.
- Collapsing Trachea: The trachea (windpipe) comprises rings of cartilage that keep it open so that air can pass through easily. If the cartilage rings are weakened, they may collapse on themselves and make it difficult for air to travel into your dog’s lungs. This may cause noisy breathing and coughing, especially at night or after exercise. Your vet will probably have you take an x-ray of your dog’s chest to confirm the diagnosis. Treatment options include medication, nutraceuticals, and surgery.
- Liver stunt: This condition develops when part of the liver fails to develop properly before birth. Signs include poor appetite and jaundice (yellowing of the eyes). A blood test can confirm the diagnosis. Treatment depends on the severity of signs and ranges from dietary management to surgical removal of the affected part of the liver.
- Urinary stones: Stones can form in the urinary tract due to various causes, including diet, genetics, and underlying diseases such as diabetes or kidney failure. Signs include straining to urinate or blood in the urine. Stones may require surgical removal if they cannot be passed naturally.
What does pet insurance cover for a Papillon?
As long as you’re diligent about paying your monthly premium, pet insurance coverage can help you pay your bills in an emergency. It depends on your plan and provider. With the right plan, you can get coverage for these types of emergencies:
- Accidents: Accident plans cover vet bills if your pet needs treatment for broken bones, cuts, or other injuries caused by accidents such as falls or car accidents. You may also be able to add optional coverage for poison or snake bite treatments.
- Illness: Papillons are prone to allergies, so if yours has a chronic sneeze, it could be covered by health insurance. This would also include conditions like cancer or diabetes.
- Routine care: Some plans include routine check-ups, vaccinations, flea and worm treatments, or dentistry. Most pet insurance policies will offer you an annual limit that can vary depending on your plan. You can also choose your excess amount (the amount you pay towards a claim) to lower the cost of your monthly premium.
How are pet insurance premiums determined for a Papillon?
Insurance companies determine pet insurance premiums based on a variety of factors. These factors include the following:
- Location: Insurance companies may have to charge higher premiums in certain areas if they have received more claims from those areas than average. They may also charge higher premiums if your area has a higher than average number of veterinary clinics because it will cost them more to reimburse you for your dog’s vet bills.
- Age: The older your dog, the more likely it will develop medical conditions and the more likely medical claims will be submitted. As a result, premiums generally increase with age.
- Deductible: The amount you choose for your dog’s deductible will affect how much you pay in premiums each month. If you choose a large deductible, you will pay lower monthly rates, but if you choose a small deductible, you will pay higher monthly rates.
- Gender: Male Papillons are typically insured at slightly lower rates than female Papillons because they tend to be less healthy and make more claims than females.
How to choose the best pet insurance plan for a Papillon
The following are some of the best ways to choose the best insurance company:
- Check out the company’s reputation: Most reviews are biased, often written by people who had a terrible experience or loved their insurer. Instead, look at independent sites like the Better Business Bureau’s website to see if anyone has recently filed a complaint against an insurer. The BBB evaluates companies on how well they respond to complaints and whether most of their complaints were resolved.
- Consider your budget: Pet insurance can be pricey, so check different plans from various insurers before you make your final decision. A policy that’s $40 per month might seem like an impossible expense for you, but it could be worth it in the long run if it means being able to afford treatment for your pet.
- Consider pre-existing conditions: Most pet insurance plans do not cover pre-existing conditions. If your dog has an existing condition, you can purchase a rider that offers some coverage. Still, it’s usually only for specific conditions and will come at a higher premium rate.
- Define your needs: You should consider both what you need from your pet insurance and what you’d like. “Need” factors include whether or not your Papillon is spayed or neutered or if you have a history of certain kinds of illnesses in your family. “Like” factors include having surgery and medications covered under the plan.