Is pet insurance worth it for a Pekingese?
Pet insurance is a worthwhile investment for many reasons. You can ensure that your pet will receive the medical treatment she needs by paying a small monthly fee, even if it’s expensive.
These dogs are prone to the luxating patella and eye problems and a few other health issues,” said Chris. “Luxating patella is caused by a dislocation of the kneecap, which can cause lameness and pain. Eye problems include progressive retinal atrophy, an inherited condition that causes blindness. These conditions may require expensive veterinary costs, and that is where pet insurance steps in to help you offset the costs.
Pet insurance can also be cost-effective. If your dog has a significant illness or injury in his lifetime, health insurance could easily save you thousands of dollars.
Pet insurance probably isn’t worth it for a Pekingese. It can be pretty expensive, so if you’re worried about the cost of veterinary care, you might be better off putting money into a savings account each month instead, giving peace of mind.
Common health conditions for a Pekingese
Like all dogs, Pekingese can suffer from health problems. Some are genetic, and some are environmental. The best way to prevent diseases is to take care of your dog and ensure she has regular check-ups at the vet’s office. Here are the health conditions that Pekingese may suffer from or be born with:
- Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome: This is one of the most common health conditions that affect Pekingese. Brachycephalic airway syndrome occurs because the dog’s skull is too small to house all of its facial features. Because the skull is so tiny, it exerts pressure on the dog’s trachea, causing it to collapse during respiration. Brachycephalic airway syndrome can cause your dog to snore, have difficulty breathing or even suffocate if you leave them in hot temperatures or become over-excited during playtime. This condition can lead to heart failure if it continues for long enough, so seek treatment quickly if you notice your Pekingese having trouble breathing.
- Patellar luxation: This is a common knee condition that affects small dogs like Pekingese. Compared to a kneecap, the patella is not correctly aligned with the lower leg bones, causing lameness and discomfort in the joint. Surgery may be necessary to repair this condition.
- Intervertebral disc disease: This is a common problem for small dogs due to the stress of their body weight on their spines. IVDD includes pain, loss of coordination (including falling over when trying to walk), paralysis, and incontinence. Severe cases may require surgery.
- Eye Diseases: The dog may suffer from several eye diseases, including Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), Glaucoma, and Distichiasis. PRA is an inherited disease that causes the retinal cells to deteriorate over time. There is no cure for this disease, which usually results in blindness.
What does pet insurance cover for a Pekingese?
Pet health insurance is designed to keep care costs down by paying a portion of the bill for covered accidents, illnesses, and routine care. Since you can choose your vet, there are no networks to deal with and no claim forms to fill out. Here’s how pet insurance works:
- Accidents: Pet insurance can cover the cost of treating an accident that may occur on a walk or at home. For example, if your Pekingese gets hit by a car or eats something poisonous, your policy will reimburse you for the treatment needed to help them recover.
- Illness: If your Pekingese becomes sick due to an illness such as a urinary infection or diabetes, pet insurance will help you pay for their care and treatment.
- Routine care: Some policies offer coverage of regular wellness exams, vaccinations, and other routine care needs like flea prevention and parasite control.
How are pet insurance premiums determined for a Pekingese?
Several factors determine pet insurance premiums:
- Location: The region you live in will affect how much you pay for your pet’s insurance. This is because certain health conditions are expected in certain areas, which affects the price of the individual plan. For example, a Pekingese in the Midwest might have different health risks than a Pekingese in California.
- Age: In general, premiums rise over time as your pet ages, not just because older pets tend to have more health problems. As pets get older, there is also a higher risk of developing severe conditions that could be very expensive to treat. For example, as a Pekingese gets older, its chances of developing hip dysplasia increase significantly.
- Deductible: Your deductible can affect how much you pay for premiums. The higher the deductible, the lower your monthly payments will be. However, if you need to take your pet to the vet, you’ll have to cover a more significant portion of the bill before your insurance kicks in.
- Gender: Some insurance providers may charge slightly higher premiums for male dogs since they are more prone to certain conditions like testicular cancer and prostate disease.
How to choose the best pet insurance plan for a Pekingese
Choosing the right pet insurance plan can be a daunting task. Each plan has different coverage benefits and exclusions and different ways to determine how much you will pay out of pocket. Here are some things to consider:
- Check out the company’s reputation: The first thing you should do when researching pet insurance companies is to find out how long they’ve been in business and their reputation. If a company has only been in business for a few years, it might not be the best option for ensuring your pet. It’s worth it to work with an established provider that will be around for years to come.
- Consider your budget: Pet insurance can be costly, especially for older pets. If you’re on a limited budget, consider researching discount plans that are available instead of complete coverage plans. These plans can significantly reduce the overall cost of your insurance premiums without sacrificing quality coverage.
- Consider pre-existing conditions: Before selecting a plan, it’s essential to understand that some companies won’t cover pre-existing conditions. And because many of the common health issues for Pekingese are congenital in origin, they may be considered pre-existing conditions. For this reason, it’s generally best to buy coverage for your pup as early as possible.
- Define your needs: When looking for insurance for your Pekingese, here are some things to think about: Accident-only plans cover accidents like dog fights or car accidents but don’t cover routine vet visits or illnesses. If your dog hasn’t had any severe injuries and is young and healthy, accident-only could be the best option.