What You Need to Know About Dog Insurance

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Getting dog insurance for your beloved best friend can help you out of a very sticky and expensive situation. But aside from the costs, you can rest easy knowing you will have less of a burden at one of the worst times if your dog is hurt. Here are some things you need to know.

You Get Cover for Doggy Damage

Depending on your policy, you might be able to get third-party cover. This means you can claim for the recovery of any costs you have paid out if your dog damages something. Often, but not always, this also covers any costs incurred from a dog bite your pet might have done to somebody. However, this is often very dependent on the situation. So it's best to not expect a payout for this automatically. The claim you make for this goes towards the costs you might incur. These include medical expenses, legal costs, and damages made by a claimant.

An Epulis is Often Classed as Dental

An epulis is a non-cancerous tumor that can pop up all of a sudden. Some breeds, like Boxers, are more susceptible to these. As such, many insurers won't cover them as standard, if at all. This is because some of them class an epulis as preventable dental treatment. Although your dog can get one through no fault of yours or their own. So if you notice an epulis on your dog, be prepared to make a payment, which can be expensive. And once the work is complete, just be aware that you might not be able to recover the money you pay to a vet for this treatment.

Dog Insurance Isn't Expensive

Given the cost of living at the moment, you might put off getting insurance. However, this is a mistake that can cost you big. And it isn't as expensive as you think. For example, the average cost of insuring a dog in the UK is around £30 per month and $37.00 in USD. Yet it's likely you will pay much less than this. Yet even at the most expensive range, the cost of insurance more than offsets the costs you will incur if your dog needs expensive surgery, injures someone, or becomes very ill. For example, dental surgery alone can run into the thousands at a typical vet practice.

The Breed and Age Can Affect the Price

While you probably won't pay too much for your coverage, the cost of dog insurance can vary quite a bit. This is mostly because the health needs of different dog breeds are very different. Some breeds are more susceptible to certain illnesses than others. And this can increase costs. However, these are usually very specific, and your dog's cover will probably be lower than you think if it is in good health. However, you should also be aware that the age of your dog can also affect the cost. And many insurers have a maximum age range that they will allow on a policy.

You Can Claim When Your Dog Dies

Not all, but some insurers will allow you to claim for the sudden death of your dog. However, this is very dependent on the circumstances. For example, you probably won't be able to claim if your dog has been unwell, is old, or is predisposed to a specific illness. In a nutshell, the death of your dog has to be largely unexpected. Such as being run over by a vehicle, attacked by another dog, or even purposefully killed by someone. And to make a claim for reimbursement, you will have to provide evidence of the cost of your dog at the time you purchased them.

You Can Recover Costs when Your Dog Goes Missing

Hopefully, your dog never gets hurt or goes missing. But there is some help available if they do wander off or are stolen. When your dog goes missing, you will probably launch a campaign to find them. This often includes making posters and such. Your insurance holder might offer some respite in recovery of costs incurred when trying to ding your dog. Also the cost of a reward might also be included. So always check with your insurer. Although, the cost of the reward will probably be limited to a maximum. So, don't offer more than you can afford or get cover for.

Exclusions to Your Dog Insurance Policy

Having insurance for your dog is the right thing to do when it all comes down to it. However, you need to be aware that it isn't a free pass for every eventuality. And there are many exclusions to most policies. Typically, these include, but are not limited to, the following scenarios:

• The waiting period from when your cover starts.

• Any pre-existing medical conditions.

• Costs of your dog giving birth to puppies.

• Payouts if your dog is stolen.

• Medical issues that occur on both sides of the body.

• Preventable illnesses that are your responsibility.

• Specific conditions your breed is predisposed to.

• Dogs that have gone past a certain age.

• Non-urgent or unnecessary procedures like nail clipping.

• Other animal services such as kennel boarding.

These are some of the most common things that are not covered by your dog insurance. However, there are instances, such as higher rate cover, where you might be covered for something on this list. So make sure you understand your policy as provided by your insurer.

You Can Get Travel Cover

Traveling with your dog can be a great adventure. And the dogs love to get out and about. And the good news is that most pet insurance plans will cover your pet if it gets sick, is hurt, or needs veterinary care while you are traveling. However, you can also claim for money lost after paying for a holiday. Many insurers will also pay for lost travel and lodging costs if you have to cancel a trip because your pet gets sick and could die right before you leave. So it's always worth checking with your insurer if they will cover these costs before booking a holiday.

Not All Insurers Include Dental

Expensive treatments like an epulis aren't usually covered on your insurance policy. However, most pet insurance plans cover some dental care for your pet. In most cases, a few policies will only pay for dental care that is needed because of an accident, not because of illness. And those who do usually only cover your pet if it gets a once-a-year dental checkup. But it might be worth inquiring about dental cover. This is because some insurance providers will offer dental packages with an additional fee or as part of a more extensive dog insurance policy.

Each Insurer has a Variable Cover Range

Your dog insurance can be expensive or relatively cheap. This is because almost all dog insurance companies offer different packages that might suit you. For example, you could choose a policy that covers basic vet treatments. In this case, you probably won't need to pay too much. Or you could opt for a package that covers your dog for thousands worth of complex treatments and surgeries. Therefore, cover is largely variable across most insurers. And often you can always find one that offers the right cover at a reasonable price at the time.

Dog Insurance Can Cover Homeopathic Treatment

Sometimes extra treatments are needed for your dog's recovery. And just like people, this can extend to non-traditional treatments. If your vet recommends them, alternative treatments like homeopathy, acupuncture, and physiotherapy can be covered by your pet insurance. However, these are usually considered as a last resort or as part of a comprehensive treatment plan proven to yield positive results. You should be aware that if you decide to find these treatments for your dog by your own choice, you will not be able to make a claim from your provider.

Annual Injections Usually Aren't Covered

Of course, as a dog owner, you know the importance of your dog's annual vaccination injections. These protect against deadly illnesses like parvovirus. Therefore, they are absolutely essential. However, almost all policies don't provide cover for these since they are considered your responsibility. Fortunately, they don't cost too much. Also individual vet practices might also offer these as a complementary treatment if you also pay for a medical plan. Some vets offer medical plans as part of their business model, like private healthcare for your dog.

You Can Save a Lot of Money

Finally, if there's one thing you need to know about dog insurance, it's that it can and will save you a lot of money in the long run. With vet bills skyrocketing, like everything else, having insurance cover for your dog just makes financial sense. Otherwise, you could be left out of pocket or even have to use up savings and emergency money to pay for treatment. Of course, it's another monthly expense. But the savings you make are considerable when the time comes. So, in a nutshell, it's better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.

Summary

There are numerous aspects, clauses, and policies to dog insurance. While every insurer offers different things, there are some commonalities. On the face of it, most insurers cover third-party issues, have the same exclusions, and help you save a considerable amount of money.

Check your Pets for Heat Stroke and Cold Weather Stress Hypothermia

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Check your Pets for Heat Stroke
Overheating or Chilled Dog and Cat Advice

With extreme heat breaking records nationwide I thought it would be a good idea to tell you how you can check your dogs for overheating before, during and after training.

1. Never work or train your dog in the heat of the day, if you avoid the heat so should your dog.

Wait to do training at dusk or dawn when the ground is better suited for tracking. (More on this aspect of scent work coming in a future post)

When the weather is hot or chilly and icy outside, we often wonder if our outdoor pets are comfortable and we should check on outdoor pets often during any extreme weather conditions.

In training and working outdoors the weather can affect a dog's performance and should be taken into consideration while working with the dog.

2. When working with scent dogs the weather can affect the movement and action of the particles of scent making reading the dog more difficult when the handler does not adjust the search in order to give the dog a better chance at finding the scent.

By adjusting the search I mean, for instance, waiting until a cooler part of the day to begin tracking.

I'll be writing more about how to adjust the search for the dog to preform better in later posts and in tips that will be included in the Family Disaster Dog newsletter you can sign up for at the top right of the home page.

Not only can the weather affect how your dog works and when you should train your dog but most importantly with currents temperatures breaking heat records, the heat can cause a heat stroke that can kill your pet. Just like extreme cold can use up your dog's energy resources keeping warm to the point of your dog suffering without you realizing it until it is to late.

Photo by A.Higgins

3. While it is true that dogs and cats have fur coats that insulate them from extreme weather they can become stressed by the weather just like we do. Older, younger pets and animals that are kept in a heated or air conditioned home are especially prone to stress during extreme weather.

The amount of cold or heat an animal can take depends on the animal's internal comfort zone due to the environment they live in and not the breed of the animal.

Animals have to acclimate to new climate changes and this means their body has to make internal adjustments and the body has to have time to get use to making this adjustment in order to stay comfortable.

4. If the body is not given the time to adjust to the climate changes then the body goes into shock, this can happen quickly when the animal is working or slowly if the animal is resting.

All of a sudden you might find your dog or cat panting and unable to stand, they will get worst and can die if the temperature of the body is not brought back a comfortable level fast.

Either extreme reaction to the climate is treated the same. You have to reverse or bring the animal back from the extreme. If to hot, then you must cool them. If to cold, then you must warm them.

Below is how you can check your pets and livestock to see if the animal is experiencing shock due to a heat stroke or extreme cold which will result in hypothermia or freezing to death.

The steps below will work to check your animals to see if the body temperature is chilled or overheating.

Step 1

Look at your animas often in extreme weather and do a visual physical assessment, in other words, look your animals over closely from afar and see if anything looks unusual or abnormal.

This is done from afar to avoid disturbing the natural state of the animal for a better observation. If you are to close, the animal will change its stance, mood, or stop what its doing.

In the heat, look for excessive panting. If the tongue of the dog or cat is rolling up at the end when they pant the animal is overheating.

If the tongue is laying flat and dripping wet they are okay. As they get hotter the tongue will start to dry out and roll inwards to catch fluid and the tip will turn up.

This Old English Sheepdog is panting normal and smiling.

Dogs, cats and rabbits sweat from the pads of the feet, the nose and when panting and there's no need to worry if your pet is panting in the normal way.

Normal panting is not a bad sign that means your dog is over sweating, they pant when they are excited, hungry and happy too.

Panting is a sign of trouble when normal turns abnormal panting as outlined above due to loss of body fluids.

In cold weather, an animal that is chilled will seek warmth or curl up as small as possible to converse heat and energy. If the dog is working they will continue to work until they drop from exhaustion.

The only sign will be excessive panting which can be overlooked as a tired dog.

This is why it's important even in the cold to rest your dog and offer them water every 2 hours while tracking or working. A dog can overheat and perish within this 2 hour time period.


Step 2

After you have checked your dog's panting.

Feel your dog or cat's ears and see if they feel abnormally warm or cold.

The ear is a good indicator of the animal’s body temperature.

Step 3

Next place your hand between the leg and body at the arm pit (or leg pit, in the case of our four legged friends). This is the best place to get an accurate reading of the animal's body temperature.

You can feel if the animal feels to hot or to cold to touch and this can tell you, if the animal is overheated or to cold.

An animal's body temperature is slightly warmer then ours and it's best to feel a normal animal and compare the warmth you feel to a sick animal if you do not know what normal feels like in your pet.

Step 4

The third place to check is the stomach by placing your palm against the animal's belly. Again feel to see if the animal is to hot or to cold. A chilled puppy or kitten means death is not far away, warm them immediately.

Step 5

By checking all three areas you can come to a conclusion on the condition of the temperature of your pet's body.

Normal Panting in the winter-Yes she has a hat on!
photo by A.Higgins

What to Do

What you do is critical to the survival of the animal that is going into shock from extreme heat or cold. You must warm or cool them as soon as possible and by any means available.

1. If the animal is working at a quick pace, slow them down slowly.

But Do Not stop all of a sudden when a dog is in full gear. Make sure you take the time to slow them down slowly to cool off gradually, similar to how a horse is cooled down after a hard ride, so should a dog.

2. Offer an overheating animal water asap but do not let them drink to much water at once. Only offer a hot dog a handful of not to cold water at a time.

A few handfuls of cool but not cold water is enough or they will over drink or gulp air leading to bloat and colic which can have serious consequences.

3. If your animal is overheating, you can place wet rags, towels or ice wrapped in baggies around the neck behind the ears, under the forelegs (underarm area where there is no hair) and under the backside upon the stomach.

4. Continue applying ice or wet towels until the animal cools down to normal behavior and relaxes their panting. A water hose, the bath tub, a lake, stream or pond is the next best place for an overheated pet.

5. Keep them wet but do not let them drink the water freely, until they are acting normal again.

Serious Consequences of Heatstroke or Freezing Pets

An animal can die within a very short time, if left unattended in extreme heat, within an hour or less under extreme conditions. Do not leave your animals in direct sunshine where they can't find shade and water.

Do not bring a wet animal into an air conditioned building or they can get chilled and develop hypothermia.

What to do If a Pet is Freezing

If your animal is ever to cold to the touch then warm them quickly any way you can.

Use blankets, towels, clothing or your own body heat in emergency situations. Take them inside a warm room and keep them contained so they can recover.

Offer lukewarm water a 1/2 cup at a time. They may not drink if they are very cold.

In Cold or Hot Weather Dehydration is Possible

Caution, if you cannot lift up the animal's lip easily, if the lip is dry and sticking to the gums or other lip then this is a sign they are dehydrated.

Check to see if the animal is dehydrated by lifting up the animal's skin between your fingers then let the skin go.

If the skin pops back into place then the animal is okay but if the skin stands up for a moment or longer the animal is lacking fluids.

They need fluid right away and they may be feeling to chill or exhausted to drink.

In this case, you can wet the lips and mouth with water, slowly get the dog to take water by dripping some in between the teeth and wetting the lips.

Only give a little bit of water at a time but do so very often, at least every  10-15 minutes for the first hour.

You should see a recover begin within an hour or two, at the most. If not, get your pet to the doctors!

You can add a little bit of sugar to the water with a pinch of salt to help the dog recover faster, you can also give children's Pedialyte fluid drink or Gatorade to dehydrated dogs and cats to help them recover.

I always carried powder Gatorade with Sue and I, she liked the grape flavor best but would only drink this when she was overheated, not thirsty.

A hiker in the woods can walk right pass a water source without even knowing it but a dog will smell the water.

Other things you can do to keep your dogs and outdoor pets cool.

I always give my outdoor dogs a plastic swimming pool in the summer and the pups often lay in the feed bowls to keep cool.

A hose hung high above kennels and pens, out of the dog's reach with mist fittings or many small holes poked in the hose works well to cool off outdoor dogs.

I usually go outside once or twice a day to hose down the trees and roofs of the kennel buildings and yards around the dogs to cool off the whole area when the heat of summer goes over 85 degrees. This works for other outdoor livestock or pets, like rabbits or penned up chickens who cannot get out of the hot pen to seek cooler shelter.

Sue and I

Incredible Sue quite often took us off the person's trail we were following in the heat of the Arkansas summer. At first I asked her, what are you doing?

Each time she would find a creek or small stream hidden in the brush we would have otherwise passed right by. What a nice break this was on the hot 100 plus degree days.

Sue always amazed me when she taught me how smart she was. We would jump in, splash around a bit then her nose would go up in the air and away we would go, back on the person's trail.

Sue always knew exactly what she was doing and if you learn to watch and read your animals then you can be taught by them just as easily as you teach them.

Be sure to subscribe updates and new posts. I will be including tips and tricks for working with your family search and rescue dogs, along with other general information about dog care and training.

Thanks for following Family Disaster Dogs so your dogs can learn how to save you!

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