Do you have Pet insurance?

Most of my co-workers laugh at me when I mention having pet insurance for my dogs.  That is, until their new puppy swallows something it can't pass, or their dog injures themselves.  Suddenly I am getting emails, phone calls or they stop by my desk.  Can I recommend a company, why did I choose one over the other etc.  Suddenly "that crazy doggie mama" has all the answers.

I have had insurance on all the dogs you met last week, and it gives me peace of mind to have it, even when I haven't had to use it yet.  Raja was the epitome of perfect health until the bone cancer and it allowed me to make choices that I might not have been able to meet if I didn't have it.  Mopar used it more than anyone...pneumonia from aspirating his lung with a piece of dog food, CCL surgery, numerous ear infections and finally the amputation.  Thankfully I have not had to use it for Samson, Buddy or Rocket and I hope I don't need too...but hope is not a strategy so it is there if I need it.

Pets Health Plan - http://www.petshealthplan.com/ is the insurance that I had for Raja and Mopar and still have for Samson and Buddy.  The pay out has been quick and they have always been professional, however because of the plan I chose, there was a $1500 limit per incident.  It certainly helped defray the cost, but when dealing with cancer, I wish the limit had been higher.  Also, they as many others pay a percentage of reasonable costs, not actual costs.  Samson and Buddy are still on it mainly because they are considered "senior" dogs and to change now, the premiums would be more expensive. 

Trupanion - http://www.trupanion.com/ is the insurance I chose for Rocket.  I have big plans for Rocket and hope to have him in agility and other competitions, which opens him up to potential injuries.  After researching quite a few, I chose Trupanion because after the deductible that I chose, they will pay 90% of the actual costs incurred - less the dr. visit fee, and there is no limit per year, incident or lifetime of the pet.  For an additional nominal monthly fee, you can add hip displaysia before the dogs first birthday and within 30 days of the policy.  Many insurances consider this a hereditary disease and will not cover it.  Hip replacements can be expensive.

There are many other pet insurance companies out there:  Embrace, Petplan and VPI.  All of these have limits, premiums can increase based on your pet aging and the pay out is based on "reasonable costs" and not actual.  I know that my vet's a bit more expensive than those in the surrounding area, but we have been going to him for years, and I like that their office has both an oncologist and cardiologist in case referrals are needed.

Even if I never have to submit a claim for Buddy, Samson or Rocket, my mind is at ease, knowing if an accident occurred or cancer or any illness struck again, that I can base the decision to move forward with the treatment on what is best for my "fur" kid instead of what is best for my wallet.

Do you have Mushrooms in your Backyard?

Today I was in the yard picking up after the dogs.  Having 3 large dogs, if this goes more than a few days, the landmines pile up.  I have to admit this ONE responsibility of having dogs has made me second guess my choice to not have a human child.  I mean child labor is cheap or so my friends tell me.

While walking through the yard, I came across a brown mushroom and it reminded me that as the weather becomes wetter that I must be more diligent on clearing the yard of mushrooms.  Last year I had seen an article online of a young healthy Bernese Mountain Dog who ingested a death cap mushroom and died from mushroom toxicity.  Here is a link to the flyer which shows what the death cap mushroom looks like.  http://bernese.biz/MushroomFlyer.pdf

In general all backyard wild mushrooms should be treated as poisonous.  Symptoms of mushroom poisoning include: Vomiting, Diarrhea, Abdominal Pain, Lethargy, Jaundice, Seizures, Coma, Excess Salivation.  So what should you do?

If your dog has eaten poisonous mushrooms and you catch him in the act (this is where the "Drop it" and "Leave it" commands come in handy):

• Remove any pieces from the dog's mouth and...
• Induce vomiting
• Call your veterinarian

If your dog has eaten poisonous mushrooms, but there is a short delay in realizing what has happened:

• Save the specimens for identification
• Call your veterinarian or take your dog to the emergency veterinary hospital immediately.

If your dog has eaten poisonous mushrooms and any of the above symptoms appear

• Take your dog to the emergency veterinary hospital immediately.

Always keep your eyes open for mushrooms in your yard as well as the neighborhood when you take your dog for a walk or to the dog park.  If you find them in your yard, dig them up.  Smashing them or kicking them will only spread the pores allowing more to grow.