RE: Kenny's choice
Hi Anne, Our two major companies here in Canada tell you what exclusions you have and you have 30days to cancel for full refund. They both include HD and ED providing the dog has not been diagnosed before the policy is set up. Same thing with OCD in the shoulder. There is a company on the west coast that is Vet Pet Insurance and I wonder if it is the same as the US company. The Canadian one is underwritten by Allianz. Their rates vary according to the age of the dog and remain the same for the duration of the policy, there is no set up fee but as a result you don't know what your exclusions are until you put in a claim. They do not cover congenital conditions such as HD or ED and tend to squirm out of anything if they can out negotiate the policy holder. Rose T.
RE: Kenny's choice
Me too! Me too! Had to go shopping for a puppy mobile with A/C that would accommodate our baby berner and her friends...! Bought a Dodge Durango (has A/C in the back). Marie with Pistache (it's ok mom, you can drive my car to go to work today...) -Original Message- From: Mary Shaver [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Sunday, March 02, 2003 9:37 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: 'Kenneth L Babcock' Subject: RE: Kenny's choice Kenny, you may find that you won't be spending $45,000 in vet bills, but as many of us have learned, you can't own just one berner at a time. I discovered when I adopted my second berner, Bailey, through our Rescue, that my free rescue dog cost me nearly $30,000 - not in vet bills, but in the cost of a new vehicle which could accommodate two dogs (and their duds)!! Betcha didn't think of THAT!! Mary and the girls, Laurel and Bailey, lounging comfortably in the back of their motor vehicle.
Re: Kenny's choice
Thanks Lisa, Although your information was very negative I apprieciate and need to know both good and bad of berner ownership. You say you paid 30X the purchase price of your berner for his illness? The breeder I met and very much liked gets $1500 per pup. If in fact that is the going rate do you mean to tell me that I should expect to pay $45000.00 for vet charges for my berner? Is there insurance available for them because $45k is way over my expected berner vet budget expectations?? Concerned. Kenny
Re: Kenny's choice
In a message dated 03/02/2003 8:03:01 AM Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: If in fact that is the going rate do you mean to tell me that I should expect to pay $45000.00 for vet charges for my berner? Is there insurance available for them because $45k is way over my expected berner vet budget expectations?? Kenny - While I do not mean to diminish the impact of Lisa's statement, I do not believe that the vast majority of Bernese owners spend anywhere near that amount on their dog's health care. Anyone can have the misfortune of severe and expensive illness in their pet and this is not limited to Bernese, nor are Berners particularly more susceptible to high cost problems than many other breeds, it seems that Berner owners/breeders are more open about the challenges they face. I have met thousands of Berners over the past 8 years and most of them are as healthy as dogs of other breeds I know. When it comes to the actual health costs, I can only relate what I have spent on my Flash. His average medical bills for any one year run about $400 - $500. This is strictly veterinary care and includes things such as heart worm tests and preventative medicine, annual booster vaccinations, biennial dentistry, annual blood panel and thyroid panel (he is hypothyroid) plus thyroid medication and miscellaneous visits to the vet for things such as a hematoma in the ear flap, a case of sarcoptic mange and currently a middle and outer ear infection that is resisting treatment. Now this may sound like a lot when written together this way G, but this is over a period of almost 7 years! And none of these issues is particularly Berner related, they could just as easily been found in my old Rottie, my Cavalier or any mixed breed! There are pet insurance companies, but their coverage is limited in maximum payments and they will not cover a claim if they feel (and it is their total decision) the condition is any way related to a genetic or congenital problem! Owning a dog, like having a child, is a big committment of both time and money. But the rewards are priceless. Anne Copeland, Flash,TDI/CGC (Berner, 8 1/2 yrs.) Gypsy TDI/CGC(Rescue Cavalier,2 yrs.) BMDCSEW Tracking Test Chair/Sec. NE ILL [EMAIL PROTECTED] Ty's memorial page: http://www.geocities.com/workingyorkie/ty.html Gypsy's page:http://hometown.aol.com/annes4/Gypsy.html
re: Kenny's choice(long response)
Kenny wroter: If in fact that is the going rate do you mean to tell me that I should expect to pay $45000.00 for vet charges for my berner? This sum is not what I would consider at all typical for the health care of the average berner. Most of us do not have the financial means to be able to pay for that kind of care. Fortunately, in many instances, it is not necessary. I have an 11 y.o. berner here who has not needed much more than preventive care for the bulk of her life(vaccines, heartworm medicine, dietary supplements, etc). I also have a berner who I just spent $1300 on to have an MRI done, which confirmed a trigeminal nerve tumor. This will of course lead to more expenses, as I try to keep him as comfortable and happy as I can for whatever time he has left, trying to make that good quality time as long as possible. The expenses related to the health care of berners, as in any living creature, are quite variable. Getting your dog from a responsible breeder helps minimize the risks of potential health problems, but can't eliminate the risk. Some berners have orthopedic problems, some of which are treated through surgery, others through more conservative means. Various cancers are prevalent in all dogs, with particular varieties more common in berners(like malignant histiocytosis). Incidences of auto-immune disorders, allergy problems, vision problems like PRA, thyroid disorders, and cardiac disorders have all been reported on this list. Many berners lead uneventful and healthy lives. Further, decisions about what can and should be done related to health issues are just as varied and individual. Some folks feel that it is most important to keep their dogs alive as long as possible, and that no expense is too much to achieve this goal. Others feel that sometimes the cure or treatment causes as much suffering as the illness, and prefer to let their dogs go, rather than prolong the suffering. This is no different than what we as humans struggle with in health decisions related to critically or terminally ill spouses, parents and children. Ask 10 people what their philosophy is about end of life care and decision making, and you will probably get 10 different opinions. Finally, some folks would like to be able to do more, but the cruel reality for all of us is that health care is expensive, and that everyone has different and limited means to meet that expense. I don't personally have any experience with health insurance for pets, so I can't comment on whether it is helpful or not. There was a discussion about it on this list a while ago - a search through the archives would give you more information about the pros and cons. Keep asking questions - its the best way to make an informed decision that you will be comfortable with. Ann Skinner, Tatters and Kerzon
Re: Kenny's choice
Kenny -- I don't believe you will find that 30X purchase price to be at all typical - however, it is possible - especially if your dog lives to be a veteran and develops any kind of serious health problem. We don't have that kind of money either! However, we spent over $1000 in a two week period on our first BMD, Toby, just before he died from MH. There were blood tests, ultrasounds, emergency boarding, medication, and then euthanasia. We have also spent quite a bit on our 2nd BMD since we got him in Nov 2001. He is a rehome that his breeder entrusted us with. We took him to the vet when we first got him - for routine checkup vaccinations - and found out he has renal failure. It has cost over $1600 so far for his testing, special diet, etc. Fortunately, our breeder helped with the initial testing neutering expenses. With 2 dogs and 3 cats in our home we spend an average of $1100 to $1200 a year on normal maintenance animal care - and the special cases are over and above that. We took in my sister's dog when she got sick (she had tumors which led to renal failure, and my sister couldn't take care of her). In a 2 week period we spent over $800 on tests and meds on her. It varies from dog to dog, and I don't think any one breed will end up costing more than any other breed (my opinion only). Taking responsibility for another life, human or animal, involves cost commitment. Some people can take on that responsibility; others can't. And many more do, but shouldn't have ;-( I'm sure the breeder you have been talking with can help you in your decision making. Good breeders are careful about who they entrust with the life of one of their kids. Let us know. Liz Steinweg The Crew Blue Moon's Baloo Berry Torte Baloo Bobby Sox (husky-x), Figaro (20+ lb Forest Cat) Rio Sahara (the Rat Cats) and in loving memory of my 1st BMD - Toby (6/29/97 - 6/30/00 lost to MH) Colorado Springs CO http://www.csbservices.com/personal/personal.htm - Original Message - From: Kenneth L Babcock [EMAIL PROTECTED] do you mean to tell me that I should expect to pay $45000.00 for vet charges for my berner?
Re: Kenny's choice
I agree that pet insurance is a good idea, but one should be aware that there are many exclusions. My Maddie ate about 3 feet of couch last fall when she was 4 or 5 months old...took her to the emerg. vet for treatment and the cost was covered. However, all her diagnostics/treatments for elbow dysplasia have been excluded (this is considered a genetic defect, apparently). When I first acquired Titan he had a bout of flea-bite dermatitis. Later that summer I bought the insurance; now I cannot get any coverage on skin conditions for him as they are considered a preexisting condition. I still think pet insurance is a good idea, however, and it is relatively affordable (about $17/month for each dog; this is VPI, Veterinary Pet Insurance). It's just wise to know up front about the things that may not be covered. Anne Cranford, NJ
RE: Kenny's choice
Kenny, you may find that you won't be spending $45,000 in vet bills, but as many of us have learned, you can't own just one berner at a time. I discovered when I adopted my second berner, Bailey, through our Rescue, that my free rescue dog cost me nearly $30,000 - not in vet bills, but in the cost of a new vehicle which could accommodate two dogs (and their duds)!! Betcha didn't think of THAT!! Mary and the girls, Laurel and Bailey, lounging comfortably in the back of their motor vehicle.
