Medical insurance saves lives, and little Jasper here is a testament to that.
A couple of years ago, he was rushed to the ER for something that ended up being minor, and the emergency vet told his owner how important it is to have medical insurance in case something major happened down the road.
And it did.
One morning, the toddler let Jasper escape out the front door, and he was almost killed by larger dogs. There were penetrating wounds into his abdominal cavity, and his spleen and other organs were outside the body. He required anesthesia, surgery and hospitalization.
Luckily, Jasper’s owner had taken the vet’s advice after that first visit, and she had signed Jasper up for a good medical insurance policy as soon as she got home.
We are all proud of Jasper’s mom for getting medical insurance for Jasper.
The emergency vet tries to tell everyone that they should have medical insurance for their pets, but not everyone listens. We all know that it is a big added expense to pay for medical insurance every month, but we truly think that having medical insurance saved Jasper’s life.
Before you just go out and get a puppy, it is important to ask yourself:
- Am I truly prepared for the time and financial costs of having a puppy?
- Am I committed to the DAILY responsibility of feeding, caring for, picking up after, and spending time with a new family member for the next 10-20 years?
- Have I created a budget and accounted for cost of preventative medical care (shots, deworming, spay/neuter- easily $1K within the first year) and the enormous medical costs associated with illness, injuries, congenital problems (hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, brachycephalic airway syndrome in bulldogs, pugs, etc.) chronic health problems (skin problems, epilepsy, arthritis, diabetes), and emergencies?
- A good test: can I afford medical insurance for my pet (usually $60-$100/month)?
If not, you might end up in a difficult situation if your pet developed a medical problem down the road.
Related videos:
Having good medical insurance is highly recommended and can be life-saving in situations of catastrophic illness and injury. View the Pet Insurance Comparison Chart.
Additional Resources:
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control: Hotline: (888) 426-4435
- Preventive Health in Puppies
- Meet "Oliver"
- Medical Insurance Can Save Lives
- 3 Tips From The Emergency Vet That Could Save Your Pet's Life
WELCOME TO PET PARENTING 101! On this playlist, you will find all of the information that you need to be a responsible and informed pet parent, so that you can keep your furbaby safe from danger and be prepared for the worst case scenario. The year is 2020 and the days of being a "pet owner" are over. There was a time when pets were considered property, and people thought that if their dog got sick or broke a leg- "put it to sleep and get a new one." Our society's beliefs on the responsibilities of pet guardianship have evolved, but there is still a disconnect when it comes to giving pet parents the information that they need to be responsible and informed pet guardians.