Dog Tummy Problems and Insurance

WelshD

WelshD

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My dog has had recurring problems with his tummy/digestion for the last 8 months or so

He gets very sensitive around the area where his back legs meet his tummy and will yelp if you touch him or if he sits down or jumps on his back legs awkwardly

He has been to the vets on each occassion and its largely blamed on him eating manky rabbits, old chicken food etc. he runs free in our field for a good hour a day, we try to watch him all the time but if we are busy with the other animals he will no doubt root something out of a hedge! I doubt he would be content to wear a muzzle but I guess thats an option

The vet suspected there was something stuck on the last occassion but eventually ruled it out

He is a very good vet with a good reputation so I have no doubt he is accurate in his diagnosis but its happening again and I am starting to get concerned - I am wondering if at any point in the future we have further investigations done whether the insurance company will refuse to pay because of the history of problems

What I dont want is for this to go on for longer then when we try to claim be told we cant - I would rather try to persuade the vets to probe further now

Any advice would be useful thanks
 
He eats Forthglade wet food plus Natures Menu raw mince blocks, we managed to wean him on to that diet from Chappie which was at one point the only food he could eat without being sick

The vet wormed him last with a one dose tablet, I dont know what it was though
 
I would try to push for scans/x-rays. I would have thought that if this in on-going and your dog is sensitive around that area, then the vet would have usually suggested further investigations by now? It could be that he is just eating things he shouldn't and you may need to keep a close eye on him or he may need to wear a muzzle to stop him eating dead animals, but at least further investigations would pinpoint or rule out any other potential causes.

Not sure about the insurance, you may have to give them a call and find out. Have you been claiming for his on-going tummy problems?
 
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No. We havent claimed so far

It nearly got as far as x rays last time but the vet decided there was no blockage but his tummy was all tight and 'knotted'

I'm pretty sure he hasnt scavenged this time as one of the ponies was castrated last week and the dog went for the wound and so apart from one short fully supervised session he hasnt been to the field in days and has just been having on the lead walks

I've just bought some chappie and will see if he settles down again on that otherwise it will have to be the vets again
 
I would try keeping him on just one type of food.
Mixing raw with cooked is known to cause digestive upsets. If chappie works then stick with it.
 
Thank you both very much for your advice

I will see how the Chappie works for a few days but will also book him in to the vets for a check over I think

I guess he is destined for a life on Chappie but we all like to think we can do right by our dogs and I know its not the greatest quality food so thought I was doing the right thing. Will quit while I am ahead and just get the Chappie then!

Thanks again for taking the trouble to reply :)
 
It depends on your insurance - if you are insured for life then it is worth putting a claim in even if you don't get money back, just so they know it is a problem and won't quibble if it goes on longer than a year. If he is only insured for each condition for a year then I would push for everything you can now and work out what's going on, as you might have a problem if it does go over a year and you haven't claimed. Who are you insured with?

Insurance aside, I would be pushing for scan etc anyway, I would want to know for certain what is going on. Hope you get to the bottom of it soon.
 
hi just thought id say my dog has had loads of health issues including tummy problems (2 surgeries) loads of investigations ,hospital stays, loads of medications and the insurance has always paid out without question , thank goodness for insurance i say!! (we are with tesco insurance and hes an english bull terrier):)
just thought id add all of my dogs problems went completely when we changed his food -including regular fits !
 
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