Dog with a heart problem...

[Nudibranch]

At the vets today I saw a newspaper clipping up on the wall about a puppy they are treating. It has an extra heart chamber, and it's so unusual they are raising money (£3000) for it to have a risky operation which may help.

Now that's great, and I hope it works. But it did make me wonder why the owner didn't have insurance. The article mentioned he is a rescue puppy, so I also wonder why the rescue centre didn't either insist on it or at least advise very strongly to get it.

Of course, I don't know the whole story - anybody in the north east know different? It just seems very sad that they are having to fundraise when surely if it was insured, they'd have paid for the op?

 

[Acolyte]

I have never insured my dogs, and when I got my latest rescue greyhound I didnt continue her insurance after the 6 weeks free cover I got with her. It is a personal choice I make

I have had significant veterinary costs for my dogs over the years, but I have always covered them myself and I wouldnt appeal for money from the general public for something which I personally feel is my responsibility (i.e. the care and welfare of my own animals)

 

[Foxyfilly]

Is this the one?

http://alfiesheart.co.uk/?page_id=24

I've no idea where they got him from.

 

[BigRed]

I have never insured my dogs either. I have 4 and the cost of the premiums is too high.

I always make a decision on whether to proceed with treatment based on the condition of the dog, its prognosis and its age.

 

[Nudibranch]

Yes Skinnydogs, that's the one. Like I say, I hope he comes through but if you aren't going to pay for insurance I'm not sure it's right to appeal to the public to raise the money?

 

[suzyseymour]

She may have the puppy insured. I have got a rescue jack russell who was 6 months when I got him. He also has sever heart problems and needs medication on a daily basis and regular visits to the vet. He is insured, I got him insured as soon as I got him. But because he always had the condition and was in the vets the day after I got him, his insurance doesn't cover a penny of the costs. He spent a lot of time at the vets when I got him and cost a lot of money and the rescue refused to pay a penny!!!

 

[Faithkat]

I would have thought it would be most unlikely that an insurance company would insure a dog with a heart problem like that. It would be classed as a pre-existing condition.