Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hey all! Working at a vet clinic I know how quickly vet bills can rise. I'm considering pet insurance for Domino in case of future problems. Does anyone currently have insurance for their babies and if so do you like it? I know being a tripawd is tricky, do they consider it a pre existing condition? Any info would be great! Thanks so much
Cassie and Domino
“A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.”
Domino had his left front leg amputate on May 13th 2014 after being hit by a car. He's now living a happy healthy life on three legs :)
I didn't have pet insurance for Shelby (but oh how I wish that I had ...). I got Jasper insurance through Trupanion. Our vet offered us a free one-month trial and I like it. I like that it can be a low or high deductible depending on your pets age (thus reducing the monthly payment). So right now Jasper's healthy so she has a really high deductible and I'm paying like $20 a month. I don't think pet insurance was as prevalent or 'trendy' back in the day but I know a lot of people who have it. It also covers acupuncture which Tripawds can benefit from.
I think they evaluate where you are right now when you sign up (so tripawd would be exisiting condition for Domino) but anything else is fair game. That's why I started Jasper before she had any issues!
Good luck!
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
mom2shelby said
I didn't have pet insurance for Shelby (but oh how I wish that I had ...). I got Jasper insurance through Trupanion. Our vet offered us a free one-month trial and I like it. I like that it can be a low or high deductible depending on your pets age (thus reducing the monthly payment). So right now Jasper's healthy so she has a really high deductible and I'm paying like $20 a month. I don't think pet insurance was as prevalent or 'trendy' back in the day but I know a lot of people who have it. It also covers acupuncture which Tripawds can benefit from.I think they evaluate where you are right now when you sign up (so tripawd would be exisiting condition for Domino) but anything else is fair game. That's why I started Jasper before she had any issues!
Good luck!
Thanks Alison!
Yea my biggest concern is that if Tripawd is a pre existing condition for him, that nothing that he needs would be covered in the future :/ If he injures his other front leg due to over use, or needs rehab or an orthotic or a cart in the future. Those are the pricey things that I would want covered lol. As of now he's perfectly healthy and has no problems due to his amp. Trupanion is who I was looking into, I gave them a call, so I guess we'll see! Thanks again!
“A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.”
Domino had his left front leg amputate on May 13th 2014 after being hit by a car. He's now living a happy healthy life on three legs :)
Please let us know what they say, I've been considering it for Tanner as well. He's a young tripawd from injury, so my concern has been the same as yours.
Mom to Tripawd Angels Jake (2001-2014) and Rosco (2012-2015) and Tripawd Tanner. “Whatever happens tomorrow, we had today; and I'll always remember it”
Cassie, we are still deciding on a plan for my black Lab pup Pearl. I have also worked in my veterinary hospital for several years, and while there, was completely covered with VPI pet insurance. They are fairly popular and a decent company. My father-in-law also has had this insurance for his dogs for many years. I also know there are a few others here that have Healthy Paws insurance, which they seem to be happy with.
Don't know if this helps you at all, but at least you have a few other company names to look at.
Bonnie & Angel Polly
Great question!
After coping with cancer and not having insurance to cover costs, we decided to insure Wyatt Ray as soon as we got him. Our company, Pet's Best, does not consider being a Tripawd pre-existing, as long as everything that he was treated for when he lost his leg is currently healed and a closed case. I don't know what other insurance policies classify it as.
So far he's had about one major incident a year, every year of his life! These were all nothing that could have been avoided, all were weird situations, plus one gastropexy surgery, but each one was around $1,000-$1500 a piece. Without insurance this would have killed us. We had one policy that was a "per-incident" deductible, which didn't cover a whole lot. Recently we converted to a yearly deductible that is now just like a human health insurance policy and so far it's already proven worthwhile. Due to costs we opted out of the general preventive coverage that you can buy and just have a policy that covers unexpected illness, accidents, cancer and congenital/hereditary conditions.
Here are some forum discussions and posts that will help you decide.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks so much everyone! I've emailed several different companies to get quotes and see what my options are. It's just alot to decide lol. And thanks Rene for all of the great links!
Cassie and Domino
“A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.”
Domino had his left front leg amputate on May 13th 2014 after being hit by a car. He's now living a happy healthy life on three legs :)
Good news guys! I finally talked to someone from Trupanion, they seem to have a great system and cover a lot of things with no limit on coverage. They said since Domino's amputation was related to an accident and not cancer that anything further would be covered so long as it's not related to his initial accident. She did say that after I signed up, they would be able to access all of his records and let me know exactly what wouldn't be covered related to his amputation and if I wasn't happy with it I could cancel the policy. So I'm definitely considering going with them. I'll crunch some numbers and look into a couple of other companies as well. Thanks again!
Cassie and Domino
“A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.”
Domino had his left front leg amputate on May 13th 2014 after being hit by a car. He's now living a happy healthy life on three legs :)
I have Healthy Paws on the girls. No matter what insurance I would have gone with it would be higher than anybody else's premium because of their breed. I decided with them because of the one time yearly deductible and I can lower or raise that plus also decide on the percent i want to be reimbursed for. I decided lower deductible and higher reimbursement rate. It has paid off already 
Hugs
Michelle & Angel Sassy
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
I've looked into several other companies and just got off the phone with Healthy Paws (thanks Michelle!). They basically said the same thing as Trupanion but were much more confident in what they do and do not cover for Dom. She said that since he is a tripawd due to injury and not illness that any injury to his remaining legs would be covered. They don't quite cover as much as Trupanion in the way of rehab therapy and mobility devices, but said that they will look at it on a case by case basis. So if his vet prescribes a brace for his remaining front leg, they would look into it and possibly cover it. I also love that they offer the annual deductible, which Trupanion does not, and that you can change your reimbursement rate. With the same deductible and reimbursement rate, Healthy Paws came up about $11 cheaper a month for Domino than Trupanion. Thanks again for all of the advice and help! It looks like we'll be going with Healthy Paws. There are tons of companies out there that offer great plans, but this is the one for us.
Cassie and Domino
“A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.”
Domino had his left front leg amputate on May 13th 2014 after being hit by a car. He's now living a happy healthy life on three legs :)
Thank you, Rene, for posting this helpful info on insurance companies, it will greatly help our research into getting insurance for Pearl, while she is young and hopefully stays healthy for a little while.
Much Love,
Bonnie & Angel Polly
I always heard that cancer and chemo wasn't covered by insurance? Is this right? Obviously you would have to have the insurance before the diagnoses of cancer, but then would they cover any diagnostics?
Chance is a 10ish Shetland Sheepdog Mix who was rescued from the shelter in January of 2013 and diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in September of 2013. He had a front left amputation and 6 rounds of carboplatin. He had a great 11 months and was diagnosed with lung mets on 8/23/14. He was released to the bridge on 8/28/14.
Yes, Healthy paws covers cancer & cancer treatments. Yes, it says pre-existing conditions. Here is what happened to us. I had to take Jazz to the vet in the winter before I signed them up she slipped on the ice. They will cover that leg but not follow up care due to that condition. She hasn't had any more problems but is she were we would have to furnish notes from Dr so they know it wasn't from slipping on ice. They didn't consider it pre-existing.
I just thought this one better suited us.
Here is what is on their front page of their website.
Healthy Paws Pet Insurance coverage is provided with no limits on claims.
If your pet needs treatment for any accident or illness, and it’s not a pre-existing condition, you’re covered. It’s that simple.
- Illnesses
- Accidents
- Hereditary Conditions
- Congenital Conditions
- Chronic Conditions
- Cancer
- Diagnostic Treatment
- X-Rays, Blood Tests, Ultrasounds
- Surgery
- Hospitalization
- Prescription Medications
- Emergency Care
- Specialty Care
- Alternative Treatment
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
Good stuff.....thank you everybody...
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
Hi Everyone
We signed up Lily for Healthy Paws about six months before cancer struck (Lily was 8, I think)! They have covered everything!! $250 deductible and office visit fee not covered. They cover acupuncture and physical therapy. Sometimes, if the vet submits it before I leave the office-the claim is completed in a few hours and the check is sent out the next day!! I love, love, love them!! They used to call just to ask how Lily was doing. We pay about $57 for Lily and $38 for Remmy each month-worth every penny!!
Take care,
Joan and Lily
Our beautiful Lily was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in her front leg on 12/14/11 at age 8 and had amp on 12/16/11. She completed 5 rounds of carbo. She was so brave and kicked cancer's butt daily! She lived life fully for 4 years, 3 months, and 15 days after her amp. My angel is a warrior princess. I miss her so much.
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