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The Best Pet Insurance for Afghan Hound Dogs

As pet parents, we always want the best for our fur-babies. We strive to provide them with a happy and healthy life, and that includes giving them proper medical care when they need it. Since unexpected vet bills are a major financial burden, pet insurance has become a must-have for emergencies. How do you know what is the best pet insurance for your Afghan Hound? In this blog, we'll explore the options and compare the benefits to help you make an informed decision.

The first (and most important) step is to know exactly what kind of benefits your Afghan Hound needs.

Afghan Hound Health Risk Profile

With unexpected vet bills ranging from $1,000 for a minor incident to $50,000 or more for a major emergency, choosing between our savings and our fur-baby can become a reality for many. Here’s an idea of how likely Afghan Hounds are to rack up big vet bills.

For Afghan Hounds, your best bet is to make sure there are no reimbursement limits on your pet insurance.

10 Inherited Health Problems in Afghan Hounds

Here’s a quick peek at 10 inherited health problems in Afghan Hounds. Be sure these conditions are not excluded from your benefits:

1

Bloat (Gastric Torsion)

Bloat is a serious condition where the stomach twists on itself and fills with air. This can cause pressure on the diaphragm, making it difficult for the dog to breathe, and also cuts off blood supply to the stomach. If not treated quickly, it can be fatal.

2

Hip Dysplasia

Hip dysplasia is a condition where the hip joint doesn't develop properly, causing arthritis and pain. This can lead to difficulty walking, climbing stairs, and other mobility issues.

3

Eye Problems (including Progressive Retinal Atrophy)

Afghan Hounds are prone to eye problems such as cataracts, glaucoma, and Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA). PRA is a degenerative eye disease that causes blindness over time.

4

Skin Allergies

Afghan Hounds have delicate skin that is prone to allergies, causing itching, redness, and hair loss. This can be caused by flea bites, food allergies, or environmental allergens.

5

Thyroid Issues (Hypothyroidism)

Hypothyroidism is a condition where the thyroid gland doesn't produce enough hormones, leading to weight gain, fatigue, and skin problems.

6

Autoimmune Disorders (such as Lupus)

Autoimmune disorders occur when the body's immune system attacks its own cells and tissues. In Afghan Hounds, autoimmune disorders such as Lupus can cause skin, joint, and kidney problems.

7

Osteosarcoma (Bone Cancer)

Osteosarcoma is a type of bone cancer that is particularly aggressive and can spread quickly to other parts of the body.

8

Joint Problems (including Elbow Dysplasia)

Afghan Hounds are prone to joint problems such as elbow dysplasia and arthritis, which can cause pain and mobility issues.

9

Cardiac Issues (including Dilated Cardiomyopathy)

Afghan Hounds can be prone to heart problems, such as Dilated Cardiomyopathy, which is a condition where the heart becomes enlarged and weakened, leading to heart failure.

10

Addison's Disease

Addison's disease is a condition where the adrenal glands don't produce enough hormones, leading to weight loss, fatigue, and low blood pressure.

This is where pet insurance comes in. …Or, does it?

Depends on what do you mean by “best” pet insurance.

As you know, pet insurance is a type of insurance policy that covers veterinary medical expenses when your Afghan Hound becomes sick or injured. Depending on the policy you choose, pet insurance can cover a wide range of medical expenses, including surgery, medication, and hospitalization.

However, it’s important to understand that coverage exclusions exist in all pet insurance companies, which limit the effectiveness of even the best pet insurance. More importantly: because pet insurance is a type of property insurance, it does not provide the same level of benefits we expect in our human health insurance.

Many pet parents find out too late that all pet insurance excludes pre-existing conditions, and this can be a major deal-breaker. Plus, without pre-existing condition coverage, you can't switch pet insurance companies without losing coverage on all previous health problems after your Afghan Hound is sick or injured. Better hope you choose wisely the first time, because there are no do-overs with pet insurance.

As you can see, pet insurance is an option to cover (some) big vet bills, but it’s far from perfect.

What’s the best pet insurance for Afghan Hounds?

Luckily there are pet insurance alternatives for Afghan Hounds, such as pet medical cost shares. Pet medical cost sharing allows pet parents to pool financial resources to cover eligible pet medical expenses.

"Unexpected pet medical expenses can happen at any time."

Of the available options, Pawamedics pet medical cost share is the best pet insurance alternative for Afghan Hounds. As a 501(c)3 nonprofit, Pawamedics' focus is on providing better benefits and value than any pet insurance offers.

Unlike pet insurance, Pawamedics includes pre-existing conditions on a phased-in basis, and offers unlimited reimbursements for pet medical expenses. All your Afghan Hound’s conditions are included in benefits, whether they are the inherited conditions above or something else entirely. Plus, medications are always included with Pawamedics, making it a simple and straightforward way to cover your Afghan Hound's medical expenses.

Pawamedics pet medical cost share Membership benefits include illness, injuries, and wellness care for Afghan Hounds.

Unexpected pet medical expenses can happen at any time. Waiting until you already have big pet medical costs to sign up is always too late to get help with current expenses. But even if your pet already has big vet bills, getting pet insurance, joining a pet medical cost share, or finding another pet insurance alternative now will avoid big pet medical costs in the future. As pet parents, it's up to us to make sure we provide the best care possible for our beloved pets, and Pawamedics can help us achieve that goal.

As a 501(c)3 nonprofit, we do not accept compensation for our blog posts, nor for reviewing, recommending, or linking to others.

Disclaimer

This website is not a substitute for medical/veterinary counsel, financial counsel, or legal counsel. Please always consult an appropriate qualified professional for advice on your specific situation. Information provided by this website may not be accurate or complete at any given time. Pawamedics disclaims all liability regarding any actions taken or not taken based on any contents of this website.

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