The Best Pet Insurance for Australian Shepherd 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 Australian Shepherd? 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 Australian Shepherd needs.
Australian Shepherd 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 Australian Shepherds are to rack up big vet bills.
For Australian Shepherds, your best bet is to make sure there are no reimbursement limits on your pet insurance.
10 Inherited Health Problems in Australian Shepherds
Here’s a quick peek at 10 inherited health problems in Australian Shepherds. Be sure these conditions are not excluded from your benefits:
1
Hip dysplasia
A condition where the hip joint doesn't develop properly and can cause pain, lameness, and arthritis in dogs.
2
Elbow dysplasia
Similar to hip dysplasia, this is a condition where the elbow joint doesn't develop properly and can cause arthritis and lameness in dogs.
3
Epilepsy
A neurological disorder that causes seizures in dogs.
4
Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA)
A congenital eye disorder that affects the retina, choroid, and optic nerve in dogs.
5
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
A degenerative eye disease that leads to vision loss and eventual blindness in dogs.
6
Multi-Drug Sensitivity (MDR1 Gene Mutation)
A genetic mutation that makes some dogs highly sensitive to certain drugs and can cause serious side effects.
7
Allergic Dermatitis
A skin condition that causes itching, redness, and skin irritation in dogs.
8
Deafness
A genetic hearing loss that affects Australian Shepherd dogs.
9
Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI)
A condition where the pancreas doesn't produce enough digestive enzymes, leading to digestive problems in dogs.
10
Autoimmune Thyroiditis
An autoimmune condition that affects the thyroid gland and can cause weight gain, lethargy, and skin problems in dogs.
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 Australian Shepherd 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 Australian Shepherd 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 Australian Shepherds?
Luckily there are pet insurance alternatives for Australian Shepherds, 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 Australian Shepherds. 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 Australian Shepherd’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 Australian Shepherd's medical expenses.
Pawamedics pet medical cost share Membership benefits include illness, injuries, and wellness care for Australian Shepherds.
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.
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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.