Let’s Look at Pet Health Insurance
As if you weren’t tired of the subject of health insurance let’s look at PET HEALTH INSURANCE which relies on breed profiling. According to multi-award winning veterinarian Nancy Kay, “THOSE OF US IN THE VETERINARY PROFESSION BREED PROFILE ON A REGULAR BASIS PARTICULARLY PERTAINING TO HEALTH ISSUES. Name just about any breed or dog or cat and I can provide you with a laundry list of potentially inherited diseases,” she writes in her Blog, “Spot Speaks”. She cites Patty Khuly a University of Pennsylvania veterinarian who has created a comprehensive list of canine breed-related diseases and provides approximate cost to diagnose and treat. (I wonder if area veterinarians use these costs?)
Since my experience in breed profiling is about as negative as the insurance-driven DANGEROUS DOG list I had my doubts and so checked out the list for English Springer Spaniels. The profile assumed the dog was bred by a responsible breeder–and unfortunately as we know we cannot assume this. With regard to Springers the author cites the differences between Springers bred to hunt and Springers bred to show. Yes, there can be a difference but not always. Recently, I received a copy of a magazine with a Springer on the cover chasing a pheasant. The Springer was the very well-known show dog “Jesse James”. He was a product of artificial insemination and so his sire–now deceased–was a long ago dual champion. Again, the author made an assumption. And I have known Springers who came from shelters and some who were imported. There are as many variables in dogs as there are in us and so while breed profiles may be helpful guides for veterinarians they may also be dangerous–and expensive if a pet health insurance company is using them to set rates.
Will Boxer owners pay a higher premium than people who own a toy Poodle? Too often I wonder if veterinarians treat the disease and don’t see the dog. And since the profiles are under the auspices of a pet health insurance company I AM SUSPICIOUS! www.embracepetinsurance.com/PetHealth/default.aspx.
If pet owners are going to borrow anything from the health insurance industry, why not the medication/diet list? We should prepare a list of medications and foods our pets consume each day to include in his or her health records for veterinary use. Under medications we could include not only the names, but what it’s for, date started, dosage and instructions–the same information on supplements and foods. Then when we have questions (which we should write out beforehand also) ,we are all on the same page! And, importantly, this could yield useful breed information that works–and helps in a positive and useful way.
SHE’S BACK. Remember Tammy Grimes, the founder of “Dogs Deserve Better”, the anti-chaining group? She has been arrested again–this time for trespassing and “rescuing” three dogs. Apparently the dogs were not underfed and were in good shape. Because it isn’t against the law to chain a dog the owners can’t be charged with a crime. Video and pictures can’t be used as evidence because they were obtained illegally. And, yes, Pennsylvania has a new bill coming out to stop the chaining of dogs and Grimes hopes to alert people once again to her cause. Remember–a dog that is chained is not necessarily living with an uncaring owner or worse yet, that he breeds dogs to fight! An occupational therapist who during a home visit placed a chain outside so her patient who was recovering from hip surgery could allow his dog to leave the house and tend to his needs. For this dog owner it was important in caring for his dog to chain him–especially as he recuperates. Clearly, chaining and/or tethering is not a simple problem.
Apr 12, 2010 | | Uncategorized