If you have taken out dog insurance to cover the veterinary costs you may incur for your dog or puppy, then you’re in the minority. The majority of pet owners never think about dog insurance – until, that is, they receive a vet bill in the hundreds, or thousands, of dollars. And to think that dog health insurance would have covered those fees!

Have you ever suffered a broken bone yourself? Well, your dog is no less likely to do so. Dog bone fractures occur across the spectrum, as well – a dog that stays indoors is not much less likely to break a bone as a dog that spends all his/her time in the backyard. And broken bones of course also occur elsewhere – when you’re out walking, or running, with your dog, or if your dog takes off on a jaunt of his own, as many do if they get half a chance. And broken bones are not cheap. The avery vet bill for a broken leg is almost one thousand dollars.

Dog Insurance Options

As with any insurance plan, the types of coverage offered and the prices for these premiums will vary from company to company. However, you can expect the top dog insurance plans to offer coverage on the following veterinarian services:

Spaying and Neutering: As you know, all dogs (except those being professionally bred, or shown) should be de-sexed. Many dog insurance policies cover the entire cost of spaying and neutering, which is great, because those procedures cost at least a couple hundred dollars for a straightforward operation – never mind if your dog experiences expensive complications, which can happen with any surgery.

Prescription Flea Control: Some dogs just don’t respond adequately to over-the-counter flea remedies. And fleas must be taken seriously, not only for your dog’s comfort, but because they also carry various diseases and encourage other parasites. Dog insurance plans may cover the costs of the more potent prescription flea control products.

Annual Veterinary Examination: This is essential for all dogs, even if you think your dog is in peak health. The annual checkup can identify illness and disease before it progresses into something much worse, so that treatment can start at the earliest opportunity. Many dog insurance policies cover the annual veterinary examination costs.

Heartworm Treatment: If your dog is diagnosed with heartworm, immediate treatment is required. And it’s expensive. Although it’s certainly by far preferable to avoid the heartworm infestation in the first place by using heartworm prevention, your dog insurance should in fact cover the cost of heartworm treatment should the need ever arise.

Pathology Lab Fees: Blood tests and other lab work is covered by most dog insurance. You never know when blood work will be needed, and it is important in quickly identifying serious conditions such as heartworm and dog diabetes.

Teeth Cleaning: Some dogs need their teeth cleaned under anaesthetic on a semi-regular basis. Other dogs may never need this procedure. But how do you know? Your dog may need his/her teeth cleaned, and if you have dog insurance, you’ll probably be covered for this.

Hospitalization Fees: Accidents and illnesses do have a habit of occurring when you least expect them. And they can be very expensive, as already noted. There is also the possiblity of complications of other procedures, such as de-sexing procedures or even teeth cleaning. Complications of surgery may require that your dog have blood transfusions or be monitored in intensive care. Now that’s a big expense. So instead of being landed with an exorbitant vet bill, your dog insurance will cover you.