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Last Updated on April 17, 2024 by Insurdinary Editorial Team | Fact Checked by Rhonda Gary -->
Your pets provide plenty of love and comfort to you as their human companion. As a pet owner, you never want to see your four-legged friend in poor health, but pet health challenges are, unfortunately, quite common. Veterinarians diagnose a chronic disease in pets fairly often, so it’s wise to think about whether paying for these high medical costs could leave you cash-strapped.
If it could leave you in a precarious financial position, consider an alternative—with pet insurance, managing chronic pet ailments doesn't have to strain you financially. This type of coverage offers you relief from exorbitant veterinary bills while providing your pet with the best care possible.
Below, learn how insurance plans may benefit pet owners, particularly if they’re caring for animals with long-term health conditions.
What constitutes a chronic disease in pets? Just like a human can suffer from diabetes, asthma, or other long-term health conditions, animals experience their own forms of chronic disease.
Still, if your veterinarian diagnoses your pet with a chronic disease, it doesn't mean they can't live a long, relatively healthy life. It just means that the illness recurs in the long term or needs ongoing medication or alternative therapies.
In other words, your pet will likely have this condition for the rest of their life, but it shouldn't deter them from being a happy, loving companion.
Veterinarians diagnose chronic diseases in pets with routine health examinations. When you bring your pet in for their yearly check-up, the doctor will monitor changes in their health and review the following:
The doctor may also test a stool sample to check for worms or digestive problems.
If you report any other health issues, the vet may request blood work for a better glimpse into your pet's well-being. The physical exam and subsequent tests could indicate a chronic illness, which you'll then need to monitor.
Many long-term pet health conditions are manageable but require treatment and medication. Some conditions also need more extensive measures, such as regular injections or radiation therapy. Depending on your animal's diagnosis, their veterinarian will explain the best course of treatment for keeping them happy and healthy.
There are several conditions in animals requiring ongoing care, and these can vary in severity. It's also possible for your pet to battle more than one illness.
What are the most common chronic diseases that veterinarians diagnose? Below is a breakdown of medical conditions you might need to treat your pet for.
It's normal for dogs and cats to experience an allergic reaction to certain substances. They can have food or environmental allergies, such as reactions to pollen, dust, or grass. The symptoms depend on the animal.
For example, a dog with a specific food allergy may experience digestive issues like vomiting or diarrhea after ingesting their food. An environmental allergy could lead to itching, rashes, and other forms of skin irritation.
The kidneys have the important responsibility of filtering waste from an animal's body.
When the kidneys aren't functioning sufficiently, your pet may experience frequent urination and vomiting, as well as appetite loss.
Your animal's thyroid gland could also give problems. An overactive thyroid, also called hyperthyroidism, usually leads to restlessness, an increased heart rate, heat intolerance, and weight loss. This chronic disease in pets is most common in cats over 7 years old.
On the opposite end of the spectrum is hypothyroidism, where this thyroid gland is underactive. It's more common in dogs and leads to symptoms like:
Sick animals may have trouble emptying waste from their body if they suffer from a urinary tract infection.
This chronic illness typically results in difficulty urinating or having bloody or cloudy urine. Other symptoms include:
Your vet will listen closely to your animal's lungs to rule out an asthma diagnosis.
Dogs and cats with asthma have respiratory problems due to inflammation in the lungs and upper airways. They often exhibit symptoms like labored breathing, wheezing, and coughing.
Cancerous masses can appear in an animal and spread.
If so, your pet could undergo treatment for a variety of cancers of the spleen, liver, and lymphatic system.
The goal of every pet owner is to see their animal live a long and healthy life. However, giving your pet the best care possible comes at a cost.
One 2023 survey of 1,500 pet parents from Rover.com reported that dog owners are paying between $610 and $3,555 annually, while cat owners are paying about half of that. This includes essential costs like pet food and supplies and medical expenses.
You can enroll in a number of different insurance plans that fit your pet's needs and your budget. They often cover accidents and illnesses, though you can also purchase a supplemental plan for preventative and wellness treatment.
When it comes to treating a chronic disease in pets, robust insurance will drastically reduce your veterinary costs. Say a vet diagnoses your pet with a form of cancer, detecting and removing a mass. This surgical procedure can cost thousands out of pocket, but pet insurance covers the majority of the cost for major procedures like this.
Pet insurance also covers prescription medications that your vet recommends, such as for mild cases of hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. Making an insurance claim allows your provider to reimburse you up to 90%, which adds up quickly month after month.
In general, pet insurance plans offer either unlimited coverage or cap your pet's medical expenses each year. They have a deductible, which you'll have to pay out-of-pocket before the insurance kicks in, and a reimbursement rate. Still, every pet policy varies, so be sure to check the terms and conditions before enrolling.
Insurance policies typically don't provide any coverage for pre-existing conditions, so it's wise to enroll in a plan while your pet is young and healthy for the maximum benefits. The premium you pay each month depends on:
To treat a chronic disease in pets, veterinarians will often recommend prescription food, medication, or therapy. As long as this condition isn't present when you enroll in a pet insurance plan, the policy will cover treatment costs down the road.
In some cases, you'll receive flexible coverage for chronic illnesses (this often comes down to an animal's genetics). For example, dog breeds prone to issues like hip dysplasia can receive the proper care when you find a provider that includes this condition in their coverage.
How can you be sure that you're making the right choice for pet insurance? Searching for a policy requires more than just checking out the price. You'll need to confirm the type of coverage the plan offers and the reimbursement rate.
The following tips can help you choose the best insurance plan for your pet:
Treating a chronic disease in pets can quickly add up, especially if you receive a diagnosis while they're still young. Purchasing a pet insurance plan as soon as you welcome your furry friend into the family will save you on future treatments. If your pet is older or of a breed with known health problems, don't hesitate to insure them since higher veterinary costs become more likely over time.
Finally, it doesn't hurt to consult with a vet either before welcoming your pet home or during their first check-up. Ask the medical professional whether your pet could be prone to chronic illness, such as asthma or kidney disease. Also, ask about the warning signs and symptoms of common illnesses because taking professional advice into consideration can help you search for just the right pet insurance plan that won't break the bank.
Sufficient pet insurance remains vital for affordably treating a chronic disease in pets. At Insurdinary, we help pet owners like you find and compare comprehensive insurance plans that provide the coverage you need at the lowest costs.
We will find a policy that fits your needs from a reputable pet insurance provider on Insurdinary’s online platform. You’ll find the right plan and can contact our specialists to learn more about pet insurance!