Dog-Health

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Should you seriously consider buying a dog health insurance policy? Yes, you should. Here's why health insurance for dogs is a good idea:

Dog health insurance saves you money.

As with just about all other costs, veterinary expenses have increased rapidly in recent years. Without dog medical insurance (or more accurately, veterinary insurance), you are responsible for paying for everything: routine checkups, preventive procedures, emergency care and disease treatments. That will run into hundreds of dollars. Why not get some help?

Dog Health Insurance: Quick Cost Facts

• Health insurance for your dog, like health insurance for yourself, has annual premiums and deductibles.

• Pet insurance premiums depend on the breed of your dog and the type of policy you decide upon. If you have more than one dog, there is usually a reduced rate after the first policy. Dog health insurance deductibles can vary as well. The average annual deductible is about $100.

• You may choose among different coverage plans which are based on your dog’s age, breed, and pre-existing medical conditions. Some policies even consider the dog’s lifestyle; for instance, whether your dog is purely a pet or a watchdog, too.

Health Insurance for Dogs: Quick Coverage Facts

• Dog insurance healthcare plans can vary greatly. Some canine health plans are quite comprehensive, covering annual checkups, routine care, vaccinations and other preventive medications, and spaying/neutering, as well as illnesses and accidents. Others only cover unexpected sickness or injuries.

• Dog insurance coverage for emergencies begins immediately on most new dog health plans, with a 30-day waiting period for illness and other claims.

• Your dog’s age can affect your dog's health insurance coverage. Typically, policies begin veterinary healthcare coverage when the dog is 6 to 8 weeks old, although some will start when the dog is younger. Similarly, some dog health insurance companies only will cover dogs under 8 years old unless the animal was already insured with them before turning 8.

• Many dog health insurers will not cover your pet if she has a preexisting condition or a terminal illness. Some will insure the dog only if the condition is controlled or stable, usually for 6 months.

With all these options, it is important you check out the various dog health insurance companies, their pet insurance policies and corresponding dog healthcare plans.

In short, if you care about your dog, you should care about his health. If you care about your wallet, you should care about your dog's health insurance coverage, too.

About the Author

Joel Walsh is a regular contributor to i-love-dogs.com. Read his other articles, with even more information on getting the best dog healthcare: http://i-love-dogs.com>http://i-love-dogs.com [Web publication requirement: use "dog healthcare" as the anchor text/visible link text for the URL: http://i-love-dogs.com>http://i-love-dogs.com]

Written by: Joel Walsh

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Care Dog Free Health Health.blogspot.com Pet Article

While none of the following problems are by any means exclusive to small dogs, they do present extra challenges for small dogs and their owners.

Teeth and Gum Problems

Many small dogs have a tendency to develop teeth and gum problems which lead to tooth loss, because they are often fed canned food as an alternative to larger kibble. Although tooth loss in itself is vexing, oral disease can lead to even more serious heart disease, compromised immune systems and other complications.

Bi-weekly tooth brushing will help prevent this typical small dog health problem. An attractive supply of crunchy treats and chews (high-quality natural ingredients and not too large, please) will also help your pup keep his sparkling smile.

"Small Dog Syndrome"

Even the smallest toy dogs are infamous for their willingness to take on dogs the size of a full-grown man. Your dog may be that brave, but he's almost sure not to be that lucky. Protect your small dog from his oversized ambitions by picking him up when a larger dog approaches.

Injuries

Injuries make up more than their share of small dog health problems. Their tiny bones are more easily broken - sometimes, even when a small dog jumps off of the furniture onto a hard surface. As much as possible, try to cushion the normal launch spots by placing carpet and rugs underneath.

Small dogs tend to get underfoot more, and unlike the case with a larger animal, those tiny bones can easily be injured if the dog is accidentally stepped on. Many owners find the best solution is learning to "shuffle" around their dog and not lift their feet too high.

Illness

Although small dogs are typically long-lived, illness has even greater ramifications when it comes to small dog health problems. Many opportunistic illnesses like viruses and bacterial infections can take over a small dog's system much more quickly, causing them to go downhill rapidly.

Small dogs are also more prone to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) because of their faster metabolism. Paying attention to the first signs of any illness and taking immediate action can greatly help to keep small dog health problems in check.

While on the surface, small dog health problems might appear to be much the same as any other dog's, health issues can have a bigger effect on their tiny systems. Extra diligence on your part will help more effectively treat and prevent many small dog health problems!
About the Author

Blake Kritzberg is proprietor of Poodle-oo, your source for small dog clothes. Stop by for small dog couture and home decor, small dog collars, leather dog leashes and the Small Dog Blog.

Written by: Blake Kritzberg

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