Top 9 Pet Insurance Plans For American English Coonhounds (2022)

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The American English (a.k.a. “Redtick”) Coonhound gets its name from its long history as a raccoon hunting dog in England and later North America. This breed is extremely athletic and tenacious, and many AECs are working dogs to this day. The American English Coonhounds’ desire to work and their iconic, booming barks make them more suited to active, spacious households than chill apartment living.

American English Coonhounds are known as a fairly healthy breed, but they are predisposed to certain medical conditions. While these health issues can be expensive to treat, you may be able to cover the high costs if you invest in pet insurance for your dog early.

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when it comes to choosing the right pet insurance plan for your beloved Coonhound. This guide will help you select a plan that covers everything you want it to, so you can be there for your dog when they need you most.

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Compare The Top 9 Pet Insurance Plans for Your American English Coonhound Using our Free No-Obligation Quote Tool below

The simplest way to compare pet insurance prices is to use our tool below. The comparison tool will show you quotes from the top 9 pet insurance carriers, including Trupanion, Pets Best, Lemonade, ManyPets, FIGO, HealthyPaws, Prudent Pet, Spot, and Embrace pet insurance.

How Much Does Pet Insurance for an American English Coonhound Cost?

Below are some sample pet insurance plans for a 1-year-old male American English Coonhound using the zip code 75001 (Texas) as an example.

• Pets Best – $38.42 per month
• Embrace – $51.24 per month
• Healthy Paws – $30.72 per month
• ManyPets – $35.14 per month

Ultimately, your plan’s premium will depend on several factors, including your dog’s age, size, and breed, as well as where you live. You also want to know what type of coverage your plan has and if it will help with American English Coonhound-specific health problems. Let’s get more into those medical conditions and how much you can expect to pay to treat them.

Common Health Problems Associated With American English Coonhounds

Hip Dysplasia in American English Coonhounds

Hip Dysplasia is one of the most common orthopedic problems in larger breed dogs, including American English Coonhounds. The hip joint is a ball and socket joint, and hip dysplasia causes malformation of the two components. That makes it difficult for your dog to walk, and the chronic laxity can cause abnormal wear, which leads to osteoarthritis.

The earlier you have your Coonhound diagnosed, the better their outcome will be. Pet insurance often covers annual exams. If the condition worsens, it may require surgery.

Related: 8 Best Orthopedic Dog Beds (+1 to Avoid)

Elbow Dysplasia in American English Coonhounds

The term elbow dysplasia represents several defects relating to the elbow socket. This condition occurs when the three bones making up the elbow joint don’t properly fit together, causing progressive arthritis and pain.

Elbow dysplasia can be difficult to detect initially because some dogs don’t appear to show symptoms. In others, it may manifest as a slight limp or lameness in the limbs.

RELATED: Dysplasia – A Vet Shares Ways to Ease the Pain

Cataracts in American English Coonhounds

A cataract is a grayish-white film that forms over the lens of the eye. This makes it difficult for your dog to see, like permanently looking through a foggy window. It’s possible for a dog to live comfortably with cataracts with some treatment and adjustments.

There is a surgical procedure to remove the clouded lens, but it’s expensive, and not all dogs are good candidates if they have other conditions like retinal detachment or sensitivity to anesthesia. The cataract surgery success rate for dogs is about 90% at the 1-year mark and 80% two years after surgery.

Ear Infections in American English Coonhounds

The flat, droopy ears are an iconic feature of American English Coonhounds, but their length makes this breed more prone to ear infections. There are several causes of ear infections, including allergies, hypothyroidism, trauma, ear mites, and bacteria.

Otitis externa (a.k.a. an outer ear infection) leads to inflammation in the infected ears. Your dog will experience pain and redness outside the ear canal, and their ears will develop an odor. There may also be a black or yellowish discharge.

Untreated infections can worsen and affect your dog’s hearing or balance.

Gastric Torsion (a.k.a. “Bloat”) in American English Coonhounds

Gastric Torsion (a.k.a. “bloat”) occurs when your dog’s stomach fills too rapidly with gas, food, or fluid. Bloat is a sudden, life-threatening condition where the stomach can twist, blocking the organ’s entrance and exit. It can even obstruct blood flow, which is a medical emergency.

Larger, deep-chested dogs like the American English Coonhound are more likely to suffer from this condition. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential when it comes to gastric torsion. Preventative measures, like regular exercise, proper diet, and not eating or drinking too quickly help as well.

If you notice any of these warning signs, you should take your AEC to the vet right away:

• Swollen belly
• Rapid heartbeat
• Difficulty breathing
• Collapse

Typical Costs Of Treating Health Issues In American English Coonhounds and How Pet Insurance Can Help

If left untreated, many of the health conditions listed above can result in long-term consequences and even require surgery, ultimately making them more expensive to manage. Selecting a pet insurance plan suited for your American English Coonhound’s particular needs might save you tons of money on medical costs.

Here are just some sample veterinary expenses for American English Coonhounds:

• Hip Dysplasia Costs: The cost of surgery for hip dysplasia can range from $4,000 to $6,000 per hip. Surgical options include Triple Pelvic Osteotomy, Femoral Head Osteotomy, and Juvenile Pubic Symphysiodesis, all costing thousands of dollars. Without surgery, your dog will suffer discomfort and eventually severe pain. Pet insurance may cover those costs.
• Elbow Dysplasia Costs: Orthopedic surgery to correct the issue is pricey, ranging from $1,500 to $5,000 on average. Depending on the severity of the condition, your dog may not need surgery. Still, treatment for arthritis and other joint issues can be expensive. Your dog will likely require ongoing pain medications (~$20 – $50 per month) and joint supplements. The vet may also prescribe physical therapy, which could cost $50 per session.
• Cataracts Costs: Surgery can break up and remove the clouded lens from the eye and replace it with an artificial lens. Cataract surgery might cost between $2,700 and $4,000 on average. If you opt not to have the surgery performed or your dog isn’t suitable for surgery, cataracts aren’t a death sentence. There are home adjustments and wearable halos that can make your blind dog’s life more comfortable.
• Ear Infection Costs: Many dogs will have more than one type of infection present, so treatment will require multiple medications. The average cost of treatment is ~$150. Total Ear Canal Ablation (TECA) is a surgical option that involves removing the ear canal with the diseased tissue to prevent the recurrence of ear infections. Surgery is only necessary in chronic cases but could cost $3,000 – $5,000.
• Gastric Torsion (“Bloat”) Costs: If your dog’s stomach has twisted, it will probably need emergency surgery to untwist it. The average cost of treating a bloat case with surgery runs between $2,000 and $5,000. If there are complications, the cost could be even higher. Pet insurance with emergency coverage can literally be life-saving in this case.

Knowing the signs and symptoms of these conditions common in American English Coonhounds can help you catch them early, saving your dog and your money. When in doubt, take your pup to the vet to have them diagnosed.

What Is Pet Health Insurance And Why Do I Need It For My American English Coonhound?

Pet health insurance works very similarly to human health insurance. Your policy quote will range in monthly price, depending on your dog’s breed, age, and where you live. Typically, you’ll spend around $15-$91 per month as a pet parent.

Pet insurance is mainly about peace of mind, knowing you won’t be totally overwhelmed in case of an emergency. Enrolling even when your dog is young and healthy will ensure you have plenty of coverage when they need expensive medical care later. If you choose a plan more suited to your dog’s particular breed, you’ll be more prepared when something happens later on in their life.

Some plans cover accidents and illnesses, while others only cover accidents. Certain plans do cover breed-specific illnesses, and others do not. It all depends on what type of coverage you choose. With our free pet insurance comparison tool, you can get quotes from multiple insurance companies with no obligation to commit.

Whatever plan you choose, you’ll feel better knowing you can take care of your dog when they need you most. Plus, you won’t have to suddenly shell out thousands of dollars. Learn more about how pet insurance works here.

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