Top 9 Pet Insurance Plans For Lhasa Apsos (2022)

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When you think of show dogs, you can’t help but conjure images of the Lhasa Apso, the long-haired lovely that looks like canine royalty. But these dogs weren’t bred to sit on thrones. Instead, the Lhasa Apso found its beginning high above the world in the mountain monasteries of Tibet. As companions to the monks, the little dogs watched over the grounds, temples, and their holy friends while also bringing some silliness to the daily rituals. Because the Lhasa Apso is so unique, these silky sweethearts earned themselves a sacred place in Tibetan folklore.

Nowadays, the Lhasa Apso makes a divine family dog who keeps a keen eye on their loved ones while enjoying a good snuggle. And because your Lhasa Apso is the heart of your family, you’ll do anything and everything to give them the best life possible. And part of that ‘anything and everything’ is annual checkups with the vet to keep your pup fit and healthy. But no matter how diligent of a dog parent you are, illness and injury can still happen.

Lhasa Apsos are prone to Intervertebral Disc Disease, joint issues of the hips and knees, bleeding disorders, urinary stones, and eye problems. Treating any of these problems can get expensive, but you can be financially prepared to fend off whatever comes with pet insurance. To help you find peace of mind and the best pet insurance plan for your Lhasa Apso, we’ve created a free and easy-to-use comparison tool to simplify the insurance quest.

Compare The Top 9 Pet Insurance Plans for Your Lhasa Apso 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 a Lhasa Apso Cost?

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

• Pets Best – $32.78 per month
• Embrace – $31.96 per month
• Healthy Paws – $27.81 per month
• ManyPets – $29.97 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 Lhasa Apso-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 Lhasa Apsos

Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD)

Because the Lhasa Apso is a long-bodied dog situated on shorter legs, their spines tend to experience IVDD more often than other breeds. The issue arises when one or more of the discs between vertebrae slips, ruptures, or bulges. For some dogs, the problem is mild but should still be monitored by a veterinarian. Other dogs can experience severe cases that quickly escalate to paralysis.

Joint Problems

Like many dog breeds, Lhasa Apsos can suffer from joint problems brought on by conditions like hip dysplasia and patellar luxation. Hip Dysplasia occurs when the ball-and-socket joint in a dog’s hip doesn’t form correctly, leaving the joint to dislocate or the femur head to sit wrong in the socket. Patellar luxation is commonly known as a dislocated kneecap, and cases can be mild to severe. Both issues can potentially lead to pain and mobility problems.

RELATED: What You Need To Know About Hip Dysplasia

Von Willebrand’s Disease (vWD)

Von Willebrand’s Disease, or vWD, is a hereditary bleeding disorder that occurs when the blood lacks a vital protein that helps with clotting at the site of blood vessel injuries. Dogs with this disease risk losing significant amounts of blood as healing clots don’t form as they should. Excessive blood loss in dogs can quickly become an emergency.

Urinary Stones

Made up of different mineral compositions, bladder and kidney stones are just what they sound like, and they’re pretty painful! These rock-like formations can range in size from teeny-tiny to impossibly large. Two of the leading indicators your dog has these stones are straining to urinate and bloody urine. Factors that lead to urinary stones in Lhasa Apso are genetics, diet, and water consumption.

Eye Problems

Eye problems plague many dog breeds, but the Lhasa Apso experiences more than their fair share. And without proper treatment, these eye diseases and conditions could lead to permanent damage and blindness. Some of the common eye problems in Lhasa Apsos are:

• Glaucoma – Dogs with glaucoma experience discomfort and even pain due to fluid increase in the eyeball. The pressure from rising fluid levels can also cause damage to the optic nerve and retina.
• Cataracts – Dogs that develop cataracts as they age gradually lose vision over time as the eye’s lens grows more and more cloudy.
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) – This hereditary disease destroys the eye’s retina. PRA begins with night blindness and progresses to total vision loss over time.

Typical Costs Of Treating Health Issues In Lhasa Apsos and How Pet Insurance Can Help

Taking your dog to the vet for annual visits is a bill you expect. But when the vet discovers a problem or emergency strikes, medical bills can stack up fast. With the right pet insurance plan for your Lhasa Apso, you’ll be financially ready to deal with any bills, leaving you to concentrate on your best friend’s recovery.

Take a look at what it costs to treat the Lhasa Apso health problems mentioned above:

• IVDD Costs: To diagnose IVDD, your vet will take scans of your dog’s spine to see the severity, and you can expect X-rays to run approximately $200 or an MRI to cost between $2,500 – $4,000. If the injury is mild, your pup may require steroids and anti-inflammatory medications. But if your Lhasa Apso has severe damage, the vet will recommend surgery to stop paralysis or further, which can cost anywhere from $1,500 to $4,000 on its own. Treating your Lhasa Apso’s IVDD can hit your bank account hard, but pet insurance offers financial protection against the high costs of spinal cord problems in dogs.
• Joint Issues Costs: The treatment plan for your Lhasa Apsos’s joint problems might include medications that help with pain and slow degeneration. The cost of these monthly medications can add up over years of management. So can physical therapy appointments at an average of $50 a pop. And once the hips or knees reach a certain point of degeneration, your dog may require an orthopedic surgery that can create bills of $2,000 – $7,000. But, the right pet insurance plan for your Lhasa Apso can help you find relief from monthly prescription costs and the expensive surgery that will get your pup back on its paws.
• Von Willebrand’s Disease: If your Lhasa Apso suffers a bleeding emergency, costs could get high in a hurry. For each unit of blood, you can expect prices that range from $25-$300. The amount of blood lost will depend on how many units your dog will need. Other emergency procedures and hospitalization may be necessary if the case is severe. Between transfusions, stays, and emergency care, this unexpected vet bill could quickly reach prices of $800 to $1,500. But having the right pet insurance plan for your Lhasa Apso before emergency strikes lets you concentrate on recovery, not bills.
• Urinary Stones Costs: Diagnosing urinary stones could involve bloodwork, X-rays, and a urinalysis. Treatment will depend on the size and quantity of the stones, and in severe cases, afflicted dogs will need to undergo a cystotomy, a surgery that breaks up or retrieves the stones. The price for such a procedure can easily reach $2,000. But with a pet insurance plan for your Lhasa Apso, the final cost of surgery to rid your pup of painful stones could be significantly reduced.
• Eye Problems Costs: Treating eye problems in Lhasa Apsos can get expensive. Glaucoma can respond to drug therapy, but your dog will need surgery to reduce the fluid when it reaches a certain point. Glaucoma surgery averages $1,500. Cataract surgery isn’t cheap either, costing somewhere between $3,000 and $4,000. And while there is no cure for Progressive Retinal Atrophy, diagnosing PRA involves an electroretinogram (ERG), a test that measures the electrical impulses of the eye. The average cost of an ERG is $400. The final price of eye surgery or diagnostic tests will depend on the severity of your dog’s eye issues and your location. But, one thing is sure, having pet insurance for your Lhasa Apso before an eye problem occurs is a smart foresight that will protect your finances from high vet bills.

What Is Pet Health Insurance, And Why Do I Need It For My Lhasa Apso?

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-$66 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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