Top 9 Pet Insurance Plans For Pekingese (2022)

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Pekingese are the kinds of dogs that just make you squeal when you see them. Their small snouts and comparatively large eyes surrounded by the fluffiest floof you’ll ever see make this tiny breed absolutely irresistible. Despite its size, the Pekingese is a confident dog who also forms incredibly close bonds with his family members.

Unfortunately, the Pekingese breed is predisposed to certain medical conditions, especially those related to its short snout. 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 Pekingese. 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.

Compare The Top 9 Pet Insurance Plans for Your Pekingese 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 Pekingese Cost?

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

• Pets Best – $27.09 per month
• Embrace – $34.50 per month
• Healthy Paws – $42.20 per month
• ManyPets – $24.78 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 Pekingese-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 Pekingese

Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome in Pekingeses

As you may already know, the cute squishy faces we love about Pekingeses also make them prone to breathing problems. Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome is the term for several conditions associated with short-muzzled dogs: an elongated soft palate (which leads to windpipe obstruction), stenotic nares (narrowed nostrils), and everted laryngeal saccules. 

Blocked airways are obviously serious, so look out for these warning signs:

• Exercise intolerance
• Coughing
• Loud breathing
• Retching or gagging
• Bluish Gums
• Fainting

RELATED: What Parents Of Short-Muzzled Pups Need To Know About Their Dog’s Breathing

Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) in Pekingese

Because the Pekingese has a longer back and relatively short legs, they’re at an increased risk of developing intervertebral disc disease. When a disc between the vertebrates in a dog’s spinal column deteriorates and calcifies, it can rupture with too much movement. A diseased or ruptured disc can press on your Pekingese’s spinal column, leading to extreme pain and even paralysis.

Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (“Dry Eye”) in Pekingese

This condition essentially boils down to “your dog’s eyes don’t produce enough tears.” Now here’s the more scientific version of that. There are two types of Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (KCS): Quantitative and qualitative.

Quantitative KCS is a lack of production of the aqueous layer of the tear film attached to the cornea. Qualitative KCS is a decrease in the mucin or oily layers that help the tear film remain attached to the cornea.

Either type of tear deficiency will result in dryness of the corneal surface. Chronic, untreated dry eye can lead to corneal scarring, ulceration (open sores), or pigmentation (color change). Some dogs might develop secondary bacterial conjunctivitis. In a worst-case scenario, they could lose an eye.

Signs of KCS include red eyes and a thick, mucusy discharge.

RELATED: 5 Common Eye Problems To Watch Out For With Your Dog

Distichiasis in Pekingeses

Distichiasis is another eye-related issue Pekingese are prone to. With this condition, eyelashes develop in the eyelid margin rather than the eyelid skin. 

If these hairs are soft, as is the case in many dogs with the condition, they may pose no problems. For some dogs, though, irritation from these abnormally located lashes can cause discomfort or even damage the eyes’ surface.

Look out for watery eyes or if your dog is pawing at their eyes.

Typical Costs Of Treating Health Issues In Pekingeses 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, which ultimately makes them more expensive to manage. Selecting a pet insurance plan suited for your Pekingese’s particular needs might save you tons of money on medical costs.

Here are just some sample veterinary expenses for Pekingese:

• Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome Costs: This depends on the symptoms and causes of breathing difficulty. Soft palate resection surgery costs $500-$1,500. Stenotic nares resection may cost $200 – $1,000. Surgery to repair tracheal collapse can range anywhere from $3,500 to $6,500.
• IVDD Costs: Caught early enough, IVDD can be treated with non-invasive treatments like pain medication and exercise control. In severe cases, however, surgery can cost between $1,500 and $4,000. Those costs also don’t include the price of X-rays and other imaging techniques, which can add hundreds to thousands of dollars onto your bill.
• KCS/Dry Eye Costs: Medical management to stimulate tear production and reduce inflammation involves several medications (primarily in eye drop form). These drugs could cost around $50 per month, and you’ll need to apply the medications for the rest of your dog’s life. In severe cases, a surgical procedure called a parotid duct transposition might be necessary. This costs over $1,000, and the procedure is uncommon.
• Distichiasis Costs: A dog with Distichiasis will most likely need ophthalmic lubricants to protect the cornea and coat the lashes with a lubricant film. Surgery is rare and only necessary in severe cases that don’t respond to the aforementioned treatments. Surgical intervention has two goals: remove the abnormal eyelashes and kill the hair follicles to prevent the distichiae from recurring. If there are only one or two lashes, the surgeon can remove that particular portion of the eyelid. If there are many offending hairs, the doctor may use cryosurgery or a laser to destroy the follicles. All of these surgical treatments require general anesthesia. They’ll cost on average $1,500 to $2,000. However, your dog’s ophthalmologist will likely want to schedule follow-ups as well.

Knowing the signs and symptoms of these conditions common in Pekingeses 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 Pekingese?

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-$67 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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