Top 9 Pet Insurance Plans For Whippets (2022)

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Whippets are often confused with Greyhounds because they were bred by crossing the latter breed with various small terriers. It’s true that Whippets share many similarities with their Greyhound ancestors, including a love of running and that lean, aerodynamic shape. These dogs are slightly smaller than Greyhounds though, and people with Whippets in their families tend to stick with this intelligent, graceful breed.

The Whippet breed is generally known as a pretty healthy one, but these dogs 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 Whippet. 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 Whippet 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 Whippet Cost?

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

• Pets Best – $37.22 per month
• Embrace – $34.50 per month
• Healthy Paws – $27.81 per month
• ManyPets – $34.04 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 Whippet-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 Whippets

Mitral Valve Disease in Whippets

An increasing concern in the Whippet breed, mitral valve disease begins as a heart murmur that progresses into heart failure. When the valve separating the two left heart chambers fails to form a tight seal, the heart must work harder to pump blood through your dog’s body.

Surgery can’t always resolve the issue, but pharmacological treatments paired with regular veterinary follow-ups can keep your dog’s heart condition stable.

Skin Lacerations in Whippets

Because their coats are thin and their skin is more exposed, Whippets are more prone than other dogs to getting cuts and scrapes. Most of the time, skin injuries are harmless and heal on their own. Severe lacerations and sores that worsen when injured dogs paw and bite at them may require stitches though.

Another risk with easily scraped skin is infections. Monitor your Whippet’s skin and coat regularly to make sure they’re not walking around with open wounds and sores. Regular bathing is essential.

Hemolytic Anemia in Whippets

The term “anemia” doesn’t refer to a specific disease but rather the symptom of a reduced number of circulating red blood cells (RBCs), hemoglobin (Hb), or both. With autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA), red blood cells are manufactured in the bone marrow, but the body attacks and destroys them once they’re released into circulation.

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia can be primary (inherited) or secondary (caused by another underlying condition, a drug, or other toxin).

Symptoms of AIHA include:

• Pale gums
• Weakness/lethargy and potentially fainting
• Exercise reluctance
• Difficulty breathing or rapid breathing
• Disorientation/dizziness
• Yellowing of the mucous membranes
• Poor appetite
• Vomiting

Bully Whippet Syndrome in Whippets

Bully Whippet Syndrome is an inherited recessive genetic disorder that makes a Whippet “double” muscled. The condition results from a mutation in the MSTN gene, which regulates myostatin, a protein that inhibits muscle growth. To put it simply, BWS makes your Whippet look super buff.

Because Whippets are typically lean dogs, Bully Whippet Syndrome can make the dog almost unrecognizable as a member of the breed. That said, BWS doesn’t change the dog’s temperament. However, it prevents a Whippet from reaching the high speeds the breed is known for.

The main side effects of Bully Whippet Syndrome are muscle cramping and an overbite. The latter might make them more prone to dental disease, and their larger than usual size and weight might lead to joint problems or heart and lung issues. In severe cases, BWS can affect a dog’s fertility.

Here’s our List of the Best Pet Insurance for Dogs!

Typical Costs Of Treating Health Issues In Whippets 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 Whippet’s particular needs might save you tons of money on medical costs.

Here are just some sample veterinary expenses for Whippets:

• Mitral Valve Disease Costs: Diagnosing MVD may require X-rays or a cardiology specialist. Your veterinarian will want to put your dog on medications to manage the condition. These include diuretics for fluid removal and beta-blockers for central blood pressure reduction. Ultimately, MVD will cost you at least hundreds of dollars in medical bills.
• Skin Laceration Costs: The average cost of getting your dog’s wounds stitched at the vet ranges from $100-$300, and your vet may want to do a full examination depending on the extent of the injuries. Pet insurance often covers exams and simple wound care.
• Hemolytic Anemia Costs: Diagnostic costs will vary depending on the tests your veterinarian requests. They’ll definitely want a CBC ($100-$200), and they might also request a urinalysis test ($60-$250) and possibly imaging ($100-$300). Treatment costs depend on whether the condition is primary or secondary. If the AIHA is secondary, the treatment will target the underlying cause, possibly including antibiotics, heartworm treatment, or toxin antidotes. If the vet finds no underlying cause/if it’s primary AIHA, your dog will undergo immunosuppressive therapy. Pet insurance can really be life-saving here, especially if your dog requires more than 12 months of ongoing treatment. If your dog has a severe bleeding episode, it may require a blood transfusion. This typically costs $100 to $300 per unit.
• Bully Whippet Syndrome Costs: There’s no treatment for Bully Whippet Syndrome itself, but if you do have a dog with BWS, you should invest in pet insurance that covers regular heart and lung screenings. You should also pay attention to your dog’s dental health if it has an overbite, as untreated dental disease can become very expensive.

Knowing the signs and symptoms of these conditions common in Whippets 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 Whippet?

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 commitl.

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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