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Raising a dog is a joy. But what happens when a medical emergency brings the happy times crashing down? It’s a thought no dog parent wants to think about. But severe illness and injury can put a strain on everything, from your emotional health to your bank account.
But here’s a fact to keep in mind. Veterinarians report a pet is four times more likely to survive an emergency if their owner has pet insurance.
Take a minute and imagine this scenario; you find your dog retching and gagging with a severely swollen belly. You rush to the vet and learn your precious pup is suffering from an emergency called Gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV).
What is Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus?
Known more commonly as “bloat,” Gastric dilatation-volvulus happens when food, gas, and liquid painfully distend a dog’s belly and then twist the stomach. This twisting traps the stomach contents and compresses the abdomen’s blood vessels. Gastric dilatation-volvulus is a life-threatening situation for dogs and must be treated immediately.
The only way to correct GDV is an emergency surgery called gastropexy, during which the stomach is tacked to the abdominal wall to prevent the stomach from twisting again. You’ve talked with the vet and learned the risks, and now you’re ready to move forward – but then you learn how much the surgery will cost.
Emergency Vet Bills & Heartbreaking Choices
The Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences “estimates the average cost of treating a GDV case with surgery to be between $2,000 and $5,000, but if there are complications, the cost could be much higher.”
The college also explained a dog who has experienced GDV once stands a “higher risk” of having the problem again. This could leave a family to pay another high vet bill while possibly still paying off the other.
Not too many of us have this kind of cash lying around in the face of today’s rising costs. And when it comes down to paying rent or going through with surgery for your dog, families are forced to turn to what’s known as “economical euthanasia,” meaning you have no other choice but to put your dog to sleep because you can’t afford treatment. Making this choice can significantly impact a dog parent, leaving them in emotional turmoil and with feelings of extreme guilt.
And sadly, a group of veterinarians researching the relevance of pet insurance on GDV survival found the decision towards economical euthanasia happens far too often. Veterinary professionals also found that having pet insurance dramatically increases a dog’s chances of survival. In fact, veterinarians say a pet is four times likely to survive an emergency if its owner has pet insurance.
RELATED: What To Do in a Pet Emergency
Pet Insurance Can Be the Difference Between Life & Death In an Emergency
With pet insurance, the cost of GDV treatment and surgery would be drastically reduced. This means a dog parent won’t have to make the heartbreaking choice for economical euthanasia. Instead, an impossibly high vet bill becomes a manageable thing thanks to low out-of-pocket costs and complete coverage options.
With this handy comparison tool, learn how much pet insurance could save you at the vet’s office and find the perfect plan for your dog.
And if your pup falls ill, you’ll have the financials covered, so you can spend more time helping your dog get back on its paws rather than worrying over bills.
Truly, having pet insurance can make the difference between saying goodbye or moving forward with life-saving treatment. Don’t catch yourself in a heart-wrenching choice that boils down to cost. Be ready for anything that could happen with pet insurance coverage. Your fur baby is more than worth it!
Toledo, United States.
