| pet insurance? - CLICK HERE for the Pet Manual Forum Home Page |
| news.dallas.sbcglobal.net |
I just had one of my ferrets into the vet because she was lethargic, not
eating and dehydrated and I was concerned about a more serious issue. They
did blookwork, x-rays, fluids and hospitalized her overnight, etc. $500
later, with antibiotics, vitamin supplements, etc.... ouch! I can't
afford this kind of thing very often, and I know ferrets are known for
swallowing things, and developing health problems. Does anyone have
health insurance for your ferret, if so, with who, and what is the coverage
like?
Kim
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| ZPL |
I don't know of any Pet Insurance companies in the US that will cover
ferrets. I have my dog covered with VPI (Veterinary Pet Insurance). At the
time I covered her, they did not have coverage for ferrets.
"news.dallas.sbcglobal.net" <kathomas@swbell.net> wrote in message
news:cm1bb.1761$Z82.211@newssvr24.news.prodigy.com...
> I just had one of my ferrets into the vet because she was lethargic, not
> eating and dehydrated and I was concerned about a more serious issue.
They
> did blookwork, x-rays, fluids and hospitalized her overnight, etc. $500
> later, with antibiotics, vitamin supplements, etc.... ouch! I can't
> afford this kind of thing very often, and I know ferrets are known for
> swallowing things, and developing health problems. Does anyone have
> health insurance for your ferret, if so, with who, and what is the
coverage
> like?
>
> Kim
>
>
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| jumpingmouse & kylie |
I keep my own 'insurance' on mine. I have a yard sale at least once every
year, sell a few things on eBay now and then and anytime 'extra' money comes
my way (birthday money, income tax return, etc) to keep money in an account
earmarked especially for vet bills. I started this about 6 years ago after
being broke when a ferret needed surgery and it has been working really well
so far. At that time, out of desperation, I sold a Nikon camera on eBay
that I hadn't touched in a year or so to get the surgery he needed. Since
then when I come across something I'm not using, it goes up on eBay or in a
box for a yard sale and the money goes directly into the account. The last
thing we all want to have to worry about when our babies are sick is how
we're going to pay for their care. We want the best and we don't want to
have to worry how we're going to pay for it.
jumpingmouse & kylie
"ZPL" <ZPL@cox.net> wrote in message
news:G7abb.6469$gV.4660@news2.central.cox.net...
> I don't know of any Pet Insurance companies in the US that will cover
> ferrets. I have my dog covered with VPI (Veterinary Pet Insurance). At
the
> time I covered her, they did not have coverage for ferrets.
>
> "news.dallas.sbcglobal.net" <kathomas@swbell.net> wrote in message
> news:cm1bb.1761$Z82.211@newssvr24.news.prodigy.com...
> > I just had one of my ferrets into the vet because she was lethargic, not
> > eating and dehydrated and I was concerned about a more serious issue.
> They
> > did blookwork, x-rays, fluids and hospitalized her overnight, etc.
$500
> > later, with antibiotics, vitamin supplements, etc.... ouch! I can't
> > afford this kind of thing very often, and I know ferrets are known for
> > swallowing things, and developing health problems. Does anyone have
> > health insurance for your ferret, if so, with who, and what is the
> coverage
> > like?
> >
> > Kim
> >
> >
>
>
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| Null |
"ZPL" <ZPL@cox.net> wrote in message news:G7abb.6469$gV.4660@news2.central.cox.net...
> I don't know of any Pet Insurance companies in the US that will cover
> ferrets. I have my dog covered with VPI (Veterinary Pet Insurance). At the
> time I covered her, they did not have coverage for ferrets.
When was that? The VPI site ( http://www.petinsurance.com/ ) leads
one to believe that they started covering ferrets sometime in 2001.
However, I found no rate information for ferrets and an attempt to get
an online quote for a ferret returns:
"The application for ferret coverage is currently not available online.
For more information, please call us toll-free at 800-USA-PETS /
800-872-7387"
Shrug.
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| James and Paula McNicol |
We've got insurance for the fuzzies here in the UK, the company specialize
in 'exotics'. Can't think of the name right now, but will look through the
filing cabinet if anybody want to know.
--
Paula
Biffa, Rumpus, Banzai & DC at Poopingham Palace
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"news.dallas.sbcglobal.net" <kathomas@swbell.net> wrote in message
news:cm1bb.1761$Z82.211@newssvr24.news.prodigy.com...
> I just had one of my ferrets into the vet because she was lethargic, not
> eating and dehydrated and I was concerned about a more serious issue.
They
> did blookwork, x-rays, fluids and hospitalized her overnight, etc. $500
> later, with antibiotics, vitamin supplements, etc.... ouch! I can't
> afford this kind of thing very often, and I know ferrets are known for
> swallowing things, and developing health problems. Does anyone have
> health insurance for your ferret, if so, with who, and what is the
coverage
> like?
>
> Kim
>
>
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| Jason and Holly Harper |
If I'm remembering correctly VPI does cover ferrets, but they do not cover
endocrine diseases (adrenal or insulinoma) now. :(
Holly
"Null" <nobody@nowhere.invalid> wrote in message
news:bkjfoa$ri5$1@bob.news.rcn.net...
>
> "ZPL" <ZPL@cox.net> wrote in message
news:G7abb.6469$gV.4660@news2.central.cox.net...
> > I don't know of any Pet Insurance companies in the US that will cover
> > ferrets. I have my dog covered with VPI (Veterinary Pet Insurance). At
the
> > time I covered her, they did not have coverage for ferrets.
>
> When was that? The VPI site ( http://www.petinsurance.com/ ) leads
> one to believe that they started covering ferrets sometime in 2001.
> However, I found no rate information for ferrets and an attempt to get
> an online quote for a ferret returns:
>
> "The application for ferret coverage is currently not available online.
> For more information, please call us toll-free at 800-USA-PETS /
> 800-872-7387"
>
> Shrug.
>
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| Lin |
"news.dallas.sbcglobal.net" <kathomas@swbell.net> wrote in message
news:cm1bb.1761$Z82.211@newssvr24.news.prodigy.com...
> I just had one of my ferrets into the vet because she was lethargic, not
> eating and dehydrated and I was concerned about a more serious issue.
They
> did blookwork, x-rays, fluids and hospitalized her overnight, etc. $500
> later, with antibiotics, vitamin supplements, etc.... ouch! I can't
> afford this kind of thing very often, and I know ferrets are known for
> swallowing things, and developing health problems. Does anyone have
> health insurance for your ferret, if so, with who, and what is the
coverage
> like?
We don't have ins coverage for our pets. What we *do* have, though, is a
special savings acct, w/ money put in it out of every paycheck, just for
emergencies, including our pets' health care. We haven't needed it very
often, but when we needed it this summer for our Ariel, we used it.
Speaking of your ferret's health, what did the vet say was wrong w/ her? My
Ariel was displaying lethargy, inappetance, & her mucous membranes were
occasionally turning almost white during those attacks. Her liver enzymes
were also elevated during this time. Turns out the problem was something
that has very little documentation in ferrets - supraventricular
tachycardia. Did your vet xray her heart, &/or do an EKG? We were very
persistant in getting to the bottom on it (as was our vet, who's young but
very smart & caring), & a bit over $2000 later, we got the answer. It's
costing us a mere $6.50 a month to keep her healthy now, & the difference
has been miraculous. Our vet is thinking of writing an article on her for a
veterinary medicine journal, simply cos he found practically nothing on this
condition in ferrets in the existing literature.
Just curious......
Lin, Ariel, Obero, & Max
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| Cap |
Then it's about as useful as "tits on a boar hog", to turn a phrase...
"Jason and Holly Harper" <jhharper@tm.net> wrote in message
news:M_hbb.2218$qJ6.1740945@monger.newsread.com...
> If I'm remembering correctly VPI does cover ferrets, but they do not cover
> endocrine diseases (adrenal or insulinoma) now. :(
>
> Holly
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| ZPL |
They don't cover alot of cancers or "breed specific" genetic disorders,
either. I have it for the dog for those sudden expensive accidents - things
I don't like to think about but would cost thousands for surgery.
"Cap" <cap@sand-n-sea.us> wrote in message
news:Xtlbb.4748917$mA4.667567@news.easynews.com...
> Then it's about as useful as "tits on a boar hog", to turn a phrase...
>
> "Jason and Holly Harper" <jhharper@tm.net> wrote in message
> news:M_hbb.2218$qJ6.1740945@monger.newsread.com...
> > If I'm remembering correctly VPI does cover ferrets, but they do not
cover
> > endocrine diseases (adrenal or insulinoma) now. :(
> >
> > Holly
>
>
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| ZPL |
I covered the dog in 2001. Must have missed that section on ferrets. Both
cats and dogs run about $100 a year for basic coverage, and you can load
more stuff on. It makes me wonder what the rates are on the
ferrets.....must be too expensive to list on the site.
Regular vets just don't cut it many times, and specialists cost money.
"Null" <nobody@nowhere.invalid> wrote in message
news:bkjfoa$ri5$1@bob.news.rcn.net...
>
> "ZPL" <ZPL@cox.net> wrote in message
news:G7abb.6469$gV.4660@news2.central.cox.net...
> > I don't know of any Pet Insurance companies in the US that will cover
> > ferrets. I have my dog covered with VPI (Veterinary Pet Insurance). At
the
> > time I covered her, they did not have coverage for ferrets.
>
> When was that? The VPI site ( http://www.petinsurance.com/ ) leads
> one to believe that they started covering ferrets sometime in 2001.
> However, I found no rate information for ferrets and an attempt to get
> an online quote for a ferret returns:
>
> "The application for ferret coverage is currently not available online.
> For more information, please call us toll-free at 800-USA-PETS /
> 800-872-7387"
>
> Shrug.
>
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| ZPL |
One of the vets on a dog board has a "patient" who comes in every month or
so, and buys a "gift certificate" towards her 6 cats. Sometimes it's $10
sometimes it is $100. She uses these to put money away and it lessens the
temptation for her to use it on something else.
"news.dallas.sbcglobal.net" <kathomas@swbell.net> wrote in message
news:cm1bb.1761$Z82.211@newssvr24.news.prodigy.com...
> I just had one of my ferrets into the vet because she was lethargic, not
> eating and dehydrated and I was concerned about a more serious issue.
They
> did blookwork, x-rays, fluids and hospitalized her overnight, etc. $500
> later, with antibiotics, vitamin supplements, etc.... ouch! I can't
> afford this kind of thing very often, and I know ferrets are known for
> swallowing things, and developing health problems. Does anyone have
> health insurance for your ferret, if so, with who, and what is the
coverage
> like?
>
> Kim
>
>
|
|
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| Null |
"ZPL" <ZPL@cox.net> wrote in message news:gHlbb.11099$gV.1753@news2.central.cox.net...
> I covered the dog in 2001. Must have missed that section on ferrets. Both
> cats and dogs run about $100 a year for basic coverage, and you can load
> more stuff on. It makes me wonder what the rates are on the
> ferrets.....must be too expensive to list on the site.
Blurbs found elsewhere suggest that ferrets were, at least at some
point, falling into the $13/month Group III category of the Exotic
Pet Plan. It appears that plan buys you limited allowances for
"medical treatments and surgeries for accidents and illnesses from
minor problems".
It wouldn't hurt for someone to give them a call and share what
they learn with the group. If no one else has done that by noonish
EDT tomorrow, I'll go ahead and see what I can find out.
|
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| Jason and Holly Harper |
Exactly. That's why it's just easier to put aside a savings account for the
little monsters. :)
Holly
"Cap" <cap@sand-n-sea.us> wrote in message
news:Xtlbb.4748917$mA4.667567@news.easynews.com...
> Then it's about as useful as "tits on a boar hog", to turn a phrase...
>
|
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| Tammy Howard |
We also have a special savings account just for our little critters. It has
come in handy for vet visits etc. We've been very lucky so far with no
serious illnesses. Our female is about 4 or 5 yrs old now. Every payday
money goes into this savings account. Very much worth it.
"Lin" <ktnil@woh.rr.com> wrote in message
news:%Hkbb.41929$xx4.4707581@twister.neo.rr.com...
>
> "news.dallas.sbcglobal.net" <kathomas@swbell.net> wrote in message
> news:cm1bb.1761$Z82.211@newssvr24.news.prodigy.com...
> > I just had one of my ferrets into the vet because she was lethargic, not
> > eating and dehydrated and I was concerned about a more serious issue.
> They
> > did blookwork, x-rays, fluids and hospitalized her overnight, etc.
$500
> > later, with antibiotics, vitamin supplements, etc.... ouch! I can't
> > afford this kind of thing very often, and I know ferrets are known for
> > swallowing things, and developing health problems. Does anyone have
> > health insurance for your ferret, if so, with who, and what is the
> coverage
> > like?
>
> We don't have ins coverage for our pets. What we *do* have, though, is a
> special savings acct, w/ money put in it out of every paycheck, just for
> emergencies, including our pets' health care. We haven't needed it very
> often, but when we needed it this summer for our Ariel, we used it.
>
> Speaking of your ferret's health, what did the vet say was wrong w/ her?
My
> Ariel was displaying lethargy, inappetance, & her mucous membranes were
> occasionally turning almost white during those attacks. Her liver enzymes
> were also elevated during this time. Turns out the problem was something
> that has very little documentation in ferrets - supraventricular
> tachycardia. Did your vet xray her heart, &/or do an EKG? We were very
> persistant in getting to the bottom on it (as was our vet, who's young but
> very smart & caring), & a bit over $2000 later, we got the answer. It's
> costing us a mere $6.50 a month to keep her healthy now, & the difference
> has been miraculous. Our vet is thinking of writing an article on her for
a
> veterinary medicine journal, simply cos he found practically nothing on
this
> condition in ferrets in the existing literature.
>
> Just curious......
>
> Lin, Ariel, Obero, & Max
>
>
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| news.dallas.sbcglobal.net |
Well, I did call VPI, they do cover ferrets as well as many other exotics,
but when I asked the customer service agent about level of coverage, and
specifics about what was covered, she couldn't give me any additional
information. She said she would send a request for me to be mailed more
information (which I haven't received yet,) but I'm wondering if it will be
little more than the Adobe brochure they post on their website.
"Null" <nobody@nowhere.invalid> wrote in message
news:bkktv2$epv$1@bob.news.rcn.net...
>
> "ZPL" <ZPL@cox.net> wrote in message
news:gHlbb.11099$gV.1753@news2.central.cox.net...
> > I covered the dog in 2001. Must have missed that section on ferrets.
Both
> > cats and dogs run about $100 a year for basic coverage, and you can load
> > more stuff on. It makes me wonder what the rates are on the
> > ferrets.....must be too expensive to list on the site.
>
> Blurbs found elsewhere suggest that ferrets were, at least at some
> point, falling into the $13/month Group III category of the Exotic
> Pet Plan. It appears that plan buys you limited allowances for
> "medical treatments and surgeries for accidents and illnesses from
> minor problems".
>
> It wouldn't hurt for someone to give them a call and share what
> they learn with the group. If no one else has done that by noonish
> EDT tomorrow, I'll go ahead and see what I can find out.
|
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| news.dallas.sbcglobal.net |
The vet could give me no decisive answer on what was wrong with her, but she
is acting normal again now, almost like whatever was wrong just "passed."
She just turned 3, and has never displayed any unusual behavior such as
this, she is very active normally so when I noticed her doing nothing but
sleeping for 24 hours with a glassy-eyed look on her face, I knew something
was wrong. She stopped eating and drinking on her own, and hence became
very dehydrated (scruff the skin on the back of her neck and it just stayed
pinched.) They took x-rays, could not find a blockage, but said she had
displayed pain in her abdominal area, which is why they feared she had
swallowed something. She did say her heart appeared larger than average,
and her liver smaller than average, but said her bloodwork appeared quite
normal, under the circumstances, with the exception of being anemic (hence
the vitamins.)
What can you tell me about supraventricular tachycardia in ferrets? What
is it, is it life-threatening, what are the major symptoms, and how are you
treating it?
"Lin" <ktnil@woh.rr.com> wrote in message
news:%Hkbb.41929$xx4.4707581@twister.neo.rr.com...
>
> "news.dallas.sbcglobal.net" <kathomas@swbell.net> wrote in message
> news:cm1bb.1761$Z82.211@newssvr24.news.prodigy.com...
> > I just had one of my ferrets into the vet because she was lethargic, not
> > eating and dehydrated and I was concerned about a more serious issue.
> They
> > did blookwork, x-rays, fluids and hospitalized her overnight, etc.
$500
> > later, with antibiotics, vitamin supplements, etc.... ouch! I can't
> > afford this kind of thing very often, and I know ferrets are known for
> > swallowing things, and developing health problems. Does anyone have
> > health insurance for your ferret, if so, with who, and what is the
> coverage
> > like?
>
> We don't have ins coverage for our pets. What we *do* have, though, is a
> special savings acct, w/ money put in it out of every paycheck, just for
> emergencies, including our pets' health care. We haven't needed it very
> often, but when we needed it this summer for our Ariel, we used it.
>
> Speaking of your ferret's health, what did the vet say was wrong w/ her?
My
> Ariel was displaying lethargy, inappetance, & her mucous membranes were
> occasionally turning almost white during those attacks. Her liver enzymes
> were also elevated during this time. Turns out the problem was something
> that has very little documentation in ferrets - supraventricular
> tachycardia. Did your vet xray her heart, &/or do an EKG? We were very
> persistant in getting to the bottom on it (as was our vet, who's young but
> very smart & caring), & a bit over $2000 later, we got the answer. It's
> costing us a mere $6.50 a month to keep her healthy now, & the difference
> has been miraculous. Our vet is thinking of writing an article on her for
a
> veterinary medicine journal, simply cos he found practically nothing on
this
> condition in ferrets in the existing literature.
>
> Just curious......
>
> Lin, Ariel, Obero, & Max
>
>
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| ~Shelly~ |
"ZPL" <ZPL@cox.net> wrote in message
news:PMlbb.11174$gV.200@news2.central.cox.net... when speaking about
the
difficulty of obtaining pet insurance for ferrets:
> One of the vets on a dog board has a "patient" who comes in
> every month or so, and buys a "gift certificate" towards her 6
> cats. Sometimes it's $10 sometimes it is $100. She uses these
> to put money away and it lessens the temptation for her to use
> it on something else.
That's very clever! I should check into something like that for my
pets.
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