MikeJD 0 #51 December 7, 2009 Doc, I hope there's no bad news but I've been wondering - did you find out what was wrong with your cat? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
docjohn 0 #52 December 8, 2009 QuoteDoc, I hope there's no bad news but I've been wondering - did you find out what was wrong with your cat? Fortunately she turned out ok. Xrays were normal, limp went away. So no delimma for a few more years I hope. So do I still get to buy new gear? Doc http://www.manifestmaster.com/video Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nightingale 0 #53 December 8, 2009 Personally, I have pet insurance for both my critters through ASPCA (http://www.aspcapetinsurance.com/). That way, I'm not put in that kind of financial bind, because if the cat needs a $4000 surgery, it's covered. I also have pre-arranged financing through CareCredit that gives me up to 12 months at zero interest, so I never have to worry about how to pay the vet bills while I'm waiting for the insurance check. When you adopted an animal, you took on the responsibility to do what is best for the animal, not what is most practical for your wallet. When it is best for the animal to treat the illness or injury, treat it. When it is best for the animal to let them go in as painless a manner as possible, do that. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnMitchell 16 #54 December 8, 2009 I just spent $333 dollars on my 16 y.o. daughter's dwarf rabbit to have an abcess opened, drained, etc. Is it worth it to me? Hmm, for a 7 year old rabbit, not so much. Is it worth it to my darling daughter who has had this pet since she was 9? Yes, and therefore it's worth it to me. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DrewEckhardt 0 #55 December 8, 2009 QuotePersonally, I have pet insurance for both my critters through ASPCA (http://www.aspcapetinsurance.com/). That way, I'm not put in that kind of financial bind, because if the cat needs a $4000 surgery, it's covered. Only if you have a level 3 or 4 plan. I asked for a quote on my nine year old cat and got the following with the continuing care option checked. All options have a $100 deductible with 20% co-insurance. I had the "continuing care" option checked. The max per-incident benefit for Level 2 (accident and illness) was $1500, with a cost of $230/year. The max per-incident benefit for Level 3 is $3500, with a cost of $394/year. Level 4 is $5000 and $743. The last time I looked at pet insurance from VPI and another provider there were laundry lists of injuries/illnesses and what they'd pay for each one with the most expensive problems capped at $1500. I figured that with only one such problem every five years I'd be coming out ahead if I self-insured. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MikeJD 0 #56 December 8, 2009 Quote So do I still get to buy new gear? Nope, sorry. You have to put that money into a kitty care fund so you don't have the dilemma when she does need surgery. Seriously, personally I try not to deal with insurers except where it's a legal/ contractual requirement, or where I simply couldn't find the money if worse came to worst. If I had a sick animal needing expensive treatment then I might have to put it on a credit card, but no problem with that. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nightingale 0 #57 December 8, 2009 QuoteQuotePersonally, I have pet insurance for both my critters through ASPCA (http://www.aspcapetinsurance.com/). That way, I'm not put in that kind of financial bind, because if the cat needs a $4000 surgery, it's covered. Only if you have a level 3 or 4 plan. I asked for a quote on my nine year old cat and got the following with the continuing care option checked. All options have a $100 deductible with 20% co-insurance. I had the "continuing care" option checked. The max per-incident benefit for Level 2 (accident and illness) was $1500, with a cost of $230/year. The max per-incident benefit for Level 3 is $3500, with a cost of $394/year. Level 4 is $5000 and $743. The last time I looked at pet insurance from VPI and another provider there were laundry lists of injuries/illnesses and what they'd pay for each one with the most expensive problems capped at $1500. I figured that with only one such problem every five years I'd be coming out ahead if I self-insured. I have a level 4 plan. I didn't go with VPI exactly for the reason you listed: the laundry list of illnesses and caps. What ASPCA does is they actually survey vets in your area and pay 80% of average. In my experience, this truly is 80% of average, because my vet is one of the more expensive (and also one of the best, which is why we go there...it's a veterinary trauma center), and they usually pay right around 80%. There's no laundry list, and everything my vet has recommended has been covered, and we've had a few emergencies over the past three years, both with the cat and the dog. My vet actually stopped advertising VPI because so many people were unhappy with it. I've been extremely pleased with ASPCA. They even covered lyme and rattlesnake vaccines for my dog when I took him up to Lost Prairie. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rosebud 0 #58 December 9, 2009 QuoteQuoteQuotePersonally, I have pet insurance for both my critters through ASPCA (http://www.aspcapetinsurance.com/). That way, I'm not put in that kind of financial bind, because if the cat needs a $4000 surgery, it's covered. Only if you have a level 3 or 4 plan. I asked for a quote on my nine year old cat and got the following with the continuing care option checked. All options have a $100 deductible with 20% co-insurance. I had the "continuing care" option checked. The max per-incident benefit for Level 2 (accident and illness) was $1500, with a cost of $230/year. The max per-incident benefit for Level 3 is $3500, with a cost of $394/year. Level 4 is $5000 and $743. The last time I looked at pet insurance from VPI and another provider there were laundry lists of injuries/illnesses and what they'd pay for each one with the most expensive problems capped at $1500. I figured that with only one such problem every five years I'd be coming out ahead if I self-insured. I have a level 4 plan. I didn't go with VPI exactly for the reason you listed: the laundry list of illnesses and caps. What ASPCA does is they actually survey vets in your area and pay 80% of average. In my experience, this truly is 80% of average, because my vet is one of the more expensive (and also one of the best, which is why we go there...it's a veterinary trauma center), and they usually pay right around 80%. There's no laundry list, and everything my vet has recommended has been covered, and we've had a few emergencies over the past three years, both with the cat and the dog. My vet actually stopped advertising VPI because so many people were unhappy with it. I've been extremely pleased with ASPCA. They even covered lyme and rattlesnake vaccines for my dog when I took him up to Lost Prairie. VPI has stepped up their game since there are so many pet insurance companies out there now. ASPCA's way of doing business is sketchy to me. You could have a pet with them for years and if they are diagnosed with something long term (diabetes) they don't cover it in the renewal policy because it is a pre-existing condition. It is really only financially worth it to get your pets insured when they are younger but with insurance all you are doing is buying peace of mind. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
turtlespeed 221 #59 December 9, 2009 Where is the option for "Sell the cat to the nearest Oriental restaurant and make a jump ticket?"I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MikeJD 0 #60 December 11, 2009 Quote Where is the option for "Sell the cat to the nearest Oriental restaurant and make a jump ticket?" I know another Oriental favourite that'll make you two jump tickets. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hungarianchick 0 #61 December 11, 2009 After reading countless reviews on different companies the hubbie and I concluded that PetPlan is the way to go. We didn't need it yet, the guys are young and healthy, but you just never know. PetPlan offers three customizable plans that cover routine visits, shots, all the way to costly surgeries. According to customer feedbacks and reviews, they easy to work with, and never refuse a payment. http://www.gopetplan.com/ "I love cooking with wine. Sometimes I even put it in the food." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
turtlespeed 221 #62 December 12, 2009 Quote Quote Where is the option for "Sell the cat to the nearest Oriental restaurant and make a jump ticket?" I know another Oriental favourite that'll make you two jump tickets. You want to try my turtle soup? I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MikeJD 0 #63 December 12, 2009 Quote Quote Quote Where is the option for "Sell the cat to the nearest Oriental restaurant and make a jump ticket?" I know another Oriental favourite that'll make you two jump tickets. You want to try my turtle soup? Um. I'm gonna go with a NO. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ntrprnr 0 #64 December 12, 2009 When Karma, my cat turned 9, she was diagnosed a hypo-thyroid condition. Surgery worked the first time. Now, at 10, she has diabetes. Two quick shots a day, and it's like nothing ever happened. She's a pet. She's a member of my family. To me, it's the same thing as having a child. I suppose if a child needed an expensive surgery, some of you here would opt to put the kid down, too? "It's just a kid, we can have another." Sorry - Not trying to start shit, I just don't understand that logic. Love is love._______________ "Why'd you track away at 7,000 feet?" "Even in freefall, I have commitment issues." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
turtlespeed 221 #65 December 12, 2009 QuoteWhen Karma, my cat turned 9, she was diagnosed a hypo-thyroid condition. Surgery worked the first time. Now, at 10, she has diabetes. Two quick shots a day, and it's like nothing ever happened. She's a pet. She's a member of my family. To me, it's the same thing as having a child. I suppose if a child needed an expensive surgery, some of you here would opt to put the kid down, too? "It's just a kid, we can have another." Sorry - Not trying to start shit, I just don't understand that logic. Love is love. Sometimes love is relevant to how much full your wallet is.I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
