What Should You Know About Pet Health Insurance?

by Amanda L. Maus DVM
Catalina Pet Hospital
Tucson, AZ

What is the difference between human and pet health insurance?
The main difference between human and pet health insurance is that your veterinarian does not accept the insurance as a form of payment.  After you pay and receive your invoice from your veterinarian for services and medications, you submit your invoice and claim form to your pet insurance company.  Some companies accept electronic claims and others require claim forms be filled out and signed by your veterinarian.

Dixie

Why should you get pet insurance?
Paying for adequate veterinary care for your pet is a required part of pet ownership.  Pet insurance is a way to help budget for your pet's medical bills.  It can also help for unexpected or emergency situations that arise.  With pet insurance, you have the peace of mind that you can make the best decisions for your pet's treatment without having to focus so much on the costs involved and whether you can afford it.

Molly

When should you sign your pet up for health insurance?
The best time to look into pet insurance is when your pet is young or still healthy. A new pet insurance policy will not cover preexisting medical conditions. Some policies may not cover conditions that are hereditary in certain pure bred animals or require add on coverage for those conditions. 

Iris

How much does pet insurance cost?
Most plans have a low monthly premium, less than $40 per month. Although pet insurance will not cover 100% of your bill, many comprehensive medical plans will substantially reimburse you, when you submit a claim covered by your pet's policy.  Remember there will likely be a deductible as well as an annual benefit limit.

Hector (tabby) and Salisbury (black)

What kind of plans can you get for your pet?

• Wellness plans that cover preventive care
• Injury or emergency plans
• Comprehensive medical plans

How do you choose an insurance company?
A list of the top 10 pet insurance companies can be found here.  You should compare the cost, coverage, claim caps, deductible, and company reviews.  Your veterinarian may have advice based on their experiences and client feedback.

Dixie, Molly, Iris, Hector, and Salisbury are ready for you to visit and adopt

from PAWSitively CATS

Is your cat included in your estate planning?

by Amanda L. Maus DVM
Catalina Pet Hospital
Tucson, AZ

As a caring pet owner, one has to plan for the possibility of not outliving their beloved pet.  No one likes to talk about this fact, but it is important to have a will to help your loved ones know what your plans are for your pets after your death. Without a formal plan, your pets may end up at a pet shelter and sadly may not get a new home.  Losing you will be stressful enough for your pet so please make plans to provide as smooth of a transition as possible for your pet.

Tabitha

Discuss with your friends and family who is willing and able to take in your pets after your death.  Create a back up plan so you have at least two people able to take in your pets.  If you are unable to find a friend or relative who can take in your pet, look for other options.  Here in Tucson, the Humane Society of Southern Arizona, offers a Guardian Angel Program where pet owners can ensure lifetime care of their pet in a private home.

Determine how much money you can and will leave behind to help pay for the day to day expenses of pet ownership, as well as unforeseen medical expenses.  Sadly, you cannot leave money directly to your pet, but you can leave money behind to someone for the care of that pet.  Consider creating a formal trust fund for your pet's care, which will legally obligate your pet's new caretaker to use the provided funds to care for your pet. 

Please contact your lawyer to help make sure your will properly reflects your wishes for your pets.  Also consider including a donation in your will to help PAWSitively CATS continue their mission to take the best possible care of their cats. 

What is the connection among Toxoplasma, cats, and pregnant women?

by Amanda L. Maus DVM
Catalina Pet Hospital
Tucson, AZ

Toxoplasma gondii is a parasite that can infect birds and mammals, including humans.  Cats become infected by eating the parasite "egg" or infected small mammals or birds.  Cats are the only animal in which Toxoplasma reproduces, with the "eggs" being found in cat feces.  However, most cats can clear the infection and do not continue to pass infected feces after a few weeks.  Other cats are infected with Toxoplasma for life, with the organism living in their organs or tissue.

In addition to direct exposure to Toxoplasma in cat feces and litter, humans can be exposed when handling raw meat or eating undercooked meat, handling or eating raw vegetables, and handling garden soil without gloves.

The symptoms of Toxoplasma in cats and people can vary from no signs in most patients with a strong immune system to severe diarrhea, heart or lung disease, liver disease, neurologic disease, eye disease, etc in patients with a weak immune system. 

A human mother who has been exposed to Toxoplasma prior to pregnancy, who already has antibodies against Toxoplasma which she will pass to her offspring, has a very low risk for her baby to become infected.  A human mother with a first time, new exposure and infection due to Toxoplasma has the highest risk for her baby to become severely affected, especially during first trimester.  A blood test can be performed by a obstetrician to look for Toxoplasma antibodies in the mother.

While pregnant, in conjunction with passing the litter box duties to another family member, wearing gloves while gardening, hand washing, rinsing produce, and safely handling raw meat and properly cooking meat help prevent exposure to Toxoplasma. 

What should I do if I can't afford to take my sick cat to the vet?

by Amanda L. Maus DVM
Catalina Pet Hospital
Tucson, AZ

Prince

All loving cat owners dread the idea of not being able to properly care for their pet.  Sometimes, unexpected expenses or illnesses arise during the course of pet ownership.  No one wants to be forced to choose euthanasia if they are unable to afford treatment for a treatable or curable disease.  Sadly, this can happen without knowing all of your available options, especially if you think your only option is the cash you have in your bank account. 

While your pet is healthy, look into pet insurance.  A new pet insurance policy is very unlikely to cover preexisting medical conditions.  Most plans have a low monthly premium, less than $40 per month.  Although pet insurance will not cover 100% of your bill, many comprehensive medical plans will substantially reimburse you, when you submit a claim covered by your pet's policy.

Abner

Very few veterinary practices allow clients to make payments on their bill.  Luckily, the acceptance of Care Credit as payment has become more commonplace.  This credit card can also be used at select human dentist offices, hearing doctors, eye doctors, etc.  Although the regular interest rate is very high, the promotional interest for balances over a certain amount can be as low as 0% for 6 months.  The option of making payments over 6 months can be a literal lifesaver.

You can also ask family or friends to help make donations.  The popularity of websites, such as Go Fund Me, and social media have made it easier to raise funds quicker than you can by word of mouth.  Even if people can only chip in $5-$20, that can quickly add up if you are able to reach 50+ people.  In this situation, even strangers who learn of your pet's story may open their heart and donate to the cause.

PAWSitively CATS relaxing at the shelter

Another option is to contact local rescue groups or animal charity groups.  Unfortunately, most of these organizations rely on donations and do not always have the funding available to help all cases.   However, the one you call may have a name and phone number of another organization to try. 

Ask your veterinarian about reputable pet insurance companies, whether they accept care credit, and about local organizations that help clients pay for services.  This way you can have a plan in place, in case something does happen later, or know who to contact if your pet is already ill.

Visit the cats available for adoption from PAWSitively CATS.