Pet insurance gaining traction with veterinarians
Credit: Steve Dale | My Pet World, Tribune Media Services
Veterinarians have traditionally been opposed to pet insurance, but their views seem to be shifting.
“This is because pet insurance can save lives, and we’re seeing more examples of this,” says Dr. Julia Georgesen in Chicago. “As a veterinarian, pet insurance allows me to practice better medicine.”
Bella was an 8-week-old Pit Bull mix, who appeared perfectly healthy on her first veterinary visit. As a “to go gift,” Dr. Bradley Christensen, of Las Vegas, NV, offered a puppy kit to Bella’s owner, which included basic information about puppy care, where to find a dog trainer and a free 30-day trial with Trupanion Pet Insurance. Three days later, this once thriving puppy was pretty much on death’s door as a result of the canine parvovirus.
“For puppies as bad off as Bella was, we didn’t know if she was going to make it,” says Christensen. “We needed permission to administer aggressive treatment, which was not inexpensive. And unfortunately, the owners were very concerned about finding a way to afford treatment for Bella.”
Euthanasia might sadly have been the only viable alternative for Bella. Then, Christensen remembered that Bella’s owners had signed up for the free 30-day trial of pet insurance. Trupanion is one of the only a few pet insurance companies that pays 90 percent of the cost on claims.
“This made the treatment affordable,” Christensen says. “For sure, every puppy and kitten is now being offered the (free) 30-day trial at our clinic,” he adds.
Today Bella is 100 percent recovered, a normal, fun-loving puppy and wonderful family pet, Christensen reports.
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