Pet health insurance: particularly interesting for these breeds

Not only masters and mistresses are often well insured, but also their four-legged friends. Health insurance for dogs is becoming increasingly popular. They provide financial support in the event of an emergency and cover the vet's costs for general treatment and operations, for example. This article shows why taking out insurance can be particularly useful for some breeds.

When the intestines are disturbed

Skin problems, hormonal disorders, autoimmune diseases—these are often linked to a disturbed intestinal and body flora. There are some dog breeds that are susceptible to this. These include shoats, shepherd dogs, chow chows, Eurasiers and Rhodesian Ridgebacks. If such diseases remain undetected for a long time, they can lead to protracted or even permanent inflammation in the body. Treatment is then often only possible with medication or, in the worst case, surgery. However, every animal lover knows that even long-term medication can be cost-intensive. Pet health insurance helps to avoid putting unnecessary strain on the household budget. Depending on the scope of benefits, it covers 100% or at least a proportion of the costs.

Problems with the lungs

Some breeds are also known for their recurring problems with the respiratory tract. Typical symptoms include Asthma, backward sneezing, coughing, increased smiling or even bronchitis. The cause of such complaints is often obstructed airways or shortened noses. Poodles or poodle mixes, terriers, English setters, Irish setters, Gordon setters, doodle dog breeds and other medium-sized dogs are particularly affected. In order to ensure better breathing, minor surgical procedures are often performed to remove cartilage and allow the dog to breathe more freely. Such treatments have long been part of routine veterinary practice. Nevertheless, like any operation, they naturally harbour a risk for the four-legged friend and are a burden on the owner's wallet.

Depending on the breed, such an operation can quickly cost 300 euros or more. Here too, pet health insurance often covers some or even all of the costs incurred. Important: Before choosing a suitable insurance policy, owners should be sure to read the small print and check whether their procedure is included.

Problems with the liver

In addition to intestinal diseases, problems with the liver are often the cause of many a four-legged complaint. Inflammation in the head area (such as eyes or ears), problems with claws, tendons or fasciae - these can indicate a malfunctioning liver. If the intestines are already weakened, for example, blood clots often occur. This can have serious consequences for the liver, as it is no longer properly supplied with blood and produces heat. This must be discharged via the claws or hair of the four-legged friend in order to ensure a stable body temperature. This in turn has a negative effect on sebum production, causing many dogs to have spots or other marks on their skin.

Rottweilers, Giant Schnauzers, Labrador Retrievers and Cane Corsos are frequently affected. In such cases, the main thing that helps is to change the diet to a light diet. The addition of medication over a longer period of time may also be necessary if the liver has already been severely affected.

Spleen and stomach often cause discomfort, especially in these breeds

The stomach and spleen are also part of a healthy four-legged friend's circulatory system. However, these are often disturbed, especially in short-nosed dog breeds. Owners notice this above all with neck tension, shortness of breath, frequent vomiting, backward sneezing or acid regurgitation. This is caused by excess marrow acids that cannot be digested properly. Instead, they cause discomfort and, in the worst case, even lead to severe nausea. Boxers, Pugs, Pekingese, Dogue de Bordeaux, Bulldogs and mongrel dogs with short heads and short muzzles are particularly affected. A change in diet or more exercise can help here. Temporary support with medication in the form of stomach acid regulating preparations is also sometimes necessary. Good pet health insurance will cover the costs of extensive diagnostics by a vet to find the exact cause of the problems in the gastrointestinal tract of your four-legged companion.