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Red Fox

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    Pet Insurance

    in General Dog Discussion

    Posted

    Pet Insurance Australia

    Yes it is worth it. 

    No it's not cheap, $200 per month for two large dogs aged 7 and 10

    $10,000 + this year in vet fees. I got 80% back minus about $400 excess ($100 per condition).

    If I didn't have insurance one of my dogs would have been euthanized this year and the other would have been suffering.  

    My dog has a mammary tumour

    in Health / Nutrition / Grooming

    Posted

    Just a quick update for anyone interested.

     

    Pathology results came back clear 2 weeks ago. Both tumours were fortunately benign. Sutures came out on Thursday and apart from some minor complications due to a reaction to the silk she had been doing really well.

     

    Her vet and I made the decision not to desex her at the time due to the major surgery and prolonged anaesthetic associated with the mastectomy. Plan being to look at doing so once she had recovered. Last night she went into emergency surgery for open pyometra. Not even 3 weeks into recovery from her op.

     

    It was very aggressive, but also caught early enough. 

     

    She is home today, sore, confused, but okay.

     

    All I can say is thank God for good vets and pet insurance.

     

     

    • Like 2
    • Sad 1

    What you need to know before getting pet insurance

    in Health / Nutrition / Grooming

    Posted · Edited by Red Fox
    spelling

    I have two dogs, one 10 years old and the other 7. They have both been covered since the day I brought them home. Both with Pet Insurance Australia.

     

    Initially their insurance was about $35 each per month, with a $100 excess and 100% cover. It's now climbed to around $200 per month for the both of them and reduced to 80% cover.

     

    Have I thought about cancelling it? Yes. Will I? Probably not any time soon.

     

    This year alone I will have claimed in excess of $6000, no questions asked.

    January one dog needed stitches in her face after an altercation through a fence with another dog $1500

    August my other dog needed a large mass removed from his eye, suffered some complications with an ulcer and required a second surgery (which my vet didn't charge me for) $2500+
    Then this week my girl needed a huge surgery after discovering a large mass in her mammary area a few weeks ago. $2800 so far.

     

    In total, after insurance costs, excesses and co-payment I'll maybe be out of pocket $1800.

     

    Over the years I've probably claimed a few thousand more for bits and pieces including specialist treatment for IBD in one dog.

     

    So is it worth it? 100% yes!

     

    I think if you were able to put away say $50 per week, per dog from the day you brought them home and not touch it apart from vet expenses you might come out on top. But if you were unlucky and your dog suffered and injury or severe illness in the first few years then you might not.

     

    Keep in mind that it is impossible to insure an older dog and that insurance wont cover any pre-existing conditions. So waiting until they are older to insure is not really worth it either.

    My dog has a mammary tumour

    in Health / Nutrition / Grooming

    Posted

    Just an update;

     

    Elka had her surgery today. 

     

    She wasn't desexed, as both myself and her regular vet thought it would be too big a procedure and unnecessary at this stage.

     

    The x-ray showed her lungs to be clear.

     

    Unfortunately her vet found another tumour, resulting in the removal of her entire mammary chain.

     

    We should have the results from pathology by mid next week. 

     

    She's home. very sore and has a lot of stitches, but she's okay.

    • Like 2

    My dog has a mammary tumour

    in Health / Nutrition / Grooming

    Posted · Edited by Red Fox

    It’s been years since I was on this forum. My dogs are now a lot older...

     

    Elka is 7 year old Malinois. On Monday  i found a large, firm, somewhat lumpy, misshapen lump on her belly. It’s around 2 x 2.5 inches wide and flat like a pebble. 

     

    I can guarantee with absolute certainty that the lump wasn’t there (or at least was not at all prominent) 10 days prior. 

     

    She was taken to the to the vet on Tuesday morning and diagnosed with a mammary tumour.

     

    There aren’t any other obvious lumps. Her mammary chain feels clear apart from this. Her lymph nodes seem okay. Her heart rate was normal. 

     

    The soonest she can get in for surgery with my preferred vet is on 6th December. 

    This will obviously be brought forward if need be, in which case I would have to allow another vet to do the surgery. 

     

    I know the odds are 50/50 on whether the tumour is malignant. It will be sent off to pathology so I’ll know either way. 

    But im concerned at the rate it’s appeared. 

     

    Ive been told to watch for ulceration, growth, tenderness, etc. 

    At this stage she seems fine... 

     

    The vet I saw was also pushing me to desex my dog. I’m not against this if need be. But not keen on having it done along with major surgery. It just seems too much risk if it’s not absolutely necessary.

     

    What I would like to know is if it fits the description of Inflammatory mammary carcinoma? Or if anyone else has been through this? 

    Can tumours which do NOT fit the description of IMC grow at this rate??

     

    I can’t speak to my regular vet that I trust as she is on leave for another 2 weeks due to having surgery herself. 

     

    Just need some some advice I guess...

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    • Like 2

    Too Late To Bring Out Dogs Drive?

    in Training / Obedience / Dog Sports

    Posted

    Hey all,

    Sorry, let me make something explicitly clear.

    I live in Victoria, therefore bite work is not permitted.

    I will be getting my boy through the BH phase.

    Following the BH phase, if he enjoys tracking or more complex obedience work, we will pursue that.

    I would never place my personal goals over the relationship I have with my boy or make him do something he isnt built for. This is ethically wrong in my view.

    There's no problem putting IPO titles on the Vic dogs. Just trial in another state.

    We have had quite a few gain their IPO1/2/3 in SA.

    3 Day Drive With New Puppy - Tips Please

    in Puppy Chat

    Posted

    I found most of the caravan parks would accept "well behaved dogs" on lead. Some (eg Highlander) would allow dogs in certain cabins. Some would allow dogs in certain cabins as long as there was no mess left, and you didn't tell them. Ie don't ask, don't tell.

    And every medium sized country town has a caravan park.

    Most would let you have a dog in your own tent or caravan. Sometimes my dog slept in my car. Or a crate next to a cabin.

    That is true... but there is a huge difference between travelling with a dog you know and a new puppy.

    A new pup just removed from its litter is likely to make a bit of noise the first few nights and need to be taken out regularly. Also depends on what the breeder has done with it too - has the puppy been in a crate on its own? Has puppy travelled in a car? (not just 2 or 3 trips to the local vet). I'm not against travelling with dogs, do it all the time. But wouldn't chance a three day drive with a new pup.

    2015 Australian National Ipo Open Championship

    in Training / Obedience / Dog Sports

    Posted

    here was a club that utilized largely positive reward when most ANKC clubs were still 'hang and bang'.

    Hmm, yank and crank or paddock bashing... circle work... boring pretty much.

    I used to make it more fun for both of us by running... and when I swapped over to a horse rope lead because she ate through three of the normal leads... (three bites to freedom - argh)... we could play tug too.

    Eventually we got into a "fun class" and there was plenty of distraction which you countered with better treats...

    I think I definitely want to check this club out - I was a bit worried they might be even more punishment based than the regular ANKC clubs and also that evil hound is not perfect like Mia's dogs (or Ness's) so I wouldn't be able to do the stuff. Ie she'd nick off at an inappropriate time. Tho we haven't had that problem in quite a while at training.

    You will find varied methods between trainers. ASC does not train in a 'class' environment, but rather each handler works their dogs individually with team support and guidance from those more experienced. You MUST have control of your dog at all times. If the dog 'nicks off' you will need to find a way to minimise that risk (through use of a long line perhaps...)

    These are not general obedience or manners classes. Not everyone is 'competitive' but the vast majority are working towards achieving their IPO titles.

    The club accepts all breeds and welcomes serious newcomers.

    Come out for a look and a chat on the weekend if you are interested. I'd be happy to talk more with you and explain more about the sport if you are interested. :)

    Dory, you will be fine ;)

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