Desperate Paws of Orange County is sending a shipment of supplies and food to the World Vets Headquarters in North Dakota. World Vets is a great organization providing services to pets all around the world. They have 2 volunteers on the ground in Japan right now accessing the situation while those back home are collecting supplies to be shipped over. Founders is doing its part by acting as a collection center for food and supplies. World Vets is in desperate need of food, collars and leashes, and blankets or towels. It is short notice, but we want to collect as much as possible by 10:30am Saturday 3/19. Please pass the word around and visit Founders with your donation. If you would like to simply make a monetary donation you can visit this Chipin website for directions.  More details are available on World Vets website and the DPOC website. Feel free to call our clinic for more info as well!

DogSpa Resort & Wellness Center

This resort offers stunning views of the San Jacinto and San Gorgonio mountains from every room. Take in the many tourist sites that await you – worry free – while an on-site pet nanny pampers your dog. Soak, swim and rejuvenate in the healing hot mineral waters of Desert Hot Springs – built on one of the world’s finest hot mineral aquifers. Discover why Desert Hot Springs has won its acclaim as California’s Spa City!

Eight cozy guest rooms with adjoining café kitchens surround secluded pool courtyard. Private dog park – and patio with fire pit – for day and nighttime enjoyment.

Relaxing spa treatments available at several exclusive people resorts within walking distance.

Onsite pet health and wellness consultations by who other than our very own Dr T!

Enter the DogSpa’s Facebook photo contest to win a FREE night’s stay! Hurry – contest ends soon! Click here.

A large crowd gathering at Arovista Park and visiting vendor booths.

On October 23th starting at 9am, more than 150 outraged dog lovers with their canine companions gathered at Arovista Park to attend our annual Luv-a-Bully March – a grassroots movement to create social awareness about the danger of allowing city leaders and insurance companies to impose restrictions on dog ownership.

Our march to Brea’s City Hall is on!

With signs waving, tails wagging, and cars honking, activists walked more than two miles down Brea Blvd and Birch St in a loop to Brea City Hall.

While resting on the steps of City Hall, Tim Welch of Redefined Dog Training spoke on the topic of dog behavior with a warning not to judge or stereotype any dog based on breed – even a Chihuahua can have serious issues!

More than 150 protestors lined up on sidewalks spanning more than 3 city blocks. Thank you Brea Police for your escort -- stopping traffic at intersections so we could cross safely.

Shorty Rossi – Pit Boss on Animal Planet – was a no-show, calling to cancel the morning of our event…  BOOOOOO!  We ask that his disappointed fans send him some unfriendly fan mail!

All other supporters attended as planned: Camp Bow Wow, Pinups for Pit Bills, OC Pit Bull Rescue, Lisa Scarsi Photography, Wicked Wicks of the West, and Farmers Insurance – and all will be invited back next year. View and order some fantastic photos taken by Lisa here.

In Denver, CO and other cities with breed bans – bullies like this one have been confiscated and killed. Care to explain that to a child?

We collected nearly $700 from our raffle, which has been donated to Mariah’s Promise – a dog sanctuary in Colorado – in a state that has been plagued by breed bans. Denver being the most notorious and a catalyst for other cities to adopt breed bans – is now in litigation facing three civil lawsuits in hope of bringing justice to the families that lost their dogs and their homes!

A special shout out to David Keith who filmed and edited hours of video tape to capture some unforgettable sights and expose the myth that surrounds the perception of “dangerous breeds.” Please share with 10 friends and help us spread this event around the world!

Our bully Zack returned this year to host our Kiss-a-Bull Booth and licked a lot of kissers!

My special thanks to all the wonderful souls (clients and concerned citizens) that joined hands and hearts again for our 6th annual Luv-a-Bully March. You did your civil duty to your dog and your community.

At a buck a kiss, Zach helped raise funds for Mariah’s Promise in Woodland, CO – a dog sanctuary that takes in pit bulls who have been banned.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is every dog owner’s battle until our freedom to choose our canine companions is a protected right – not a crime!

Our 2008 march to Brea City Hall.

This event is the coordinated effort of ROVERlution.org in partnership with Annual Pit Bull Awareness Day. On October 23^rd, thousands of concerned dog owners all across the country will join forces to spotlight the devastating effects of breed discrimination. This grassroots movement began in 2005 when the city of Denver, CO voted to ban several dog breeds, tragically resulting in the hunting and killing of innocent family dogs.

Breed bans have been birthed by ignorance and fueled with discrimination – no reputable study has found any particular breed of dog to be inherently dangerous!

Nicholas Burr, winner of Best Kissed Kid contest. $100 gift certificate to Disneyland!

Dog experts cite irresponsible dog ownership as the root of problematic dogs in society. Collected data on dog bites further asserts that ALL dogs can only be judged safe by their behavior. Physical characteristics or breed have no predictive value.

Responsible dogs owners must take action against insurance companies and city leaders that seek to impose breed restrictions. Three breeds most under fire are the American Pit Bull Terrier, the American Staffordshire Terrier, and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, all commonly referred to as Pit Bulls. It seems forgotten that the all American Pit Bull Terrier was once a favorite family dog revered as the “nanny dog” and showcased as the loveable Petey in the Little Rascals television series of the 1950s.

Other breeds that have been the target of BSL in cities around the country include the Rottweiler, Doberman, Chow Chow, and the German Shepherd.

When interviewed by the press, Dr. Terifaj, founder of ROVERlution.org, had this to say:

“The behavior of any breed of dog is largely determined by the actions of dog owners. All dogs must be judged by their actual behavior and not stereotyped as breed aggressive. Insurance companies and government entities who have chosen to penalize dog ownership based on breed prejudice have recklessly violated the rights of good citizens. Media hype and misinformation has largely contributed to the irrational fear and ignorance that surrounds these breeds. Stronger law enforcement of existing dangerous dog ordinances would protect communities from any dog found to be a public threat and stiffer penalties on dog owners who harbor dangerous dogs would target the real problem.” 

Shorty Rossi, star of Pit Boss on Animal Planet and his pit bull rescue organization will be attending the event for the first time!

Outspoken veterinarian, Dr. Paula Terifaj, leads over 100 sign-waving protesters on march down Brea Blvd in peaceful protest in October 2009.

Protestors will gather at Arovista Park in Brea beginning at 9am in preparation to march downtown in route to Brea City Hall. Other supporters setting up booths in the park will be Camp Bow Wow, Pin-ups for Pit Bills, OC Pit Bull Rescue, Lisa Scarsi Photography, Wicked Wicks of the West, and Farmers Insurance.

A raffle prize fundraiser will collect donations for Mariah’s Promise in Woodland Park, Colorado. This non-profit rescue was chosen upon learning that they generously took in hundreds of outlawed Denver family dogs to keep them safe from harm.

While at City Hall, Tim Welch of Redefined Dog Training will demonstrate some good training tips to stress the need that all dogs remain welcome in their neighborhoods.

PS: If you have a suitable raffle prize to donate – please contact Jan Keith, our super woofer event coordinator!

Save the date – and do your Dog Duty this October 23^rd!

Bombay, Lily, and Peanut Butter

Help us help homeless OC pets – the need has never been greater! Many good family pets have tragically lost their homes during this real estate/financial crisis and are being surrendered to animal shelters. Local rescue groups are working around the clock to save as many needy dogs and cats as they possibly can! They need our help and more available foster homes. Got stuff you don’t need? Can you share your home and be a foster pet parent?

Please donate your good reusable items for this very worthy cause. We are accepting donations Monday thru Friday – May 10^th to May 14^th during regular business hours at Founders Veterinary Clinic 330 N Brea Blvd, Brea. Fundraiser begins Saturday May 15^th at 9am until 3pm.

Donate and hunt for bargain treasures! Dog wash on site for a doggy bubble bath while you shop. All proceeds from this fundraiser – including our dog wash – will support our Founders Pet Sponsorship Program.

Please forward this information inviting your friends and family, too! And help us find homes for our three wonderful foster pets – Peanut Butter, Bombay, and Lily. So, what is Peanut Butter made of? Find out next week when we announce her pedigree and see if you are a winner!

It’s not too late. Vote here.

Hi! I'm Peanut Butter. Can you guess my mixed up family heritage? Who was my mom? My dad? You could win a free DNA test for your doggie mix-up! And how about adopting me? I’m all heart and wiggles and that’s a sure thing!

What is he or she? For sure your dog’s got a fluffy tail, long body, pointy ears, and the personality of a Labrador. Welcome to the mystery quest that most mixed-breed or mutt dog owners ask themselves. Finally, for those curious dog lovers tired of playing the breed guessing game, new technology is making it possible for them to identify just what their mutts are made of.

Two noteworthy companies, Mars Veterinary and MMI Genomics, perform DNA testing to help identify a dog’s breed(s). Mars Wisdom Panel requires a blood sample which can be done here at Founders. Your dog’s DNA is then matched to their database, which includes 153 AKC breeds. Mars’ database of breeds is one of the largest available. MMI Genomics offers the Canine Heritage Breed Test which requires the owner to take a cheek swab of their dog’s saliva to collect the DNA sample. Their database is composed of 108 AKC breeds. Note: we only offer the Mars test which requires a blood sample.

Each company then reports the results in 3 categories: Significant, Intermediate and Minor. If a breed is identified as Significant, it shows that 50% of your dog’s DNA matches to that breed. Intermediate shows a 25% match to that breed, and Minor is a very minimal match to that breed. So, unless one of your mutt’s parents was a purebred, most results will not report a breed in the Significant category. However, any breed reported as Intermediate is a good indicator of heritage. And those breeds reported as Minor simply means your best friend is so mixed-up, only doG knows!

How valid are the results? They are only as good as the company’s database and the number of branches on your dog’s genetic tree. If your dog is 5 or more breeds, the results will most likely be reported in the Minor category, making for some clueless but interesting cocktail party conversations. 

So, if you want to know just what Fido could possibly be made of – or your dog is suffering from an identity crisis – this simple DNA test may come as a shocking surprise or confirm your secret suspicions. The cost to discover all that your dog can be is a reasonable $125. But for the month of April, we are offering an April Fools Discount, bringing the price down to only $99.

Now who will have the last laugh – you, your dog, or your friends?

Another clue before you guess! Good luck!

Special contest to win a Free DNA test: What is our foster dog Peanut Butter? Place your guess on this blog – winners will be notified when her test results are back!

SAVE THE DATE – SATURDAY, MAY 15^TH – FLEA MARKET FOR FLEABAGS AT FOUNDERS – OUR SECOND ANNUAL FUNDRAISER TO HELP OC HOMELESS PETS. We welcome all useable items in good condition. Start cleaning out your closets!

Some examples of previous workshop photos by Lisa Scarsi.

So, who better to be your Valentine Sweetheart? That’s why this Valentine’s Day, we invite you to say “Cheese” instead of “Chocolate” and join us on Feb 6th & 13th for our Sit, Stay and Say Cheese Workshop (two sessions) and get professional portraits taken just in time for Valentine’s Day! And for those of you with 2-legged sweeties to please, these kissable portraits would make great and thoughtful gifts, too!

The training portion of the workshop will teach you how to pose your dog for the best photos ever on Saturday from 12-1pm on Feb 6th at Founders Veterinary Clinic, 330 N. Brea Blvd, Brea. Pet portrait sessions will be held the following Saturday, Feb 13^th starting at 1pm.

Each workshop attendee will first learn posing techniques by trainer extraordinaire, Cindy Scott – followed by their very own furry photo shoot by an amazing professional pet photographer, Lisa Scarsi, on the following Saturday.

All this for a modest cost of only $105.

To sign up, contact Pro Dog Trainer Cindy Scott, of Dogs Etc.

at dogsetc@yahoo.com or call (714) 393-0432.

More about Cindy here: www.my-zen-dog.com.

More about Lisa here: www.lisascarsi.com.

Don’t miss this keepsake opportunity to capture adorable photos with the furriest love of your life!

Vet perk #1: You get to stay and assist when your own pet gets sick – comforting my Braddy during his IV fluid therapy at ACCIM last Sunday.

So what happened? An undetermined cause (as is often the case), such as some a kind of toxin or pathogenic strain of bacteria hit his gut and caused a circulatory type of shock, resulting in a rapid drop of his blood pressure. Within seconds of rushing through the emergency doors at Advanced Critical Care and Internal Medicine (ACCIM) in Tustin, the ER doc and support staff huddled around us: An IV catheter was immediately inserted into Braddy’s forearm for blood collection/analysis and intravenous administration of fluids and drugs. At the same time, a blood pressure cuff was tightly wrapped around one of his hind legs while another tech took his vital signs (temperature, pulse and respiration) and yet another attached electrodes to monitor his heartbeat (EKG). As a panicked spectator, I watched an ultrasound probe search his abdomen looking for a life threatening internal hemorrhage. “Oh no, I can’t lose my sweet beloved dog,”  was all I could think but not dare say out loud.

Mercifully, within minutes, my worst fears were replaced with hope: lab results and the ultrasound revealed no blood loss or damage to internal organs. After an intense 30 minutes, Braddy began responding well to the rapid fluid infusion (to bring up his blood pressure) and a warming blanket to bring up his low body temp. Now I was the one that needed medical attention for the surge of adrenalin that was still spiking my B.P. and racing my pulse. Over the next three hours he (and I) stabilized – I thankfully took him home and praised the attentive staff for the excellent care he received.

On Monday, Brad Pit is reunited with his duck – they are inseparable!

A full 24 hours later while recuperating at home with his personal physician on call (and mom on duty), Braddy was back playing with his squeaky stuffed duck and it was music (no longer noise) to my ears…It was like my three hour nightmare never happened. But it did. Let that be your wake-up call.

Obviously you know why I am sharing the events of last Sunday with you. Last week, I became that one second statistic: Every second a pet owner is faced with a $1000 vet bill. Emergencies happen. Illness happens. You must protect your pet and yourself if and when medical costs exceed what you can afford. Insurance is no longer an option when your pet’s health and safety is at risk. I never thought I would be spending a Sunday afternoon in the ER with a healthy dog that was happy and playful that same morning!

Now – as promised – our insurance review is complete and confidently endorses Petplan. If you have not read the comments left by readers on our pet insurance review – please take a few minutes to do so as you may share some of the questions asked – see our answers.

Note: the first claim I submitted to Petplan 6 weeks ago (exam and lab work for another mysterious case when Brad Pit went off his food, feeling punk and then rebounding the next day without treatment) has been paid without question or hassle.    I received an apology for the reimbursement taking longer than the normal waiting period of 3-4 weeks because of the holidays. My advice is to keep one credit card with a limit of at least $5,000 in a safe place (not your wallet!) in case of pet emergencies. Submit your claim immediately and most likely your reimbursement check will arrive before the payment due date!

If Petplan is your pick too, please use this referral code when you enroll ANP5000263-00 and $25 dollars will be automatically donated to our Homeless Pet Sponsorship Program. And if you are looking to adopt a great dog, please come by and visit our fosters: Roni, Barney and Freeway. We want to see these sweeties celebrate Valentine’s Day in their new homes with someone special to love them…

We hope you will share this important information about pet insurance and our adoption program with your friends, co-workers and loved ones.

Someone will thank you (or lick you) for spreading the word and so will we!

Janet with her dog Cookie, enjoying a hike.

I jumped in first, enrolling my pit bull mix-up, Brad Pit, with Petplan; Janet – our indispensable hospital manager and long time licensed veterinary tech –  signed up her dog Cookie with Embrace; Inez, our sweetheart groomer, purchased Pets Best for her newly adopted dog, Tigre. Yep, the same dog we were fostering – they had a 3 month love affair going on right under our noses!

My hat and stethoscope is off to Janet, who painstakingly studied each contract and directed my attention toward problematic areas. What follows is everything we learned and what you need to know before you enter the mind boggling world of pet insurance. We have done a lot of necessary homework and now it is your turn to compare, ask questions, and take action!

It is our greatest hope to see all our patients protected by a good pet insurance policy in the New Year. As I stressed in an earlier post, pet insurance is no longer an option – it’s a necessity if you want to make sure your pet receives state of the art medical care without maxing out your credit cards!

We want 2010 to be the year of affordable veterinary care. As a responsible pet parent, I challenge you to work an additional $25 to $35 into the monthly budget. So, if you become the unlucky pet owner faced with a $1,000 vet bill (happens every six seconds in the U.S.) don’t worry – just get your pen ready (or go on-line) and fill out your claim form!

Let’s begin…

First off is my humble apology. For the past twenty years that I have been in practice, I have largely ignored pet insurance. Why? Unfortunately, my first experience with pet insurance was a bad one and I formed a rather negative view. It was the late 80s and pet insurance was the new kid on the block. Clients complained that company X (a start-up in California) was paying less on claims than expected and taking months to reimburse them. On my clients’ behalf, I started wrestling with the insurance company for higher payouts because no one could understand their complicated benefit schedule. Fast forward to 2009… the pet insurance neighborhood has wisely matured and veterinary medicine has made remarkable advancements in its technology and treatments, which many pet parents can ill afford to take advantage of.

Now for the $2,900 question: Why would a veterinarian buy pet insurance for her own pet? Answer: In the last four years, my dog Rosie (yes, it’s true – purebreds have more problems than mutts ) has needed an MRI to diagnose an infection in her spine, eye surgery by an ophthalmologist, and most recently, an urgent visit to Advanced Critical Care and Internal Medicine (ACCIM) in Tustin on a weekend to find out why she had stopped eating.

First the good news: bad tummy ache or in medical jargon, acute gastroenteritis, and Rosie is feeling much better. Now the bad news: a routine abdominal ultrasound revealed that Rosie has a tumor on one of her adrenal glands, presumed to be malignant. Making matters worse, I did not have insurance to defray costs incurred over the last four years – nearly $3,000, and that was with generous professional discounts! Don’t worry – Rosie will get the care she needs, but that vacation I wanted to take went off to dreamland. Lesson learned the hard way, which is apparently how I learn most things.

OK now…this is going to be a long read, so be prepared to take your time, a needed potty break, or go grab a cup of Joe. Just be sure to read it ALL and leave us your thoughts or any questions in the comment section here on the blog. We always appreciate reading your comments – thanks.

We found that the major difference between the top three pet insurance companies we reviewed was how they paid on chronic ongoing conditions.

• Dollar limits per condition: Pays out a specified maximum amount covered for each diagnosed condition. Once the maximum amount has been paid out the condition will no longer be covered. This type of policy can provide a good compromise for those unable to purchase comprehensive protection offered by lifelong polices.
• Time limits per condition: Ongoing illnesses are classified as pre-existing whenever the policy renews. The condition may still be covered but the reimbursement amount is reduced. Presumed to be a better option than dollar limits.
• Lifelong: Provides the most comprehensive protection for you and your pet – full coverage for both short term and long term illnesses. Pays out the maximum dollar amount on the policy purchased and that amount will be reset each year on renewal. With Lifelong coverage, any ailment your pet is diagnosed with will receive treatment indefinitely as long as you continue to renew your policy each year.

So what’s not automatically covered?

Some common exclusions to look out for:

Pre-existing conditions – It is standard for pet insurance companies to deny coverage for the treatment of pre-existing conditions. Having said that, it’s always best to disclose any problems your pet has upfront, as future claims may be invalidated if you’re found not to be completely honest. Founders warns: apply for pet insurance as soon as you adopt. Puppies and kittens are most likely not to have any pre-existing conditions – hence you never need to worry if a claim will be paid!

Note: There is a mandatory waiting period (usually 14 days) from the time you enroll until your coverage begins. Also, all previous medical records will be reviewed in an attempt to prevent fraudulent claims submitted for pre-existing conditions. No cheating allowed!

Hereditary or congenital conditions – There is a lot of wiggle room here. Some companies will cover these conditions as long as they were not discovered prior to the purchase of your policy and therefore treated as pre-existing. Founders warns: read the fine print!

Routine checkups – Some pet insurance policies will cover an allocated amount for routine pet care. Those companies that do offer coverage for routine health care costs (vaccinations, parasite control, spay/neuter, dental cleanings, annual check-ups) seemingly do not pay out well for unexpected medical costs. Founders warns: avoid the temptation to buy routine coverage. Instead, budget for the known costs of basic pet care and buy polices that will afford you comprehensive coverage for the unexpected illness or life threatening emergency. 

The ‘devil is in the details’ – read carefully and familiarize yourself with these terms:

Age restrictions: Eligibility for enrollment is based on age of your pet. Breed can also affect age limits. For example: a new policy may specify full coverage for mixed breed dogs up to age 8 years; purebred dogs up to age 6 years; cats up to age 10 years.

Pets Best states no age restrictions.

A representative at Petplan told us the age limit may be lifted in 2010.

Pets that are too old for full coverage may be eligible for accident type coverage.

Select breeds: The following breeds (some we’ve never heard of!) could face policy restrictions, age limits, or higher insurance rates:

Aidi, Akbash Dog, Appenzeller Sennenhund , Argentine Dogo / Dogo Argentino, Beauceron, Bernese Mountain Dog, Black Russian Terrier, Bloodhound, Boerboel, Bulldog (all Bulldog breeds), Bull Terrier, Ca de Bou / Perro de Presa Mallorquin, Canary Dog /Presa Canario, Cane Corso , Cão de Fila de São Miguel, Chinese Chongqing Dog, Clumber Spaniel, Coonhound , Deerhound /Scottish Deerhound, Doberman Pinscher, Dogue de Bordeaux /French Mastiff, Dutch Sheepdog / Schapendoes, Entlebucher Sennenhund, Fila Brasileiro /Brazilian Fila , Gran Mastin de Borinquen, Great Dane, Great Pyrenees / Pyrenean Mountain Dog, Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, Griffon Brabancon, Irish Wolfhound, Kangal Dog, Landseer, Leonberger, Maremma Sheepdog, Mastiff (all Mastiff breeds), Mioritic Sheepdog, Newfoundland, Ovtcharka, Rottweiler, Scottish Terrier (Scottie), Saint Bernard, Shar-Pei, Staghound , Tibetan KyiApso, Thai Ridgeback, Tosa Inu.

These breeds display a higher degree of severity of disease and as such different terms and conditions may apply.

Pre-existing condition: Refers to a condition, injury or illness that was present – or which manifested itself – prior to the effective date of the policy. Coverage for any pre-existing condition was excluded under all the policies we reviewed.

It’s best to contact the insurance company prior to purchasing a policy if you’re not sure your pet has a pre-existing condition. For example, with Embrace, if your dog tore her right cruciate ligament (a common knee problem which requires surgical repair) before you bought your policy and later ruptures her left cruciate ligament – the new left cruciate tear is considered a pre-existing condition and will not be covered. Insurance business can be tricky stuff!

Per Incident limit: Refers to the maximum amount that will be paid for a single incident. Some companies will have a per-incident limit for the lifetime of the policy (as long as your pet lives) referred to as a lifetime limit. Companies may offer a range of lifetime limits to choose from. Pets Best offers lifetime limits ranging from $42,500 to $100,000 with corresponding per-incident limits from $2,500 to $14,000. For example, if you choose Pets Best Basic Plan with a lifetime limit of $42,500, there is a corresponding per-incident limit of $2,500. If your pet becomes ill with diabetes, then the maximum available reimbursement for any diabetes treatment would be $2,500 for the remaining life of your pet. RED FLAG: When treating chronic conditions, this could result in a total lack of coverage whether or not you renew your policy with Pets Best. Remember, pre-existing problems will not be covered if you later change insurance carriers.

Other companies, such as Petplan and Embrace, have no per-incident limits and will reimburse for a single incident up to the maximum annual policy benefit. For example, if you had Petplan’s Gold plan with a $20,000 maximum annual policy benefit, then you could be reimbursed up to $20,000 for a single incident. However, if you max out coverage for your policy year – no further coverage can be provided until your policy renews.

Benefit schedule: Insurers can use an itemized list of reimbursement amounts for specific medical diagnoses and treatments. This makes it very difficult to know what amount of any claim will be reimbursed and what amount you will pay out of pocket (remember company X!). Petplan, Embrace and Pets Best do not use a benefit schedule; instead, they reimburse you up to the limit of your policy. This has been a major improvement, leaving inferior insurance companies in the dust!

Chronic Conditions: Any condition that is likely to reappear and/or is not likely to be cured, such as allergies, some gastrointestinal diseases, diabetes, heart disease, cancer and so on.

Embrace offers restricted continuing care for chronic conditions that last more than one policy term. Its maximum reimbursement you can receive in any given year for chronic conditions is 25% of your policy maximum. For example, your cat is just diagnosed with kidney disease. If you choose a policy with a $2,000 annual limit (too low in my opinion – I would recommend at least $10,000 of coverage) a full $2,000 could be applied to treat the kidney disease. RED FLAG: However, when your policy renews in the second year, your cat now has a chronic condition and coverage for her kidney disease will only amount to 25% of your annual limit. So, with a $2,000 policy, only $500 will be reimbursed for care and treatment in all subsequent years. The remaining $1,500 is available for all new conditions, which again will be considered chronic in the following year.

Pets Best will cover up to the per-incident limit for the lifetime of the policy – so there is a cut off point on coverage. If your per-incident limit is $2,500, you can expect a total payout for the care and treatment of kidney disease not to exceed this limit over your pet’s lifetime. Also, with their lifetime $42,500 policy – you now have $40,000 worth of coverage when you renew your policy. Contrast lifetime limits with lifelong coverage – which do you want?

Only Petplan offers full lifelong coverage – any chronic condition the pet develops will be covered for the life of the pet so long as the policy is renewed annually and it will be renewed back to the full amount the of policy limit.

Congenital condition: Any condition or disorder that is present at birth or is recognized anytime after birth. Congenital disorders can be a result of genetic abnormalities or occur during fetal development. When discussing congenital, hereditary, and genetic conditions it becomes confusing when comparing different companies. For example, Pets Best lists patellar luxation (knee cap displacement) as a congenital condition which is therefore excluded from coverage. However; Embrace lists patellar luxation as a breed-specific condition (hereditary or genetic defect) which is covered as long as it’s not pre-existing. If you are paying attention you have just blurted out loud; “How can a problem be considered genetic (born with it) and not also be considered pre-existing at the same time?” Well, if the problem was never noted in your pet’s medical record prior to the effective date on your policy – it did not exist! Fortunately for your pocketbook, your vet failed to discover the problem on physical exam or the problem had not yet started to show any symptoms. Petplan also covers congenital conditions as long as they are not discovered as pre-existing conditions.

Hereditary condition: Refers to a condition, defect or disease, which was transmitted to the pet genetically from its parent(s). The condition, defect or disease may not be manifested until later in life. Some common examples are orthopedic problems such as Hip Dysplasia, Elbow Dysplasia, Osteochondritis Dissecans, and Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease; an eye disease leading to blindness called Progressive Retinal Atrophy; a blood disease called Von Willebrand disease; and Cryptorchidism – failure of one or both testicles to descend into the scrotum. Pets Best does offer coverage for what it considers to be hereditary conditions, but coverage is limited and the pet must have been enrolled before their 2^nd birthday. Both Petplan and Embrace cover hereditary conditions as long as they aren’t pre-existing. Note: it is unlikely that the hereditary condition, Crytorchidism, would qualify for coverage, as it can be detected by veterinary exam as early as eight weeks of age, making it a pre-existing condition.

Be aware that the incidence for hereditary problems occurs far more often in purebreds than the good old fashion mongrel. Purebreds demand higher premiums and earlier age enrollment, making mutts a more affordable option.   Save your money and save a life – Adopt!

Select your own veterinarian. Be aware that some companies require you to select a veterinarian from a network. Founders is not part of any such network and we feel strongly that everyone should be able to choose their own docs!

Annual check-up by veterinarian: Preventive health care measures such as annual exams and laboratory testing may be required to maintain your coverage. Petplan requires an annual health check, dental exam and any treatment normally recommended by the vet to prevent illness such as an annual heartworm test and preventative medication if indicated. For renewal of older pets*, an exam, blood test and urinalysis two months prior to the date of renewal is required. Embrace only requires an annual check-up performed by a veterinarian. Pets Best does not require annual check-ups. Personally, we don’t understand Pets Best position.

*Dogs 8 years or older OR 5 years and older if a select breed; cats 10 years or older.

Emergency and Specialist care: Emergency visits and care provided by specialists such as orthopedic surgeons, oncologists, ophthalmologists and internal medicine doctors should be included in any policy you purchase, or pass on it! Companies may vary their rates on co-pays for this type of coverage or have some restrictions. Please inquire before you purchase your policy.

Alternative care: considered as acupuncture, hydrotherapy and chiropractic. Will only cover alternative treatments when administered by a licensed veterinarian. Policies that cover alternative care may or may not cover equipment purchase or rental. We recommend you get a pre-certification before treatment so you know if it will be covered and how much will be reimbursed.

Dental care: (excludes routine dental cleaning) Basic policies with Pets Best and Embrace* will cover orthodontic care such as tooth extractions only if caused by accident or injury like a hit by car. Therefore, a company may or may not consider a broken tooth due to chewing on something hard as an accident or injury. Petplan will cover orthodontic care such as a tooth extraction for any reason deemed necessary by your veterinarian.

*Embrace does have the option to add a Drug & Dental plan at extra cost which would treat dental problems and extractions due to other reasons besides accident injuries.

Cancer treatment: includes surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.

Years in business: Petplan was founded over 30 years ago in the United Kingdom and was launched in the U.S.A. in 2006. Pets Best and Embrace are newer companies in operation since 2005.

Licensed in the State of California: An insurer may or may not be licensed within the state it operates. If it is not, the insurer cannot participate in the insurance guarantee funds created by California law. Therefore, if the insurer becomes insolvent and is unable to make payment to you as promised, these guaranteed funds will not pay your claims.

Embrace is issued by an insurer that is not licensed by the state of California. Both Petplan and Pets Best are licensed by the state of California.

For quick, easy comparisons, see the chart below:

* indicates advantage compared to other company(s)

Additional Considerations

Ask if prescribed medications are covered under the policy you are considering. For example, Embrace will only cover take home medications if you purchase their Drug & Dental plan.

You should check and see if a pre-authorization is needed for treatment that may lead to substantial veterinary fees or if pre-certification is needed for certain types of procedures such as MRI or CT scan.

If your pet is diagnosed with a condition that could lead to other medical problems – such as hyperthyroidism – your policy may not cover kidney, heart and high blood pressure problems if hyperthyroidism is considered to be a pre-existing condition. This gets complicated, but it’s a good question to amuse policy writers and expose less scrupulous insurance carriers!

Understand the policy you are purchasing. For example, Petplan offers benefits for boarding and kennel fees (for an additional cost) under their Silver and Gold plans. However, these fees are reimbursed at reasonable costs up to the maximum annual benefit only if  you are in the hospital as a result of sickness, disease, or bodily injury – not when you’re away singing: It’s 5 o’clock somewhere!

And lastly, here are some important points to consider. Classic pet health insurance is intended to protect you from expensive unexpected pet illness and injuries. Don’t purchase it hoping to get your money back – do you buy car insurance and hope to get into an accident so your insurance company can foot the bill? Of course not! If your pet did not become seriously ill or injured in any policy year – be happy and know that someone else was not so lucky. Also, realize that providing good health insurance coverage would not be possible without a sizeable number of loyal policy holders making a large pool of funds available.

So, the payment you make next month might just help pay for the $5,000 medical bill for the naughty pup that ate his owner’s underwear and requires emergency surgery with post-op care in ICU for a life threatening intestinal obstruction. Be glad it wasn’t your pup and rest assured that if the worse happens, you too won’t bear the financial burden – in addition to a sleepless night.

As a safety net, the pet insurance industry has evolved over time to meet the needs of worried pet owners afraid that they might not be able to afford costly medical care or surgery. More often than not, we witness the difficult financial struggle our devoted clients must undertake in order to follow our best care recommendations. We hate to watch you fret when you mention that you have kids in college, the car needs repair, or there has been a job loss in the family.

No pet lover should ever have to say no to treatment that could be life saving or prevent needless suffering. The cost of monthly pet insurance could be as little as two movie tickets and a heaping bag overflowing with popcorn! Skip the pricy movie theater to watch a home movie snuggled up with your favorite hunk of fur and pop your own corn for pennies. We know your pet is worth that small sacrifice and so much more!

PS: watch for our next post when we disclose our # 1 pick for pet health insurance and how you can automatically donate to our Pet Sponsorship Program just by entering a referral code when you enroll!

Stay tuned, stay healthy…and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I have two well fed cats (brother and sister) who are both 13½ years old. However, I believe the good health that they have enjoyed up until I started working at Founders has been due mostly to luck. I’ve always loved animals, but I was ignorant of the level of health care that pets need until I started working at Founders three years ago. As I’ve learned from Dr. Terifaj, a truly healthy diet is essential to pet health and there are many popular commercial junk pet foods you should absolutely avoid!

I shudder to think of what I used to feed my cats the first 10 years of their lives — thank heavens cats have nine lives!  I bought cheap Purina kibble from the grocery store — fooled by clever advertisements into believing that Purina was a better quality kibble than other commercial diets. Because cats are purely carnivores, feeding kibble (especially poor-grade kibbles that are primarily grain, such as Purina) is like feeding them a bowl of Wheaties every day. As you can imagine, it’s a recipe for illness and has been linked to the following problems: inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes, obesity, urinary tract obstructions, and early onset of degenerative diseases such as cancer.

I now feed my felines Stella & Chewy’s raw/frozen chicken. Not all cats take a liking to this food, so I am lucky, because they love it! I mix a small amount of Fancy Feast in with their meals to add a little extra flavor. As I’ve learned — cats in general are fussy about switching to new diets — it’s recommended that you change the diet gradually over time. Do this by mixing a small amount of the new food in with the previous diet the first week and increasing it each week until they accept the new diet in full or some combination. Some cats will no doubt demand compromise!

Now that I feed Stella & Chewy’s, I’ve noticed that their hair coat is soft and vibrant, not coarse and grainy as before. The stools are easier to scoop because they are dry and compact (less fecal mass and not as smelly!) due to the high nutritional value of the food. And at their advanced ages, they are in perfect health!

I worry less knowing that I can feed them such a good diet. Once in a while, I think about the increased cost of feeding a truly premium diet, but I know that diet is the cornerstone of practicing good preventative medicine. So I’m spending a little more and making a good investment in their health and well being.

And did you know that feeding an optimum diet for health can mean the difference of enjoying up to 5 more quality years with your pet? And for me, that’s priceless!