krissy
-
Posts
2,587 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Events
Gallery
Store
Articles
Posts posted by krissy
-
-
Well, I think I might send Kili's records to Trupanion and ask them for a detailed definite list of exclusions and decide from there. And I will be getting Summit's coverage with Trupanion, definitely not with my current provider.
-
In all fairness, it our Healthy Paws premiums have only gone up around 5 or 6 bucks a year .... I just assumed for age, but inflation may be the reason
If it's only a couple of dollars that's due to inflation and changes in the veterinary industry. Generally speaking they don't change your policy annually for age. There are generally age brackets and when your pet reaches the next bracket there will be changes. For example, the company I am currently with has the brackets as 0-3 years, 3-7 years, and 7+. The only change is that they force you to increase your deductible as the pet gets older. Other companies increase your premiums. But almost all insurance premiums will change on an annual basis, generally up (though with some companies they can even go down a few dollars).
-
So glad to hear that he is doing well! What a trooper! I helped with a couple of greyhound amputations when I was at OSU. The way the surgeon at OSU phrased it, often amputating a greyhound's leg is like sucking the will to live out of them. Temporarily of course. But he was right that the dogs I saw following the amp just... it was literally like they were convinced they couldn't go on without that leg. A day or two later they figured out that they could and went on to do very well of course, but there was no convincing them of it the day following the surgery.
So it sounds like Henry is doing exceptionally well with his cheery disposition!
-
Yes, and that will be good for Kili since she knows her perch. I never did that with Summit though since I never really bothered with a rigid heel for him. I will probably initially work his back up in semi-heel position (i.e. beside me) but the plan isn't to have him back up at my side... I want him to back up as I back up... directly in front of me or directly behind me, or directly between my legs for heelwork to music routines (so not actually heeling but doing dance routines to music). I've always thought calling it "heelwork" is kind of deceptive. I guess "Canine Freestyle" is perhaps more appropriate.
-
Wow! Look at that bed! Henry is going to love it! Can't wait to see photos of the special guy in it when he finally gets home.
-
Wow, I'm really impressed with all the responses! Keep up the good work everyone! I hope you will all keep popping back in to update us on progress or let us know what new thing you're working on.
Kili and I have just started working on weave poles now that she's old enough. Going well so far. Baby, baby, baby steps. I'm getting video along the way so once we've gotten somewhere visible I'll put together a compilation video of teaching those.
Summit and I are going to work on some "back up" tricks. He does know back up, but only in the context of me standing in front of him and asking him to back up a few steps. I want to expand this so that he will
1. Just keep backing up so long as I tell him, without me having to move towards him at any point
2. Back up with me backing up behind him or in front of him (for heelwork routines)
3. Backwards leg weaves
Number 3 will have to wait until he's got forward leg weaves down as well as some of the more difficult backing up tricks. And he's so long that I'm honestly not sure if he'll be able to do backward leg weaves! But we'll find out!
-
Is the premium increasing every year because your dog is getting older or just because the premiums increase every year due to inflation? I expect about a $5 increase per year just for inflation. Even if we switch to Trupanion the premiums will generally be increasing (though as Riverhound noted, they CAN actually decrease some years) but it's not because the pet is getting older, it's just because things tend to get more expensive every year.
Riverhound - With Trupanion... what they have basically told me is that nothing changes with your policy except that premiums fluctuate a little every year due to changes in the economy and industry (capped at a 20% increase, can decrease, generally $3-5 a year increase). So if you make claims... your co-pay doesn't drop, your premiums don't increase, they don't force you to have a higher deductible. Is this true in your experience? NOTHING changes your policy (except as noted the fluctuations due to outside influences). It's just hard to believe, but I can't find a question to find a loophole in what they're saying.
-
Alright, here's the update after speaking to my clinic's rep.
The co-pay is dropped to 50% basically as soon as they pay out more than you pay them. So if you've had your dog insured for many years without claims and then have a bigger claim for a surgery you might not get flagged. But if, like me, you have a young dog or a dog only insured for a short time and you have to do surgery you're bound to lose your co-pay since you haven't paid much in premiums yet.
The situation is reassessed every 6 months. But... the co-pay only increases in 10% increments each time. So it will take 18 months with no major claims to get back to my 80% co-pay. I think that's kind of bullpoop personally.
They say that preventative care claims won't affect my co-pay reassessment (vaccines, joint supplements, etc.). So they say.
Still not sure if I should switch Kili. But I am definitely not insuring Summit with them.
-
Love that cage! I'm jealous. BF keeps saying he's going to build me bunny condos but that's kind of hard without a good motorized saw. [sigh] I will keep dreaming.
-
Yay for a happy update (or as happy an update as can be had when osteo is involved). Give Henry a big smooch from his GT friends when you see him (tomorrow I am assuming?).
-
Kili is smart and adorable! Dudley is a little hard to work with. He is so food motivated, that he becomes obsessive and excited when he knows he is getting something, it makes him have a hard time focusing, but we have been working on it. We kind of do everything backwards. I am slowing trying to get him to jump up and get things/flip switches and such, so right now we are working on him putting up two paws at the same time. Once he does it, we will start contacts. I have found it was easier to teach him to do the sit/paws stuff first, because it makes it easier for me to lead him into touch and other commands. Here is a short clip. I wish he was as mature as Kili!!!
I was able to watch the vid on my phone, but am having difficulty watching it on the pc. Weird. Sorry
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGvw2KNqSxQ
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/gGvw2KNqSxQ?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
He looks great! I'm assuming this is his most controlled? Because otherwise, that is nothing. Seriously, you've seen my clip of Summit working on spins and leg weaves right? The popcorn dog that bounces up and down he's so enthusiastic?
-
Alright, maybe Kili is a mensa genius.
We are taking an online course through Agility University (www.agility-u.com) and our instructor just commented that she was shocked that Kili is only 15 months old. She thought Kili was older since she looks so physically mature, but my last video that I posted for her was titled "Kili agility 15 months". She said she is doing very well for only 15 months old and might even be further along than some of her dogs were at that age. My little heart is about to burst with pride. My baby dog is turning heads.
We've still got a LONG way and lots of work though. But it's so nice to get little comments like that from well known, successful trainers. Seriously... my heart actually hurts a little I'm so proud of my crazy little girl.
-
lol. Thanks guys. My dogs are far from Mensa members, I assure you! Kili is a total goofy dumbass most days, and Summit won't step over cords on the ground in case they jump up and bite him. But they do enjoy training.
And kudos to everyone working with timid or reactive dogs! That's really tough. I personally probably don't have the patience required to work with an overly shy dog. Summit has some mild reactivity issues (mostly towards huskies... which isn't all that mild actually) that we have worked on a lot ever since we got him, but neither of my dogs is timid.
Spriet!
I love her tricks. She's so dignified about them. Summit is such a spaz. He gets SO excited when training. His turn is 2 huge bounces. And watch out when you ask for a paw because he's liable to smack you with his foot. hee hee. -
I know we had a thread a fairly long time back... "what classes are you taking now?" or something along those lines, but darned if I can't find it. So I figured we'd start a new one!
It's exactly what the title says. What are you working on with your dog right now? Let's share some videos and stories. Are you working on a new trick? Are you working on a problem behaviour? Are you taking a new class with your dog or trying a new sport? Please share whatever it is that you are working on. Maybe we can give one another new ideas, advice, suggestions.
Training is fun, but it's even more fun with friends.Kili is doing well in agility. One thing we have been working on is contacts and really knowing her 2-on-2-off behaviour no matter what. Proofing that end position has been the focus of a lot of our training sessions the past week or so, and you can see the huge difference in agility class between last week (beginning of the video) and this week (end clips in the video). Very happy so far and we will continue to make the distractions harder and harder so that she really understands her job.
-
Frozen kong
Tricky treat ball
Kong wobbler
IQ ball
Buster cube
Tug-a-jug (busy buddy)
Twist n Treat (busy buddy)
Nina Ottosen and Kyjen puzzle toys - these are true puzzles but have to be supervised
We have several others as well. Any time I see a puzzle/treat toy I tend to buy it to keep Kili entertained. We have another one that is very similar in concept to the Kong wobbler, and 2 or 3 other "tricky teat ball" types.
-
So sorry to hear this Alicia. Give Henry a gentle hug from me, Summit, and Kili (Kili's hug would not be so gentle, so maybe give hers to Truman).
-
Well, I don't think this company is even in the States. It's called PetSecure.
-
Wow, that's a little extreme if it is documented as being normal by the vet in the records.
I already spoke to the new insurance company and they didn't seem concerned, just said it would be an exclusion as I had expected. Especially since the murmur is documented with an echo as being relatively unremarkable and the cardiologist has no real concerns. I imagine if they turned down all dogs with any sort of murmur we'd have a hard time ensuring our greyhounds since so many of them do have murmurs.
But it's definitely something to keep in mind when switching companies or looking for insurance.
-
Yup, you guys have basically hit it on the head.
The only way the murmur isn't an issue is if I stay with the current company. It will be an exclusion with any company I change to. It has the potential to be a problem, but I'm not overly concerned about it. It would obviously be best if it was covered. But chances are it will never be a problem, whereas there might be lots of other problems that pop up that are now going to be covered at a lower co-pay.
The problem that caused the big medical bills is resolved. She had surgery in March to correct a congenital malformation. I do not expect further problems from it. She has had no problems in over 6 months now.
I know insurance is what it is. It's a business. I get that. But I expect over the life of my pets to be paying more in premiums than they will pay me. That's how it usually goes. That's how they make money. And I'm okay with that because I buy insurance for the peace of mind that when I need it... it's there. I'm not going to call them up in 2 years if I have no claims and tell them "well, I have paid you way more in premiums than you have paid me in medical bills so I'm only going to pay 50% of my premiums from now on". That would be ridiculous. So why is it not ridiculous for them to do the same? That sort of my view on it. Especially since I don't think $5000 is really all that much. I did know that the co-pay could be dropped, but as assured that that almost never happens and only if there are huge continuing bills. 6 months and $5000 followed by 6 months and basically no claims....
So I guess I'll see what the rep has to say about it.
-
Literally stinker! hee hee. Anal glands smell like roses.
In all seriousness though I hope all goes well.
She'll be a happier camper when it's over and she's recovered from the surgery. Anal gland problems are not fun. -
Well, I wasn't going to mention the name of the company since I was very happy with them up until this point. I just feel like $5000 isn't a lot of money to be dropping the co-pay already. I have been happy with their service and they have covered everything with no hassle. They would not give me a guarantee about when the co-pay would go back up to 80%, they just said it could. However, I called my clinic's rep with this company and am waiting for her to call me back. I will see what she has to say about the matter, but honestly if they can't tell me when the co-pay will return to 80% if I have no claims then I am seriously thinking about changing. And also, what is considered "no claims". My plan covers routine care and Kili will be due for her annual vaccines in a week or two. Is that considered a claim? I also have some stuff as I mentioned that still needs to be claimed. It is minor stuff and mostly "alternative" and "dental" stuff that is all preventative (joint supplements and Healthy Mouth and chiro treatments) but is that going to be considered a claim. So if I keep doing little stuff like that my co-pay will never go back to 80%? (I intend to ask my rep about this too when she calls me back).
I guess I'm mostly wondering what the majority of folks here would do if this was them. Would your first inclination be to change companies or would you just shrug it off as normal/acceptable?
-
I would imagine it is because unaltered dogs have a greater propensity to roam in search of a mate... and they are also probably also extending out the assumption that people with unaltered dogs allow them to roam (which is probably mostly true but think about breeders etc. who have intact animals but monitor them very closely).
-
Many of you are aware that I am a HUGE fan of pet insurance and that I have it for Kili... and that we used it a fair bit in her first 6 months with us. It still stands that I believe everyone should choose an insurance plan that is right for them to help cover unexpected medical costs, but that said, I'm a little unimpressed with my current insurance company and am thinking about switching. Reason I am unimpressed? I just got a letter in the mail telling me that effective January 1 they will be decreasing my co-pay from the standard 80% to 50% because Kili had so many (or so much money... I only put in about 3-4 claims, some of which included her puppy vaccines, heartworm medication, tick medication, and annual bloodwork). Now, when I signed up the rep for our clinic told me that it was possible that if a pet had A LOT of claims that the co-pay could be dropped... but that it really almost never happened unless the pet was really running up huge bills consistently. Yes, the company did pay out over $5000 last year on Kili over about a 4-6 month window, but we have had no real claims in the past 6 months (I have some stuff sitting here waiting to be sent in, just chiro adjustments and my Healthy Mouth, and some eye ointment for an infection she had). So honestly... I'm a little unimpressed with the drop in the co-pay. We're talking one issue and although it did run up a sizeable bill... $7000 is really nothing in terms of medical bills. This was a non-lifethreatening condition that was totally corrected by the surgery. Maybe I'm over-reacting. Would you think "yeah, ok" or would you be a little put off like me?
Anyway, looking at possibly switching. There are some pros and cons though.
Pros to switching (to Trupanion)
- lower premiums (partly because they don't cover routine care like vaccines... but that's not a problem)
- premiums don't increase with age of the dog
- co-pay is 90% and never drops
- can set your deductible to be anywhere from $0-1000 (and premiums go accordingly)
Cons of switching
- Deductible is per condition (my current plan is per year) --- not sure this is really a con as the "per condition" is for the life of the pet. So you could have multiple deductibles in one year or none at all if conditions recur. Just different, maybe not bad.
- Kili's pre-existing UTIs will not be covered until she has been symptom free for 18 months -- again, not sure this is really a con since she has been doing well since her surgery in March and I don't anticipate any further problems.
- Kili has a heart murmur -- this is the only major problem since this will always be a pre-existing condition. That said though, again, this may not be an issue. The murmur has been checked and the cardiologist was not concerned. She was cleared for surgery and for agility. It has the potential to become a problem later on in life... or she may have no problem from it ever. We know lots of greyhounds have a mild murmur.
-Trupanion doesn't cover exam costs. Only exam costs I will be incurring will be for specialists or possibly emergency clinics (which sure, can be a couple hundred dollars) or I suppose if we are traveling. But really... the majority of my "exams" are done by me and I don't charge myself exam fees.
- Not a con, but my current company re-evaluates every 6 months so my co-pay could very likely go back to 80% in 6 months or a year. But who knows really. But if it does then I don't have to worry about the pre-existing stuff.
The company I'm currently with tried to tell me that Trupanion wouldn't cover Kili if she was hit by a car or attacked by another dog because she was not spayed before 12 months, however I spoke to Trupanion and was told that if there was a medical reason (which there is) that they took that policy on an individual basis. I clarified with them that since she is a large breed dog and is not being spayed until 18 months because of concerns about growth and bone development that they would still cover medical bills if she is hit by a car or attacked at the dog park. They said yes. Anyone have any experience with that?
Anyway, I am very seriously thinking about switching but I'm just THINKING right now and trying to figure out what is in my (and Kili's) best interest. Either way I am definitely getting Summit covered by Trupanion because he currently doesn't have insurance (I wasn't too excited about the premiums and deductibles for an older dog with my current company so didn't get him covered since he's quite healthy) and he's getting older. What would you be thinking?
-
I think it depends on the individual dog. And factors such as age and health.
Both of mine are extremely cold intolerant if we are just going for a leash walk around the block. I walk fast but even so, that's nothing for a dog. Summit will be 9 this spring and I have noticed starting last winter that he does not handle the cold as well as he did previously. I took the dogs for a hike yesterday. It has finally become cold in the last 3-4 days and we have a tiny bit of snow on the ground. I bundled him up in his winter coat while Kili just wore her sweater. I actually had to leash Summit for the first quarter of the hike because he kept stopping and standing there hoping I would turn back. And the second we did turn around, he was high tailing it back down the trail towards the car. On walks in town he limps miserably on one leg when it gets cold. Sometimes I think it's arthritis since he does limp on the left front if he overdoes it, but then other times he limps on random legs on walks. And if you don't stop and warm his feet up in your hands (thereby freezing your own fingers) he will continue to hobble completely on 3 legs for BLOCKS (I've tried waiting him out but it seriously gets ridiculous).
Kili on the other hand hates the cold but is able to deal with it if you force her.
So I do think it depends on the individual and some other factors. It's not that they suffer any actual damage, but I can believe that they're miserable. I'm miserable in the cold. Nothing bad happens. I survive. But it is truly awful. So I try to make sure my dogs stay as warm as they possibly can whenever possible since I know they don't like the cold. Lots of good tips on new jackets and densensitization to the Velcro.
Ez 10-1-2000 To 12-3-2013
in Remembrance
Posted
Sorry for your loss. Run free handsome boy.