£3k+ pa, dog Insurance - Boxer with CKD, what to do...
Discussion
We have a female Boxer, named Blue and unfortunately, she was diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease at around 18 months old. Luckily we found out when we did as we were told we would have lost her within 6 months had it gone undetected.
Blue has been insured since we got her as a pup but due to her condition, the insurance has jumped with each renewal. Last year we were paying £102 per month, then earlier this year the insurance company raised the monthlies to £258. My wife rang the company in tears but, whilst being sympathetic, wouldn't budge on price. This increase in price came at the same time as my wife's Polo GTI going back to the lease company so this has freed up the funds to pay the difference.
Blue is treated with a Renal diet and various meds (all claimed for) and is monitored with 3 monthly blood tests. Our claims currently total £3k pa so we are breaking even. We are now concerned that the insurance company could (likely) raise the premium considerably next year. This could be an issue.
The vets have been great saving any renal food that gets dropped off when someone has unfortunately lost their dog and they've also taken extra blood for free to send to a group trying to eradicate CKD in dogs.
We can't move insurance companies as nobody would cover a pre-exisitng condition (or they may do but at a price). Our plan (if there is a huge jump in premium) is to save the £3k pa and pay for her food, meds and tests ourselves. Then start another policy covering everything (except the CKD) as she does hoon around alot and could hurt herself or could develop some other unrelated ilness.
Despite being 2/3rds the size of a 'healthy' Boxer dog and that fact that she drinks a alot whilst out on our walks you wouldn't know anything was wrong with her. She certainly shows no sign of suffering and is full of beans.
We don't really consider Blue to be a pet, more one of the family and we have vowed to do everything right we can by her.
Have any of you found yourselves in a similar situation or could offer any advice?
Many thanks
Blue has been insured since we got her as a pup but due to her condition, the insurance has jumped with each renewal. Last year we were paying £102 per month, then earlier this year the insurance company raised the monthlies to £258. My wife rang the company in tears but, whilst being sympathetic, wouldn't budge on price. This increase in price came at the same time as my wife's Polo GTI going back to the lease company so this has freed up the funds to pay the difference.
Blue is treated with a Renal diet and various meds (all claimed for) and is monitored with 3 monthly blood tests. Our claims currently total £3k pa so we are breaking even. We are now concerned that the insurance company could (likely) raise the premium considerably next year. This could be an issue.
The vets have been great saving any renal food that gets dropped off when someone has unfortunately lost their dog and they've also taken extra blood for free to send to a group trying to eradicate CKD in dogs.
We can't move insurance companies as nobody would cover a pre-exisitng condition (or they may do but at a price). Our plan (if there is a huge jump in premium) is to save the £3k pa and pay for her food, meds and tests ourselves. Then start another policy covering everything (except the CKD) as she does hoon around alot and could hurt herself or could develop some other unrelated ilness.
Despite being 2/3rds the size of a 'healthy' Boxer dog and that fact that she drinks a alot whilst out on our walks you wouldn't know anything was wrong with her. She certainly shows no sign of suffering and is full of beans.
We don't really consider Blue to be a pet, more one of the family and we have vowed to do everything right we can by her.
Have any of you found yourselves in a similar situation or could offer any advice?
Many thanks
Frenchda said:
I lost a boxer to JKD (Juvenile) 2 years ago, hers was unmanageable so was only a matter of time.
Have you looked at a balanced raw diet? Raw Feeding Rebels on facebook have lots of advice on this,
The girls send kisses!
What an awesome looking bunch of dogs!Have you looked at a balanced raw diet? Raw Feeding Rebels on facebook have lots of advice on this,
The girls send kisses!
Thanks for getting in touch and so sorry for your loss. We will check out Raw Feeding Rebels on FB asap.
Frenchda said:
Sorry to drip feed but I keep remembering things!
If insurance becomes too much and you have to go uninsured then source the drugs online - it works out much cheaper. Renal food is great but there will be a (MUCH) cheaper raw alternative.
Not a problem at all... Boxers certainly like the beach! If insurance becomes too much and you have to go uninsured then source the drugs online - it works out much cheaper. Renal food is great but there will be a (MUCH) cheaper raw alternative.
Jasandjules said:
Do you feed raw? And see a homeopathic vet, there may be a remedy that can assist the kidneys that doesn't harm other organs.
We don’t feed her raw, she tried the odd bit before she was diagnosed and we’ve been strict with the renal diet since.Will look into it though, thanks for getting in touch!
RB Will said:
if you are tight on funds don't waste it on a homeopathic vet!
May well save thousands. But still, if you want to pay pharma prices for all your drugs that don't cure you carry on. Been there myself and it killed my dog (as the vet said it would), so I prefer a better option if there is one.Oh and do look into a raw diet - it depends on the levels of your dog IIRC but I am afraid I can't remember the exact numbers. A raw feed supplier may be able to help further on that.
BeastieBoy73 said:
Thanks to you all for your input. It's hugely appreciated.
Good luck. If the "right" kind of kidney issue raw food can massively improve (the proteins in raw are "proper" unlike kibble), so I hope you find it works and reduces any kinds of meds therefore hopefully the risks of complications and side effects... But do speak to a raw food supplier And keep your vet informed of any changes you make so they can be aware of why there may be changes in your dogs condition.
I am glad she is doing well, in her case I would say that her medications and food have successfully extended her life so far and it is a good quality of life as said she wouldn't be with you now if she hadn't had these treatments. Generally that is what most medicines are aiming for after all!!
Looking into alternatives are fine and if they improve things further for her then that is fantastic and the obvious way to go but please please research carefully first and get her monitored closely when you initially make the changes, make sure the people you speak to about raw feeding know exactly what her condition is, what her levels are etc, ideally as she has a life threatening condition they should have a full history first, it would be irresponsible if they didn't, Goofd luck
I don't know if any of these possible changes will make a difference to the insurance. I suppose if you did change to raw and this did manage to possibly reduce medications then less claims would go in reducing the risk of another increase but I don't know.
If you do decide to save money and change companies just be very careful the new insurance company don't put any weird restrictions on due to her kidney issues.
You might be able to purchase her px diet food on line and get a prescription for her drugs to buy online so these may save you money if the insurance is stopped, worth checking but even if you save money this way still save 3k a year incase of any unexpected changes in her condition (hopefully this won't happen of course!)
Sorry for the edits!! Keep thinking of new things to consider.
I am glad she is doing well, in her case I would say that her medications and food have successfully extended her life so far and it is a good quality of life as said she wouldn't be with you now if she hadn't had these treatments. Generally that is what most medicines are aiming for after all!!
Looking into alternatives are fine and if they improve things further for her then that is fantastic and the obvious way to go but please please research carefully first and get her monitored closely when you initially make the changes, make sure the people you speak to about raw feeding know exactly what her condition is, what her levels are etc, ideally as she has a life threatening condition they should have a full history first, it would be irresponsible if they didn't, Goofd luck
I don't know if any of these possible changes will make a difference to the insurance. I suppose if you did change to raw and this did manage to possibly reduce medications then less claims would go in reducing the risk of another increase but I don't know.
If you do decide to save money and change companies just be very careful the new insurance company don't put any weird restrictions on due to her kidney issues.
You might be able to purchase her px diet food on line and get a prescription for her drugs to buy online so these may save you money if the insurance is stopped, worth checking but even if you save money this way still save 3k a year incase of any unexpected changes in her condition (hopefully this won't happen of course!)
Sorry for the edits!! Keep thinking of new things to consider.
Edited by bexVN on Thursday 28th June 12:21
Edited by bexVN on Thursday 28th June 19:09
Firstly, sorry to hear about the CKD 
I'm in a not too dissimilar position, albeit a lot cheaper.
I have a Staffordshire bullterrier, allergies at early age, non lifetime policy, munched through 2k on a policy limit of 1k minus excess quickly, now on quarterly visits at a minimum and a shed load of meds (plus interim visits for flare ups).
We have a plan with our vet, it depends on the dogs weight but ranges £8-20 a month. Included in this, is 2 free visits per year (one for the vaccination boosters, which are also free), free advocates (flea/worm, monthly) free drontal (6 monthly) and most importantly, 20% off vet bills and medications.
For us, this is about £13/month, and saves us probably £40ish a quarter, plus all the boosters and stuff on top. More with the free consultations and more when the impromptu visits arise.
Worth checking if they do it, it's called DenPlan or similar i think. For you, would save a fortune in vet bills (20%) and be well worthwhile then if going out of insurance.
hope this helps and good luck
I'm in a not too dissimilar position, albeit a lot cheaper.
I have a Staffordshire bullterrier, allergies at early age, non lifetime policy, munched through 2k on a policy limit of 1k minus excess quickly, now on quarterly visits at a minimum and a shed load of meds (plus interim visits for flare ups).
We have a plan with our vet, it depends on the dogs weight but ranges £8-20 a month. Included in this, is 2 free visits per year (one for the vaccination boosters, which are also free), free advocates (flea/worm, monthly) free drontal (6 monthly) and most importantly, 20% off vet bills and medications.
For us, this is about £13/month, and saves us probably £40ish a quarter, plus all the boosters and stuff on top. More with the free consultations and more when the impromptu visits arise.
Worth checking if they do it, it's called DenPlan or similar i think. For you, would save a fortune in vet bills (20%) and be well worthwhile then if going out of insurance.
hope this helps and good luck
Apologies for not checking in, have been away. Thanks again for the tips, we will discuss the option for some kind of payment plan and any potential discount with the vets on her next visit. Will also discuss the posibility of introducing a raw diet with them.
So sorry to read about your bullterrier, fingers crossed he keeps on fighting!
So sorry to read about your bullterrier, fingers crossed he keeps on fighting!
I can empathise with you as we lost our first Boxer to complete renal failure when she was around two also. Up until then, no symptoms and she went from normal to us saying goodbye within a few days. The specialist up in Newmarket was fantastic however.
Really hope you can find a more reasonable option with the insurers; such fantastic dogs.
Really hope you can find a more reasonable option with the insurers; such fantastic dogs.
crashley said:
I can empathise with you as we lost our first Boxer to complete renal failure when she was around two also. Up until then, no symptoms and she went from normal to us saying goodbye within a few days. The specialist up in Newmarket was fantastic however.
Really hope you can find a more reasonable option with the insurers; such fantastic dogs.
Really sorry for your loss, they really are fantastic dogs with comical personalities. Really hope you can find a more reasonable option with the insurers; such fantastic dogs.
Do you mind if I ask who the specialists in Newmarket are?
It sounds like your insurance is underwritten by RSA. They are notorious for that and we will never insure with a comany underwritten by them again.
We had a dog with epilepsy and just like with you, our insurance kept going up and up. To make matters worse, our policy covered us per condition for life, with a max payout of £7000 per condition and we hit that pretty quick, so were having to pay out of our own pocket for the meds. Our vet used to give us prescriptions for the expensive pills so we could get the meds online cheaper. In the vet approx £2 per pill (230 pills needed a month), online 99p a pill. For the generic unbranded version, 17p a pill. As they rarely had the generic in stock we used to get sent the branded version for the same price as the generic. It was a huge saving. (£39 compared to £460 per month)
Edited to Cree the to 7000 instead of 700
We had a dog with epilepsy and just like with you, our insurance kept going up and up. To make matters worse, our policy covered us per condition for life, with a max payout of £7000 per condition and we hit that pretty quick, so were having to pay out of our own pocket for the meds. Our vet used to give us prescriptions for the expensive pills so we could get the meds online cheaper. In the vet approx £2 per pill (230 pills needed a month), online 99p a pill. For the generic unbranded version, 17p a pill. As they rarely had the generic in stock we used to get sent the branded version for the same price as the generic. It was a huge saving. (£39 compared to £460 per month)
Edited to Cree the to 7000 instead of 700
Edited by smashie on Saturday 7th July 19:48
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