Urgent advice needed re pre-existing conditions

[MandalaYogaTapestry]

I opened a life insurance for my puppy on 1 January. And yesterday I noticed blood in her urine, and she has struggled to wee or poo (my assumption as her furry bottom got noticeably dirty which doesn't usually happen). I read up on the symptoms, looks like it could be UTI.

Do I need to call the vet? I am very happy to pay for the antibiotics of course but if the puppy has UTI on record will it count as a pre-existing condition for whatever urinary tracts problems she might have in the future?

Not life insurance, life health care cover plan!

Have you paid your first months insurance yet? If not, if the vet finds urinary tract problems at the appointment then yes it could count as a pre existing condition. However, pup needs seen by the vet regardless and there’s not much you can do if there is a pre existing condition there, it would be dangerous and cruel to delay vet treatment until your insurance is paid

I have paid for the whole year. I don't know if I have been charged yet. The plan says it has started on the 1st but any symptoms that occur in the first 14 days count as pre-existing.

Check your policy documents - for new policies most have a 14 day exclusion/waiting period for illness in which case this instance will not be covered and will be considered a pre-existing condition in the event of future claims. The exception might be if it's an instant walkaway cover type policy issued by the breeder or your vet. Pup needs to be seen by a vet regardless!

I am with PetPlan.

Of course I would not delay treatment for the sake of saving money. Is UTI something that needs vet's urgent attention?

@MandalaYogaTapestry

I am with PetPlan.

Of course I would not delay treatment for the sake of saving money. Is UTI something that needs vet's urgent attention?

Definitely

Yes, you absolutely need to get your puppy to a vet for that.

And blood in urine and an inability to pass urine or stools isn't always a UTI, that's your assumption based on a google search. It could be something much more sinister.

She is passing both wee and poo as usual and doesn't appear uncomfortable so I do hope it's nothing more serious than UTI. Will get her seen.

Here's what Petplan say.

Been to the vet and apparently my little girl is in season 😁

Very relieved it's not something bad.

Ooh that's good news. Are you not getting her spayed?

Should I?

And I thought it's done when they are older? Although that was the first thing the vet asked!

What breed/size is she? The information and advice for age at spaying varies depending on those factors. I'm on my phone or I'd link the Hart et al study that came out last year and looked at 35 breeds.

My personal preference is to let the dog mature
mentally and physically first.

I was advised by my vet to get my bitch spayed prior to her first season, but I didn't get her done until she was much older. You have to be careful when they are in season as dogs can smell it and will want to mate with her.

Thanks everyone for your advice. She is a small breed, they go up to 10 kg. The vet said that the season would last a couple of weeks so yes, getting ready to keep her on the lid during walks. Won't be easy for her as she is usually very active and enjoys running around.

*on the lead

Be very careful walking her even if she's on lead. Even neutered dogs can smell a bitch in season from miles off.

I would try and stick to isolated areas and quiet times if it all possible - for her safety as much as anything else.

Not to be pedantic... well, maybe slightly, lol, but if she’s in season, she’s not really a puppy.

Just mentioning it as your OP reads like it’s an 8/9 week old puppy you’re asking medical advice for.

Glad she’s fine but yeah, just on lead isn’t really enough precautions with an in season bitch tbh, it’s not just entire dogs she’ll attract. You want to really keep her away from other dogs and drive to somewhere if you can or your route to walks will smell like her too.

Thanks everyone, good advice on walking.

I thought a dog is a puppy until at least 8-9 months? She has puppy teeth (says vet), puppy coat (says groomer), she is called puppy by other dog walkers. And dog food categories go Puppy then 1+.

Aww bless. What relief though.

How old is she?

“I thought a dog is a puppy until at least 8-9 months?“

It’s a bit like when is a baby a toddler tbh, lol, you’ll get a different answer from everyone.

Just puppy combined with new insurance - I’d have given you advice thinking it was a teeny tiny baby puppy, not a nearly grown up one... if that makes sense? and often medical stuff is much more worrying in tiny puppies, so you’ll get different answers if you actually say how old is all.

She is 5.5 months

When I was a child, people carried a stick when they were walking bitches in season, to repel amorous dogs. I had a Greek dog some years ago (in Greece first of all before I brought her to UK) and we had 7 Greek dog swains sitting outside my door,howling their love and waiting to pounce on my dog as soon as we emerged for any reason. They would follow us miles and miles on our walks, awaiting a chance to jump on her if they could. They stayed with us for well over a week until she became less interesting (and possibly another village dog came into season so they were distracted at last). Just be ready to fend off a suitor if they suddenly rush up to your dog.

mrsjoyful, wow that's some perseverance! If only men were that commited 😄