Our dog is really poorly - under insured

[StopsWalkingToSneeze]

Our 4 year old dog was diagnosed with Masticatory muscle myositis (MMM) recently. She was doing well then this morning, 10 days on we woke to a bloody poo/diarrhoea covered floor. She’s gone straight to the emergency vets and as the day has gone on she’s deteriorated. They’re concerned but she’s not critical. She’s insured but the MMM treatment has so far cost £1700 and today is at about £2000 and the policy covers up to £5000. They’re doing an ultrasound now and if that shows bleeding in her stomach or intestines then they’re talking surgery. This will take it to the limit and there’s still the MMM to treat for at least 6 months. I don’t know what to do as financially we are going to struggle hugely.

You do what you can and within your means
as long as DDog is comfy and pain free, you can’t do much more than you already have

Are you likely to qualify for Blue Cross or PDSA treatment?

I doubt it. Our incomings cover our outgoings, we do have a little disposable income so we’re in a better position than some but what there is it’s all going on the dog for the MMM treatment. We’re just sat waiting for the vet to call us back with the ultrasound results as he’s done it tonight. Her temperature has dropped to 27 and they’ve increased her painkillers. Just spoke with our daughter who’s at university 3 hours away, both of us crying.

Unfortunately there's not much you can except use up your insurance and then do what you can to keep your lovely girl comfortable and pain-free.

Big hugs for you x

Exactly, our other dog’s insurance is due to be renewed soon, I’m going to increase her cover as this is turning out to be a wake up call. 25 years owning dogs, the two we have are dogs 4 and 5 we’ve had and we’ve never had a poorly dog before.
Thank you for the virtual hug x

Will your vet do a payment plan?

I know they do as I’ve heard the receptionists on the phone before. I don’t know the criteria though. I’ll make enquiries if it comes to it. Thank you.

She doesn’t need surgery, thank goodness!

That's good news. Hope she gets better soon.

I see she doesn’t need the op so you’ll be fine with your insurance - but from googling the treatment is prednisolone, thats really cheap, like pennies per tablet.

She’s back home now and doing well. The emergency vets came to £2000 and so far our vets has come to £1100 over the last couple of weeks finding out what she has. So there’s about £2000 left in the insurance coffers so we should be ok hopefully. I’ve renewed our other dog with more cover.

I’d ask your insurer about getting a prescription and buying the drugs online to reduce your ongoing claims.

If it’s prednisolone, there’s honestly no point, vets charge for the prescription and you’d not save enough to make it worth your while. It’s about 10p a tablet to buy. It was a few years ago, but my vet used to charge me about a tenner for a full bottle.

Glad she’s doing well op 🙂

Happy she us going good