Insurance question

[BeachRide]

I got my 12 week old labrador in June 2022 and took out pet insurance. He was seen by the vet and had his first check-up, vaccinations etc. Nothing since then - he's a fit and healthy dog. I didn't have him vaccinated in the second year because a retiring vet told me dogs don't actually need them every year. Just the puppy jabs and maybe once or twice more over their lifetime.

I happened to read the whole of the insurance terms and conditions recently and it says the dog must be up to date with their vaccines and to be seen by a vet every 12 months for the policy to be valid.

I'm assuming the policy won't pay out now for anything, even something unrelated like a broken leg, so should I just cancel it? Even if I take him in for his vaccs now, I'm sure the policy will still be invalid as there was the 18 month period when he wasn't seen (I know how they work).

We're intending to have him neutered next Spring, and he can have his vaccinations then.

I could then take out another policy with another company as he will be up to date, and will have seen a vet recently.

Grateful for any knowledgeable responses!

@PyreneanAubrie that's horrendous - I'm sorry

Ultimately vaccines are a personal choice but licensing regulations do mean that dogs who aren't vaccinated aren't allowed to stay in kennels or attend daycare - obviously that doesn't apply to everyone but it's worth noting just in case OP wants to use those services in the future.

Mine gets all his vaccinations as he comes to work with me as a dog walker and is around lots of other dogs everyday. We also live in an area with lots of mud and stagnant water so the lepto risk is unfortunately fairly high.

@PyreneanAubrie I meant to add re. Insurance you could always check if they accept titre testing.

Titre testing isn't an option for Lepto as it's not a reliable test of immunity for it. I think there may be an alternative test though

Most dogs are vaccinated, that's why these illnesses are really uncommon. If you get him vaccinated now, you'll be fine from an insurance point of view. I'd also suggest having a vet plan that covers vaccinations as they typically discount neutering.

Well, I spoke with the insurers who said as long as he's vaccinated soon, it 'shouldn't' affect any claim we make. Nothing is ever certain with insurance, so I guess that'll have to do.

He's booked in this afternoon for his boosters, because I might need kennelling services next year (moving house). Thanks for everyone's input, and I'm so sorry for people's losses. Heartbreaking.

Thanks @DataPup I didn't realise that!

All the vets I've used in the last five years have moved on to a three year vaccination schedule but with yearly leptospirosis (and kennel cough if needed).

That's after the puppy vaccinations and first year booster. My insurance is happy with that as it's now recommended guidance. It recommends a yearly check up including dental exam but it's not mandatory.

That's really interesting, is it in the UK?

We're in the UK and our vets follow the same as what @Blistory describes.

So our 3 year old had vaccinations at 8&12 weeks, then a booster at a year. Next booster will be age 4. Lepto is every year

Yes, UK.

I had a previous dog that wasn't vaccinated after her 1 year booster but was still showing immunity to parvo and distemper (titre testing) at age 5. She was fully insured and covered for both conditions.

My current insurers, Many Pets, don't insist on vaccination but they won't cover any diseases that the vaccines would have prevented.

Yes, I think that's pretty standard now. Boosters aren't necessarily an annual thing (after puppy/first year) but you do need to get your dog regularly checked at least, imo.

Dogs do not need vaccinations every year!

The recommended time scale is every 3 years for distemper parvo and hepatitis

Lepto is recommended every year but this does not prevent the illness may just make the illness not a severe. Lepto covers for 4 lepto. In the UK but there are 23 species of lepto so individual decisions can be made on this.

Titre testing can measure immunity in all the above except Lepto.

OP the BSVA is pushing back against the idea of monthly worming and flea treatment for the very reason you are suggesting. Environmental issues and the resistance issues are major concerns.

Alternatives could be Worm count for worms, Regular grooming for tick and fleas and make individual decisions based on your situation. Not just blanket monthly treatment is being recommended

I'm not sure about dogs needing their vaccinations every year but on our pet health plan they get a 6 monthly check up as well as the annual vaccs. The regular pop in, say hello, get weighed, get a fuss made of them and some vet snacks, has meant that when we did need to take a poorly dog, they're going to a familiar place with people they know.

One thing to remember about worming is that you can't see lungworm in poo - so you do need to do a proper worm count if you're not going to treat with preventative measures.