Ask The Vet RadioShow Notes

Show #: 06-133

Show Description: "Pet Insurance/ Pet Dermatology "

Audio Files: ATVR-06-133.mp3, ATVR-06-133.wma

This week on Ask The Vet Radio we discussed pet insurance.  Heather Privett, Vice President of Operations for Pet Partners Inc. called in to discuss the specifics of pet insurance including the number of pet owners that are now getting policies and how to pick the best one for your pet!  For the second hour, Novartis once again sponsored a pet dermatology segment with Dr. Keith Hnilica from the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine.  Dr. Hnilica focused on allergies and gave the likely causes for itchy pets during the winter season.  

Show Notes and Resources:

Call-In Guest:  Heather Privett, Vice President of Operations for Pet Partners Inc., AKC Pet Healthcare Plan

  • Though over 12 % of pet owners in the UK have purchased pet insurance, only 1-2% of pet owners in the United States have discovered the benefits of the service.  Pet Partners, Inc. offers 4 different pet insurance policies: Essential, Essential Plus, Wellness, and Wellness Plus.  Benefits increase with time.  Rates are not breed specific and are equal in price until the pet reaches the age of 9.  Once the pet reaches age 12, an additional charge may be applied.
  • Essential and Essential Plus: These plans cover accidents, injuries, and illness (including dermatitis and cancer).  The Essential plan usually costs around $249 per year ($21 a month). 
  • Wellness and Wellness Plus:  These plans usually cover heartworm medication, flea/tick medicine, annual exams, heartworm tests, annual dental cleaning, and spay/neuter coverage. 
  • When purchasing pet insurance, make sure you understand how claims are processed.  The claims should be processed based on charges, not on a restrictive benefits schedule (or a maximum allowance).  For example, a restrictive benefits plan would offer only $600 maximum for a broken leg regardless of the type of medical attention needed.  The plan should pay per incident instead of a fixed amount. 
  • Also make sure the plan covers diagnostic testing (even if the end result of diagnostics isn’t covered).  Do not commit to a plan until you are positive that MRI’s, Ultrasounds and X-rays will be covered.  All Pet Partners, Inc. plans cover diagnostic testing and pay per incident. 
  • All claims for Pet Partners,Inc. are filed with the customer directly.  After the initial payment to the veterinarian, the customer will be reimbursed by the insurance company.  The reimbursement plan helps keep overhead down and veterinarian prices cheaper.  To learn more information about Pet Partners, Inc. visit www.akcphp.com or call 877-725-2747.   
  • You can also find information on specific insurance companies by visiting www.petinsurancereview.com.

In-Studio Guest: Becky Thorton, Hunter Valley Farms, Broker with Conoway Associates   

  • Conoway Associates mainly covers jumpers, hunters, and ponies.  They insure all equine, provide farm insurance, and liability insurance for instructors.  All instructors need to have liability insurance.  If you are a horse owner and allow friends to ride, be sure that everyone who rides your horse signs a release form.  Also, all horse owners need to have a sign posted that states that under Tennessee law, the horse owner will not responsible in case of injury.  Protect yourself before accidents happen. 
  • Types of insurance plans for equine include major medical (typically $250), full mortality, loss of use (accidental or full), breeding loss of use, etc.  The activity level of the horse, age, and average percentage of claims filed regarding incident accounts for the rate. 
  • Horse owners may not find it effective to insure the entire worth of a horse.  However, even if you have paid $50,000 for your horse, an insurance plan of $4,000 would be sufficient for major medical insurance (depending upon individual circumstances). 

In-Studio Guest:  Dr. Keith Hnilica from the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine (Dermatology segment sponsored by Novartis)

  • Allergic skin disease is the #1 pet insurance claim.  Typical allergic reactions in pets are caused by fleas, mold, pollen, or food.  Be patient when trying to diagnose the cause of the itching because trial and error may be required to determine the underlying problem.  Always be sure to treat the secondary infection (sores,etc.) that the allergic reaction has caused before treating the underlying problem.  If the underlying problem is not treated, secondary infections will keep reappearing. 
  • If fleas seem to be the cause for a dermatologic problem, be sure to incorporate layers into a flea-fighting plan.  Due to flea resistance, products such as Frontline and Advantage need to be reapplied more frequently than they may have needed in the past.  Make sure all places that the animal occupies (outside or in a house) are treated with growth regulators in addition to treating the animal itself.  Growth regulators help prevent larva from becoming adults and thus help with long term flea control.  Also, give your animal Capstar, an oral pill that kills fleas within minutes.  Give this pill every other day for a month.  If the itching stops, the cause for the allergic reaction was likely due to fleas.  Remember that even though fleas are not visible, they still may be a causing the problem.  One flea can cause an allergic reaction. 
  • Winter can produce dry skin which also causes constant itching and scratching.  Try bathing the animal in a veterinary product.  After the bath, apply a moisturizer/conditioner with oatmeal to try to stop the scratching. 
  • Since there are low pollen counts in the atmosphere right now, the allergic reaction may be caused by food.  Dogs less than a year of age commonly develop food allergies.  Beef and dairy are the typical source for the reaction.  Your veterinarian can prescribe a diet with an alternative protein source to alleviate this problem. 
  • Atopica, produced by Novartis, is a non steroid treatment for allergies.  Atopicais an alternative to steroid treatment.  The use of steroids can cause premature aging.  The animal’s joints can break down, hair loss, and even more serious complications like fungal and urinary tract infections.  Atopica does not produce these side effects.  Ask your veterinarian about Atopica to see if it is a better option for your pet than steroid treatment.

Rescue of the Week: Noah’s Arc, Inc.

  • 06-133: Noah’s Arc, Inc. (Neighbor's Organizing Animal Health; Safety; And Responsible Care) is a nonprofit "NO-KILL" animal rescue organization founded in 1991, as an alternative to animal shelters. They have grown from 6 members to over 400 in and out of Tennessee.  They are funded solely from donations and fundraisers with 100% of money raised going directly to improving the health and lives of rescued animals. Since 1991, they have placed over 3,200 rescue animals, (many with handicaps or special needs), into quality, loving homes.  To learn more about this rescue or view adoptable animals, visit http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/noahsarc.html.