Embrace Pet Insurance Blog

Claim Example: Cherry Eye in Koa, a Bulldog puppy

The English Bulldog is instantly recognizable by their wrinkly faces and barrel-chested physique. But, in the veterinary world, Bulldogs are notorious for their eye problems.

Dewey and Koa, both English Bulldogs in Newcastle, DE, were no exception. Starting out with a corneal ulcer in March 2009, Dewey was the first to have troubles. By May, he underwent surgery to correct Cherry Eye (also known by the convoluted name of prolapsed gland of the third eyelid), a painful condition in which the third eye lid is prolapsed, forming a red bubble in front of the eye.

Later that year, Dewey became a big brother when Koa came home. But poor Koa wasn’t even four months old when he was diagnosed with his own case of cherry eye. So, in he went for his own corrective cherry eye surgery, and follow up treatments.

Dewey and Koa are now back to normal, happy and healthy bulldogs again.

Dewey: Total cost for Cherry Eye Surgery: $524.07
Annual Deductible remaining: $0.00*
10 % Co-pay: 52.41
Reimbursement: $471.66
*Dewey had already met his annual deductible with prior claims for illnesses

Koa: Total cost for Cherry Eye Surgery: $626.22
Annual Deductible remaining: $200.00
10 % Co-pay: 42.62
Reimbursement: $383.60

Details on Koa's claim:
This claim is pretty typical of many Cherry Eye correction surgeries in that the correction was done at the same time Koa was neutered. Since Koa's insurance policy does not cover neutering (but our optional wellness plan does), the anesthesia was proportioned to 75% cherry eye correction and 25% neutering and covered accordingly (highlighted below).

ITEM	BILLED AMOUNT	ALLOWABLE CHARGES	COVERAGE TYPE	COVERED IN POLICY?	COVERED CHARGES
Triple Antibiotic Eye Ointment	$ 13.44	$     13.44	IL	Y	$    13.44
Additional Anesth. Maintenance/30 min.	$ 41.16	$     30.87	IL	Y	$    30.87
Neuter Canine 21-40 lbs	$   195.00	$ 195.00	RC	N	$   0.00
Hardarian Gland Tack	$   276.86	$ 276.86	IL	Y	$ 276.86
Surgical Ophthalmic Pack	$ 30.76	$     30.76	IL	Y	$    30.76
Inhalation Anesthetic Maintenance	$ 64.68	$     48.51	IL	Y	$    48.51
Intravenous Induction	$ 25.87	$     25.87	IL	Y	$    25.87
IV Catheterization-Surgical	$ 26.00	$     26.00	IL	Y	$    26.00
Pain Management Injection	$ 19.93	$     19.93	IL	Y	$    19.93
Pre Anesthetic Medication	$ 25.87	$     25.87	IL	Y	$    25.87
Examination (Pre-Anesthesia)	$    0.00	$   0.00	IL	Y	$   0.00
2.5 Novox 75 mg.	$ 17.55	$     17.55	DD	Y	$    17.55
5 Tramadol 50 mg.	$ 17.55	$     17.55	DD	Y	$    17.55
Soft Recovery Collar Canine 17 cm	$ 15.64	$     15.64	IL	Y	$    15.64
Canine H3N8 Influenza Vaccine, 1st	$ 25.00	$     25.00	RC	N	$   0.00
Tobramycin 0.3% Ophthalmic Soln 5 ml	$ 13.82	$     13.82	DD	Y	$    13.82
Recheck Visit-Brief	$ 32.66	$     32.66	IL	Y	$    32.66
14 Clavamox (Antibiotic) 125 mg.	$ 30.89	$     30.89	DD	Y	$    30.89
	$   872.68	$ 846.22			$ 626.22

So the total claim reimbursement was $383.60, which is calculated below (this is the detail we send out in our explanation of benefits):

STEP 1: Calculate Potential Refund
Billed Amount:								$ 872.68
Covered Charges:								$ 626.22
Annual deductible remaining								$ 200.00
	subtotal							$ 426.22
Copay 10%	(your copayment)							$     42.62
Potential Refund								$ 383.60
STEP 2: Compare potential refund against your annual maximums
Annual Maximum								$     10,000.00
Prior refunds for this policy year								$   0.00
Coverage remaining								$     10,000.00
Your total refund is:								$     383.60

Koa's policy ($200 annual deductible, 10% copay, $10,000 annual maximum, drugs and dental extension, no wellness coverage) costs $63.65 a month. Koa's premium is higher than many dogs because English Bulldogs have more hereditary conditions than most breeds, all else being equal.

Dr Janet Tobiasson Crosby will be writing more about Cherry Eye treatment and surgery in a blog entry next week.

Related Posts:
July is Eye Month at Embrace Pet Insurance
Claim Example: Cherry Eye in Koa, a Bulldog puppy
Cataract surgery claim example: Nala 2 yr old Papillon
Guest post: cherry eye treatment options
Guest Post: lens luxation in a Dalmation

Cataract surgery claim example: Nala 2 yr old Papillon

Cataracts are no fun but imagine your sadness when your 2 year old dog gets a cataract? Poor Nala had a cataract diagnosed in her left eye but the good news was that her retina was not detached so surgery was a good option to restore her eyesight in that eye.

The surgeon did another ultrasound right before the surgery to check the retina was still attached and went ahead with the less invasive “phacoemulsification” technique where sound waves are used to dissolve the structure of the lens while a small suction device removes the broken down bits. After both removal and phacoemulsification procedures and new artificial lens was inserted so Nala could see again.

Pretty neat don't you think? 

DATE	ITEM	BILLED AMOUNT
6/29/2010	Ultrasound	$        0.00
6/29/2010	Anes & Monitoring	$      96.06
6/29/2010	Ket/Val Iso	$    136.38
6/29/2010	Hosp	$      78.13
6/29/2010	Atracurium Inj	$      15.75
6/29/2010	Dexamethasone Inj	$      15.68
6/29/2010	Carbachol Inj	$    107.81
6/29/2010	Cefazolin Inj	$      16.13
6/29/2010	Torbutrol Inj	$      17.03
6/29/2010	Neomycin/Poly/Dex	$      20.60
6/29/2010	Visco Supreme	$      81.63
6/29/2010	Prof Surgical Serv	$1,514.23
6/29/2010	Ocular Pack #1	$  71.94
6/29/2010	Ocular Pack #3	$      44.50
6/29/2010	Phacoemulsification Mach	$    177.69
6/29/2010	Minor Surg Prep	$  19.44
6/29/2010	Sterile Supplies	$    241.13
6/29/2010	Suture Material 4.0	$      34.25
6/29/2010	Suture Material 7.0	$   109.31
6/29/2010	IV Fluids	$     44.94
6/29/2010	IV Cath	$     69.94
6/29/2010	Neomycin/Poly/Dex	$     20.60
6/29/2010	Tropicamide 1% Sol	$    31.10
6/29/2010	Hosp	$    78.13
6/29/2010	Intraocular Pressure	$    30.38
6/29/2010	Cefazolin Inj	$    17.13
6/30/2010	Prednisone  20	$      7.95
6/29/2010	Amoxi Tabs 5	$      7.95
Total		$3,105.81

Of the $3,105.81 total cost of the surgery, $3,017.61 was covered by Nala's policy as the prescription drug option was not selected for her policy.

Since Nala's $100 annual deductible was already used up for the year, her reimbursement for this surgery was $2,715.85 (= $3,017.61 - 10%*$3,017.61)

Nala's lives in Amesbury MA (becuase location impacts veterinary costs and premiums) and her policy costs $41.49 a month for the accident and illness portion of her coverage, plus another $14.95 a month for her wellness coverage.

Related Posts:
July is Eye Month at Embrace Pet Insurance
Claim Example: Cherry Eye in Koa, a Bulldog puppy
Cataract surgery claim example: Nala 2 yr old Papillon
Guest post: cherry eye treatment options
Guest Post: lens luxation in a Dalmation

Gastroenteritis claim example: Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis in 3 year old Lab Mix

What do you do when your previously healthy dog suddenly has bloody diarrhea and is a very sick puppy indeed? You go straight to your local emergency clinic to conquer what is known as Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis or HGE. It's definitely not an inexpensive endeavor.

Case in point is Amber, a 3 year old labrador mix. In March 2010, she was admitted into a specialty facility in Oakdale CT to treat her hemorrhagic gastroenteritis and she remained there for 2 nights.

Here is her bill:

DATE	ITEM	BILLED AMOUNT
3/21/2010	Emergency Evaluation	$   110.00
3/21/2010	Hospitalization	$   309.96
3/21/2010	Fluid Therapy	$    0.00
3/21/2010	Normosol-R Liter	$ 91.47
3/21/2010	Fluid TX Pump Set up	$ 38.74
3/21/2010	IV Extension	$ 10.52
3/21/2010	IV Supplies -T-Port	$ 11.28
3/21/2010	Venoset	$ 25.59
3/21/2010	IV Y Connecting Set	$ 18.62
3/21/2010	Catheter Intravenous	$ 45.51
3/21/2010	Radiograph 2 view	$   200.00
3/21/2010	Buprenorphine Inj	$ 25.72
3/21/2010	CBC/Chem/Lytes	$   150.00
3/21/2010	Anzemet Inj	$ 35.03
3/21/2010	Famotidine (Pepcid)	$ 22.39
3/21/2010	Ampicillin Injection	$ 22.55
3/21/2010	Giardia Snap test	$ 28.33
3/21/2010	Fecal Analysis	$ 30.00
3/21/2010	Buprenorphine Inj	$ 25.71
3/21/2010	Metronidazole (Flagyl) IV	$ 26.80
3/22/2010	PCV/TP	$ 28.00
3/22/2010	Famotidine (Pepcid)	$ 22.39
3/22/2010	Ampicillin Injection	$ 22.55
3/22/2010	Buprenorphine Inj	$ 25.71
3/22/2010	Metronidazole (Flagyl) IV	$ 26.80
3/22/2010	Amoxicillin 400mg Qty 22	$ 39.64
3/22/2010	Metronidazole (Flagyl) 500mg Qty 21	$ 30.75
3/22/2010	Metoclopramide 10mg Qty 22	$ 22.70
3/22/2010	Sucralfate (Carafate) 1 gram Qty 19	$ 40.65
3/22/2010	Tramadol 50mg Qty 20	$ 19.60
3/22/2010	Buprenorphine Inj	$ 25.71
3/22/2010	Buprenorphine Inj	$ 25.71
3/22/2010	Ampicillin Injection	$ 22.55
3/22/2010	Famotidine (Pepcid) 20mg Qty 15	$ 13.35
Total		$    1,594.33

Amber's policy had a $200 deductible and a 20% copay with a $10,000 annual maximum and the drugs and dental option included (total montly premium is $33.94).

Her policy reimbursed $1,104.78 of the cost = $1,594.33 - $200 deductible - 20% copay = 1,594.33 - 200.00 - $278.87.

Her owner says she's back to her old self now, which is great news. Not something you'd expect your healthy dog to go down with all of a sudden.

Cancer Claim Example: Anal Sac Apocrine Gland Adenocarcinoma

Tyson, a mixed breed dog, was 8 years old when his owner noticed his anal glands appeared swollen. A quick visit to the vet found a 6 cm mass and a cell cytology showed uniform sheets of delicate neuroendocrine type cells indicating an Anal Sac Apocrine Gland Adenocarcinoma.

Follow on x-rays and ultrasound was done to determine if the cancer had metastasized (spread) internally but luckily, it did not appear it had done so, which is good news since this type of cancer spreads early and quickly.

Tyson's cancer specialists recommended aggressive treatment: surgery was performed to remove the mass and radiation therapy was administered over 20 sessions to (the cost of which alone was estimated to be $6,300 on his treatment pre-certification.)

The cost for this treatment was substantial as you can see below.

Diagnosis	Claim Amount	Covered Amount	Paid Amount	Total Paid Policy Term	Date of Service From
Cytology of Mass on Hind Quarters	160.00	160.00	0.00	0.00	6/15/2009
Anal Sac Apocrine Gland Adenocarcinoma (Radiographs & Ultrasounds)	575.00	575.00	211.50	211.50	6/19/2009
Pre-Surgical Consult for Surgical Removal of Anal Sac Apocrine Gland Adenocarcenoma	110.00	110.00	99.00	310.50	6/24/2009
Surgical Removal of Anal Sac Apocrine Gland Adenocarcenoma / (prev. Pre-Cert)	1,800.20	1,800.20	1,620.18	1,930.68	6/26/2009
Post Surgery Anal Sac Removal Stitches and Medication	112.64	112.62	101.36	2,032.04	7/1/2009
Post Anal Sac Removal Surgery, Medications	59.00	59.00	53.10	2,085.14	7/6/2009
Consultation Exam for Radiation Treatments	120.00	120.00	108.00	2,193.14	7/9/2009
Radiation for Anal Sac Apocrine Gland Adenocarcinoma / previous pre-cert	1,124.50	1,124.50	1,012.05	3,205.19	7/20/2009
Radiation Treatment (wk 1 of 4)	2,009.00	2,009.00	1,808.10	5,013.29	7/31/2009
Radiation Treatment (wk 2 of 4)	1,151.60	1,151.60	1,036.44	6,049.73	8/7/2009
Radiation Treatments (wk 3 of 4)	1,172.00	1,172.00	1,054.80	7,104.53	8/14/2009
Radiation Treatement (wk 4 of 4)	1,067.50	1,067.50	960.75	8,065.28	8/17/2009
Post radiation exam	82.50	82.50	74.25	8,139.53	10/1/2009
re-check 3 month examination	67.50	67.50	60.75	8,200.28	1/11/2010

Embrace Pet Insurance Policy: $500 annual deductible; $10,000 annual maximum; 10% copay; prescription drugs covered. Annual premium $514.25

The majority of Tyson's cancer treatment costs came from treatment at a specialized cancer clinic in Dallas TX in 2009. The total cost of treatment was $9,611.44 with pet insurance reimbursement of $8,200.28 (=$9,611.44 - $500 deductible * (1 - 10% copay)).

According to an article in DVM360 on anal sac adenocarcinomas, Tyson's prognosis is fair, with a projected survival time of 19 months given the tumor was less than 10 cm and the absense of hypercalcemia. Sadly it is unlikely that Tyson's cancer it cured but the treatment has certainly given him a longer and better quality of life that if he had not had the treatment.

Sending positive thoughts Tyson's way...

Related Articles:
April is Cancer Month at Embrace Pet Insurance
Guest post: veterinary thoughts on dog and cat cancer
Cancer claim example: Grade III Mast Cell Tumor
Cancer Claim Example: Anal Sac Apocrine Gland Adenocarcinoma
Rates of Cancer by Dog Breed

Cancer claim example: Grade III Mast Cell Tumor

Miel was 6 years old when Nisha discovered he had mast cell tumors on his neck, collar bone and right leg. Through ultrasound, she also found out that Miel had enlarged nodes internally as well.

Mast cells are the cells in the skin and connective tissue (among other places) and play a protective role in wound healing, a well as inflamation in allergies and analphylactic shock.

Grade III mast cell tumors are the most aggressive of mast cells tumors (Grade I being the least) and are the most likely to rapidly metastasize. This grade of mast cell tumor is the least common but also the most deadly.

Miel's cancer treatment lasted 6 months, including one surgery and at least seven rounds of varying types of chemotherapy treatment. The skin masses appeared to improve over that time; however, the cancer spread further inside Miel's intestinal area, severely narrowing his rectal passage and finally his urinary tract, forcing the decision to euthanize Miel at the end of his brave cancer battle.

Nisha was a medical student when she bought Miel's policy (when he was 5 years old), figuring she really didn't have any spare cash if something expensive should happen to Miel.

Embrace Pet Insurance Policy: $200 annual deductible; $5,000 annual maximum; 20% copay; prescription drugs covered. Monthly premium $35.90

Miel's cancer treatment costs at a veterinary clinic in Washington DC in 2008 were a total of $5,659.37 with pet insurance reimbursement of $4,367.50 (=$5,659.37 - $200 deductible * (1 - 20% copay).

___________________________________

Are you about to go through cancer treatments with your dog or cat? If you would like to share, we'd all like to pass on our positive thoughts for your pet's strong recovery.

Related Articles:
April is Cancer Month at Embrace Pet Insurance
Guest post: veterinary thoughts on dog and cat cancer
Cancer claim example: Grade III Mast Cell Tumor
Cancer Claim Example: Anal Sac Apocrine Gland Adenocarcinoma
Rates of Cancer by Dog Breed

Canine Genetic Condition: elbow dysplasia

Elbow dysplasia is a hereditary condition when the bones of the elbow don't quite fit together correctly, causing lameness, pain, and arthritis.

Mostly larger breeds are affected by this condition (not to be mistaken with Patellar Luxation, or slipping knee caps, that mostly affect smaller breeds).  Here are the statistics for the top twenty breeds affected, courtesy of the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA)

Breed	Rank	% Dysplastic
Chow Chow	1	47.3
Rottweiler	2	40.7
Bernese mountain dog	3	28.8
Black Russian terrier	4	27.5
Newfoundland	5	24.7
Chinese Shar-pei	6	24.5
Fila Brasileiro	7	23.1
Dogue de Bordeaux	8	21.7
American bulldog	9	19.5
German shepherd dog	10	19.4
Saint Bernard	11	18.1
American Staffordshire terrier	12	17,8
Irish water spaniel	13	16.5
Staffordshire bull terrier	14	15.8
Bloodhound	15	15.8
English setter	16	15.2
Mastiff	17	15.1
American pit bull terrier	18	13.9
Bullmastiff	19	13.7
English springer spaniel	20	13.0

The Golden retriever is listed as #24 with 11.4% of all these dogs evaluated graded dysplastic and the Labrador retriever at #26, with 11.1% of all dogs evaluated found to have elbow dysplasia.

How much does it cost to treat this condition? Diagnosis and surgery can run to several thousand dollars. For example for we paid out over $3,800 for Peppa, a 1 year old Golden Retriever, living in Portland OR for bilateral elblow dysplasia. Yowch!

For more information on this common genetic conditions in dogs, go to the Embrace Pet Health Center.

Related Posts:
Hereditary conditions and pet health insurance
Bilateral Elbow Dysplasia - $5,900 surgery  

Claim story: Squiggy the cat hit by a car, $12,170+ claim

I wanted to share with you the story of Squiggy the mixed breed cat who was hit by a car in September 2009. The words below are from Tracy, Squiggy's owner, who describes what happened:

We adopted squiggy from a shelter when he was 2 months old. He acted more like a puppy than a kitten. Likes to play fetch, hide and surprise you!!

The accident happened on 9/14/09 There was a knock at the door, a woman said she'd hit my cat and believed she had broken his leg, said sorry and promptly left. I found Squiggy in the bushes where he had dragged himself, could not get that image out of my head when I closed my eyes for weeks. It took 15 mins to get to the ER ( longest car ride ever) at which time he had already gone into shock and his breathing very labored.

The preliminary vet exam showed multible fractures & breaks. His back was broken in two places. He was bleeding internally. Initially we were told he'd be paralized with no neurologic function as they couldn't get any pulses in his lower extremities. They stabalized his breathing and were able to get faint pulses back. He was put on pain medication, made comfortable overnight.

Next day we saw Squiggy, he licked my hand and looked at me and I knew I had to do all I could to save him. He was operated on shortly after we saw him. The neurosurgeon told me it would be a long road to recovery with pins in his toes,leg & pelvis on one side of his body and no bowel or bladder function. We would not know if that would return for weeks or if he'd walk. He fought hard to get through this horrible ordeal.

Nine weeks later he's not only walking & climbing up on the bed, bowel & bladder function have returned. We hope Squiggy will be with us for a lot of years to come. He has of course used up about 7 of his 9 lives!!!! 

I was very distraught when Squiggy was injured and every person I spoke to at Embrace treated me like family with kind words of encouragement and lots of help submitting my claim. The claim was processed quickly. Thanks Embrace, you helped us to save Squiggy's life. 

Sadly, we got this update just 4 days later.

Unfortunately my story doesn't have a happy ending. Squiggy had a bladder infection that couldn't be controlled. He went from great one minute almost dead the next. He spent the last two weeks in the hospital where I thought he should stay till the infection was gone but no amount of medicine could fix him. I really thought if he stayed in the hospital he'd get better I'm heartbroken! I took him home and put a christmas collar on him wraped him in a christmas blanket and buryed him in a spot under the bay window in front of our house where he loved to hang out and watch the world go by. Thanks for everything.

Tracy's coverage included an annual maximum of $10,000, which Squiggy needed in totality.

RIP brave Squiggy.

Patellar Luxation Surgery: Destino, A Chihuahua Mix with Bilateral Luxating Patellas

You might not have imagined that jumping off the couch for a little dog could be the start of big knee issues but poor Destino was destined for 2 major knee surgeries before he reached the age of 4.

Patellar luxation is a slipping knee (the patella) that can move out of position too easily. It's measured in grades (grade 1 being the least problem, grad 4 being the worst) and is treated with pain medication in less severe cases and corrected with surgery for the higher grades. 

After Destino jumped off the couch one day, he started to limp a little and after a veterinary exam, his owners discovered he had a 3.5 grade out of 4 patellar luxation in his left knee as well as a grade 2 of 4 patellar luxation in the right knee. His pet parents had no idea.

Destino had two surgeries over 2 years and is now back to his old self.

Here's an example of the costs associated with the most recent surgery on the right knee performed in Parkland, Florida in January 2009.

ITEM	BILLED AMOUNT
Baytril 68mg Qty 7	$ 21.70
Clavamox 125mg Qty 14	$ 16.80
Tramadol 50mg  Qty 21	$ 21.00
Metacam 10ml	$ 26.50
CBC	$ 43.00
General Health Profile IH	$ 84.00
Electrocardiogram Pre-Anesthetic	$ 60.00
IV Catheter	$ 45.00
Fluid Intravenous per Day	$ 38.00
Infusion Pump daily	$    5.00
Anesthesia General	$   105.00
Anesthesia 1/2 hr	$ 50.00
Anesthesia Electronic Monitoring	$ 28.00
Buprinex Inj x4	$   108.00
Baytril Inj	$ 37.00
Hospitalization per night	$ 40.70
Daily Dr. Exam	$ 21.40
Metacam Inj	$ 36.00
Infectious Control Fee	$    5.00
E-Collar	$ 19.50
Surgery	$    1,100.00
	$    1,911.60

Destino's refund check was $1,463.04 after a $200 deductible and 10% copay (the Prescription Drugs & Dental Illness add-on was not chosen for Destino's policy) for a monthly premium of $24.76.

Related posts:
Guest post: A General Discussion of Orthopedic Issues in Dogs
Guest Post: Four Most Common Orthopedic Problems in Dogs
Top 10 ways to prevent orthopedic issues in dogs
How much did you say patella luxation cost to treat in my dog?

Embrace pet: Tahlula, a seven year old rescued Rottweiler

For some blogging fun, we're going to highlight some of our staff pets. Today, we’re here with Tahlula, a seven year old Rottweiler, to talk about her life as an Embrace pet.

Q: Hello, Tahlula. Tell us a bit about yourself.
A: Hi, My name is Tahlula, but everyone calls me “Wu”.

Q: So, Wu, what do you like to do for fun?
A: I like naps in my little bed near the space heater, but when it’s warm outside, I prefer lounging outside in the sun, watching the birds in the garden.

Q: So you’re pretty laid back then?
A: Yes, sometimes my body is sore, so I like to nap more than most. I had to have surgery in both of my knees a few years ago when I tore my cruciate ligaments, whatever those are! Mom said that her $50 shelter dog ended up getting $4,000 bionic knees, but I feel much better with them. They still have some arthritis and I also have hip dysplasia, but I take pain relievers for that now, and it doesn’t bother me much. I guess it’s just part of being a senior Rottie.

Q: So you think that these issues are because you’re a Rottweiler?
A: Well, probably. My back pain is also part of being a big dog.

Q: Ow, a back problem?
A: My mom says it’s called IVDD. It means one of my discs slip and put pressure on my spinal cord, which is not only painful, but scary. The first time it happened, I couldn’t walk so well. I would fall over like a baby deer, but I didn’t even realize my legs weren’t working.

Q: What do you do when that happens?
A: My people give steroids, and they drove me to a vet’s office that gave me physical therapy in the underwater treadmill to help me walk again. I got to go every week for a long time! Everyone said that was much better than another surgery, and I agree. It’s on youtube if you want to see.

Q: So you liked therapy?
A: Yes-it helped me pump up my big muscles. Rottweilers look funny with little scrawny legs. Plus, I liked it when they used the blow dryer on me afterwards.

Q: How did the back injury happen?
It flares up if I get too excited and put strain on my neck. Like, a couple of weeks ago I saw a cute puppy on our walk, and we played, but then I was paying for it the next day. Mom says I can’t wear collars anymore-only harnesses, so I don’t strain.

Q: But otherwise you’re life is pretty normal?
A: Yep, it’s good. I can do most everything I want, including visit my friends at the Embrace office. They’re nice, and some of them share their lunches with me. But, that’s off the record, because I’m not supposed to tell my mom.

Q: You like to eat? What is your favorite food?
A: Oh yes! I love fruits and vegetables. My favorites are bananas and apples but most of all green tomatoes! Speaking of which, I should be going. I think I need to remind my mom that it’s almost time for dinner...

Thank you Wu for joining us today. I've got some noms at my desk when you come to visit - we won't tell mom :)

Cruciate Ligament Surgery: Barron the Pit Bull Mix

Continuing Orthopedic Month at Embrace, I wanted to give you an example of how a persistent limp can turn into $7,000 of veterinary bills.

Here's the story of 5 year old pitbull mix Barron, who had not one, but TWO cruciate ligament injuries, requiring two major surgeries.

Barron's symptoms were not immediate, nor persistently bad, but his lameness flared up and down, particularly when he played hard. After a month or two of these symptoms, his owner took him to the vet and the cruciate ligaments were diagnosed by X-ray.

Here's an example of the costs associated with one of those surgeries performed in April 2009 in Newburgh, NY:

 

ITEM	BILLED AMOUNT
NYS Mandated Biological	$ 4.50
Operating Theater	$ 17.30
Surgical Pack And Disposables	$ 32.00
Surgical Pack	$ 39.50
IV Cath /SQ Fluids	$ 50.00
Injections - Multiple	$ 50.50
OR/Orthopedic	$ 94.50
Anesthesia-Isofluorane	$ 152.60
Cruciate Ligament Repair	$ 2,250.00
Fentanyl Patch 5 day Pain 50ug/hr	$ 71.00
Fentanyl Patch 5 day Pain 25ug/hr	$ 39.00
Technician Assistant	$ 41.00
Nursing	$ 14.80
Morphine Inject	$ 0.00
Telazol	$ 0.00
Convenia Cefovecin 2 wk injection	$ 105.00
Hospitalization	$ 74.50
NYS Mandated Biological	$ 4.50
Medicated 2x daily	$ 29.00
Nursing	$ 14.80
Tramadol HCL #10 Qty 20	$ 25.15
Rimadyl 100mg Qty 14	$ 47.37
	$ 3,157.02

Remember, this is just one of two surgeries that Barron had to have for a total cost of treatment of $6,989.99.

Tom, Barron's owner says "After hearing horror stories from a friend about their dog and the costs involved with treatments he received, my wife and I looked into pet insurance and decided that Embrace was the way to go. Barron had to have not 1 but 2 major surgeries on his rear legs, after injuring one while playing, and the other by chasing after animals in our back yard. He also suffers from hip dysplasia."

Read more about Barron's cruciate ligament rupture claim over at the Embrace website.

Related posts:
November is Orthopedic Month at Embrace Pet Insurance
How much did you say a ruptured cruciate ligament cost to treat in my dog?
Ski - a dog who recovered from a cruciate ligament injury without surgery
What happens when my dog's cruciate ligament tears?
Tibial tuberosity advancement (TTA) versus a Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO) in dogs
$3,449 claim: Rottweiler with hip dysplasia has ACL repair