For our two dogs and cat we never had insurance. You have to weigh the cost against how often a catastrophic incident will come into play--the giardia or an accident. A lot of policies don't cover genetic defects or pre-existing conditions with dogs (our case of hip dysplasia in Sam wouldn't have covered hip surgery for example). Overall, a once-a-year appointment for us for check ups would run about $200 per dog so there's the deductible.

Overall, a once-a-year appointment for us for check ups would run about $200 per dog so there's the deductible.

Does routine care count against the deductible? Also, is it like car insurance, deductible per incident rather than cumulative? Those would make a big difference.

I think I'd have to say that unless you had some inkling that Miss Sass was likely to be sickly (say it ain't so!) then it's probably not going to come out in your favor.

I feel for your SIL - she's been waiting since Sunday, right? I hope your niece hurries up and makes her appearance.

She's been in the hospital since Sunday. And they did a "foley bulb" that night according to my brother. Is that when they try to manually dilate the cervix? But nothing happened.

My parents should be out there now so I'm going to call them in a few minutes and see if i can get an update that way.

And they did a "foley bulb" that night according to my brother. Is that when they try to manually dilate the cervix? But nothing happened.

That doesn't even sound remotely fun. I hope things start moving soon for her.

Labor-ma to your SiL, libkitty!

I wrote up a post on my training blog about tips for finding a massage therapist. I figured I would share in case it helps anyone: [link]

Good points, brenda. The deductable is per-incident, but the coverage is not (that is, if Sassy breaks a leg the cap is the total amount of coverage ($8000, not say, $1000 for a broken leg). One policy excludes hereditary conditions, one does not.

ION, I just ate a celery stick and I would kill for some dental floss right now.

slinks into Bitches, finds a dark corner and a beanbag

flops

I achieved the trifecta. Not only do I have tonsillitis AND the flu, not only did half the lights on my car fail, but my credit card number got jacked.

I've done all the work of cancelling the card, but not all the work of fixing the regular charges that hit the card.

I felt free to tell my sisters they were dumb for having children that needed to be represented by diamonds, emeralds and rubies.

you told _both_ sisters this? what a nice gift for your mom, btw.

I'd do the insurance now, if I could go back. But hindsight is 20/20. Does it cover issues with other dogs? If sweet Sass was lured into a snarl with someone much more nefarious at the park, for instance? Tuck was bitten several times and the other owners were very gracious about helping out with the bills.

::bubble wraps Raq and all she owns::

Damn, Raq, that's just a shitty confluence of happenings. Particularly the credit card. Such a pain.

No advice on pet insurance. I've got two cats, indoors types. Unless they choose to commit suicide by jumping out of the loft down to the first floor (and I don't foresee that causing a lot of discomfort; I had a cat fall out a third floor window onto a cement sidewalk and survive), I don't see them getting up to much.

And I just found out my DH has to travel with the Undersecretary of State at the same time I'm scheduled to attend a conference in California. So I have to cancel (which will cost $100) or take Mal to a 3-day conference.

Fuck today.