....and a Q about pet insurance and CCLs

captainleela

So my pup blew out his CCL and we're looking at a TPLO to the tune of $3700 with a 40% likelihood that he'll blow the other one in 1-2 years. I asked my vet about pet insurance for the other knee and he said it's probably not worth it because since my pup is only 10 months old, if he blows the other knee the insurance company would claim that it's a congenital defect and deny the claim. Does anyone have any experience with this? Are there any pet insurance companies that cover CCL's AND congenital defects, so there wouldn't be any good reason for them to deny a TPLO claim?

Mrs.Mc08

I have Embrace pet insurance. I got it the day we adopted my dog (who was older). A month later they covered a 5K surgery (FHO) and rehab for it. They also covered the TPLO surgery. They will pay if anything else happens to his other knee. They do cover genetic problems, which is why I went with them. They do not cover pre-exisiting conditions.

sophielou9

I'm so sorry to hear about your pup. I know torn ligaments are awful, especially in high-energy dogs who want to run and play and can't. I hope the surgery goes smoothly!

I work for Trupanion pet insurance, so I can offer some information on that side of things. Trupanion and other pet insurance companies WILL cover TPLO surgeries and other treatment associated with a torn ligament. However, I believe what your veterinarian is trying to explain is that this ligament tear and any ligament tear in the future would now be considered a pre-existing condition and would most likely be denied.

When a dog damages one knee and receives treatment, it is incredibly likely that the other knee will become damaged shortly after (as your veterinarian explained), so any torn ligament, not just on the knee currently damaged, is seen as a pre-existing condition because it is related to that original damage.

If, however, you would have purchased pet insurance prior to your dog's first tear, both the treatment of the current condition and any treatment for future conditions would be covered. (I know that is no help to you now, but just in case you are considering pet insurance for other or future pets... Also, do know that pet insurance may still be beneficial for other conditions your dog may develop in the future not related to the ligament tear.)

Again, I'm so sorry. I know how you feel. I myself discovered pet insurance for the first time when my first dog became sick with a liver condition. Her treatment was so expensive, so I researched and found pet insurance. But of course, no pet insurance company would help pay for the treatment because she already had the condition when I looked into it. I realized after that that I needed to get pet insurance early for all future pets.

Anyway, if you have any more questions, I'm happy to help. 

dusk42

This company will cover CCL after you have had a policy for a year, so depending on the premiums, it could be a good option for you.  Of course he might blow the other one within a year, but if it takes longer, it would be covered.  I know someone who had a plan with them for her seniors and liked them.   

 

http://www.petsbest.com/pet-insurance-plans/not-covered 

TheLinkBride

Like sophielou posted, the insurance that we have - Pet Plan - covers congenital conditions and conditions that happen on the other side of the body.  This is why I purchased insurance when my dog first came home as a baby so nothing would be considered pre-existing.  You can check with companies but unfortunately the other knee may be considered pre-existing.

HB's Girl

Because your dog already tore one CrCL, the likelihood of the other tearing is extremely high.  So the surgery on the second knee likely won't be covered because it is a pre existing condition.

You might find a plan with a much higher monthly premium that will cover it, but don't expect it.

 Good luck!

boylema

I don't know anything about the Insurance, but I ditto all the pp's comments about the timing/likelihood of the 2nd knee going after the 1st!

My dog lasted almost exactly one year inbtwn his CCL surgeries! That being said, our Vet only charged us around $1k per knee, so the cost was a "little" (?) bit easier to swallow....

GL! & if you have any other questions....or just need support, post away!! There are plenty of us on here who have, or are, gone/going through this too!