Five very good reasons to get pet insurance for your Labrador Retriever
It’s no surprise that Labrador Retrievers are among the most popular dog breeds in America and the world. They have a wonderful, gentle and playful nature, they're smart and easily trained (making them excellent service dogs), and are great with kids. The only thing you need to consider is the cost of their insatiable appetites and vet bills – because, like all dog breeds, they come with specific and costly health issues. Luckily, getting pet insurance for Labrador Retrievers can help with the latter.
Here are four conditions that commonly affect Labrador Retrievers.
Obesity
Covered by insurance!
Like we say, Labrador Retrievers are famous for their love of food. As the old joke goes, they’re on a ‘seefood’ diet – see food, eat it. This actually helps with training, but – just like with humans – it can cause obesity and all its associated medical conditions, such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes. Aside from the stress of having a sick pet, these illnesses do not come cheap. Diabetes drugs can cost $2,000 per year, while cancer treatment can easily exceed $10,000. So, not only should you get pet insurance for your Labrador Retriever, you should also watch what they eat.
Heart Valve Narrowing
Covered by insurance!
Labrador Retrievers have big hearts, but also ones that are at risk of congenital heart conditions. Mitral valve disease, including stenosis – the narrowing of the valves, which builds up pressure – commonly causes congestive heart failure in Labrador Retrievers (among other dog breeds). It has to be treated as soon as possible, so regular vet checks – often covered by wellness plans – are vital. That treatment can cost up to $10,000 so pet insurance could save you a fortune.
Hip Dysplasia
Covered by insurance!
Hip dysplasia is sadly a very common problem among larger dogs, including Labrador Retrievers. It occurs when ill-fitting hip joints rub against each other and is extremely painful. It can also lead to arthritis, which can cripple a dog for life. Luckily, both can be treated – for a price. Surgery can cost up to $7,500 per hip, while arthritis medication is around $2,000 a year.
Ear Infections
Covered by insurance!
Those big floppy ears are adorable, right? You know it. But they come with their own set of medical risks. They can get foreign bodies like seeds in them – which can require surgery to remove costing over $1,000 – and they are also prone to getting infected, especially if you don’t clean them properly. Each time that happens you’re looking at around $150 in meds, which will be covered by pet insurance.
Osteochondrosis
Covered by insurance!
This is another skeletal condition that commonly affects Labrador Retrievers. The bones around a dog’s joints don’t solidify properly, leading to thickened cartilage that can become loose and form a flap. It’s usually an inherited one but can also be caused by also nutrition and exercise. It usually shows itself before a dog turns one, through lameness and stiffness, but surgery – costing up to $4,000 per joint – can be successful.
