Wednesday, 22 June 2022

Top 9 Pet Insurance Plans For German Shorthaired Pointers (2022)

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The German Shorthaired Pointer is an incredible dog with an eagle eye, super agility, and remarkable stamina. This breed has a history as a multi-talented hunting dog, able to track down multiple types of game both on land and in water. They also make great, loyal companions, but the GSP has a high prey drive and desire to work, so you better be ready to keep up with your dog’s required level of heart-pumping exercise.

Overall, this breed is fairly healthy, but the German Shorthaired Pointer is predisposed to certain medical conditions. While these health issues can be expensive to treat, you may be able to cover the high costs if you invest in pet insurance for your dog early.

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when it comes to choosing the right pet insurance plan for your beloved Pointer pup. This guide will help you select a plan that covers everything you want it to, so you can be there for your dog when they need you most.

Compare The Top 9 Pet Insurance Plans for Your German Shorthaired Pointer Using our Free No-Obligation Quote Tool below

The simplest way to compare pet insurance prices is to use our tool below. The comparison tool will show you quotes from the top 9 pet insurance carriers, including Trupanion, Pets Best, Lemonade, ManyPets, FIGO, HealthyPaws, Prudent Pet, Spot, and Embrace pet insurance.

How Much Does Pet Insurance for a German Shorthaired Pointer Cost?

Below are some sample pet insurance plans for a 1-year-old male German Shorthaired Pointer using the zip code 75001 (Texas) as an example.

Ultimately, your plan’s premium will depend on several factors, including your dog’s age, size, and breed, as well as where you live. You also want to know what type of coverage your plan has and if it will help with German Shorthaired Pointer-specific health problems. Let’s get more into those medical conditions and how much you can expect to pay to treat them.

Common Health Problems Associated With German Shorthaired Pointers

Osteochondrosis Dissecans in German Shorthaired Pointers

This disease affects a dog’s joints (mainly the knees and shoulders.) Osteochondritis Dissecans occurs when the cartilage between the bones at the joints grows abnormally or becomes damaged. Disruption of the cartilage surface can make movement of the joint painful and may result in lameness of the affected limb.

If the cartilage separates from the joint, it can form a loose flap. This will likely need to be removed through surgery. Neglecting treatment for this condition could lead to osteoarthritis in your dog.

Gastric Torsion (a.k.a. “Bloat”) in German Shorthaired Pointers

Gastric Torsion (a.k.a. “bloat”) occurs when your dog’s stomach fills too rapidly with gas, food, or fluid. Bloat is a sudden, life-threatening condition where the stomach can twist, blocking the organ’s entrance and exit. It can even obstruct blood flow, which is a medical emergency.

Bloat more commonly affects larger, deep-chested breeds like German Shorthaired Pointers. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential when it comes to gastric torsion. Preventative measures, like regular exercise, proper diet, and not eating or drinking too quickly help as well.

If you notice any of these warning signs, you should take your Pointer to the vet right away:

  • Swollen belly
  • Rapid heartbeat
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Collapse

Von Willebrand’s Disease in German Shorthaired Pointers

Von Willebrand Disease (vWD) is an inherited bleeding disorder where a vital protein involved in blood clotting is absent. In German Shorthaired Pointers, vWD is considered “Type 2”.

Some dogs carry the trait without experiencing symptoms. Others may suffer spontaneous bleeding from the nose, mouth, digestive, or urinary tracts. Teething or infections may also cause bleeding.

Dogs with this condition should not take drugs that affect normal blood clotting. There is no cure, but the condition can be managed to reduce the likelihood of severe complications.

Lymphedema in German Shorthaired Pointers

This is a poorly understood disease of the lymphatic system more commonly seen in German Shorthaired Pointers. The lymph nodes manufacture and store white blood cells. In dogs with lymphedema, the lymph nodes don’t work properly, which causes lymph fluid to back up into soft tissues.

Dogs with lymphedema will experience swelling, most commonly in the legs, ears, or midsection. You could start seeing symptoms in your German Shorthaired Pointer as early as 12 weeks old.

Lymphedema in dogs can be either primary (present at birth or within a few months) or secondary (resulting from another condition or surgical procedure). As it’s more commonly seen in GSPs, if your dog has the condition, it’s most likely inherited.

Typical Costs Of Treating Health Issues In German Shorthaired Pointers and How Pet Insurance Can Help

If left untreated, many of the health conditions listed above can result in long-term consequences and even require surgery, ultimately making them more expensive to manage. Selecting a pet insurance plan suited for your GSP’s particular needs might save you tons of money on medical costs.

Here are just some sample veterinary expenses for German Shorthaired Pointers:

  • Osteochondritis Dissecans Costs: Milder cases can be treated with pain medications and rest. If a loose flap of cartilage has formed, your vet will likely recommend surgery to reduce your dog’s pain and improve their mobility. Arthroscopic procedures can be very expensive, around $2,000-$4,000 per joint.
  • Gastric Torsion (“Bloat”) Costs: If your dog’s stomach has twisted, it will probably need emergency surgery to untwist it. The average cost of treating a bloat case with surgery runs between $2,000 and $5,000. If there are complications, the cost could be even higher. Pet insurance with emergency coverage can literally be life-saving in this case.
  • Von Willebrand’s Disease Costs: While there’s sadly no cure for this disease, dogs with vWD can live perfectly normal lives with management and avoidance of risky activities. If your dog has severe bleeding due to an injury, it may require a blood transfusion. This typically costs $100 to $300 per unit.
  • Lymphedema Costs: There is no cure for lymphedema, and the treatment for this condition depends on the underlying cause. The ultimate goal of treatment is to improve lymphatic transport (circulation). This can be done in several ways by reducing the size of the edematous (swollen) limb. Your vet may recommend warm water massage, pressure wraps, or Benzopyrone medications to reduce swelling. Treatment costs could range from $50 for the exam and pressure wraps to upwards of $1,200 if surgery is necessary.

Knowing the signs and symptoms of these conditions common in German Shorthaired Pointers can help you catch them early, saving your dog and your money. When in doubt, take your pup to the vet to have them diagnosed.

What Is Pet Health Insurance And Why Do I Need It For My German Shorthaired Pointer?

Pet health insurance works very similarly to human health insurance. Your policy quote will range in monthly price, depending on your dog’s breed, age, and where you live. Typically, you’ll spend around $15-$77 per month as a pet parent.

Pet insurance is mainly about peace of mind, knowing you won’t be totally overwhelmed in case of an emergency. Enrolling even when your dog is young and healthy will ensure you have plenty of coverage when they need expensive medical care later. If you choose a plan more suited to your dog’s particular breed, you’ll be more prepared when something happens later on in their life.

Some plans cover accidents and illnesses, while others only cover accidents. Certain plans do cover breed-specific illnesses, and others do not. It all depends on what type of coverage you choose. With our free pet insurance comparison tool, you can get quotes from multiple insurance companies with no obligation to commit.

Whatever plan you choose, you’ll feel better knowing you can take care of your dog when they need you most. Plus, you won’t have to suddenly shell out thousands of dollars. Learn more about how pet insurance works here.

Additional Pet Insurance Resources

Pet Insurance Carrier Comparisons

Breed Pet Insurance

Pet Insurance by City

Pet Insurance by State

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