Wednesday, 22 June 2022

Top 9 Pet Insurance Plans For Bloodhounds (2022)

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Bloodhounds are famous for their powerful noses. These large scent hounds are capable of tracking the smell of a person or object from miles away (it’s no wonder McGruff, the crime dog, is a Bloodhound). In addition to their incredible tracking abilities, Bloodhounds are easy-going companions with adorable droopy faces and wrinkly skin.

As great as this breed is, Bloodhounds are prone to certain medical conditions. While several of 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 Bloodhound. 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 Bloodhound 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 Bloodhound Cost?

Below are some sample pet insurance plans for a 1-year-old male Bloodhound 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 Bloodhound-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 Bloodhounds

Ear Infections in Bloodhounds

Those long, droopy ears are an iconic feature of Bloodhounds, but their length makes this breed more prone to ear infections. There are several causes of ear infections, including allergies, hypothyroidism, trauma, ear mites, and bacteria.

Otitis externa (a.k.a. an outer ear infection) leads to inflammation in the infected ears. Your dog will experience pain and redness outside the ear canal, and their ears will develop an odor. There may also be a black or yellowish discharge.

Untreated infections can worsen and affect your dog’s hearing or balance.

Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (KCS) in Bloodhounds

Also known as “dry eye,” this condition essentially boils down to “your dog’s eyes don’t produce enough tears.” Now here’s the more scientific version of that. There are two types of Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (KCS): quantitative and qualitative.

Quantitative KCS is a lack of production of the aqueous layer of the tear film attached to the cornea. Qualitative KCS is a decrease in the mucin or oily layers that help the tear film remain attached to the cornea.

Either type of tear deficiency will result in dryness of the corneal surface. Chronic, untreated dry eye can lead to corneal scarring, ulceration (open sores), or pigmentation (color change). Some dogs might develop secondary bacterial conjunctivitis. In a worst-case scenario, they could lose an eye.

Signs of KCS include red eyes and a thick, mucusy discharge.

Entropion in Bloodhounds

Usually an inherited condition, Entropion is an eye problem common in the Bloodhound breed. Entropion occurs when the eyelids roll inwards, causing your dog’s eyelashes and facial hair to rub against their cornea. Entropion can lead to corneal ulcerations, scarring, discomfort, and impaired vision if not treated. 

RELATED: 8 Eye Disorders To Watch Out for In Your Dog

Skin Infections in Bloodhounds

Due to both their cute wrinkly skin folds and their work that puts them outside and in rough terrain, Bloodhounds are more likely than other breeds to get skin infections. These are three particular conditions to look out for:

  • Lip Fold Pyoderma: The moist skin folds along your Bloodhound’s lower jaw make it easier for bacteria or yeast to multiply and cause an infection. These lip folds also create friction between the skin surfaces, which can lead to inflammation. The mouth area of a dog with Lip Fold Pyoderma will become red, smelly, and even ooze a white or yellow discharge.
  • Malassezia Dermatitis: This is essentially a yeast infection found in your dog’s ears or on their skin. Yeast is usually present on the skin, but abnormal overgrowth can cause dermatitis (inflammation). Your dog’s skin or ears may also exhibit an unusual odor. Malassezia Dermatitis will likely require long-term treatment, but most dogs respond favorably to therapy quickly.
  • Hot Spots: These are red, inflamed, pus-filled skin lesions that can appear anywhere on your dogs’ body, but most commonly on their head, legs, and hips. Hot spots are likely to result from a lack of treatment for the above skin conditions as well, since scratching at a bacterial or yeast infection can lead to open sores. Other causes include allergies, poor grooming, and even boredom that makes a dog repeatedly scratch at its skin.

Gastric Torsion (a.k.a. “Bloat”) in Bloodhounds

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.

Bloodhounds are large (weighing an average of 80 to 115 pounds) deep-chested dogs, so they’re more likely to suffer from bloat. 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 Bloodhound to the vet right away:

  • Swollen belly
  • Rapid heartbeat
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Collapse

Typical Costs Of Treating Health Issues In Bloodhounds 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 Bloodhound’s particular needs might save you tons of money on medical costs.

Here are just some sample veterinary expenses for Bloodhounds:

  • Ear Infection Costs: Many dogs will have more than one type of infection present, so treatment will require multiple medications. The average cost of treatment is ~$150. Total Ear Canal Ablation (TECA) is a surgical option that involves removing the ear canal with the diseased tissue to prevent the recurrence of ear infections. Surgery is only necessary in chronic cases but could cost $3,000 – $5,000. That’s definitely something you’d want pet insurance to cover.
  • KCS (“Dry Eye”) Costs: Medical management to stimulate tear production and reduce inflammation involves several medications (primarily in eye drop form). These drugs could cost around $50 per month, and you’ll need to apply the medications for the rest of your dog’s life. In severe cases, a surgical procedure called a parotid duct transposition might be necessary. This costs over $1,000, and the procedure is uncommon.
  • Entropion Costs: Fortunately, this condition can be permanently corrected with surgery, but it will likely range in cost from $1,100 to $2,000. Your pet insurance may be able to help cover that pricey surgery.
  • Skin Infection Costs: As you might expect, the costs for treating skin conditions depend on the severity and the underlying cause. Treatment involves cleaning the infected area, reducing inflammation, and minimizing the overgrowth of bacteria and/or fungus. Your dog may need topical antibiotics, antifungal creams, or oral medications. The average bill for treating skin infections/hot spots runs around $120. It will cost more if there’s an underlying condition causing the bacteria or yeast overgrowth.
  • 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.

Knowing the signs and symptoms of these conditions common in Bloodhounds 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 Bloodhound?

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-$103 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

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Pet Insurance by State

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