many reason to buy pet insurance

I have to tell you about a life-threatening disease that I absolutely hate. It comes on very quickly - and to young healthy dogs. Many dogs get it and more than 50% of dogs that get it die. It is awful. No one knows exactly why it happens. I wish there was a cure but there is not.

The disease is called immune mediated hemolytic anemia and it is caused by some abnormality in the dog's immune system. The body's immune system normally helps keep us healthy by killing bad bacteria, but for some reason with this disease it suddenly identifies healthy red blood cells in the body as foreign "bad" cells - and it starts destroying them.

This disease is really awful. Over the course of sometimes hours, a dog can become weak and lethargic. Sometimes the dog will vomit. The gums become pale as the dog becomes anemic from losing the red blood cells in its body.

Treatment of this disease is difficult and expensive. You can give the dog blood transfusions but the body will often destroy the transfused cells too. Sometimes transfusions are necessary but they are not a cure.

The other treatment is drug therapy to suppress the immune system. Drugs will work for some dogs but not all. It is very frustrating.

I recently saw a buff-colored cocker spaniel named Buffy that came in with this disease. (It can occur in any breed but is more common in cocker spaniels.) I'm happy to say that she made it but Buffy was in the hospital for 6 ½ days - and her bill was almost $3,000. That is a LOT of money. Many owners would not have been able to go ahead with the treatment. That is why pet insurance is so great. It can really help you do the best for your dog when something like this happens. Take a minute and find out if it is right for you. Go to: petinsurance.com

If your dog acts weak or lethargic check the color of his gums and call your vet.

Until next time,

Dr. Jon

P.S. Buffy was lucky. Many dogs aren't so lucky. Sometimes lives are lost simply because the dog's owner can't afford medical treatment. That's why I urge all my readers to consider pet insurance. If you plan ahead and insure your pets now, while they are still young and healthy, you will always be able to give your pets the medical care they need without worrying so much about the cost. Find out if pet insurance is right for you. Go topetinsurance.com

P.P.S. Did you know that VPI is America's oldest, largest and most trusted provider of pet insurance? That's why nine out of ten veterinarians recommend VPI. Get a free quote from VPI today. It could save your dog's life. Just go to petinsurance.com