Our Pet Insurance Community

A few weeks ago, I came across this great article from South Carolina’s local news, WMBF about pet diseases that can make you sick.

Though humans and pets don’t typically pass illnesses to each other, it’s important to be aware of those few diseases that we may be able to share.

• Hookworms – These can be transmitted by both dogs and cats. The larvae get under your skin (literally!) and develop into half-inch long worms. They are typically found around the foot or leg area. If afflicted, you may notice skin inflammation and lesions.
• Roundworms – These are small worms that can be found in a dogs’ intestines and cause the parasitic disease toxocariasis. Toxocariasis doesn’t produce symptoms in most cases, but in serious cases (usually with children) there are some that can damage tissues and even cause blindness.
• Bacterial infections – Dog and cat bites can easily spread infection. Cat bites can infect you with pasteurella which may cause fever, swelling, inflammation of the bone and sometimes even death. Dog bites can transmit staphylococcus.
• Cat scratch disease – A cat’s scratch or bite can transmit the bacteria Bartonella henselae. This may cause infection as well as swollen lymph nodes, fever, headache and fatigue.
• Toxoplasmosis – This is caused by a parasite carried by cats and can be transmitted to humans through contact with eggs passed in the cat’s stool (as well as by eating undercooked meat). Toxoplasmosis is rare and has little to no symptoms in adults, but can cause severe defects in the fetus if a pregnant woman becomes infected.

George is insured with Trupanion!

Last night, a few of us from Trupanion had the pleasure of attending an event put on by CityDog Magazine! It was a fun, social event at the W Hotel to which we were allowed to bring our dogs.

We got to meet lots of dogs and dog-loving people! We even met a couple of dogs that were wearing Trupanion tags, including this French Bulldog, George.

The Trupanion crew

They handed out appetizers for the humans and dog bone-shaped cookies for the dogs.

The room was packed with dogs that were all well-socialized, so there was lots of sniffing, pawing, and leash tangling. There were a few minor mishaps including a dog that almost marked a lady’s legs! Fortunately the owner caught him in time before anything happened.

We mingled and had a great night! See our pictures!

We met a really REALLY tall Great Dane named Magnum

Batman and Ava, Trupanion dogs!

Ellie is a happy Trupanion dog!

From jcleggphoto.com

We continue with our “dog meetings” (as we call them) to devise a plan for distributing educational materials and setting rules and guidelines for bringing pets into the Trupanion pet insurance office.

Yesterday, we had another meeting to go over materials that we had collectively put together and to make some final edits and updates before it goes to print!

In case your pet-friendly office would like some suggestions, here is what we’ve come up with:

Cubicle doggie

• A basic questionnaire for everyone who brings (or will bring) a pet to work to outline the pet’s behavior, age, socialization, friendliness, etc.
• Basic guidelines and rules
• An educational packet including different aspects of dog behavior such as aggression, socialization, potty training, guarding, etc.
• A liability waiver
• Quarterly training sessions in which a professional dog trainer will visit our office and teach everyone about basic dog behavioral traits to be aware of and help us deal with any current issues

We’ll see how it progresses as it reaches more employees and receives their feedback!

This week’s top 10 has a little twist. We’re featuring the top names of pets that are related to things that our pets should not eat!

1. Lily – this is a very popular pet name, and it should also be known that Lilies (the flowers) can be toxic to cats if eaten. Contact with any part of the plant can cause vomiting and lethargy to your cat and may ultimately lead to kidney failure.
2. Sugar – our pets should not be eating sugar as it can be a big contributor to obesity and also cause dental problems or lead to diabetes.
3. Whiskey – pets should not be consuming any type of alcohol. It can poison your pet and lead to coma or death.
4. Brownie – brownies contain chocolate and sugar.
5. Bones – keep cooked bones away from your pets! Try to avoid feeding your dog bones from a cooked turkey or chicken as they can splinter and cause damage to your dog’s internal organs. 
   
6. Coffee – our pets should never consume any type of caffeine. It can cause vomiting and diarrhea and damage the nervous system.
7. Raisin – raisins and grapes contain a toxin (which is yet to be pinpointed) that causes kidney damage to dogs and cats.
8. Tulip – these can cause stomach irritation, vomiting and diarrhea.
9. Chocolate – chocolate contains caffeine and theobromine which are both toxic to pets. It can damage the heart and central nervous system and lead to death if consumed in large amounts.
10. Sago – this is a type of palm tree plant that you may find in your yard and is very toxic to pets. It contains a chemical called cyasin which can cause permanent liver damage, seizures, coma, and death.

What’s in a name shouldn’t always be in your pet’s tummy, so keep this in mind as a reminder to keep your pet healthy and safe!

Exercise is important for animals all year round.

Trupanion notes an increase in pet insurance claims for cruciate ligament damages and ties this to warm weather.

(PR.com) August 16, 2010 - Trupanion, a pet insurance company, reports a 29.76% rise in pet insurance claims for cruciate ligament damage between January and June of 2010. The company regularly sees an increase in claims in the summer months, due to a spike in physical activity during warmer weather.

Cruciate ligaments are criss-crossed over the knee, stabilizing the joint while allowing for a very large range of motion. The damage occurs when the ligaments are ruptured or torn, usually from excessive physical activity, resulting in instability or a limp.

Cruciate ligament damage is most often treated with surgery. Veterinarians will determine what type of surgery is most suitable for the pet, based on size, lifestyle, and other factors. The option most commonly seen by Trupanion is Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy. During this procedure, the knee joint is opened and the damaged portion is removed. Then, the tibia is cut and rotated so that the knee joint stabilizes as the animal puts weight on it.

Cruciate ligament repairs are among the most expensive claims Trupanion receives. One such claim saw a total veterinary bill of $4,005.40. The policy holder had a zero deductible policy, and since Trupanion covers 90% of actual costs, the company reimbursed a total of $3,604.86.

The most common breeds that are prone to this injury are Akita, American Staffordshire Terrier, Australian Terrier, and Mastiff, but Trupanion has seen claims in a wide variety of breeds.

There are a few things pet owners can do to decrease the chance their pet will suffer from cruciate ligament damage:

• Monitor the pet’s weight. Overweight animals have a higher chance of injuring themselves due to the added weight placed on their joints.
• Give the pet plenty of exercise all year round. If the pet is used to exercise, he will be less likely to strain himself if playtime becomes more strenuous.
• If the pet is older or has another structural issue such as a luxated patella, pay close attention to him as he plays, as he is at greater risk for a ligament injury.

If you suspect your pet has an injury, be sure to take him to your vet as soon as possible.

About Trupanion™
Trupanion™ pet insurance offers cat insurance and dog insurance in the United States and Canada. Trupanion™ is self-underwritten by the American Pet Insurance Company, allowing Trupanion™ to offer a simple, customizable pet insurance policy with no payout limits and 90% coverage of veterinary bills. Enrolled pets receive lifetime coverage for diagnostic tests, surgeries, and medications if they get sick or are injured, with no incident, annual or lifetime limit. Trupanion’s mission is to deliver fast, simple and user-friendly financial support to pet owners. For more information about Trupanion™, call 800-569-7913 or visit http://www.TrupanionPetInsurance.com.

About the North American Pet Health Insurance Association
Trupanion™ is a founding member of the North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA).  Founded in 2007, the North American Pet Health Insurance Association is committed to educating and promoting the values and benefits of quality pet health insurance to North American pet owners, the general public, and the veterinary community.  As an association, we are committed to high standards and transparency in all of our actions and products.  To learn more, visit the North American Pet Health Insurance Association website at http://www.naphia.org.

Everyone enjoys a good quote, especially ones about our precious pets! I recently read a great quote online the other day and figured I would browse around online searching for a few more fun ones to share with you all.

“Did you ever notice when you blow in a dog’s face he gets mad at you?  But when you take him in a car he sticks his head out the window! ”
– Steve Bluestone

“Outside of a dog, a book is probably man’s best friend; inside of a dog, it’s too dark to read.”
– Groucho Marx

“Anybody who doesn’t know what soap tastes like never washed a dog.”
–Franklin P. Jones

“There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face.”
–Ben Williams

If you have any others you know and would like to share, we love hearing from you! Leave a comment below!

*Photo courtesy of Reshade

We are loving the fact that pet insurance is popping up in the news more and more these days. Is it because more people are realizing how expensive veterinary treatments can be? Who knows.

Anyway, I recently read an article provided by the Chicago Tribune titled “Tips for buying pet insurance” and decided to provide a few of my own tips.

• Get free quotes. I know it sounds simple, but this is a simple way to quickly determine the price range for how much your pet(s) will cost per month. Once you have a good ballpark, you can determine which add-ons and adjustments you want to make.
• Look for rate increases. Does the plan increase your rates each time you file a claim? Do the rates increase every time your pet has a birthday to keep up with his age?
• Look at exclusions. All policies exclude pre-existing conditions, but most have other exclusions as well. Does the plan cover hereditary and congenital disorders? Does it cover cancer?  What else is excluded?
• Look at limits. Most plans have some sort of limitations, such as $X per claim, $Y per year, or $Z per incident. Find out what these limits are and if they will be enough should your pet come down with a chronic condition and require extensive treatment within the first year.

We have a very comprehensive pet insurance comparison chart on our website – take a look to compare plans all in one place!

Ever wanted a famous dog? These dogs hold the names of some famous dogs throughout television and movie history (and surprisingly, Lassie didn’t make the list)!

The following are the 10 most popular famous dog names according to Trupanion’s pet insurance database of enrolled pets.

1. Marley (Marley and Me)
2. Shiloh (Shiloh)
3. Benji (Benji)
4. Snoopy (Charlie Brown series)
5. Scooby doo (Scooby Doo)
6. Toto (The Wizard of Oz)
7. Odie (Garfield and Friends)
8. Einstein (Back to the Future)
9. Hooch (Turner & Hooch)
10. Pluto (Disney character)

What other famous pet names can you think of to add to this list? Let us know in the comments!

Obesity leads to pet health issues.

We all want to show our pets how much we care about them. Unfortunately, many times we show it with food.

Pet obesity has become a huge issue in the last several years (no pun intended), and had led to an increase in obesity-related illnesses that can be prevented. The situation is ironic – as pet owners try to show their pets how much they care by rewarding them with high-calorie treats, they are actually leading the pet down an unhealthy path, lessening their quality and longevity of life.

The same problems that affect obese humans also affect obese pets. Studies show that pets with a little extra girth have a greater risk for developing osteoarthritis and other orthopedic problems, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, heart and respiratory diseases, reproductive disorders, certain skin conditions, kidney failure, and a number of cancers.

It can be difficult to understand how the treats you give are affecting your pet because of the small portions, which is why Dr. Ernie Ward, a lead researcher at The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, has developed some equivalents that may be more convincing. For example, Dr. Ward says that a single, small dog bone treat given to a 10-pound dog is no different than a person eating two chocolate doughnuts. Now think about how many of those dog bone treats you tend to feed your dog during the day. That’s a lot of doughnuts. 

The calories in those treats inevitably cause weight gain. Again, a small amount of weight gain for a pet may not seem like too big of a deal, but Dr. Ward explains that 3 extra pounds on a 15-pound Boston Terrier is like 30 extra pounds on a 150-pound person. Some other equivilants to think about:

• A 90-pound female Labrador Retriever is equivalent to a 186-pound 5-foot, 4-inch female.
• A 12-pound Yorkshire Terrier is similar to a 223-pound 5-foot, 4-inch female.
• A 15-pound cat is equivalent to a 225-pound 5-foot, 9-inch male.
• A 20-pound cat equals a 300-pound 5-foot, 9-inch male. 
• Each extra pound on a cat is equal to about 13 pounds on the average female and 15 pounds on a male.

So, before you reward you pet with another treat, remember what that treat may mean. Try rewarding him with verbal praise, or a tummy rub instead. Teach your dog that affection can be shown without food, and keep him happy and healthy for many years to come!

New articles are circulating the news about the potential dangers of dry pet food (yes, I said dry food) and salmonella.

Recently, several varieties of Eukanuba and Iams pet foods have been recalled due to salmonella dangers.

Pets do not display symptoms of infection, but can still spread the bacteria which can affect the elderly and young children. Those who feed their pets in the kitchen have a much higher risk of becoming ill from contaminated foods.

Bacteria will also multiply on dirty pet food dishes (hope this makes you think twice about how frequently you wash your pet’s dishes!).

To be sure that your household is safe, check the brands of pet food that you keep in your pantry versus the list of recalled pet foods.

Read the Business Week article for more details.