It’s no secret that pets cost money. From food to vet bills, it can all amount to way more than you bargained for. Although all pet owners need to prepare for medical costs, there are some who might need some extra help due to the breed of their dog.

Routine healthcare and vet visits are one thing, but serious injuries and illnesses are another.

Vet bills are becoming increasingly expensive as pet medical healthcare advances. Our pets can now live longer lives thanks to these innovations and advancements, which is a wonderful thing indeed. However, due to these neverending costs, our budgets tend to feel the heat.

Pet insurance just makese financial sense

This is where pet insurance comes in. Having this form of pet healthcare cover helps to protect you from both unexpected vet bills such as accidents and emergencies AND expected bills in the case of routine care.

Have a look at this blog on How Pet Insurance Can Save You Money (& Make Caring For Your Pet Easier).

Every single pet parent needs to budget for the costs associated with pet healthcare. However, there are certain dog breeds that come with higher health risks. If you are the pet owner of one of these breeds, then I suggest you start to do some digging into the pet insurance plans available to you in order to save yourself from some incredibly big vet bills.

5 large dog breeds with high health risks

1. Rottweiler

A Rottweiler is a powerful, large and loyal working dog. They make for incredible companions but are unfortunately predisposed to a number of health issues.

1. Osteochondritis dissecans - Issues with the shoulder joint
2. Cataracts - Clouding of the clear lens that results in vision issues
3. Osteosarcoma - A type of bone cancer
4. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy - This is a disease where the heart muscle is abnormally thick which makes it difficult for the heart to pump blood.

2. Doberman Pinscher

These powerfully large dogs love to spend time with their owners. They are active dogs and deeply loyal. However, this breed is plagued by numerous health concerns.

1. Dilated cardiomyopathy - This condition is when the heart struggles to pump blood due to a weakened and enlarged left ventricle, which is the dominant pumping chamber.
2. Von Willebrand disease (VWD) - This is a genetic health issue and refers to a bleeding disorder caused by low levels of a specific clotting protein in your dog’s blood.
3. Cervical vertebral instability (Wobbler’s Syndrome) - This is a spinal issue that leads to walking problems.

3. Great Dane

These Big Friendly Giants are great companions for children and adults of all ages. Sadly, this breed comes with its own set of health risks.

1. Cervical vertebral instability (Wobbler’s Syndrome) - This is a spinal issue that leads to walking problems.
2. Bloat - When bloat occurs, the stomach fills with gas and cam then twist in a way that it restricts blood supply to the gut and prevents food and gas from leaving. This is a life-threatening condition.
3. Congenital heart diseases
4. Hip dysplasia - The bones in the hip joint do not fit together correctly which causes hip problems.
5. Dilated cardiomyopathy - This condition is when the heart struggles to pump blood due to a weakened and enlarged left ventricle, which is the dominant pumping chamber

4. Rhodesian Ridgeback

Did you know that these dogs were originally bred in Zimbabwe, previously known as Rhodesia, for lion hunting?

These large dogs are fiercely loyal, but they are also prone to their own set of health risks.

1. Hip dysplasia - The bones in the hip joint do not fit together correctly
2. Bloat - When bloat occurs, the stomach fills with gas and cam then twist in a way that it restricts blood supply to the gut and prevents food and gas from leaving. This is a life-threatening condition.
3. Hypothyroidism - Underactive thyroid which leads to weight gain and fatigue.
4. Degenerative myelopathy - Spinal issue that leads to walking problems and dragging of back legs.
5. Dermoid sinus - This health issue is present at birth. Dermoid sinuses consist of hollow, tube-like indentations in the skin along the centre of the back. These indentations cause issues as they are prone to infections.

5. Weimaraner

These active and intelligent dogs are excellent companions. However, this breed has a host of health risks.

1. Bloat- When bloat occurs, the stomach fills with gas and cam then twist in a way that it restricts blood supply to the gut and prevents food and gas from leaving. This is a life-threatening condition.
2. Eye issues such as entropion (lower lid folds inward) and distichiasis (abnormal growth of lashes)
3. Von Willebrand disease (VWD) - This is a genetic health issue and is a bleeding disorder caused by low levels of a specific clotting protein in your dog’s blood.
4. Progressive renal atrophy - Progressive vision loss which can lead to blindness.
5. Von Willebrand disease (VWD) - This is a genetic health issue and is a bleeding disorder caused by low levels of a specific clotting protein in your dog’s blood.

The case for pet insurance

Keep in mind that pet insurance may not cover all of the above health concerns, but it will certainly make a huge difference in helping to cover the costs of high vet bills associated with a number of these health risks.

Make sure you do some research on the various pet plans available to you to find one that best suits you and your pet’s needs.

My personal favourite is Oneplan Pet Insurance. They pay you before you see the vet and have a wide range of plans to choose from. This means you are bound to find one that suits your pet’s healthcare needs and your budget.

However, if you are a pet parent of one of the above-mentioned breeds, then I suggest you take a look at Oneplan’s Pet Super Plan - it has all the bells and whistles you need.

The routine care benefits of pet insurance also help to encourage regular vet visits. Preventive care such as this aids in detecting and treating any health concerns before they develop into more serious (and expensive) issues.

Until next time,

The Pet Insurance Team