Insurance Question

[Magic Star]

Have just changed my insurance policy over to m & s, they went through the normal proceedure of checking up with the vet etc, re past ailments.  Today, I have received a letter to say Indies policy has been issued with normal cover, however further treatment associated with or a progression of Mammory Hyperplasia? will not be covered   Indie had a phantom after her first season, which I believe to be quite common, she did have swollen boobies, which the vet looked at when I took her for her booster, I wasn't aware that this was an actuall condition, that could lead to something else or that the insurance company would not cover her for   Am I worrying over nothing?

Thanks

Emma  

[PennyB]

I'd ask your vet as they'd be able to tell you more and also the chances (which are probably small).

I know M&S do things like this as someone I know had dog bites excluded as her dog got bitten by another dog! So I guess if I changed over, the fact that Ruby was treated for puncture wounds after an unprovoked attacked by staffs would not be covered (I wonder if they'd also exclude one of my cats from having another argument with a greenhouse—he sliced through a tendon while he was exploring a neighbours greenhouse a few years ago).

[Magic Star]

Poor cat Penny!

Does anyone know what Mammory Hyperplasia is?  Is it just a posh word for swollen boobs?
 

[*Jay*]

Does anyone know what Mammory Hyperplasia is? Is it just a posh word for swollen boobs?

Pretty much  

When I got my documents through(finally!!), they wouldn't cover Dallas for any behavioural problems because I dared to take a Valium tablet with me when he went back to his breeder for the day incase he got himself in a state - he didn't even need it  And because I bought some Hibiscrub for "routine cleaning of lipfolds" that isn't covered for either  But on the plus side, they didn't exclude any leg injury or lameness which Vegas suffered from about a year ago which involved specialists looking at the x-rays etc.    So can't quite fathom out their logic  

[Magic Star]

Thanks Gill, I was panicking then, put it in google and it came up along with mammory tumor stuff  

I thought it was a bit odd, most bithes have swollen boobs after season

Edited to say.... Mine took a long time to come through too, I rang them and asked what the delay was, the girl told me that their business had almost doubled in the past two months, so I said its probably down to a ppl reccommending you on a few of the dog forums,  I then said, I hope you live up to your good name

[PennyB]

Poor cat Penny!

Does anyone know what Mammory Hyperplasia is?  Is it just a posh word for swollen boobs?

It was! After I heard a crash in a neighbours garden I saw my 3 cats come running and knew one had been in trouble. At first it looked like a graze but am so glad I'm a worry wort as even though it was Sunday lunchtime I asked to see the vet at the practice asap (and dragged him away from his family Sunday lunch). While I left cat to be picked up later that afternoon vet said when he touched it to investigate further it bled profusely so am really glad I was there to know my cat had done something as he could've bled to death or become very poorly because of it.

mammary gland hyperplasia = proliferation of normal mammary tissue. Stuff I saw (if you do a search on google or whatever) suggests that it could lead to tumours in later life but these can be benign as much as they could be malignant (but I guess costs are involved in investigating these sort of things as they are in treating anything if necessary) and I think this is one of the reasons why vets suggest spaying but as you well know some feel these risks outweigh other things they feel are benefits. To be honest I prefer to speak to my vet as while I have to deal with a lot of this sort of stuff in my work the vet has more experience and we as owners tend to often focus on worst case scenario when we read these things and expect the worst when actually the odds are not as great as we imagine.

[Magic Star]

Thanks Penny, the vet didn't mention any of this, just told me if her boobs didn't go back to normal within the next few weeks to take her back, but they did, so I didn't return.  I am a bit worried now, as I have already lost one dog (rescue ex breeding bitch) to mammory tumours   My vet is usually very good, so I would imagine, theres nothing, to worry about, but I will keep an eye on her, I always check her boobs anyway for anything out of the ordinary

Wish I hadn't read the letter now  

[bluegirl]

HI Emma,
Mammary hyperplasia is a posh name for swollen boobies.
If you are worried about mammary tumours then spaying is probably the best option as the fewer seasons they have before they are spayed the lower their risk is of getting it. Otherwise just monitor her, I read that most tumours occur in the nipples closest to their groin so if you feel them regularly and there are no unusual lumps then she ok. I'm not sure if there is I link between mammary hyperplasia and mammary tumours, but my old bitch was always having phantom pregnancies and leaking swollen boobies and she did not go on to develop mammary cancer.
Penny had swollen boobs for quite a while after her first season and I took her to the vet, so if I change I guess we're not covered either. The vet said at the time it was becoming quite a common problem in bitches of late.
From Karen    

[Magic Star]

Thanks Karen, that makes me feel better, i'm gonna get onto the insurance company today actually, to explain it was only down to the phantom she had this, see what they say, so will let you know  

[PennyB]

Thanks Karen, that makes me feel better, i'm gonna get onto the insurance company today actually, to explain it was only down to the phantom she had this, see what they say, so will let you know

Some insurance companies prefer to deal with your vet re the technical stuff even though you probably know your dog best so if you don't get anywhere I'd ask your vet to explain to them in a note.

[Mary P]

I don't know much about my rescue bitch Tia, but since we've had her she's always had HUGE nipples.  She was just 8 when we got her, and she had one season with us and then was speyed. The vets she's seen, and there have been many, have not commented on them.
I think after reading this post I'll keep a close eye on them just in case of any changes
Thanks for the info,

[Jane S]

I think I must be living on a different planet sometimes to some insurance companies Since when did the normal hormonal changes which occur after a season become a "problem"? It is perfectly normal for the mammary glands to be slightly heavy & swollen after a season & only in severe cases would veterinary treatment be needed (eg to suppress milk production). None of our girls have ever needed treatment for phantom pregnancies but understandably newer owners might panic & consult their vet even when no treatment is recommended or needed. It seems ridiculous for an insurance company to then exclude treatment for a condition which didn't need treating in the first place One of the reasons we don't use insurance companies & just have a savings account for vet bills

Jane

[Magic Star]

Ok panic over, I have it all cleared up now   Have just spoke to the underwriting ppl and they have assured me, that this is not excluded from my policy, all it means that as a result of having a phantom in July, they will not cover her immediately for any treatment with regard to her swollen boobies, however, should she have a different condition she will be covered   If that makes sence to you all   So its not excluded!

I had noticed she had swollen boobies after her season, but, didn't really think much of it, as Jane says its common, however, when I took her for her booster, my vet always gives them a mini mot, eyes, ears, mouth, temperature, heart, when he noted that they were still swollen, he did say at the time, not to worry unless it goes on too long, which it never so I never went back.  I think I got myself into a bit of a panic when I got the letter, reading too much into it, as usuall, I think I deserve an award for being the worst worrier  

Thanks for all your input

Edited to add.... I agree with you Jane, I think sometimes this pet insurance proceedures is a bit iffy, not sure if I will bother next year, might do as mum and you do, put money away  

[PennyB]

Its interesting that my insurance company never spoke to my vet 1st re insuring my pets

[Magic Star]

Its interesting that my insurance company never spoke to my vet 1st re insuring my pets

  My old insurance didn't either, although I did have to fill a questionaire in, with this one, no questionaire, but I think they contact your vet, before issuing you with the policy, I guess they are looking after their interests