Paddy's in hospital...and a cautionary tale about insurance for new puppy owners

[no time for this]

Vet has phoned to confirm that they've taken stomach, small intestinal and bowel samples for testing.  No ulceration in the stomach or small intestine, some haemorrhaging in the stomach, but really roughened and inflamed/swollen bowel, so almost certainly colitis again.  he's also anaemic because of the blood loss.  But wagging his tail and looking cute apparently.  We've been told not to go and see him this evening because arriving and then leaving him behind will be more distressing for him than just snuffling down on his own....

Thanks for all your kind thoughts and hugs for Pads - I'll be passing them on for sure tomorrow!

Denise

So sorry to hear about his illness and very good advice about insurance. How about popping a t shirt or jumper down to the vets with your scent on for him to snuggle up with tonight?

[cazza]

Really sorry to hear  Paddy is not well love to you all 

As for Ins I also had the 6 wks free ins from KC and had to claim with a broken jaw

I have since changed to Halifax pet ins, this is life cover, we chose them as after our research petplan had exactly the same but OH works for part of Halifax and got discount

[Mollie.Ladie]

Oh poor paddy..poor you!  Get well soon pads..You'll be in my prayers

[happydog]

I'm so sorry to hear this. It must have been awful and pretty scarey for you to find him in such a state. I hope he goes on to make a quick recovery and is home with you soon.
I was fortunate in a way with Fern, in that she didn't come with any free insurance, so I got her insured straight away with Tesco and have stuck with them, even though they only pay out for the first year of any condition at least I am aware of it.
I agree that it is easy to fall foul of insurance cos. little rules and it's well worth thoroughly researching cover first. We had a springer with arthritis, liver disease and cancer and after the first year we paid for all her medication. It's what you do when you love your dogs.....

[shonajoy]

I'm so sorry to hear this. It must have been awful and pretty scarey for you to find him in such a state. I hope he goes on to make a quick recovery and is home with you soon.
I was fortunate in a way with Fern, in that she didn't come with any free insurance, so I got her insured straight away with Tesco and have stuck with them, even though they only pay out for the first year of any condition at least I am aware of it.
I agree that it is easy to fall foul of insurance cos. little rules and it's well worth thoroughly researching cover first. We had a springer with arthritis, liver disease and cancer and after the first year we paid for all her medication. It's what you do when you love your dogs.....

What you have is yearly cover - it's well worth taking out a policy with lifetime cover, in case you need to claim on longer than a year - I work in a vets and a lot of people fall foul of this, then can't change companies. More than and M&S both do lifetim policis in their insurance range, I'd recommend you get one.

[suzieq]

Poor paddy - get well soon little man. We are thinking about you
sue, zak and strider

[JoanneM]

Sorry to hear about little Paddy. Hope he's feeling better soon.

[Deb H]

Get well soon Paddy

[The Moog]

get well soon Paddy
x x x 

[CraftySam]

I'm so sorry to hear about Paddy. It must have been so distressing to find him like that. 

I'm thinking of you and Paddy and sending our love. 

On the insurance front, I registered for the six weeks free insurance but took out my own insurance with Direct Line at the same time.  There's a fourteen day delay from taking out the insurance before you can claim so that's why I registered for the six weeks free.
I always take my own insurance straight away for exactly the reasons you have found.  It is so expensive to pay for treatment.  I have found the Direct Line policy very good. I have a lifetime policy as opposed to a yearly cover.

Although there are pitfalls with insurance I certainly couldn't be without it.

[Cob-Web]

How worrying - I hope Paddy continues to recover

On the insurance front, I registered for the six weeks free insurance but took out my own insurance with Direct Line at the same time.  There's a fourteen day delay from taking out the insurance before you can claim so that's why I registered for the six weeks free.

Go careful if you plan to do this - if you do have to claim while you have two insurance policies in place, then you may end up in the middle of a fight between the companies, as they tend to have clauses that relate to other policies  In the mean time, you are waiting for your payout 

Obviously, if your pup/dog hasn't been treated during any period of insurance then there is no risk when you change - but if they have had anything other than routine treatment (even if you haven't claimed on the policy) - think very carefully before changing the policy - it may have implications in years to come 

[Elisa]

Sending my love and best wishes to Paddy    Hope he is feeling better soon. xx

[janey]

awww hope paddys soon on the mend 

our 6 wks free ins runs out today.i'm doin a search when get off col,and will take out policy straight away.glad i read about year or life cover here though,will make sure i get life.

[happydog]

I'm so sorry to hear this. It must have been awful and pretty scarey for you to find him in such a state. I hope he goes on to make a quick recovery and is home with you soon.
I was fortunate in a way with Fern, in that she didn't come with any free insurance, so I got her insured straight away with Tesco and have stuck with them, even though they only pay out for the first year of any condition at least I am aware of it.
I agree that it is easy to fall foul of insurance cos. little rules and it's well worth thoroughly researching cover first. We had a springer with arthritis, liver disease and cancer and after the first year we paid for all her medication. It's what you do when you love your dogs.....

What you have is yearly cover - it's well worth taking out a policy with lifetime cover, in case you need to claim on longer than a year - I work in a vets and a lot of people fall foul of this, then can't change companies. More than and M&S both do lifetim policis in their insurance range, I'd recommend you get one.

Thnaks Shona. I didn't realise there were different types of pet insurance policy in that way, just the differences in terms and conditions between companies. I just thought an annual renewal was the norm like with other insurance. I'll look into it for Oct renewal, but Fern will be over 7 by then, wont I find it difficult to insure an older dog if I move? Tesco have said that they will insure for life, so I'm a bit confused now....

[MaxG]

Get well soon little man!