|
Welcome to the YorkieTalk.com Forums Community - the community for Yorkshire Terriers. You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our free community you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. You will be able to chat with over 35,000 YorkieTalk members, read over 2,000,000 posted discussions, and view more than 15,000 Yorkie photos in the YorkieTalk Photo Gallery after you register. We would love to have you as a member! Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join our community today! If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please click here to contact us. |
|
| LinkBack | Thread Tools |
02-16-2011, 02:13 PM | #1 |
Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Virginia
Posts: 25
| Ectopic cilia! Pet insurance for pre-existing conditions? Okay guys, I haven't been here in awhile, but now I have a huge problem! My little ten month old Oliver has been having eye issues for the last three months. The vet has been treating him for an eye ulcer that just wouldn't go away. Then, 2.5 weeks ago, the vet said it was complete healed (after trying every kind of eye drop out there)! I was doubtful because Oliver was still squinting, but I figured it must be because of the corneal scarring he had from the ulcer. But a few days later, his eye was fully closed...AGAIN. I promptly took him to the vet last Friday (it was a different vet in the office that day). The ulcer was back and he now had dry eye! She diagnosed two eye drops (Tybromycin for the ulcer, and a lubricant for the dry eye). She took a microscope and looked into his eye, but said that she could not see anything that was causing the ulcers. She had me follow up with her yesterday...the ulcer was worse. She immediately called a dog opthamologist (I didn't even know they existed...) and scheduled an appointment for an hour later. We went, and the opthamologist said that he had an ectopic cilia (basically, a single eyelash growing from a glad in between the layers of the eyelid that is rubbing against the cornea- so it's an eyelash growing toward the eyeball, instead of away from it). We were relieved that it was not something more serious...and then she brought the estimate. $1996.99! I just feel awful. We have spent $1000+ in treating these dang ulcers, which didn't work because that stupid little hair is the CAUSE of the ulcers, so the ulcers won't go away until it is removed. I am so frustrated because the opthamologist was insinuating that I was a bad mom for not getting the surgery done right away yesterday, but I literally had no way to pay for it, plus I wanted to get a second opinion. I had spent so much money caring for my poor baby, and there is nothing more that I want in the world then to ensure that Oliver is healthy. I am frustrated that the vet did not catch this or refer us to the opthamologist earlier...that $1000+ did absolutely nothing to help my baby. I read that this is a hereditary condition in yorkies. Will this surgery be covered under ANY pet insurance? Is there any way to reclaim any of the money paid to my vet, when the methods used did nothing to heal my baby? Please help!
__________________ Mama to Oliver & Emma |
Welcome Guest! | |
02-16-2011, 02:42 PM | #2 | |
♥YORKIERESCUE.com♥ Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Menifee, CA
Posts: 8,708
| Quote:
Have you looked into "care credit" to help you borrow to pay for this procedure? I wouldn't think you would need a second opinion but, you could check around to see what others charge in your area for this procedure.
__________________ Jo Ann Abby, Bella , Phoebe & Violette.... | |
02-18-2011, 06:27 PM | #3 |
YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Aspen, CO, US
Posts: 544
| Ruger has insurance, and I remember on the form you had to put anything he's being treated for. Many dogs get eye ulcers (my girlfriend's dog just had one and we took him to the canine opthamologist -- read: expensive). He healed up fine, but the doc admitted that some breeds get them for no reason and it seems like a very common problem. IMHO if your dog goes a long time without the problem insurance may cover it. Also, some insurance companies will not cover breed specific problems while others will. I wouldn't hesitate to look at policies. Just read the fine print. |
02-18-2011, 06:31 PM | #4 |
I ♥ Armani & Chloe Donating Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Upstate NY
Posts: 3,895
| Pet insurance doesn't cover pre-existing conditions- I checked into them when mine was first diagnosed with MVD & LP. Your best bet is to apply for care credit and use that- then you can pay it off over time. Care Credit applications are very quick, this condition is probably very painful for your baby so this will allow you to get it done quickly.
__________________ Armani & Chloe |
02-18-2011, 06:51 PM | #5 |
Donating YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: North Carolina
Posts: 8,317
| Have you spoken to Oliver's breeder? Did you get a health guarantee? A reputable breeder will guarantee against genetic conditions for at least one year. I'd suggest contacting his breeder and seeing if she will cover his vet bills. |
02-18-2011, 08:18 PM | #6 |
Resident Yorkie Nut Donating YT 20K Club Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas
Posts: 27,451
| I would do as the others have suggested. Do contact the breeder. And, also apply for Care Credit. If you go to their website you can search for vet opthamologists in your area. Care Credit is great but you have to make sure that the vet accepts it. You can apply online: CareCredit Healthcare Finance - Payment Plans and Financing for Cosmetic Surgery, Dental, Vision, Hearing, Veterinary & Other Medical Procedures
__________________ |
Bookmarks |
|
|
| |
|
|
SHOP NOW: Amazon :: eBay :: Buy.com :: Newegg :: PetStore :: Petco :: PetSmart