[Geo39]

Originally Posted by AlicetheYorkie

Lol, very true
Honestly, I wouldn't stress over the "what ifs". Have a plan for if they do happen such as insurance, savings or a credit card, but don't get too hung up on health issues you see being mentioned. The only issues with a Yorkie I'd really consider being specifically proactive about is luxating patella and pancreatitis. Sooo, no jumping from anything even remotely high and stick with a holistic dog food that's low in fat (grain-free is a good idea too) and avoid table scraps and crappy grocery store treats like the plague. That's really all you can do. Just take good care of him, love him, and everything else you just cross that bridge when you come to it, hopefully with some sort of plan in place, and then you do what you can. I got my Yorkie from someone my aunt works for. She was Free and came with no health quarantee, the parents weren't genetically test or anything like that (I certainly didn't dish out big bucks to get her though, not that you are, just saying some people do and that's not smart without all those things I just mentioned). She has a "clicky" knee which is a sign of very early luxating patella so I put her on a glucosamine suppliment.

I used to work as a vet tech - we had a client (well a family of clients) who where VERY VERY wealthy. One of their dogs was diagnosed with cancer and was going down hill fast. They sent the dog to Cornell university and spent $25,000 on cemo. and treatment for this dog. He lived about 8 more months before nothing could be done no matter how much money was available. Now, obviously most people could never in a million years do that, so what WOULD they do? - Use possibly holistic treatments to make the pet feel better and have a quality of life for as long as possible. When that was no longer working, humane euthanasia would be done. Happens every single day, you just do what you can. Not trying to be a bummer, just letting you know that most people who own pets don't have huge amounts of money either. I think as long as you have a reasonable amount set aside somehow for possible "emergencies" and you can afford regular wellness care and other "normal" vet costs with the ocassional bigger ones (such as dentals etc.), high quality food and other regular expenses, you're fine.

Proactive we can handle - as well as paying attention to the advice available on the Forum! With respect to insurance, I've already contacted Trupanion and, at present, pet insurance has not yet been approved in Maine - at least for Trupanion. I guess it's time for me to make a pest of myself with the State Insurance Commissioner.