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Quiz: Are You Ready For A Dog?

C A N I N E S   O N L I N E ™
Copyright 2000 Canines Online ™
Issue No.3 , Vol.1, August 4, 2000

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CONTENTS:
=>Health:
   -- To Insure or Not To Insure?
=>Tidbits:
   -- Did you know?
=>News Briefs:
=>Book Corner:
   -- Dogs Never Lie about Love
   -- Legacy of the Dog
   -- The Right Dog for You
=>Featured Site:
   -- PetEducation.com
=>Featured Breed:
   -- Golden Retriever
=>Product News, Reviews, and Coupons:
   -- Vehicle Restraints for Pets
=>The Tail End
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HEALTH
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To Insure or Not To Insure?

Why Pet Health Insurance?
What can you do if your pet has a serious illness or accident? How can you pay the bills? It's no cheaper for your dog to get medical treatment than it is for you. Pet insurance may be a good option for you. It became available in the United States in 1982. It's been a bumpy road since then; about 30 different pet insurers came and went between 1982 and 1998. Other companies sprang up that still survive today, offering a multitude of plans and prices to protect your dog's health and well being and your peace of mind.

How Does It Work?
Pet insurance works a lot like people insurance does. There are traditional Blue Cross/Blue Shield-type plans, pet HMOs and even discount clubs. Unfortunately, like people insurance, most pet insurance policies involve a lot of fine print, including coverage levels, waiting periods for policies to take effect, exclusions, deductibles, payout caps per incident, per year and per ailment, and extremely limited coverage for older dogs, so do your homework before you buy. You might want a locally-based discount plan for pets, which might be better for you than one of the bigger plans, depending on both your financial situation and the kind of dog you own.

Some Questions to Ask
Frequently, congenital and hereditary illnesses, as well as pre-existing conditions such as hip dysplasia or a collapsed trachea, are not covered by pet insurance. Talk to several companies before you buy. Some will insure dogs that are notorious for hereditary problems, with accident-only coverage. Sometimes a 20 percent surcharge is added for large-breed dogs. Ask about these things. There's also some question as to what constitutes a pre-existing condition. Make sure you find out what the waiting period is for your pet's insurance coverage; also ask if a telephone call to a vet before the policy takes effect would count as a diagnosis. Nearly all companies' premiums are based on your dog's age, and some policies will insure dogs for accident-only coverage after they reach the age of 8 or 10 years.

Other Questions to Ask
Will the insurer cover routine wellness care, such as inoculations against distemper, rabies and other diseases? What about testing and treatment for heartworms? Dental and eye care? Neutering or spaying costs? Cesearean sections? Nail trimming and grooming? Flea and tick control? Prescriptions? Some insurance companies will do these things, but only if you have an additional protection that generally runs about $100 per year. What are the deductible levels on the policy? Is there a lifetime limit on payouts? What are the annual caps on payment? What are the caps for specific illnesses and specific incidents? Will you get a discount for insuring extra pets? Are you limited to the insurer's choice of veterinarians, or can you choose your own? How long does it take, on average, for a claim to be processed? And don’t forget to ask yourself can you pay for the policy on a monthly basis? Find out before you buy.

Costs for Traditional Plans
The larger traditional-style insurance plans, where you go to the veterinarian of your choice, is available in most states. Most offer three levels of insurance coverage for your dog. The first, basic, includes coverage for accident, illness, non-elective surgery and hospitalization, less deductible. Depending on the age and sometimes the size of your dog, the charges are $101 - $146. The mid-range plans, cost $171 - $276, respectively. The mid-range plans offer some preventive health care screening services like testing for heartworms, as well as basic accident and illness coverage. Some have a top-level plan, costing from $362 - $434. Some plans have a wellness rider that can be added on to either of its other plans for $99. The wellness rider offer more in the way of coverage for routine veterinary services, such as inoculations, testing and treatment for heartworms, discounts for flea control and the like. Deductible levels may also vary depending on the plan you choose.

HMOs for Dogs?
What if you want to insure your pet, but the breed is known to have congenital or hereditary problems? Pet Assure isn't exactly an HMO, but it offers its members discounts on all veterinary bills and services as well as on many pet health and grooming products, even if the condition your dog is being treated for is hereditary or pre-existing. The membership fees for these plans are fairly modest, running about $100 per year, with discounts usually averaging 25 percent for veterinarian visits and treatments. The only catch is that you can only go to a veterinarian who is involved in the program, the equivalent of a "preferred provider physician." And there may not be one in your area. But depending on your finances and the type of dog you have, one of
these plans may be worth checking out.

The Bottom Line
Pet health insurance has its problems, but is well worth looking into for some dog owners. In cases of catastrophic accident and illness, it can and has been a lifesaver for pets without draining the owners financially, or forcing them to make a decision to have a pet put down because they couldn't afford its medical treatment. But be an
intelligent consumer, and check out all your options before you buy. Make sure serious illness coverage is available for your older dogs as well as the younger ones. Talk to your veterinarian. Check out some of the websites listed below. Ask questions before you commit yourself and your pet. And even if you're still undecided about pet insurance, make sure to take your dog in for regular check-ups, boosters and screening tests. Prevention, whenever possible, or catching a problem in its earliest stages, is always the best cure.

Pet Insurance Websites
www.petinsurance.com
www.petassure.com
www.anipals.com
www.petplan.com/index.htm

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TIDBITS
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Did you know?…

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NEWS BRIEFS
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PETA is not 'no kill'
RICHMOND, VA -- It may seem surprising that People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, a group that often comes to defense of rats, euthanized more than 1,300 cats and dogs last year. For more information: http://www.pilotonline.com/news/nw0730an2.html

Great outdoors or doggie drag?
OMAHA, NE -- A family's request for another dog from the Nebraska Humane Society was turned down once the counselor found out the dog would live outside. For more information: http://www.omaha.com/Omaha/OWH/StoryViewer/1,3153,366290,00.html

Animals twice as likely to be killed as adopted in Va. shelters
RICHMOND -- The odds aren't good for cats and dogs brought to Virginia's pounds and shelters. For more information: http://www.pilotonline.com/news/nw0730ani.html

Police officers save lives of five starving puppies
LAS VEGAS, NV -- By opening a closet door in a vacant apartment Friday afternoon, Metro Police saved five lives. For more information: http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/lv-other/2000/aug/02/510583911.html

Treats recalled due to salmonella
MURPHY, NC -- A pet treat maker has voluntarily recalled dog treats made from the ears of pigs, saying Monday the items may be contaminated with salmonella. For more information: http://www.boston.com/dailynews/214/economy/Pet_treats_recalled_due_to_sal:.shtml

Tropical disease hounds dogs
In a baffling development, foxhounds in Canada and the northern half of the United States are succumbing to Leishmaniasis, an insect-borne infection. For more information: http://www.enn.com/news/enn-stories/2000/08/08012000/s_30001.asp
More: Leishmania Fact Sheet
Leishmaniasis (LEASH-ma-NIGH-a-sis) is a parasitic disease spread by the bite of infected sand flies. For more information: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/leishmania/factsht_leishmania.htm


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BOOK CORNER
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Dogs Never Lie about Love: Reflections on the Emotional World of Dogs by: Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson Jared T. Williams (Illustrator)
Our Price: $11.20
Retail Price: $14.00
As he guides readers through the surprising depth of canine emotional complexity, Jeffrey Masson draws from myth and literature, from scientific studies, and from the stories and observations of dog trainers and dog lovers around the world. But the stars of the book are Masson's own three dogs - Sasha, Sima, and Rani - whose delightful and mysterious behavior provides the way to exploring a wide range of subjects - from emotions like gratitude, compassion, loneliness, and disappointment to speculating what dogs dream of, how they perceive of other species (including humans), and how their powerful sense of smell shapes their perception of reality. As he sweeps aside old prejudices on animal behavior, Masson navigates through the rich universe of dog feeling to its essential core, their "master emotion": love. http://bn.bfast.com/booklink/click?sourceid=12475608&bfpid=0609802011

Legacy of the Dog: The Ultimate Illustrated Guide to over 200 Breeds By: Tetsu Yamazaki Toyoharu Kojima
Our Price: $19.96
Retail Price: $24.95
Legacy of the Dog is the finest photographic guide to dogs ever assembled. Over 200 dog breeds are dramatically presented in more than 900 images by Tetsu Yamazaki, whose superb work also appeared in the best-selling volume Legacy of the Cat. Page after page of stunning portraits offers a glimpse of prize-winning dogs of all shapes, sizes, and colors - from the beloved golden retriever to the spirited Scottish terrier and the classic weimaraner. All 134 breeds currently recognized by the American Kennel Club are included, as well as a variety of breeds rarely seen outside their homelands. With its uncanny eye for canine excellence, here is a unique compendium of the world's dogs, in all their majesty and charm. This thoroughly engaging and informative book begins with a history of the dog and a discussion of the various dog groups - herding, working, sporting, hound, terrier, toy, and non-sporting breeds - followed by extensive studies of their various features, including eyes, ears, tail, fur color, and head. Later chapters focus on each dog group and include photographic profiles devoted to each breed, with information on its background, physical characteristics, personality traits, and care. A glossary and an index complete this indispensable volume. http://bn.bfast.com/booklink/click?sourceid=12475608&bfpid=0811810690

The Right Dog for You: Choosing a breed that matches your personality, family and lifestyle By: Daniel F. Tortora
Our Price: $9.60
Retail Price: $12.00
This fully-illustrated guide to more than 110 breeds includes easy-to-read tables and pages of practical advice. http://bn.bfast.com/booklink/click?sourceid=12475608&bfpid=067147247X


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FEATURED SITE
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PetEducation.com
PetEducation.com is part of the Drs. Foster and Smith website. It covers all topics in reference to dog and cat care. With dog care, you can go to Puppy, Adult or Senior Care, so you know what to do in all the stages of your dog’s life. You can also Look up certain conditions that your dog may have, or is in that breeds’ genes. There is also a small section in PetEducation.com that is just for fun. It has little quizzes like “Which Dog Breed Is It?” or “Fact or Fiction”. What ever you’re looking for PetEducation.com has it!

http://www.peteducation.com


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PRODUCT NEWS, REVIEWS, AND COUPONS
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Vehicle Restraints for Pets
Although there are no laws at this time requiring dogs to wear seat belts, we believe all pets like other members of your family should be restrained when traveling. Not only is it safer for your dog, but it will be safer for you as well. Many accidents have been caused by unrestrained pets who distract or physically interfere with the driver. Here are our top choices for keeping your pet safe during travel:

1. Plastic crates provide the best protection, followed by wire cages. They keep pets contained during an accident and prevent injury from falling objects.
2. Safety harnesses (seat belts) also provide excellent protection by keeping your pet in its seat. Harnesses offer complete visibility and allow your pet to sit or stand up and generally shift its position to get comfortable. Car seats, very similar to those used for infants, offer the same protection for smaller breeds.
3. Barriers confine pets to the back of a vehicle. While they prevent pets from interfering with the driver, barriers do little to protect them from being thrown around during sudden stops or turns.