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Life grows more expensive by the day. Gas, groceries, utilities, it’s all getting to be too much. But what happens if one of your furry family members gets sick or hurt? Vet bills aren’t getting any cheaper either, and a major medical episode from Chihuahua health problems can really put you behind. Or even force you to make difficult choices.
But pet insurance might just save your Chihuahua’s life while keeping you from drowning in vet bills. In the past, choosing the right pet insurance company could be a frustrating and confusing process. Now, getting an easy-to-understand and detailed quote is as easy as clicking and scrolling!
Compare The Top 9 Pet Insurance Plans for Your Chihuahua Using our Free No-Obligation Quote Tool below
The simplest way to compare pet insurance prices is to use our tool below. The comparison tool will show you quotes from the top 9 pet insurance carriers including Trupanion, Pets Best, Lemonade, ManyPets, FIGO, HealthyPaws, Prudent Pet, Spot, and Embrace pet insurance. 👇
How Much Does Pet Insurance for a Chihuahua Cost?
Below are some example pet insurance plans for a 1-year-old male Chihuahua with the zip code 75001 (Texas)
- Pets Best – $20.52 per month
- Embrace – $21.81 per month
- Trupanion – $40.94 per month
- ManyPets – $18.76 per month
Keep in mind that your price will vary based on your Chihuahua’s age and your geographic location. Let’s get more into the conditions you’ll want your insurance to cover and the average costs of managing these issues.
Common Health Problems in Chihuahuas
Dr. Dana Koch, VMD, MLAS, explained chihuahuas are loyal and bold little dogs with “‘big’ personalities.” But she also reported these fierce little dogs aren’t immune to health problems, and she often finds Chihuahuas plagued by these five health problems:
- Luxating patella
- Collapsing trachea
- Bladder stones
- Hypoglycemia
- Dental disease
The treatment for these conditions can be costly, depending on their severity. And left untreated, the issues can lead to severe discomfort or even expensive emergency treatments.
RELATED: 3 Things All Chihuahua Owners Should Know
Luxating Patella in Chihuahuas
A genetic condition common in Chihuahuas, a luxating patella, is the medical term for a dislocation of the kneecap. Dr. Koch reported the severity can range, but “a luxating patella can occur on one leg or both and can predispose a dog to arthritis and other orthopedic conditions.”
So, if your Chihuahua is diagnosed with luxating patella, treatment can range, depending on how badly the kneecap is moving around. For severe cases, surgery is recommended, and orthopedic surgery for a Chihuahua can range from $1,000 to $5,000. And this cost doesn’t include physical therapy and follow-up treatments. In a situation like this, pet insurance can take the pressure off, knowing your pup needs surgery. Depending on the coverage you select, you’ll be looking at a significantly reduced cost to give your little one back their mobility.
Not even considering all the money you’ll save for annual vet visits, pet insurance can put a dent in unexpected surgery costs, leaving you to focus on your dog’s recovery rather than where to find the money. Compare pet insurance plans for chihuahuas to see what’s right for your little ones!
Collapsing Trachea in Chihuahuas
Chihuahuas and other small breed dogs are susceptible to collapsing trachea. This issue occurs when a portion of the windpipe collapses, leading to shortness of breath, fatigue, and a cough Dr. Tina Pilgram of First Vet describes as a “goose honk sounding cough.” And depending on the severity of the collapse, it can cause respiratory distress and fainting.
If a collapsed trachea is suspected, your vet will perform a battery of scans and tests consisting of X-rays, fluoroscopy, and a bronchoscopy. This procedure requires a general anesthetic as the vet inserts a camera into the trachea to see what’s going on, according to Dr. Pilgram. These procedures can be pricey on their own but piled on top of each other, the bills can get overwhelming.
Check out this estimated price breakdown of procedures used to diagnose collapsed trachea in Chihuahuas:
- X-rays – roughly $200
- Fluoroscopy – $150 – 200
- Bronchoscopy – $1,500 – $2,000
And this doesn’t include office visit costs or treatment expenses. But with pet insurance, you’re only paying a few dollars a month for the financial peace of mind insurance can deliver when a medical emergency strikes.
Get free pet insurance quotes and save!
Bladder Stones
Did you know Chihuahuas, especially males, are genetically dispositioned for bladder stones? Made up of different mineral compositions, bladder stones are just what they sound like, and they’re pretty painful! Two of the leading indicators your dog has these stones are straining to urinate and bloody urine. And when your furry friend is suffering like this, of course, you head to the vet.
After an exam and probably X-rays, you get the diagnosis, and it looks like the solution will be diet modification. With pet insurance, this will wind up a free or low-cost visit to get your baby on track to feeling better. But what if surgery is the only option to save your Chihuahua from huge, painful bladder stones?
Bladder stone surgery, called a cystotomy, costs approximately $2,000 for dogs. But, once again, pet insurance can save the day. And with the bill covered thanks to insurance foresight, you can concentrate on getting your pup back on their paws and flowing freely!
Hypoglycemia
Low blood sugar may not seem like an emergency, but it can be deadly in a tiny bog breed like the Chihuahua.
Dr. Koch warns, “Chihuahuas are predisposed to this condition due to their small size and if they do not receive proper nutrition or are very sick the levels of glucose in the body can drop rapidly.”
This sudden blood sugar crash can lead to fainting, seizures, comas, and even death. But emergency vet visits can be an expressway to huge medical bills. And sadly, these astronomical and unexpected vet bills can leave families making the hardest choice ever because they can’t afford the emergency care to save their furry ones.
RELATED: With Pet Insurance Your Dog Is 4x More Likely To Survive A Medical Emergency
Dental Disease
From big pups to small dog breeds like chihuahuas, treatment to correct dental disease issues can get expensive, no matter the type of dog. To head off any big doggie dental issues as your chihuahua ages, look into pet insurance plans that cover dental checkups or at least reduce their costs. Even if your dog never has a dental issue, teeth cleanings get expensive because they involve anesthesia. Pet insurance can help offset the estimated $500-$1,000 cost of keeping your Chihuahua’s smile pearly white and their breath doggie fresh!
Pet Insurance Gives You A Financial Leg Up Over Chihuahua Health Problems
From puppyhood to the golden senior days, protect your loyal and tiny friend with pet insurance! With insurance in place, your Chihuahua’s health problems won’t drain your savings account, leaving you with one less financial worry. And now, getting a pet insurance quote has never been easier. Just fill out the form below, and away you go to peace of mind for your Chihuahua. Remember, there’s no cost and no obligation in using this handy tool. You’re simply doing your homework.
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