Embrace Pet Insurance Blog

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Podcast: Dr Patrick Mahaney on Differently-Abled Pets

As we continue to explore the topic of differently-abled pets this month, Dr Patrick tells us about his experience with differently-abled pets and answers some questions from our Embracers who have
experience or talk with our pet parents who have differently-abled dogs and cats:

Laura: one of the common stages of treatment for bone cancer (osteosarcoma) is to remove a dog or cat’s leg. What are the considerations that go into whether your pet is a good candidate for that treatment and how do these pets get on as “tripods”?
Sara: What can you do to prepare an aging pet for the possibility of going deaf or blind?
Kate: Is it true that other senses are heightened when one is missing? For example, increased sense of smell or touch when sight is removed.
Darcy: what are the special considerations when caring for an FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus) cat?
Laura: if I wanted to make room in my life for a differently-abled pet, how can I go about preparing for that pet and where do I find them?

Click on the link below for the audio podcast with the answer to these questions.

Laura Bennett & Dr Patrick Mahaney Differently Abled Pets

Monday, May 13, 2013

Guest Post: differently-abled dogs and people

Dr Riggs shows us that dogs help us see beyond the obvious to the human behind the disability.

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We live in a world where it seems like we need to put labels on everything and everyone. We need to pigeon-hole people according to race, sex, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, able bodied and disabled. We do the same to animals. Why do we do that? Do we classify animals and people so we can justify our perception of a particular group and expectations of them? I don’t know. I do know when it comes to “so called” disabled people and pets, many assumptions just are not true.

I have had the pleasure to have been involved for many years, with a wonderful organization, Canine Companions for Independence. Canine Companions provides highly-trained assistance dogs for children and adults with disabilities, free of charge. The assistance dogs are Goldens and Labradors, specifically bred to be service dogs.

The recipients of these special animals, truly have their lives transformed. Most no longer feel disabled. These dogs allow them to do almost anything you can do. One recipient told me that before he had his new companion, people rarely approached him in his wheel chair. Now with his new dog he said people treat him like… a person. Imagine that!

We all have our limitations and challenges in life. Some are more obvious than others. The “disabled” are people too, and many have never seen themselves as disabled. So don’t be afraid. Interact. You too may be as fortunate as I have been, and gain a whole new circle of friends.

For you that have read my previous blogs, you have already been introduced to Pixie Stardust. Pixie was a special little creature that was discarded due to her condition. Due to the incredible love and dedication of a good friend, Carolyn Paxton, she was able to walk and play with other dogs and people.

Pixie Stardust recently passed away, but what a wonderful short life she lived. Here are a couple of new videos that I know will bring a smile and probably a few tears.

Dr. Rex Riggs grew up in Wadsworth, Ohio, near Akron. Dr Riggs is co-owner of Best Friends Veterinary Hospital in Powell, Ohio. He is also on the board of the North Central Region of Canine Companions of Independence, a board member of The Ohio State College of Veterinary Medicine Alumni Society and Small Animal Practitioner Advancement Board at The Ohio State College of Veterinary Medicine.

Dr. Riggs lives in Lewis Center, OH with his wife Nancy, their dogs Maggie and Ossa, and cat Franklin. Outside of work, Dr. Riggs is an avid golfer and cyclist, and enjoys travel and photography.

Call to action: Dr Riggs is participating in Pelotonia, raising money for cancer research. In fact, in its first four rides, Pelotonia has attracted over 11,100 riders and raised over $42 million for cancer research. Check out Dr Riggs' profile page where you can learn about and support his efforts. Thank you!

Posted by Laura on Monday, May 13, 2013 at 05:23 PM in Dr Riggs, passion for pets, working pets | Permalink | Comments (2)

Wednesday, May 01, 2013

May is All About Differently-Abled Pets at Embrace Pet Insurance

We are having fun with Brutus in the office today. He's an enthusiastic black lab who loves to hang out with Lindsey on the phones. He also happens to have only one eye but that doesn't seem to bother him one bit.

And so we start the theme for this month - differently-abled pets. Pets such as those who are blind or have limited-sight, those with fewer than 4 limbs, those who wobble to get around. And of course, those that can opera sing too!

Do you have a differently-abled dog or cat you'd like to share with us? Email me (Laura) photos, stories or just post a few words in the comments and we can share our love for these pets.

Posted by Laura on Wednesday, May 01, 2013 at 10:41 AM in Embrace Pet Insurance | Permalink | Comments (1)

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Claim example: German Shepherd Dog first wellness visit

If you ever wondered how expensive a puppy can be, here's a sample for a puppy's first visit that cost over $400. And it's not even from NY City; it's from Wrightsville PA.

This Wellness Rewards claim is for Turbo, a German Shepherd Dog puppy with several more visits to come. Now that's worth having an Embrace Wellness Rewards policy for.

Description	Billed Amount
Puppy Series Full Bundle	$349.35
Examination -Preventive Care	$45.50
Fecal Wellness	$29.85
Initial Puppy/Kitten Deworming	$10.00
DHLP Vaccination	$20.50
Initial Puppy Heartworm Dose	$12.00
Pre Op Screen Panel	$58.70
Vectra Puppy Pack Dose	$0.00
Discount	-$117.80
Total	$408.10

I wonder how many people would get a dog if they saw this bill first. Was your first vet bill an unwelcome surprise?

Posted by Laura on Wednesday, April 17, 2013 at 09:26 PM in pet stories | Permalink | Comments (0)

Monday, April 08, 2013

Podcast: Dr Patrick Mahaney on Pet Wellness

Continuing our theme of pet wellness this month, Dr Patrick answers some questions from our very own Embracers on wellness topics. Amongst other things, he talks about:

Dr Patrick's recommendation for frequency of wellness checkups for dogs and cats
Darcy: What are good tests to run/questions to ask for a senior kitty cat who is a perfect little angel kitty?
Darcy follow up: Also, I take my perfect little angel senior cat to the vet twice a year - should the same things be done every six months, or are there things that should be done differently each time, etc.? Basically, what's the best wellness prevention you can give a senior cat (who is a perfect little angel kitty)
Sara: Do you recommend routine fecals every year for all pets?
Katie: What are some items addressed at wellness visits that people aren't aware a veterinarian looks for during a physical exam? -Why wellness?
Adrienne: How about vaccine requirements and any changes in how often pets should get them. Also vaccine vs. titer information.
Sara: Some vets seem to be recommending bordatella every 6 months while others say yearly. How long does it really last?
Kate: I recently started jogging with Beau and since he's a 6.5yr old Doberman, I'm wondering if there's a certain age when I should retire his running shoes and go back to walking in order to prevent orthopedic issues.

Click on the link below for the audio podcast with the answer to these questions.

Laura Bennett & Dr Patrick Mahaney Wellness 2013

Posted by Laura on Monday, April 08, 2013 at 09:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)