Small animal insurance advice

[Gadzy]

Hello,

I have a young guniea pig under a year old and I have a feeling from the vet visit today that she's going to need alot of work done. Samples sent away etc, possible surgery. I was wondering how much roughly your looking for insuring a single guniea pig a month? I know a friend who insures their dog which is 36 pounds a month. Has anyone ever had a quote and used insurance? I'm young and can't afford a massive one off bill which is looking likely. I don't mind as I want the best for my pig and will spend anything for her health.

 

[Siikibam]

I’m not sure where you are. In the U.K. there’s only one company that does insurance for guinea pigs - exotics direct. It may be around £26 if they give you a discount. Otherwise £30+. I think you have to declare any existing illnesses and may not be covered for certain ones. I can’t quite remember their wording though so do read the It may be better if you put some money away regularly in a vet fund

If I’m wrong then please forgive me. Guinea pigs are highly social and need constant companionship of their own kind. If your girl is a lone piggy then please do think seriously about getting her a friend once lockdown is over and rescues are doing adoptions again.

The right to good health care is also one of the welfare rights of a guinea pig. If you’ll have trouble paying perhaps talk to the vet about a payment plan or perhaps ask friends or family if they can loan you the money for the bill.

What did the vet say is wrong with her?

 

[eileen]

exotic direct is the only uk company that insures guinea pigs.it usually costs £15 a month to insure one,for a total limit of £2000 in one year of vet bills.any pre conditions will not be covered,so i would believe insurance would not cover this present condition.Maybe give exotic direct a call and get a qoute.I'm sorry if your piggie is poorly.vets sometimes will give payment plans,you need to be honest with your vet prior to any proceedures,about paying costs.

 

[Siikibam]

Eileen is correct. I gave you the cost for two guinea pigs. And the maximum cover.

 

[eileen]

I'm sorry @Siikibam ,must have been writing at the same time.

 

[Siikibam]

I'm sorry @Siikibam ,must have been writing at the same time.

No worries.

 

[Lady Kelly]

It's worth noting that, if you have already been to the vet about an illness whether it is diagnosed at this stage or not, the insurance will not cover you for anything related to that illness now. So you would end up paying for any diagnostics as well as the insurance and not get anything back. Insurances also come with a window of time from taking it out before you can claim. This is obviously to stop people paying a smaller amount for insurance knowing that they are going to have a bigger vet bill.

 

[Gadzy]

That's totally understandable and @Siikibam she has had another piggy with her since I bought her. They get on well. Unfortunately we're all really not sure what's going on with this poorly one so I think I will need to get the samples taken looked at so we know exactly what we are dealing with. She thought maybe an abscess or cyst but the pig was so fidgety and worked up they found it hard having a proper check. Bearing in mind I had to wait outside in the cold and windy yesterday for 30 mins! I just can't believe this. I bought new ones to help with my loss of my old ones and she's got this at under a year old ;(

 

[Lady Kelly]

That's totally understandable and @Siikibam she has had another piggy with her since I bought her. They get on well. Unfortunately we're all really not sure what's going on with this poorly one so I think I will need to get the samples taken looked at so we know exactly what we are dealing with. She thought maybe an abscess or cyst but the pig was so fidgety and worked up they found it hard having a proper check. Bearing in mind I had to wait outside in the cold and windy yesterday for 30 mins! I just can't believe this. I bought new ones to help with my loss of my old ones and she's got this at under a year old ;(

Try not to panic. Abscesses and cysts can be quite straightforward to treat in otherwise healthy piggies. The first thing is making sure your vet is cavy savvy and experienced with guinea pigs. This minimises risks and improves outcomes. It also generally means less testing and samples needed. We have a vet list which is complied from member recommendations.

I had a one year old with an abscess, it was nestled between two blood vessels so my vets weren't confident enough to do the surgery. I went to my lock specialist and whilst more expensive they managed the operation, found an abscess capsule and two small fatty lumps. Removed the lot and he recovered very quickly

 

[Siikibam]

Hopefully whatever she has will be straightforward to treat. Fingers crossed for you both and do let us know what the final findings are.

Perhaps weigh her daily instead of weekly now to monitor her weight and make sure she’s eating enough.

Please also add your location to your profile - country/county is enough.