Chronic conditions are ongoing injuries or illnesses that require regular medication and frequent veterinary visits.
Common chronic conditions include diabetes in cats and cranial cruciate ligament tears in dogs.
Watch out: many companies limit coverage for chronic conditions or drop coverage after policy renewal.
A chronic condition is an ongoing injury or illness that can last a lifetime. Chronic conditions in pets often require regular medication and frequent visits to the vet’s office for monitoring.
When it comes to chronic conditions, Embrace sees a lot of claims. Because of the ongoing care required for many of these conditions, it’s not unusual for a pet parent to send in an invoice once per week. Diabetes often requires daily shots and frequent monitoring – that means lots of syringes and insulin. Embrace covers both of these items for insulin-dependent dogs and cats. We reimbursed more than $50,000 for cats with diabetes mellitus in 2017.
A chronic condition isn’t always just an illness. A cranial cruciate ligament tear can be caused by an accident that leads to long-term care. And dogs who have torn their cranial cruciate ligament on one side are at much higher risk for the other to tear as well – up to 50% higher! Once they’re covered by Embrace, we do not exclude coverage of that bilateral injury either, we’re talking two potential surgeries, rehabilitation, and medication – covered. We reimbursed more than $2 million for dogs with cranial cruciate ligament tears in 2017.
Many companies have specific rules in place for pet insurance that covers chronic conditions, like only paying up to a certain dollar amount for it – or dropping coverage for that condition once the policy renews. If you’re in the market for pet insurance for dogs or cat insurance, keep your eye out for companies with no chronic condition exclusions.
*This information in based on 2017 Embrace claims data.
Common Chronic Conditions in Dogs & Cats Questions
A chronic condition is an ongoing injury or illness that can last a lifetime in pets. These conditions often require regular medication and frequent visits to the veterinarian's office for monitoring. Unlike acute conditions that may resolve quickly, chronic conditions need long-term management and care, making it common for pet parents to submit insurance claims weekly for ongoing treatment and supplies.
Based on claims data, the most common chronic conditions in cats include kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, diabetes mellitus, inflammatory bowel disease, and lymphoma. These conditions typically require ongoing veterinary care, regular monitoring, and often daily medications or treatments. Cat owners should be aware that these conditions can develop as cats age and may require lifelong management.
The most common chronic conditions in dogs include allergies, cranial cruciate ligament tears, arthritis, skin masses, and seizures. These conditions often require ongoing treatment and monitoring. For example, dogs with torn cranial cruciate ligaments have up to 50% higher risk of tearing the other ligament, potentially requiring multiple surgeries, rehabilitation, and ongoing medication throughout their lives.
Coverage for chronic conditions varies significantly between pet insurance companies. Some insurers limit coverage by capping dollar amounts or dropping coverage when policies renew. However, some companies provide comprehensive coverage for chronic conditions without exclusions. When shopping for pet insurance, look for companies that don't exclude chronic condition coverage and will cover ongoing treatments, medications, and monitoring visits.
Chronic conditions can be expensive due to ongoing care requirements. For example, diabetes often requires daily insulin shots, syringes, and frequent monitoring visits. Claims data shows significant costs, with some insurers reimbursing thousands or even millions of dollars annually for specific chronic conditions. The exact cost depends on the condition, treatment requirements, and your pet's individual needs. Consult your veterinarian for specific cost estimates.
When choosing pet insurance for chronic conditions, look for companies with no chronic condition exclusions that won't drop coverage after policy renewal or cap reimbursement amounts. Ensure the policy covers ongoing medications, regular monitoring visits, and necessary supplies like insulin and syringes. Read the fine print carefully to understand what ongoing treatments and bilateral injuries are covered under the policy.
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