What we uploaded
Patient: Duke, 9yr Male Neutered Labrador
Date: 06/15/2025
S: Current insurer (Healthy Paws) raised premium
from $87/mo to $134/mo. Owner considering switch.
History: left elbow dysplasia (2022), monthly
Adequan injections. Increased thirst x 6 weeks.
O: BCS 7/9 - mildly overweight. Creatinine 1.6
(elevated). Glucose 142 (mildly elevated).
A: 1. Left elbow dysplasia - chronic, managed
2. Suspected CKD Stage 1-2
3. Rule out diabetes mellitus
P: Continue Adequan. Renal diet trial.
Glucose curve in 2 weeks.
Owner counseled re: switching risk.
⚠️ Switching risk — elbow dysplasia and CKD currently covered, would be excluded everywhere else. A single CKD crisis costs $2,000-5,000.
⚠️ Senior alert — AKC Pet Insurance is accident-only for pets age 9+.
Best fit
None — stay with Healthy Paws
All insurers exclude Duke's conditions. The $47/month increase is far less than one specialist visit.
Action plan
1
Do not switch — elbow and CKD coverage would be lost permanently at any new insurer.
2
Ask Healthy Paws in writing whether the premium can be negotiated given claims history.
3
Complete the glucose curve — if diabetes is ruled out, get a written vet statement.
TrupanionExcludes elbow, CKD, diabeteshigh
AKCAccident-only at age 9+high
EmbraceExcludes elbow, CKD, diabetesmedium
PumpkinExcludes elbow, CKD, diabetesmedium
Healthy Paws (current)Current conditions already coveredstay