[mikimm]

I've had a different experience. We have VPI for our dogs. We initially got it after a rescue dog had a couple months of illness that was finally diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma. We'd just lost another one to the same cancer, and another to lymphosarcoma. So I did some research on various vet insurances, and talked to the vet staff about it too. They suggested VPI.

It didn't cover our old gal who was already older than 10. But we put it on a rescue that was just 6 months old. He eventually needed a TPLO and it covered more than 50% of the surgical cost including xrays, diagnosis, and surgical follow-up. We had the well pet care rider and the cancer rider. It paid a portion of prescribed flea control (Advantage or Frontline) plus annual physical exam and immunizations. Later, when he developed lymphosarcoma, it covered more than half of that diagnostic process as well as the hospital care he needed as he had an invasive form and was really sick really fast.

With our current pack of dogs, who are all covered by VPI, it's already paid for itself. The Great Dane seems to get injured easily and has had numerous bouts of cellulitis in his front feet. It also paid about half of his neutering surgery, the complications he developed after that surgery, and the racoon roundworms he came to us with, and his chronic irritable bowel condition. And he's only 3 yrs old. It's really going to help out in a few years when he's a geriatric Dane.

It's paid more than 1/2 of both of Sofie's TPLO surgeries. As well as diagnosis and treatment of her current arthritis in the front carpals.

When we rescued Lady at 3-4 months of age, she had to have surgical repair of an avulsion of the heel and achilles tendon. Much of the after-care and casting over the next several months was covered. Also, Lady swallowed Gorilla Glue about a year and half ago. She had to have emergency surgery and hospital treatment right away (in the evening of course at the emergency vet). More than half that horrendous expense (close to $4000.00) was covered. She continues to have reflux and vomiting sometimes, and it covers her medicine for that.

Soooo.....I think it's worth it. My rescue dogs have all needed way too much medical care in their lives. All of the ones that lived long enough ended up with chronic problems in their later years. We hope that our new puppy won't need to use it like the others have. But it's there in case. It's a little more than $300 a year. Even one terrible accident or major illness and it's paid for itself over the little guy's lifetime.