Hereditary and Congenital Health Issues in Dogs
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Dr. Pippa Elliott BVMS, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr Pippa Elliott BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in companion animal practice. In 1987 she graduated from the University of Glasgow, with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She works at Blythwood Vets and the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA). Pippa is an advocate of Fear-Free Practice, an animal addict, and a veterinary writer. She is also w...
Veterinarian
UPDATED: Jan 8, 2024
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And many of the companies we review do not pay us anything. We simply rate, compare and review their plan because we feel it will be valuable to you. Our reviews are guaranteed to be unbiased, professional and advertising compensation does not influence rankings.
We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about pet insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything pet insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by pet insurance experts.
UPDATED: Jan 8, 2024
Pet Insurance U receives compensation from the third parties included on this site. This includes payment for clicks from our site to insurance providers’ sites and quote requests generated. Our rankings and reviews are not affected by payments from the insurance companies. The compensation we receive allows the site to be free and regularly updated. Our goal is to review every pet insurance provider, but not all companies are listed on the site.
And many of the companies we review do not pay us anything. We simply rate, compare and review their plan because we feel it will be valuable to you. Our reviews are guaranteed to be unbiased, professional and advertising compensation does not influence rankings.
On This Page
When choosing a new pet insurance policy, it is important to find out if the company will cover hereditary and congenital health issues.
Both hereditary and congenital conditions are very important to treat and can be expensive to do so.
This is just one of the many reasons to sign up for pet insurance…to be able to afford the care for these conditions.
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FACT: Pet insurance pays up to 90% of vet bills when your pet is sick or injured!
Hereditary Conditions in Dogs
Hereditary conditions are any illness or condition that has a suspected or proven genetic cause.
Hereditary conditions are usually passed down to your cat or dog from their parents.
Most hereditary conditions are breed-specific which means that certain breeds are prone to these conditions.
If you have a certain breed that is pre-disposed to any hereditary issue, pet insurance will help you pay for the care and medical expenses that could occur.
Pet insurance companies like Healthy Paws will always cover both hereditary and congenital conditions in all of their plans.
Related: 10 Things You Must Know Before You Buy Pet Insurance
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Examples of Common Dog Hereditary Conditions
- Hip Dysplasia
- Cherry Eye
- Epileptic Seizures
- Elbow Dysplasia
- Intervertebral Disk Disease
There are many more hereditary conditions than those listed and if your pet is prone to any hereditary conditions, make sure that your pet insurance company will cover these issues.
Dog Congenital Conditions
Congenital conditions are issues that occur in utero and your pet is born with the condition.
Again, these conditions are very much breed-specific so if you have a dog or cat prone to these conditions, make sure to purchase pet insurance while your pets are young and the issues are not yet pre-existing.
In fact, most of these conditions might not show symptoms until later in your dog or cats’ life.
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Examples of Common Congenital Conditions in Dogs
- Congenital Heart Disease
- Heart Murmur
- Urinary Bladder Stones
All of these conditions should be covered in a pet insurance plan.
However, as mentioned above, if your dog or cat has already developed a hereditary or congenital condition, it will now be considered pre-existing.
There aren’t any pet insurance companies that will cover a pet for pre-existing conditions.
For instance, if your poodle is examined by your vet and a heart murmur is diagnosed before you buy an insurance policy for this dog, then this condition (which the poodle has probably had since birth) will not be covered.
On the other hand, if you had purchased a policy and this poodle is diagnosed a few years later with the heart murmur (which is a congenital condition), then you would be covered because the symptoms did not develop until after the insurance was purchased.
Getting pet insurance before your pet has any health problems is the only way to ensure that all future issues are covered, as long as they weren’t diagnosed by your vet before the starting date of your insurance coverage.
Or even during the waiting period.
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Final Thoughts on Hereditary and Congenital Conditions
There are many hereditary and congenital conditions in both dogs and cats and it is important to be aware of them.
Before signing up with any policy, talk to your vet about what issues might occur with your dog or cat, if they haven’t already.
It’s always the safest best to enroll your pets while they are young, while the prices are lower and they are the healthiest.
Before enrolling, ask your provider for a complete list of excluded health conditions to make sure your pet is covered.
If you are looking for a new pet insurance company that covers hereditary and congenital conditions, our top 10 pet insurance companies is a great place to start!
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We get it, your dog is like your child and when your puppy or dog has health problems it is scary. Luckily there is pet insurance companies that will help you pay for any veterinarian care they made need. Checkout the best puppy and dog pet insurance companies and learn about common puppy health issues and ailments in older pets.
Common Health Problems:
Chronic Active Hepatitis in Dogs
Cruciate Ligament Tear in Dogs
Degenerative Myelopathy | Spinal Cord Disease In Dogs
Dementia in Dogs | Canine Cognitive Dysfunction
Dog Comedones (Schnauzer Bumps)
Dog Diarrhea: What Can You Do To Help?
Gallbladder Obstruction in Dogs
Heart Murmurs In Dogs | How To Identify Them
Intervertebral Disc Disease In Dogs
Nasal Solar Dermatitis In Dogs
Progressive Retinal Atrophy In Dogs
The Dog Flu – Symptoms & Treatment for Canine Influenza
Frequently Asked Questions
What are hereditary conditions in dogs?
Hereditary conditions in dogs are illnesses or conditions with a suspected or proven genetic cause. These are usually passed down from the dog’s parents and are often breed-specific.
Are hereditary conditions covered by pet insurance?
Yes, reputable pet insurance companies like Healthy Paws typically cover both hereditary and congenital conditions in their plans. It’s essential to check the coverage details before choosing a policy.
What are congenital conditions in dogs?
Congenital conditions are issues that occur in utero, and dogs are born with these conditions. Like hereditary conditions, congenital issues are often breed-specific.
Are congenital conditions covered by pet insurance?
Yes, good pet insurance plans should cover congenital conditions. It’s crucial to enroll your pets while they are young to ensure coverage before any potential issues arise.
Can I get coverage for pre-existing conditions with pet insurance?
No, pre-existing conditions are generally not covered by pet insurance. It’s essential to get insurance before your pet develops any health problems to ensure future issues are covered.
How can I ensure coverage for my pet’s health issues?
Enroll your pets in insurance while they are young and healthy. Check with your vet to understand potential health issues based on your pet’s breed. Ask the insurance provider for a complete list of excluded health conditions.
What are examples of common hereditary conditions in dogs?
Common hereditary conditions include but are not limited to hip dysplasia, heart murmurs, cataracts, and arthritis. Coverage for these conditions is crucial, especially for breeds prone to specific health issues.
What are examples of common congenital conditions in dogs?
Common congenital conditions include issues like cryptorchidism, cherry eye, and patellar luxation. These conditions are typically present from birth and may not show symptoms until later in the dog’s life.
How does pet insurance help with vet bills for hereditary and congenital conditions?
Pet insurance can cover up to 90% of vet bills for treating hereditary and congenital conditions, making it more affordable for pet owners to provide necessary care.
Why is it recommended to get pet insurance for hereditary and congenital conditions?
Treating hereditary and congenital conditions can be expensive. Pet insurance provides financial assistance, ensuring that pet owners can afford the necessary care for their pets.
Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap pet insurance rates.
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Dr. Pippa Elliott BVMS, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr Pippa Elliott BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in companion animal practice. In 1987 she graduated from the University of Glasgow, with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She works at Blythwood Vets and the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA). Pippa is an advocate of Fear-Free Practice, an animal addict, and a veterinary writer. She is also w...
Veterinarian
We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about pet insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything pet insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by pet insurance experts.