Pet Insurance?

[Heidi'sPerson]

My three year old minidachsie, Heidi, loves to jump off of beds, couches, etc. We tried to train her not to do this, but even as a puppy, when we'd try to go to her and pick her up to help her off the couch, she'd jump before we could get there. So, we've resigned ourselves to the fact that she's going to have trouble when she's older. My questions are: what can we expect, and does anyone know of pet insurance that we could look in to that might help with the cost of future surgeries? Thanks, Michelle

[Percy's Person]

We considered this insurance, but were told by our vet that it really isn't worth the cost. We kept pillows on the couch edge to discourage jumping (too high). It eventually worked. However, you may be interested in this also: Two months ago we adopted a lame mini dachshund, who was nearly euthanised because he could only drag his legs about. In researching, we learned that giving vitamin "C" will work as preventative & that it has been found to help dachsies who become paralyzed with disk problems. After checking with our vet, who had not heard of this but said it would not hurt, we began giving Percy 250 mg/twice daily. I am pleased to say that within a couple days, we began to see improvement and soon after we started walks around the block two times/day plus bicycling his legs for five minutes in the evening. Though he still walks a little awkwardly, he soon began running and playing with his younger sister much to our--and our neighbors'--amazement. The downside: he felt so good that he injured himself while racing around the yard. We then gave him glucoasamine (available at pet stores). I am pleased to say he is better than ever, although I do not advocate anyone trying these things without first speaking with their veterinarian.

[Heidi'sPerson]

Thanks so much for the info! I never would have thought that something as simple as vit. C would help so much. I'll definetely ask Heidi's vet about using it as a preventative measure. A funny - my parents were in town with Heidi for Thanksgiving, and my mom was lying underneath one of Heidi's favorite chairs. Heidi of course took this as a sign that mom was trying to help her, and she used mom as a "step down!" We all marvelled at mom's unselfish assistance. http://dachsie.org/ubb/smile.gif

[Sherri]

I'm surprised about the vitamin C also. Do you purchase it at a pet store? I will have to ask my vet about it. I have a 7-month old standard dachshund who is always jumping on and off the couch also.

[Percy's Person]

I buy the vitamin C at Sam's Club or the grocery store--just normal (human) vitamin C tablets. We give this to Percy in the center of some of his soft dog food. One hint: We made the mistake of buying flavored tablets by accident once, and he didn't like them. Though we feel his improvement has leveled off now, we're still really pleased with the progress he has made (though he tends to worsen with rainy weather as if he has arthritis). The glucosamine is also available for humans (I've learned my "in-laws" use it), but I buy it at the pet supply because I don't want to gamble with the amount and the mixes of minerals, etc., in other packages. I must urge you--after seeing the awful condition Percy was in--please do not allow your dachsies too much strenuous jumping. The vitamin C has helped, but it isn't a miracle fixer. And, we do love our little critters too much to see them suffer or be put down.

[Tanya]

I wish I had known about vitamin C. My Dachsie always jumped...even though we built ramps for her to get on and off furniture. A disk ruptured and though we had the surgery, she passed away this Christmas Eve. My vet says from depression she just gave up. I will try the vitamin C with Punkins sister though.