Why Pet Insurance for Great Danes is a Good Idea!

Did you know that some Great Danes can weigh as much as 175 pounds? These gentle giants hail from Denmark and were originally bred for protection. These days, most Danes are happy to take up your entire bed for an afternoon nap. Like all dog breeds, Great Danes are prone to their own health, which is why pet insurance for Great Danes is such a good idea!

Let’s take a look at those health issues (some are quite costly to treat) and how you can choose the right policy for your gentle giant.

Common Great Dane Health Issues

The following are some health risks Great Danes are prone to, along with treatment options and costs of those treatments.

Gastric Dilatation Volvulus (Bloat)

Let’s start with perhaps the most dangerous health conditions Great Danes are known for, and that is bloat. It has been called “the mother of all emergencies” because literally every second counts. 

Bloat describes when a dog’s stomach suddenly fills with gas and then flips or twists, cutting off blood supply. Pup parents have a very short window of time to get help before the unspeakable happens. 

Treatment for bloat includes surgery to manually untwist the stomach and “tack” it into place so it is never allowed to flip again. Without this tacking, bloat has a recurrence of 75% in dogs that have already experienced it. Because blood supply may have been cut off from the stomach for some time, a partial resection of the stomach and partial or complete resection of the nearby spleen may also be required. 

Because this is such a major surgery, and because there can be so many post-op complications, pups typically stay in the hospital for a few days.

Veterinary Cost

The cost for this life-saving surgery is very high, usually ranging between $2,500 and $7,500. Sadly, because of this high cost, and because there is no guarantee of full recovery, many pet parents are forced to opt for euthanasia.

Cardiomyopathy

Cardiomyopathy is a term used to describe a disease that affects the heart muscle. Sometimes the heart muscles are not able to contract properly, negatively impacting blood flow. Other times the left ventricle grows to an abnormal size, squeezing the inner chamber of the heart, increasing the workload for the rest of the heart. And other times the heart muscle begins “filling in”, encroaching in on the heart’s chambers. 

Treatment for cardiomyopathy typically relies on controlling symptoms of congestive heart failure and cardiac enlargement, while also helping the heart to contract and pump blood efficiently. Diuretics and beta blockers are commonly used, as are “ACE inhibitors.”

Veterinary Cost

While the cost for prescription drugs is not usually out of reach, the cost of diagnosis can be more expensive than most expect. Board-certified cardiologists are required to make an official diagnosis and treatment plan. This diagnosis will require echocardiograms that can be expensive (up to $500-$600), so this initial bill can run you a couple of thousand dollars.

Entropion

This is a very common disease of the eyelids. When either the lower or upper eyelid rolls inward, the eyelashes can scratch the cornea. Corneal ulcers can be very painful and, if not treated quickly, can also lead to permanent vision loss. 

The proper treatment of entropion depends on the severity but often relies on surgery to correct the lid deformity. Some pups may require multiple surgeries to fix the issue. 

Veterinary Cost

Surgery can cost $300 to $500 if performed by a general practitioner. Should an ophthalmologist or veterinary surgeon be recommended, they may charge between $500 and $1,500. 

Osteochondrosis Dissecans (OCD) of the Shoulder and Elbow

Osteochondrosis is a disease that can affect different joints in a growing Dane puppy. It is a result of what is referred to as “inappropriate bone growth” that leads to painful lesions inside of joints.

The disease impacts proper development of the bones. Instead of completely ossifying (getting hard), a thick layer of cartilage forms, making the ends of the bone spongy. This makes for very unstable joints.

The most commonly recommended treatment for osteochondrosis is surgery to remove the painful flaps of cartilage. 

Veterinary Cost

Surgery must be done by a board-certified surgeon and you can expect to pay between $2,000 and $4,000 per joint. Arthroscopic procedures are generally more expensive due to the specialized equipment and advanced training required by veterinarians.

Shopping for Pet Insurance for Great Danes

That was by no means a full list of health issues your Great Dane may face during his lifetime, but it gives you an idea of the kinds of expenses you may be looking at. ANd providing your pup the medical help they need should never cause you to panic, worry, or have to say goodbye due to lack of funds.

Doing a little bit of digging we have found that many Great Dane parents pay between $39 to $56 a month for a comprehensive accident & illness plan. You might spend more or less depending on where you live and what deductible and reimbursement rate you select. 

Tips for Selecting the Right Pet Insurance for Great Danes

Getting the right policy is incredibly important. If you choose the wrong plan and go to file a claim, you may find your pup’s illness isn’t covered. And that means you’re left paying the entire bill. 

Be sure the insurance provider you go with has no full or partial limitations on genetic or hereditary illnesses. You’ll also want to look for a company that allows you to customize your plan so you can get the best coverage that is also affordable.

And finally, it’s important to not only look at how much your policy will cost today, but also what it will cost across the lifespan of your pup. Some insurance policies increase premiums faster than others, and this can vary between companies. The cheapest option now might cost you more in the long run.

Pet Insurance Review Makes Choosing Pet Insurance Easy!

It shouldn’t feel overwhelming choosing the right policy for your Great Dane. That’s why we make it as easy as possible.

You can start by reading reviews from over 150,000 real pet parents like you. You can also easily compare policies side-by-side, and of course, just cut to the chase and request a quote from multiple providers. 

References:

1. https://www.embracepetinsurance.com/breed/great-dane-pet-insurance
2. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/great-dane-life-span/
3. https://www.petmd.com/dog/breeds/great-dane

Disclaimer

The information contained on this blog is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional veterinary care. Always consult with your veterinarian before making any changes to your pet's health care or treatment plan.

The authors of this blog are not veterinarians and do not claim to be experts in pet health. The information provided here is based on our own experiences and research, as well as information from reputable sources. However, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this information.

We encourage you to do your own research and consult with your veterinarian before making any decisions about your pet's health.