By: Dr. Jack Stephens
A Routine Visit Helps Identify Tumor Early
Bebe, a 10-year-old Bicon Frise, recently went in for a routine annual visit. Bebe's owner had enrolled in Pets Best's Best Wellness plan and was using the benefits for Bebe's annual visits.
It was suggested to Bebe's owner that since the wellness benefits provide for an annual blood test that blood be drawn and sent to the lab. Although it was almost an afterthought, the blood test revealed an elevated enzyme that occurs with liver damage.
Further testing, including an ultrasound, revealed that a tumor was present. A veterinary specialist in Los Angeles was able to remove the tumor, which would not have been found except for the routine annual visit and blood work.
Pets Best reimbursed Bebe's owner 80%, or $3,440 out of $4,300, since the per-incident deductible had already been met. Additionally, Bebe's owner was reimbursed $1,012 for the expense of her regular veterinarian. To date $4,452 has been sent to Bebe's owner for Bebe's squamous cell carcinoma of the liver, a very deadly tumor type that was thankfully caught in time.
Separate Incidents, Same Dog
Miss Pugsly, a 5-year-old Pug, recently developed pancreatitits, an infection of the pancreas. After a referral from Miss Pugsly's regular veterinarian and an emergency clinic to the Teaching Hospital at Texas A&M Veterinary School, a biopsy was performed. The biopsy cost was $2,341, of which Pets Best paid 80%. Thankfully, the mass was not malignant.
About a month after developing pancreatitis, our curious Miss Pugsly decided to swallow rat poison. For this trip to the vet, Pets Best reimbursed $1,400 towards this treatment, or 80% after the deductible.
We're hoping that 2007 is a stress-free year for Miss Pugsly and her owner!
Sam's Story
Sam, an 11-year-old Golden Retriever, developed severe diarrhea and vomiting, much to his owners' distress. X-rays revealed a foreign body in the intestinal tract. Upon exploratory surgery to remove the foreign body, it was discovered that Sam's intestines had ruptured, causing a severe infection in the abdominal cavity. The cost of Sam's surgery was $4,262, of which Pets Best reimbursed $3,344, or 80% after the deductible.
Paco's Troubles Still a Mystery
Paco, a 1-year-old Shih Tzu, developed vomiting for reasons that are still unknown to his owner. After a trip to the vet, Pets Best reimbursed Paco's owner $1,486, or 80% after the deductible, for diagnostic testing, including a blood panel and x-rays, hospitalization and treatments.