If you've owned a dog for any length of time, you understand the costs involved. In addition to the food, the toys, the bedding, and the grooming, there's the cost of veterinary care. This can run into some big bucks. Just the price of monthly heartworm prevention, monthy flea and tick prevention, and annual vaccinations really add up quickly. But these are just the tip of the proverbial iceberg when it comes to the real cost of veterinary care.

Cats have the reputation for letting their curiosity get them into trouble, but most dogs are just as bad. Dogs are inquisitive by nature, and this often leads to problems. They get out and run in front of vehicles. They get into fights with other canines. They accidentally ingest poisons or other toxic substances like antifreeze.

In addition to injuries, dogs are plagued by ahost of illnesses and medical conditions. Some of these include hip dysplacia, eye problems, respiratory infections, arthritis, mange, seizures, diabetes, heartworms, influenza, and several types of cancers and tumors.

Any of these problems can quickly run into thousands of dollars. Many people can't afford the price of x-rays, CT scans, blood transfusions, or surgeries for themselves - much less their pet. In far too many cases, the beloved family dog has to be humanely euthanized because its family cannot afford life-saving treatments and procedures. But it doesn't have to be this way.

Several reputable companies offer health insurance for dogs. Every policy is a little different, but many policies cover spaying and neutering, vaccines and boosters, routine dental care, surgeries, hospital stays, infections, heart disease, arthritis, kidney disease, cancer, poisoning, injuries, and prescription drugs.

There's a wide range of options and deductibles for insurance coverage for dogs. Some cost as little as about $13 per month. You can search online for companies that insure dogs, and on many sites, you can get a free quote. Just answer a few quick questions about your pooch, along with the type of coverage you want, and in just a second or two you'll discover how much your monthly premium will be. It's that simple!

I urge all pet owners to purchase health insurance for their furry family members. Give some thought to how you'd pay the vet bills if the unthinkable happened to Fido. Don't be faced with the possibility of euthanizing man's best friend needlessly.

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