Minor Ear Ache Becomes a Major Heart Ache

When Rupert, a Labrador Retriever puppy, arrived at his new home in Sioux City, South Dakota on Christmas Day in 2004, his owners had no idea on that happy day how much time they would be spending at their veterinarian's office in the coming months - for ear infections.  After a series of recurring infections that began in the spring, Rupert frequently visited the vet's office then began to lose weight. Vicki and Jim, his owners, were puzzled and concerned. Then, their vet discovered a large growth inside Rupert's right ear.
After more office visits, tests and medications, Rupert's vet eventually did a biopsy. He removed as much of the growth as possible but it went deeply into the ear canal and the vet could not get it all.  He suggested that specialists were needed from Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa for additional surgery. "By this time we had spent a lot of time and money at our vet's office, "says Vicki, "and the estimate for the new surgery was $1,800. This didn't include the testing costs or the time I would have to take off my job -- plus the expense of going to Ames. At this point I was really worried."

As it turned out, two vet specialists came from the university in Ames to Sioux Falls to perform Rupert's surgery, saving Vicki and Jim from having to travel. "The vets removed the growth and the right ear canal as well as some reconstruction in the left ear," Vicki explains, "however some of the growth in the left ear could not be removed.  Afterwards, all of us remained cautiously optimistic about Rupert's health." Later on, he developed yet another infection in his left ear and the growth began to get larger and larger. Once again, one of the original vet specialists traveled from Ames and Rupert had additional surgery and a total removal of his left ear canal. 

In spite of all of his ear-related troubles, today Rupert is happily his healthy self again.  His AKC Pet Healthcare Plan paid over $2,900 toward his vet bills. "If we didn't have our pet insurance plan we would have had to have our beautiful, very spoiled, lovable Rupert put to sleep long ago. We would not have been able to pay for his surgeries," Vicki says today, "and I don't know what we would have done without it."

Unexpected illnesses and accidents can happen to our pets at any time. The range of AKC Pet Healthcare Plans offers quality and affordable coverage for as little as 68 cents a day for dogs and 48 cents a day for cats - far less than a cup of coffee at a café. You can choose the Essential Plan that covers unexpected illnesses or injuries up to $11,000 for treatment costs per year, at $24.75 a month, or higher levels of protection with the Essential Plus (for a higher cost). Or you may be interested in plans that, in addition to accident and illness coverage, also offer reimbursement towards all those wellness measures that can add up to $200 - $300 or more a year. The Wellness Plans provide coverage up to $13,000 for treatment costs a year, and this includes flea, tick and heartworm prevention, as well as an annual physical exam, annual dental cleaning and prescribed vaccinations. The Wellness Plus option offers additional coverage for spaying/neutering.

For more information on plans that meet your needs, please visit www.akcphp.com or call toll-free       1-866-725-2747. It's time well spent when you consider the protection it provides for both you and your pet - and the peace of mind you need, when you least expect it!

American Kennel Club, AKC and the AKC logo are trademarks of The American Kennel Club, Inc. The AKC Pet Healthcare Plan name is licensed to PetPartners, Inc for its exclusive use by the American Kennel Club. Coverage is offered by PetPartners Inc. and is underwritten by Markel Insurance Company, an A.M. Best A Rated Company.