Does Pet Insurance Cover ACL Surgery and How to Get Covered

Many pet owners are surprised to learn that not all pet insurance policies cover ACL surgery for their furry friends. Unfortunately, some policies have exclusions for pre-existing conditions, including cruciate ligament injuries.

Some pet insurance policies do cover ACL surgery, but it depends on the type of policy and the insurance provider. For example, a policy with a "wellness" or "maintenance" rider may cover elective procedures like ACL surgery.

Even if your policy covers ACL surgery, you'll likely need to pay a deductible and copay. According to our research, the average deductible for pet insurance is around $250-$500 per year, and copays can range from 10% to 30% of the procedure's cost.

It's essential to review your policy carefully and ask questions before your pet needs surgery, so you're not caught off guard by unexpected costs.

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ACL injuries are a common issue for pets, particularly those that participate in high-impact activities like agility training. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a crucial ligament that helps stabilize the knee joint.

Pet owners often notice symptoms such as sudden onset of pain, limping, and difficulty standing after an ACL injury.

In severe cases, the ligament can tear completely, leading to instability in the knee joint.

Cruciate ligament injuries in dogs can be a real concern, and it's essential to recognize the symptoms early on. Limping or unexplained lameness is one of the first signs you may notice.

Some common signs of a cruciate ligament tear in dogs include stiffness or swelling around the knee joint, which can be quite painful for your furry friend. Your dog may also have difficulty rising, jumping, walking, or running, and may even avoid exercise or play altogether.

If you notice that your dog is favoring one leg over another, it could be a sign of a cruciate ligament injury. Muscle atrophy in the affected leg is another indication that something is amiss.

Here are some key symptoms to watch out for:

By catching these symptoms early on, you can help your dog avoid more severe injuries and conditions like osteoarthritis.

Cruciate ligament injuries in dogs can be caused by chronic or acute damage. Chronic injuries often result from degeneration due to repeated stress or arthritis, which can lead to slow-onset lameness.

Acute injuries, on the other hand, happen when a dog suddenly overloads the joint, often during a quick change in direction while running or playing, resulting in immediate pain and lameness.

Some dogs are more prone to cruciate ligament injuries than others. Large-breed dogs, such as golden retrievers and Labradors, are more susceptible to these injuries due to their larger size.

Dogs with previous injuries are also at a higher risk of injuring the other cruciate ligament. This is because shifting weight onto the uninjured leg can strain the joint and increase the risk of a second injury.

Other risk factors include being overweight, which can put more pressure on the knee joints, and being an older dog, as ligaments naturally weaken with age.

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Your vet will start by performing a physical exam and palpating your dog's knee to diagnose an ACL injury.

A physical exam may be enough to make the diagnosis, but x-rays or a sedated orthopedic exam can provide more detailed information about the size and severity of the tear.

Your vet may refer you to a board-certified veterinary surgeon to determine the diagnosis and discuss treatment options.

A thorough examination by a veterinarian is essential to accurately diagnose an ACL injury in your dog.

Treatment and recovery from ACL surgery can be a long and challenging process, but with the right care and attention, many pets are able to make a full recovery.

The cost of ACL surgery can be a significant burden for pet owners, but fortunately, many pet insurance plans do cover this type of surgery, with some plans covering up to 90% of the costs.

After surgery, your pet will need to undergo a period of physical rehabilitation to regain strength and mobility in the affected leg. This can include exercises such as swimming and underwater treadmills to reduce stress on the joint.

Your vet will consider several factors when deciding on a treatment plan for your dog's ACL injury, including their activity level, age, diet, and other contributing factors.

Surgical options are often the most effective way to repair an ACL injury in dogs. There are three main surgical options to consider.

Extracapsular Suture Stabilization is a good option for inactive, smaller, or older dogs, as it allows scar tissue to heal on its own.

Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO) is a more invasive and expensive option, but it offers superior stabilization for larger breeds. It involves structuring your dog's bones at a 90-degree angle and securing them with a plate and screws.

Tibial Tuberosity Advancement (TTA) is similar to TPLO, but the screws and sutures are placed in a different location. Your vet will create a personalized plan for your dog based on their unique physiology to ensure a smooth recovery.

Here are the three surgical options in more detail:

CCL recovery can be a challenging process, but with patience and the right care, your dog can make a full recovery. Medication plays a crucial role in keeping your dog comfortable after surgery, so be sure to give them their prescribed pain and anti-inflammatory medications as directed.

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Limited activity and rest are essential for the first 6-8 weeks after surgery. This means no running or jumping, and potentially crate rest to limit movement. I've seen dogs who didn't follow this advice end up prolonging their recovery time.

After about 3 months, your dog may start resuming their normal activities. Begin with short, controlled leash walks and slowly increase their activity levels. Gradually reintroducing movement is key to preventing setbacks.

Physical therapy exercises can help rebuild your dog's strength and improve flexibility in the knee joint. Consider incorporating these exercises into your dog's recovery plan.

Maintaining a healthy weight is also crucial during recovery. Keeping your dog at a healthy body weight can reduce pressure on their healing knee.

Monitoring your dog's progress is vital to ensuring they're healing properly. Attend any follow-up appointments and watch out for signs of discomfort or unusual movement.

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After your pet undergoes surgery, it's essential to follow your vet's care instructions to ensure a smooth recovery.

Your vet will likely require your pet to rest for several weeks before gradually returning to activity, so be prepared to take it slow.

Monitor your pet for issues like increased swelling, redness around the incision site, or unwillingness to put weight on the leg after 48 hours, and call your vet if you notice any of these issues.

Give any antibiotics and pain medication as prescribed by your vet to prevent complications.

Keep your pet from chewing or licking at the sutures, as this can lead to irritation or infection, and use an e-collar as directed by your vet to prevent this.

After about eight weeks of restricted activity, you can start gradually getting your pet moving again over the course of two to three months, but closely follow your vet's directions.

You may be able to introduce leash walks at home, and your vet may show you some range of motion exercises to do with your pet at home.

Keep your pet from running, jumping, climbing stairs, playing fetch, or doing other highly active movements to prevent re-injury.

Take your pet to physical therapy sessions if recommended by your vet, and attend all follow-up appointments, including x-rays to monitor healing.

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A torn ACL can be a costly and stressful experience for pet owners, but pet insurance can help alleviate some of the financial burden. Pet insurance can cover the costs of surgery and treatment, but there are limitations and requirements to be aware of.

The cost of ACL surgery can range from $1,200 to $9,500, depending on your location, with an average cost of $2,299. You'll need to pay the full vet bill upfront, and your reimbursement for a covered claim won't include your insurance plan's deductible or co-insurance.

Your pet insurance policy will typically require you to pay for the surgery out of pocket and then reimburse you, so be prepared to cover the cost upfront. Some policies, like MetLife Pet Insurance, can cover up to 90% of the vet bill, but this varies depending on the policy and provider.

A torn ACL can be a costly and stressful experience for dog owners. The average cost of CCL surgery for a dog is $2,299, but it can range anywhere from $1,200 to $9,500 depending on your location.

Paying for an unexpected ACL surgery can be overwhelming, but covering your dog with pet insurance can give you peace of mind. Pet insurance can help cover the costs of your dog's ACL surgery, but there are some limitations.

Your pet won't be covered for medical expenses that occur before your policy's waiting period ends, which varies depending on your state. This means that if your dog sustains a cruciate ligament injury during your waiting period, the injury would be considered a pre-existing condition and would be excluded from your coverage.

If you want your policy to cover follow-ups with your vet, you'll need to add the vet visit add-on, and if you want to be eligible for reimbursement on vet-recommended physical therapy, you'll need to include the physical therapy add-on on your policy.

Pet insurance can help to cover costs including diagnostics, surgeries, and medications that are related to the injury. For example, a mixed-breed dog from Alabama tore her cruciate ligament and needed surgery, which cost about $5,000. MetLife Pet Insurance covered about 90% of the vet bill.

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The average cost of CCL surgery varies significantly depending on where you live. In some states, the cost is relatively low, while in others it's quite high.

For example, in Pennsylvania, the average cost of CCL surgery is $1,847, which is one of the lowest prices on this list. On the other hand, in Minnesota, the average cost is $3,168, making it one of the most expensive states for this surgery.

If you're looking for a more detailed breakdown, here's a list of the average CCL surgery costs by state:

Pet insurance can help cover the costs of ACL surgery, but there are some limitations. Your pet won't be covered for medical expenses that occur before your policy's waiting period ends.

The waiting period varies depending on your state, so be sure to check your policy or contact your insurance provider to find out how long you'll have to wait. It's essential to plan ahead and get coverage before your dog sustains an injury.

Most pet insurance companies will require you to pay for the surgery out of pocket and then reimburse you, so you'll still need to be prepared to cover the cost of your pet's surgery upfront. This can be a significant financial burden, especially if the surgery costs $5,000 or more.

However, with the right coverage, your pet insurance can help you cover a significant portion of the vet bill, such as 90% of the cost, like in the case of a mixed-breed dog from Alabama who had a cruciate ligament surgery covered by MetLife Pet Insurance.