ivdd – Pawjourr | Blog contributors

Hi there! I’m Denise.

My Bulldog, Boo, has been always been an angel on fours. It’s just like any other relationship where there are ups and downs but it’s just me compromising with her all the time (haha!).

Nevertheless, she is really one of a kind. You can say she’s my soulmate.

Boo’s Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) Changed our Lives

Boo has always been the priority in my life so her diagnosis did not deter me from loving her. However, I guess with IVDD, it requires much more effort to care for her now.

She is unable to walk, pee or poop on her own, so she requires somebody to empty her bladder every couple of hours. I can’t spend late nights out with my friends as I have to be back home to check on her and give her nightly massages. For almost 2 years, I also gave up my bed and slept on the floor with her.

Honestly, it was so tough during the first few months, I was financially and mentally drained. But it gets better with time as we start to understand her schedules and needs, and of course with help from my family members. Emotional support was very crucial. Dog cafes and dog runs are places I avoid, instead, we go to pet-friendly places. Basically, every action I take has to cater to her.

Photo Credit: Instagram @boo._thefrenchie

Discovering Aon Happy Tails Pet Insurance

As a breed, French Bulldogs face a long list of medical problems and sadly to say it was because of humans. The best-looking dogs were bred to meet the market demands which resulted in common medical conditions such as IVDD.

I found out after researching pet insurance that Aon Happy Tails was the only one that covers surgical and its breed issues. After some research, I found out that Aon Happy Tails was the only one that covers surgical costs as well as hereditary and congenital conditions. At that point in time, it was extremely crucial for me as the surgical intervention of IVDD is expensive.

I signed up to be covered by them at Pet Expo (don’t we all miss them). They offered promos for the first year and a couple of free gifts. It was very easy. Basically, all you need to do is sign up, consult a vet to sign and approve a document stating your pet’s medical condition and send it back. We were insured just like that. It was fuss-free.

Claiming Process

Well, Aon Happy Tails covers breeds medical issues like IVDD. Boo is afflicted with a serious case of IVDD hence surgical intervention is needed. I remember I paid close to 14k on Boo’s surgery and her stay (excludes X-ray and all the miscellaneous tests). Through Happy Tails, I was able to redeem around 5-6k (Don’t quote me on the value! I claimed 2 years ago).

At that point in time, I was so relieved about owning the insurance. The best part was I did not even get the most expensive plan they provided.

Claiming via Aon Happy Tails was so easy as well. Surprisingly, their helpdesk was incredibly responsive and helpful. Just submit all necessary documents and they will get back to you on the claims.

** We recommend interested pet owners to engage in their own self-research for Aon Happy Tails. Do note that the claim amount quoted by Denise is not an accurate representation of the reimbursement rate.

Advice to Pet Owners

Avoid thinking of insurance as taboo!

It is always good to keep informed on your pets’ medical needs at any stage of their lives. Always do your research on the coverage you require out of insurance, e.g X-rays, surgery, MRI.

Of course, I am not advising you to purchase pet insurance that you can’t afford. Just don’t ever give up on your pet due to expensive medical bills. There are always solutions to your problem.

Remember, all your pet has is you.

You are their whole lives.

Aon Happy Tails pet insurance covers a wide range of illnesses and medical conditions such as:

Luxating Patella
Hip and Elbow Dyplasia
Cherry Eye
Glaucoma
Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD)
Femoral Head and Neck Excision

** DISCLAIMER: There is a ninety (90) days waiting period for sicknesses and a twelve (12) month waiting period for Specified Hereditary and Congenital sicknesses from the policy’s first commencement during which sicknesses claims are not payable.

During the twelve (12) month waiting period, if conditions or symptoms of IVDD begin to emerge, it will be considered a pre-existing condition and will no longer be covered by Aon Happy Tails.

For more information, you can also check out their dedicated online portal which helps pet parents obtain a library of pet-related information, as well as ensure their sign up process is smooth and easy to access. You can also access their pricing plans via their website. Simply enter your details and get a quote!

With Aon Happy Tails, rest assured your pet is in safe hands.

Follow Denise and Boo on Instagram.

For more information about Aon Happy Tails pet insurance, check out their Instagram or Website.

What is IVDD?

IVDD: Intervertebral disc disease
One of the most common neurological disorders of dogs and it is the most common spinal disease of dogs.

Do you know?

Chondrodystrophoid (dwarfed) breeds of dogs whose normal cartilage development have been altered genetically for the purpose of a short, stout appearance – i.e.: Dachshund, Beagle, Shih Tzu, Lhasa Apso, and Pekingese — are most commonly affected. Other chondrodystrophic breeds that may be affected by IVDD include Corgis, Cocker Spaniel, Pekingese, Shih-Tzu and Poodle. Nonchondrodystrophic breeds that are commonly affected by IVDD include German Shepherd, Labrador Retriever and Doberman Pinscher. Obese dogs of predisposed breeds are especially likely to suffer from IVDD.

BOO’S STORY

I wish I could turn back time.
Boo’s mom.

She is perfect in my eyes. Nothing can replace her. We have each other and that is enough. I wouldn’t mind burning my salary all on her, it was worth it. You can say I am the worst kind of pawrent, but I wouldn’t care. I give her my best.

I recalled 8 months back, I couldn’t bring myself to talk about Boo’s condition. Boo was diagnosed with IVDD days before Christmas. Retracing the memories, I wish I could turn back time. There was so many regrets, so many things where I wish I knew. I wish somebody knew. There were so many sequence of events that I wish I could change, maybe Boo will be better. But who really know? Who was actually prepared for this?

French Bulldog has always been my love. I recalled 3 years back, I did the necessary research; finding a true frenchie breeder, research on their possible medical conditions. Oh boy, found her and that was it. I got her from a reputable breeder. The chances of lesser medical issues is getting from a reputable breeder where you know the complete bloodline of the pedigree, you know the prerequisites. To me, first step complete with additional coverage to getting her an insurance.

Trust me. French Bulldog are not for the faint of the heart. They are highly expensive. It is never the initial cost but the maintenance of it. Imagine getting a printer and the inks are hella expensive, oh sorry wrong. More like getting a Ferrari, and the road tax and the petrol will kill you. Well, we are here on IVDD, so let’s keep it as that.

Definitely it was my fault, I allowed her to jump. It was difficult. We slept on the same bed, she takes the stairs, she loves playing fetch, occasionally I’m lazy I didn’t use a harness but instead a collar. Whatever it is, she was a very happy hyper dog. Nothing could stop her. She was invincible. There are so many wrongs here that I did not stop.

Honestly, all the research in the world, how the hell would you even know how does IVDD look like? When you probably noticed, you are posssibly going downhill. Trust me, google ain’t helpful by then. You can only guess and assume. It was terrible. I remembered I brought her home after a playdate. She was restless. I thought ok maybe she was tired. I carried her, she screamed in pain. I left her. She was dirty, I decided to bathe her. I probably shouldn’t have. I lifted her up and put her down, she screamed again. Oh god, it was bad. It hurt her so bad that she pooped.

She was shivering. I thought maybe she was cold from bathing. She didn’t want to sit at all. She was eating as per normal. It didn’t affect her. I left her alone with heat pad and towels surrounding her. Until 2 hours later, she peed and poop where she slept. This was not normal. It was 9pm. I couldn’t find a place where I could go. I didn’t want to pay extra for overnight consultation. I decided to go to where Boo’s always go. I was so dumb, I should have rushed her to a specialist.

So many mistakes, I didn’t even know where to begin. My emotions was taking over all my decisions. I couldn’t stay sane. I see pain in her eyes, it was terrible. My heart was breaking at every minute. My happy little girl became a 360 change within 12 hours. Honestly up to date, I wish I could turn back the clock.

I should have brought her to a specialist. Don’t bother on saving money. It cost the same end of the day. Or maybe I wasn’t smart enough or maybe the vets I went all charges crazily high.

Reasons to go to a specialist

Going to a specialist, you get your diagnose quicker. Time is the essence for IVDD. Every minute counts as the dog can lose the ability to walk, control their bladder, or even have any sensation in their legs. There are 5 stages of IVDD, 5 being the worst.

Personal experience

Some clinics do not have all the equipment. You will end up transferring your pet from vet to vet. – It was too painful and stressful for both parties. Imagine, you want to know what was the condition but it was all you can get is only a suspected diagnosis because they do not have the full amenities for a proper diagnosis.
After many times saying no, the vet continued to insist on the dog to be in something because it will be easier for them to do the scan or they probably learnt it that way. – it was too painful to watch. Boo freaked out, couldn’t recognise me, she blanked out. They dropped her at that moment, Boo was rolling on the floor non-stop, went into a panic attack and bit me till I was bleeding non-stop at the vet. It was terrible, the only pain I could feel was my heart.

Anyhow, only about 4 days later. Boo was operated on. Did not go to a specialist. It was said we need a miracle if she ever walks again. We bit the bullet and proceeded anyway. She was diagnosed with stage 5 of IVDD with no deep pain sensation and being incontinence. We are still ongoing physiotherapy weekly and she only shows improvements of her core.

Total damage:

Surgery + Mis = ~SGD$14,000K
Physiotherapy = $180 per session

Boo used to go intensive physiotherapy 3 x week for Dec to Feb
Which cut down to 2x week for March to May
Currently: 1 x week for June to Aug
Think it’s cheap, think it’s easy? Do the math….

Above are some of the little glimpse of Boo’s story on her facing IVDD. I wished I could be of more help on the signs. But one can never be so prepared for it. What are we? We are still humans. Nobody expected this. Nobody wants this. However, trust me. If i could turn back the clock, I promise you I will do it better.

I see many people owning Frenchies these days because of certain trends etc, but do they really know the cost? Do they know what they got themselves into? I see Frenchies being abandoned due to medical issues. I got Boo from a reputable breeder, but shit still happen. Are you really prepared for these cost? Do you have minimum SGD$20,000 set aside for emergency? Oh btw, credit card extension isn’t allowed on vet bills – It is not approved by MOM. Bank loan isn’t immediate also. BTW, vet will ask for 60% downpayment of the estimated bill before admitting the dog in. Will you dedicate your time to assist them if things go downhill? Are you willing to sacrifice your personal live for them? Are you really? I see people thrashing me previously, but really what will you do if you were living in my shoes?

Getting a pet is a commitment. It is a responsibility and sadly, love isn’t enough. It cost money. To older generation or people who don’t own a pet, might think it is just a dog/cat/animal, but it is a life. A life you hold. Remember in these 10-18 years of commitment, you have many responsibilities or milestone things coming your way, but your pet only have you. Please don’t abandon them if you are not ready for the cost or the hefty bills or not willing to part with it. Pets only understand love but love alone isn’t enough.

XOXO,
Boo’s Mom
Insta: @boo._thefrenchie