Prepare for the Unexpected: How Pet Insurance Helped Us Save Addie from Anaphylaxis

I never imagined that pet insurance would be such an important topic for my husband and I, but life has a way of teaching us tough lessons. My journey began with the tragic loss of our first pup, a heart-wrenching experience that left us both emotionally shattered and with a massive vet bill. When we got our next dog, we were determined not to find ourselves in that situation again.

When Addie came into our lives in 2020, she brought with her the joy and energy of a healthy pup. We never expected that our young, healthy dog would encounter a serious health problem only a few years later. Fortunately, we had pet insurance this time around.

In June 2023, at age 4, something went terribly wrong. Addie was sick (from both ends) in the middle of the night. By morning, her face had swollen, and I knew we were dealing with something serious. We rushed her to the emergency vet, where the situation further deteriorated. Blood started coming from both ends, and our once-energetic pup was in critical condition.

The vet suspected an anaphylactic allergic reaction and immediately began treatment. For the next five days, Addie remained under constant care with her vitals monitored closely, as the veterinary staff worked to reduce her symptoms and rehydrate her. Thanks to an amazing team, she made a full recovery.

We still aren’t completely sure what caused the allergic reaction. There was nothing unusual that happened that day that we can recall. The vet’s best theory is that this was a reaction to a bee sting, which is a common trigger for anaphylaxis in dogs. It’s terrifying not knowing for sure what Addie is allergic to, but at least we are prepared for the unexpected. 

Our pet insurance covered about $6,000 of the emergency vet costs. During Addie’s treatment, we had the privilege of being able to focus solely on Addie’s recovery rather than the potential financial burden. The veterinary staff seemed relieved every time I mentioned that we had pet insurance, and that they could continue with whatever treatments they thought necessary for however long. I got the impression that actually having pet insurance isn’t so common in my neighbourhood, even though it’s common sense. 

Without insurance, pet owners can face agonizing decisions about whether or not they can afford to continue treatment in emergency care. This can be especially tough in a situation where recovery may take an uncertain amount of time, if they pull through at all. Pet insurance gave us the peace of mind to make decisions based on what was best for Addie, without the added stress of financial constraints. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that you can never predict when the unexpected will strike—but you can prepare for it! For more help in understanding the expenses of owning a sog, use Paction's Ultimate Dog Cost Calculator to calculate the most accurate cost of owning a dog in Canada in 2024.