How to have peace of mind when it comes to the health of your big-boned softy.

Honestly, I always get a huge smile on my face when I see a Great Dane - their size, stature and outstanding loyalty is just really great to see in a dog. Whether you already have a Great Dane in your home or you’re deciding on becoming a first-time Great Dane owner, it’s important that you know how to care for them.

With a big dog comes big responsibility and you shouldn’t go into this blind, because a Great Dane can cost you a whole lot if you aren’t properly prepared. Which is why I’m here!

Why do I need pet insurance?

It’s not just you, any pet-parent should have pet insurance. As veterinary science continues to become more and more advanced, the price of pet care continues to rise. It isn’t a bad thing - it just means that there are more options out there for your pet when they’re sick.

Having pet insurance puts you in a position to explore the best and most effective options without having to worry about the price tag.

When you bring a pet into the home, you are looking after them for the rest of their life. That means that for 7-10 years (the average life-span of a Great Dane) you will need to be financially prepared for routine care, medication and any unexpected illnesses or accidents.

Great Danes have quite a short life-span compared to other dogs because of their size. Each breed of dog comes with its own hereditary diseases or predictable ailments and bigger dogs tend to have more health complications later on in life, which is where pet insurance becomes incredibly important.

5 common illnesses and health problems in Great Danes

1. Bone Tumours

Osteosarcomas is a type of aggressive cancer that is known to affect big dogs, notedly Great Danes. This cancer isn’t treatable so the expenses will come in to make sure your dog has a comfortable life whilst being terminally ill. Osteosarcoma Cancer will typically manifest in a dog’s bones from mid to old age, but there are cases as young as 18-24 months. 

Discover: does my insurer cover my pet for life?

2. Heart Disease

This is a good example of why you should get pet insurance for your hound as young as you can. When your Great Dane is around 4 years old, they already become at risk for heart disease.

One of the more common heart diseases amongst Great Danes is canine dilated cardiomyopathy, which can be a devastating blow if it comes suddenly. This is why routine care is important - so that sudden dangers that show little to no symptoms can be tracked by your vet and taken care of.

3. Lameness

It’s common that your Great Dane could end up suffering from lameness caused by bone, joint and muscle deterioration. Your most suitable pet insurance policy for a Great Dane will most probably include cover for conditions like hip dysplasia or torn ligaments.

If you were uninsured and your vet manages to catch hip dysplasia early on, your bills could start at R7000. If the condition is found later or continues to worsen, a total hip replacement could cost you R40 000. This doesn’t include rehabilitation, medication and overnight hospital stays.

4. Stomach Conditions

I’ve experienced having a large dog pass away from a twisted bowel and it’s a really sudden situation that you want to be insured for. A twisted bowel can happen when large chested dogs (like Great Danes) start to bloat, which is formally known as gastric torsion. 

If you notice ANY bloating in your dog’s stomach, dribbling or if your dog is pacing and/or trying to vomit, contact your vet immediately.

5. Skin Conditions

If your dog has a recurring skin condition, you can expect recurring costs for chronic medication that start to add up as the years go by.

Great Danes are susceptible to a variety of skin conditions. One of the milder conditions could be acral lick dermatitis (as a result of excessive licking), but Great Danes are at risk of developing cancers of the skin, which can often look like harmless skin tags or warts. Again, if you can ensure you are covered for regular, routine veterinary care then you can have an expert keeping an eye on these things before they become too expensive or harmful to your dog.

Prevention and early detection really are the best way to go.

Hopefully having a better understanding of what bringing a Great Dane into your life will entail will help you make an informed decision about which insurance to go for. Ready for some inspiration?

Great insurance with Oneplan

The team over at Oneplan are who you’re going to want to talk to. I have worked closely with them for a while now and I can honestly say that their policies are always drawn up with you and your pet in mind. Your premium is decided based on a solid risk profile analysis and tail-o-made to suit the lifestyle of your pet. Here are some other fantastic benefits:

• Get paid BEFORE you see the vet
• Instant claims through the app
• You can choose the vet you and your dog want to visit
• Pet insurance that also covers day-to-day costs and routine care, not just emergencies
• Zero paperwork. Zero hassle.

Word on the street is they’ve also opened an online pet store for their clients. Read more about the Onepet Premium Pet Store!

Until next time,

The Pet Insurance Team