Breed-Specific Conditions and Pet Insurance for Jack Russell Terriers

The Jack Russell Terrier is a smaller breed of dog known for being intelligent, inquisitive, active, and alert. They need quite a bit of exercise and engagement, but when given the right care, make very loving and devoted companions. The breed derives from dogs originally bred for hunting foxes and is named after the Reverend Jack Russell of England. In addition to being fast and good at tracking scents, these terriers have short legs and great digging skills to go after foxes that have hidden in burrows or holes. They're generally a healthy breed as a whole, but like most pure breeds today, dogs from this heritage may face a number of specific conditions as they reach the breed's average age of 14 to 16.

Due to genetics, dogs can develop serious health concerns even with the best care and diet. These are often called breed-specific conditions by vets and dog owners alike. In Jack Russell Terriers, eye problems, seasonal and food allergies, skin disorders, and dental diseases all seem to have a hereditary link. Due to their wide genetic background, most Jack Russell Terriers still have a relatively low risk of any of these conditions. But since even one serious disease or condition can lead to high vet bills, you'll want pet insurance to protect yourself and your beloved pup. The key is finding an insurance policy that includes all of the illnesses your pet is at risk for due to their breed. Find out more about breed-specific conditions and how to find pet insurance to address them.

Common Breed-Specific Conditions in Jack Russell Terriers

Jack Russell Terriers have been less closely bred than many other dog breeds, resulting in greater genetic diversity. This is especially true for the type known as Parson Russell Terriers. Yet most lines of purebred dogs from this breed are still at risk for a number of health conditions, including the following.

Patellar Luxation

You might notice that your canine friend sometimes stops and lifts a back leg for a few hops before returning to their normal running or walking pattern. This is a sign that they're experiencing a knee problem known as a luxating patella. The patella is the knee cap, problems with it can occur in humans as well. When your Jack Russell Terrier develops this issue, they may yelp with pain or struggle to straighten the leg. There are four grades of severity and treatment can range from joint supplements to surgery.

Legg-Calvé-Perthes Disease

While the previous problem can develop over the years and affect an older dog, Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease strikes when your dog is still young. It's a hip problem more common in smaller dog breeds like Jack Russell Terriers. The ball part of the leg's femoral bone begins to break down due to a loss of blood vessels. It often starts in one hip and then expands to the other. Your dog will have trouble bearing weight on its back legs and eventually struggle to use them at all. Only surgery can restore your pet's health.

Lens Luxation

The lens of the eye refracts light to help the optical nerve pick up the right signals. Unfortunately, Jack Russell Terriers tend to inherit a condition where this lens comes loose. The result is a lot of pain for the dog and a sudden loss of vision in the affected eye or eyes. However, some lex luxation cases involve no pain and little permanent impact on vision. Only a vet can determine what's going on with your dog's eyes, so it's important to visit regularly for exams. This breed also has a high incidence of cataracts as well. Both eye conditions can be resolved with surgery and other treatments.

Canine Atopic Dermatitis

While up to 15% of the total dog population deals with this problem at some point, it's particularly common in Jack Russell Terriers. This can occur due to food and seasonal allergies, contact with irritating substances, reactions to shampoos or flea treatments, or no particular reason at all. You'll find your dog itching itself more and more as hair is lost and redness appears on the skin. The vet will need to narrow down the causes and may recommend a wide range of treatments like sprays, creams, and washes to reduce inflammation.

Deafness

Deafness as a hereditary illness in these dogs can occur from birth. However, you may not notice your dog doesn't have its full hearing until later in life. There's often nothing in particular that can be done for cases of congenital deafness. If your dog still has some hearing left, there may be treatment options to boost their ability to hear your verbal commands. Your vet can also explain other methods of communicating with your dog that don't rely on sounds.

The Importance of Pet Insurance for Jack Russell Terriers

Pet insurance is a good idea for all pets, including smaller dogs like Jack Russell Terriers. This breed in particular is known for being energetic and adventurous. Unfortunately, that can sometimes translate to your pet doing things that lead them into trouble. Diving off a pier or trying to chase a pest could leave your favorite pup with an unexpected injury. Some hereditary disorders like patellar luxation also tend to kick in after a traumatic injury. Having a solid pet insurance policy is the best way to ensure you can always afford the necessary care for your fearless and fun-loving dog. The costs of treating breed-specific conditions can certainly stretch your pet care budget.

Atopic dermatitis might be the most affordable if your dog responds well to a simple steroid cream, but ongoing allergy testing to narrow down the cause of the itchiness can quickly inflate the total cost by hundreds of dollars. Surgery for a luxating patella can cost anywhere from $400 to over $1,000. Extracting a slipped lens from your dog's eye could cost you between $500 and $3,000, and that's per eye. Other treatments for similar eye problems tend to have price tags of a few hundred dollars each as well. Due to the complexity of the surgery, treatment for Legg-Calvé-Perthes Disease can cost between $2,000 and $3,000. Extended vet care is often needed after surgery so your pet doesn't reinjure itself, which can add on $500 to $1,000.

Reading the stories of other Jack Russell Terrier owners may convince you of the benefit of pet insurance for this breed. It will only take a few testimonies about the high costs of treatment for the joint problems and eye surgeries for you to make up your mind. Even if you set aside savings for the future care of your pet, it's possible that the cost will rise enough to outpace your efforts. Pet insurance covers the cost of the procedure no matter how it changes with time, as long as you keep up with the monthly premiums. There's far less chance of getting caught off guard by a procedure that used to come with a lower cost.

Understanding Pet Insurance Coverage

Pet insurance works similarly in many ways to any other kind of insurance. You can pay a monthly or annual premium depending on what best fits your budget. Most plans work through reimbursement. This means you'll pay your vet at the time of treatment and then file for the money back from the insurance company. You can use a credit card to make the payment at most vet's offices, allowing you to pay off that debt with the reimbursed amount. If you want the insurance company to directly pay for the treatment, that's possible with certain plans. Make sure you understand the form of pet insurance you're buying before you pay for it.

Aside from the reimbursement method for the plan, pet insurance also varies by coverage. Accident-only is the lowest level of protection and covers sudden traumatic injuries like car accidents, falls, and attacks by other animals. Accident and illness coverage generally includes everything in the accident-only package plus protection for a wide range of common illnesses. For most pet insurance companies, you'll want full comprehensive coverage to ensure all hereditary and unexpected conditions are included. This kind of package also tends to include all your pet's routine immunizations, dental care, eye exams, and may even pay for their spaying or neutering.

Before springing for the highest level of coverage to show your dog how much you care, consider what you really need based on your budget. Pet parents with plenty of savings may only need accident coverage to ensure that big injuries don't leave their bank accounts drained. For others, the monthly cost of comprehensive coverage is well worth the protection against unexpected bills. It's all up to you to find the best balance between monthly premium costs and potential vet bills.

How to Find Pet Insurance for Jack Russell Terriers

Start out by doing some basic research on the pet insurance providers you're considering. You should read testimonials and reviews from real pet owners to find out what kind of service to expect from each. Some companies can take weeks or months to process claims from members, while others pride themselves on rapid responses or immediate payment. You also want to see clear explanations of the details of each plan on the provider's website. If you can't find the details and don't see anywhere to request more information, you might run into trouble when trying to use your plan.

Compare similar coverage plans from different companies. Some pet insurance providers may charge less than you expect for comprehensive coverage, while others may have higher prices for even accident-only policies. But consider more than just premium costs per month or year. If a plan has a high deductible or payment sharing arrangement, you'll get less benefit from it than one with a low deductible. You may also decide it's worth paying a little more in premiums for a company that provides fast responses to claims.

Make sure to check the specific limits and exclusions for all plans. The ads for pet insurance companies will tell you what's included in each plan, but they'll rarely list everything that's excluded. You'll usually find these policy details on the provider's website. Excluded treatments, surgeries, and medications will all come from your pocket. If you find a plan that excludes eye surgeries or joint treatments, it's likely not a good fit for Jack Russell Terriers.

Request quotes from a wide range of pet insurance companies before settling on a particular provider. You'll want to get quotes that are tailored to your dog's breed whenever possible for the most accurate premium price. Look for a company that allows you to tailor your coverage to the specific needs of your pet as well. Some companies will allow you to pick up extra coverage for conditions or risks common to your dog in particular. If nothing else, make sure you're getting dental and vision coverage as part of your policy. Jack Russell Terriers tend to live longer and healthier lives with regular dental cleanings, just like all dogs.

Summary

As an active breed that can get into mischief, Jack Russell Terrier owners can give themselves more peace of mind by getting pet insurance. A monthly premium is well worth the savings when you need to take your pet in for something serious. While you need to support your dog's health with a balanced diet and plenty of exercise as well, routine vet treatments are the key to avoiding joint issues and eye problems that can be common in the breed. Don't let a vet bill stress you or affect your budget when pet insurance offers an option for dealing with unexpected costs that pop up in the future. Protect your Jack Russell Terrier for its entire lifespan by setting up your insurance policy as soon as you bring your new puppy home.