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The “American-made” Chesapeake Bay Retriever is a rough and tough pup, bred to hunt all day in the Eastern seaboard chill. These hunting dogs like to run and chase and particularly enjoy swimming. Chessies love their people, but they need to be active and mentally stimulated to be happy. Otherwise, they might find their own entertainment in destroying your couch or chasing bikers and joggers.
The Chesapeake Bay Retriever breed is typically a healthy one, but as with most dogs, they’re predisposed to certain medical conditions. While these health issues can be expensive to treat, you may be able to cover the high costs if you invest in pet insurance for your dog early.
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when it comes to choosing the right pet insurance plan for your beloved Retriever. This guide will help you select a plan that covers everything you want it to, so you can be there for your dog when they need you most.
Compare The Top 9 Pet Insurance Plans for Your Chesapeake Bay Retriever Using our Free No-Obligation Quote Tool below
The simplest way to compare pet insurance prices is to use our tool below. The comparison tool will show you quotes from the top 9 pet insurance carriers, including Trupanion, Pets Best, Lemonade, ManyPets, FIGO, HealthyPaws, Prudent Pet, Spot, and Embrace pet insurance.
How Much Does Pet Insurance for a Chesapeake Bay Retriever Cost?
Below are some sample pet insurance plans for a 1-year-old male Chesapeake Bay Retriever using the zip code 75001 (Texas) as an example.
Ultimately, your plan’s premium will depend on several factors, including your dog’s age, size, and breed, as well as where you live. You also want to know what type of coverage your plan has and if it will help with Chesapeake Bay Retriever-specific health problems. Let’s get more into those medical conditions and how much you can expect to pay to treat them.
Common Health Problems Associated With Chesapeake Bay Retrievers
Degenerative Myelopathy in Chesapeake Bay Retrievers
Degenerative Myelopathy is a progressive disease of the spinal cord, where the supportive tissue degenerates. It’s often misdiagnosed as IVDD (intervertebral disc disease) or another condition because symptoms initially present as osteoarthritis. However, Degenerative Myelopathy eventually progresses to paralysis of the limbs, ultimately leaving the affected dog immobile and unable to stand.
Tragically, there is not yet a cure for Degenerative Myelopathy. It typically affects older Chesapeake Bay Retrievers (aged 8-11), but there are exceptions. Ideally, dogs carrying the mutated gene that leads to this disease would not be bred, so make sure your Chessie comes from a reputable breeder or rescue organization.
Ear Infections in Chesapeake Bay Retrievers
Because they have droopy ears and spend a lot of time swimming (especially if your Chessie is a hunting dog), this breed is prone to ear infections. There are several causes of ear infections, including allergies, hypothyroidism, trauma, ear mites, and bacteria.
Otitis externa (a.k.a. an outer ear infection) leads to inflammation in the infected ears. Your dog will experience pain and redness outside the ear canal, and their ears will develop an odor. There may also be a black or yellowish discharge.
Untreated infections can worsen and affect your dog’s hearing or balance.
RELATED: “Swimmer’s Ear” in Dogs: What You NEED To Know
Gastric Torsion (a.k.a. “Bloat”) in Chesapeake Bay Retrievers
Gastric Torsion (a.k.a. “bloat”) occurs when your dog’s stomach fills too rapidly with gas, food, or fluid. Bloat is a sudden, life-threatening condition where the stomach can twist, blocking the organ’s entrance and exit. It can even obstruct blood flow, which is a medical emergency.
Larger, deep-chested dogs like the Chesapeake Bay Retriever are more likely to suffer from this condition. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential when it comes to gastric torsion. Preventative measures, like regular exercise, proper diet, and not eating or drinking too quickly help as well.
If you notice any of these warning signs, you should take your Chessie to the vet right away:
- Swollen belly
- Rapid heartbeat
- Difficulty breathing
- Collapse
Hip Dysplasia in Chesapeake Bay Retrievers
Hip Dysplasia is one of the most common orthopedic problems in larger breed dogs, including Chesapeake Bay Retrievers. The hip joint is a ball and socket joint, and hip dysplasia causes malformation of the two components. That makes it difficult for your dog to walk, and the chronic laxity can cause abnormal wear, which leads to osteoarthritis.
The earlier you have your Chessie diagnosed, the better their outcome will be. Pet insurance often covers annual exams. If the condition worsens, it may require surgery.
Typical Costs Of Treating Health Issues In Chesapeake Bay Retrievers and How Pet Insurance Can Help
If left untreated, many of the health conditions listed above can result in long-term consequences and even require surgery, which ultimately makes them more expensive to manage. Selecting a pet insurance plan suited for your Chesapeake Bay Retriever’s particular needs might save you tons of money on medical costs.
Here are just some sample veterinary expenses for Chesapeake Bay Retrievers:
- Degenerative Myelopathy Costs: Most of the costs for this disease are in diagnosing it since there is sadly no cure. Things like x-rays, other imaging, and neurology specialist appointments to rule out other causes of the symptoms could total $2,000-$4,000. Treatment will be for the concurrent conditions like arthritis or hip dysplasia.
- Ear Infection Costs: Many dogs will have more than one type of infection present, so treatment will require multiple medications. The average cost of treatment is ~$150. Total Ear Canal Ablation (TECA) is a surgical option that involves removing the ear canal with the diseased tissue to prevent the recurrence of ear infections. Surgery is only necessary in chronic cases but could cost $3,000 – $5,000. If you have a Chesapeake Bay Retriever, you should clean/check your dog’s ears regularly and make sure your pet insurance covers exams and related treatments.
- Gastric Torsion (“Bloat”) Costs: If your dog’s stomach has twisted, it will probably need emergency surgery to untwist it. The average cost of treating a bloat case with surgery runs between $2,000 and $5,000. If there are complications, the cost could be even higher. Pet insurance with emergency coverage can literally be life-saving in this case.
- Hip Dysplasia Costs: The cost of surgery for hip dysplasia can range from $4,000 to $6,000 per hip. Surgical options include Triple Pelvic Osteotomy, Femoral Head Osteotomy, and Juvenile Pubic Symphysiodesis, all costing thousands of dollars. Without surgery, your dog will suffer discomfort and eventually severe pain. Pet insurance may cover those costs.
Knowing the signs and symptoms of these conditions common in Chesapeake Bay Retrievers can help you catch them early, saving your dog and your money. When in doubt, take your pup to the vet to have them diagnosed.
What Is Pet Health Insurance And Why Do I Need It For My Chesapeake Bay Retriever?
Pet health insurance works very similarly to human health insurance. Your policy quote will range in monthly price, depending on your dog’s breed, age, and where you live. Typically, you’ll spend around $15-$103 per month as a pet parent.
Pet insurance is mainly about peace of mind, knowing you won’t be totally overwhelmed in case of an emergency. Enrolling even when your dog is young and healthy will ensure you have plenty of coverage when they need expensive medical care later. If you choose a plan more suited to your dog’s particular breed, you’ll be more prepared when something happens later on in their life.
Some plans cover accidents and illnesses, while others only cover accidents. Certain plans do cover breed-specific illnesses, and others do not. It all depends on what type of coverage you choose. With our free pet insurance comparison tool, you can get quotes from multiple insurance companies with no obligation to commit.
Whatever plan you choose, you’ll feel better knowing you can take care of your dog when they need you most. Plus, you won’t have to suddenly shell out thousands of dollars. Learn more about how pet insurance works here.
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