iHeartDogs is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.
The Weimaraner is like an adorable shadow, and their tendency to always be by your side is what earned these dogs the nickname “Gray Ghost.” Made famous by photographer William Wegman’s Weimaraner pictures, this dog is low maintenance, intelligent, and easy to train. Weimaraners are also excellent with kids.
Unfortunately, like with most dogs, the Weimaraner breed is 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 Weimaraner. 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 Weimaraner 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 Weimaraner Cost?
Below are some sample pet insurance plans for a 1-year-old male Weimaraner 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 Weimaraner-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 Weimaraners
Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy (HOD) in Weimaraners
Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy is a painful bone disease that affects young, rapidly growing puppies between 8 weeks to eight months of age. Weimaraners are at a higher risk than most dogs of having this disease, so it may be inherited.
Signs your Weimaraner is suffering from HOD vary depending on the severity of the condition. In mild cases, the puppy will have a slight limp and experience pain in the affected bone. Puppies with worse cases might refuse to bear weight, and if multiple limbs are affected, they might even be reluctant to rise from lying down.
Other physical indications of Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy include weight loss and fever. Their leg bones may be visibly swollen or warm to the touch.
Again, HOD is a very painful condition, and because it could cost several thousand dollars to treat, many who simply can’t afford the high costs opt to relieve their dog’s suffering through sympathetic euthanasia. Pet insurance can make a huge difference in covering those treatment costs for dogs that can “grow out of” HOD with sufficient pain relief treatments.
Entropion in Weimaraners
Usually an inherited condition, Entropion is an eye problem common in the Weimaraner breed. Entropion occurs when the eyelids roll inwards, causing your dog’s eyelashes and facial hair to rub against their cornea. Entropion can lead to corneal ulcerations, scarring, discomfort, and impaired vision if not treated.
Wobbler Syndrome in Weimaraners
Also known as cervical spondylomyelopathy, this is a neurological condition of the spinal cord and neck. Dogs with Wobbler Syndrome experience compression of the spinal cord and the spinal nerve roots, which causes nervous system issues and/or neck pain. This condition typically affects large and giant breeds like the Weimaraner.
Afflicted dogs might have a “wobbly” gait and walk with their head down (a sign of pain.) In more advanced stages of the disease, all four limbs can be affected, and your Weimaraner may have difficulty getting up or staying standing.
Gastric Torsion (a.k.a. “Bloat”) in Weimaraners
Gastric Torson (aka “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.
Bloat more commonly affects large and giant breed dogs like Weimaraners. 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 Weimaraner to the vet right away:
- Swollen belly
- Rapid heartbeat
- Difficulty breathing
- Collapse
Typical Costs Of Treating Health Issues In Weimaraner 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 Weimaraner’s particular needs might save you tons of money on medical costs.
Here are just some sample veterinary expenses for Weimaraners:
- Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy (HOD) Costs: Treatment is all about pain relief. It may consist of IV fluid therapy, anti-inflammatory drugs, or corticosteroids. In more severe cases, the vet may prescribe narcotics like hydromorphone or fentanyl. Extreme cases of HOD could mean your dog requires hospitalization (overnight stays average $1,200) and ongoing treatment for weeks to months. Because the costs for treating severe cases of this disease can reach into the thousands, it’s crucial to invest in pet insurance early, so you don’t have to make an impossible choice.
- Entropion Costs: Fortunately, this condition can be permanently corrected with surgery, but it will likely range in cost from $1,100 to $2,000.
- Wobbler Syndrome Costs: If your Weimaraner has this condition, they’ll need medical management for the rest of their life. Non-surgical treatments involve activity restriction and pain medications to reduce inflammation. They might need physiotherapy to maintain muscle mass. In severe cases, surgery may be necessary to fuse the unstable segments of the cervical spine. This surgery costs $5,000 – $6,000 on average.
- 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.
Knowing the signs and symptoms of these conditions common in Weimaraners 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 Weimaraner?
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.
Pet Insurance Carrier Comparisons
Breed Pet Insurance
Pet Insurance by City
Pet Insurance by State