Does Pet Insurance Cover Orthopedic Conditions?

It can be emotional to watch a beloved pet suffering from an orthopedic condition like elbow or hip dysplasia, luxating patella, fractures, tendon or ligament injuries, or osteoarthritis. Such conditions can be expensive to treat.

However, having a pet insurance policy like MetLife Pet’s can help make navigating orthopedic problems in dogs less stressful by reimbursing you for related treatment and recovery costs covered under your policy

MetLife Pet Insurance Can Help Cover Costs Associated With Orthopedic Problems in Dogs

Depending on the details of your policy, if your dog is diagnosed with an orthopedic condition, you may be able to get reimbursed for covered exams, surgeries, lab work, and medications once your waiting period ends. Those costs can add up quickly, especially if a surgical procedure is required.

It’s important to note that pre-existing conditions typically aren't covered by pet insurance. But MetLife Pet may cover a pre-existing orthopedic condition if it was previously covered by another provider and you switch to one of our policies through your employer.

Plus, MetLife Pet offers a Preventive Care plan add-on that can help cover vitamins and supplements, which might benefit your dog’s joint health and help them have a lesser chance of struggling with orthopedic issues later.

How Much Do Common Orthopedic Problems in Dogs Cost?

The costs you may face when dealing with orthopedic problems in dogs depend on several factors, including which specific issue your dog is dealing with, how severe it is, and the dog’s size and genetics.

For example, hip dysplasia surgery for dogs can cost between $1,200 and $6,000. When a dog injures their cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL) — also known as their ACL — the surgery may cost up to $5,000. But with a pet insurance policy, the cost of those surgeries could be mostly covered.

Other treatments for orthopedic problems in dogs include therapy and medications, which can also be covered by pet insurance.

How MetLife Pet has helped real policyholders with their dog’s orthopedic conditions

When an Irish setter named Rico needed surgery for his hip dysplasia, the cost of surgery was about $2,700. Rico’s owners had a MetLife Pet Insurance policy, which covered around $2,400 of the surgery costs.¹

No pet parent should have to choose between their furry friend’s well-being and worrying about coming up with thousands of dollars. Having a MetLife Pet policy meant Rico’s people could focus more on his recovery than the financial implications.

FAQs on Orthopedic Problems in Dogs

You might still have some questions about orthopedic conditions in dogs and how a pet insurance policy works in those scenarios. We’ve got you covered.

What’s the most common orthopedic injury in dogs?

The answer to this may vary depending on which veterinary expert you talk to, but a torn cruciate ligament is a very common orthopedic injury in dogs.

These injuries can be chronic, following a slow degeneration of the ligament over time, or acute if a dog quickly changes direction during playtime or running.

What’s the most common orthopedic surgery in dogs?

As mentioned above, a cruciate ligament injury is fairly common in dogs, and when that happens, one of the surgical options is a tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO).

This common surgical procedure stabilizes the dog’s knee joint and can help restore mobility. And with many pet insurance policies, it’s usually covered.

Will pet insurance cover my dog’s orthopedic injury?

The specifics will of course vary depending on your policy and insurer, but any orthopedic condition or injury that isn’t a pre-existing condition can typically be covered.

Take MetLife Pet’s plan, for example. If your dog is diagnosed with an orthopedic condition — like a ligament injury — during your coverage term, any diagnostics, procedures, and medications may be covered. Other alternative, holistic therapies may also be covered.

MetLife Pet Can Help With Unexpected Vet Costs

We all wish our dogs could remain healthy and injury-free forever. But for those moments when they need orthopedic care, a dog insurance policy can make things a little easier.

Get a free quote today for your custom policy price and help ensure your dog is protected for the future.