Does Pet Insurance Cover Bloat Surgery?

As humans, many of us have experienced that bloated, uncomfortable feeling where our stomachs stretch after eating a big meal. Dogs can experience bloat too, but the condition can be quite serious and require medical attention.

In many cases, dogs need surgery to treat bloat, and it can get quite expensive.

You may be wondering whether pet insurance covers the cost of bloat surgery. The answer to that question depends on several factors, including the type of pet insurance policy you have and when the condition began.

Here, we'll talk about when pet insurance will and won't cover bloat surgery. We'll also walk you through the costs involved, so you know what to expect if you're forced to pick up the tab yourself.

What Is Bloat in Dogs?

Bloat, also known as gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), occurs when food or gas causes a dog's stomach to expand. When this happens, it can cut off blood flow to the abdomen and stomach itself, severely damaging the stomach and other organs. Bloat can also put pressure on the diaphragm, making it hard for an affected dog to breathe.

In severe cases, bloat can cause a dog's stomach to twist and fill with gas. This is called gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV). When this happens, blood flow is typically cut off from the lower half of the body. In severe cases of GDV, a dog’s stomach can rupture.

For these reasons, bloat is generally considered a life-threatening emergency, and treatment should not be delayed. Waiting even a few hours to treat bloat could have catastrophic results.

Signs and Symptoms of Bloat

Because bloat is such a serious condition in dogs, it's important to recognize what its symptoms look like. Common warning signs of bloat may include:

• A swollen abdomen, which may not be visible during the early stages
• Dry heaving or retching without vomiting actual food, with or without white foam
• Pacing, restlessness, or an inability to settle and get comfortable
• Positioning the body downward (think of the downward dog position in yoga, only accompanied by other signs of distress)
• Excessive drooling
• Panting or rapid breathing
• Weakness or collapsing
• Rapid heart rate
• Pale gums

Some of these symptoms can occur due to reasons other than bloat. Dry heaving, for example, can be caused by a gastrointestinal issue, while downward dog positioning without signs of distress can be a dog's way of stretching or relaxing. But if you have any reason to suspect bloat in your dog, it's crucial that you take them to be seen at once.

Dog Bloat Surgery Cost

Treating bloat often requires emergency surgery and hospitalization. Typical costs may range from $1,500 to $7,500, though the cost will depend on the severity of your dog's condition and other factors. If there are complications from GDV surgery or if intensive care is required, your bill could be higher.

In addition to the procedure itself, bloat surgery costs commonly include the following:

• An emergency exam
• Blood tests and X-rays
• Monitoring during and after surgery

When Pet Insurance Covers GDV Surgery

You may be wondering: Does pet insurance cover bloat surgery? For many dog owners, the whole purpose of having pet insurance is to cover emergency care. And it's very common for accident and illness pet insurance plans to cover emergency surgery for bloat.

Your pet insurance policy may cover not just the GDV surgery itself, but also:

• Tests to diagnose bloat
• Hospitalization
• Post-operative care

Pet insurance coverage may apply when:

• Your policy was fully in place before bloat symptoms started
• Your dog did not have pre-existing signs of bloat
• Your policy includes coverage for illness and injuries
• You're beyond your policy's waiting period

However, just because your pet insurance policy covers bloat doesn't mean you'll be reimbursed in full for your dog's treatment. The amount you're reimbursed will depend on your plan's limits and reimbursement percentage. Some plans, for example, only reimburse 80% or 90% of costs, leaving you to foot the rest of the bill yourself.

It's also common for pet insurance policies to have a deductible. You'll need to meet that deductible before your insurer reimburses you for your pet's care.

Pet insurance deductibles can range from $0 to $1,000 but often fall within the $100 to $500 range. Given the cost of bloat surgery, it's likely that you'd be looking at a substantial bill even after meeting your deductible.

Situations Where Bloat Surgery May Not Be Covered

While it's common for pet insurance to cover bloat surgery, it's not guaranteed. You may not get your dog's bloat surgery covered when:

• It's a pre-existing condition and your dog was displaying signs of bloat before you acquired your policy
• You're in your insurance policy's waiting period
• You've already maxed out your policy's annual or lifetime limit
• You have a wellness-only pet insurance policy

It's a good idea to familiarize yourself with your pet insurance policy's rules and coverage limits so you know what to expect.

Preventive Gastropexy and Insurance Coverage

If your dog is at a high risk for bloat, your vet may recommend preventive gastropexy, a surgical procedure that attaches the stomach to the abdominal wall to prevent it from twisting. This procedure can be performed on its own or during spay or neuter surgery.

Preventive gastropexy typically costs $400 to $2,000. Combining it with neutering could increase the total cost to $1,200 to $3,200.

If you have an accident and illness pet insurance policy, it may not cover preventive surgery for bloat. However, if you have a wellness plan, your policy may pick up the tab, since these policies are meant to cover preventive care. Your best bet is always to check with your insurance provider to see what coverage you're eligible for.

Breeds at Higher Risk for Bloat

Large dogs with deep chests are at a higher risk for bloat/GDV. Some common high-risk breeds include:

• Great Danes
• German Shepherds
• Saint Bernards
• Weimaraners
• Irish Setters
• Doberman Pinschers
• Gordon Setters
• Old English Sheepdogs
• Rottweilers
• Standard Poodles
• Bloodhounds
• Irish Wolfhounds
• Golden Retrievers

How Pet Insurance Reimbursement Works

With human insurance, you often pay a copay only at the time you receive treatment. With pet insurance, you generally have to pay your bill in its entirety at the time you receive treatment and then submit a claim to your pet insurer for reimbursement.

It can then take several weeks or longer for your pet insurance company to cut you a check. At that point, you'll be eligible for whatever percentage your insurance policy covers once your deductible has been met.

Let's say bloat surgery costs $6,000 and you've already met your $200 deductible for the year. If your policy reimburses 90%, you'll still be left with a $600 bill. That's why it's so important to maintain a pet emergency fund.

The Bottom Line on Pet Insurance and Bloat Surgery Coverage

Bloat and GDV are life-threatening emergencies for a dog. Surgery is needed quickly, and it can be costly.

The good news is that many pet insurance policies cover bloat surgery as long as you're not looking at a pre-existing condition and you're out of your waiting period. But it's important to know what your policy covers and what reimbursement to expect. It's also a good idea to talk to your vet about preventive strategies for bloat, especially if your dog is at a higher risk.

Of course, any time you're getting emergency pet care, the cost can be significant. But remember, bloat is something you can't afford to wait on. If your dog is showing signs, you need to get them treated at once. If you don't have pet insurance, many facilities will work with you on a payment plan so you can get your dog the care they n