Patella luxation and VPI insurance - YorkieTalk.com Forums

kkashi82 · 06-23-2008, 08:06 PM

For those with VPI insurance and have/had your Yorkie diagnosed with patella luxation (tibia something ...posilia - can't read the vet's poor writing), were you able to have the insurance cover the surgery?

I just got a second opinion from a vet and was told that the insurance won't cover it. I was told that it's because it's some kind of pre-existing condition.

For all I know, she probably got injured and as a result, her knee cap was dislocated. She never walked funny like she's been lately.

Any help greatly appreciated.

YorkieChick1 · 06-23-2008, 11:51 PM

I have VPI insurance and I have a chihuahua with luxating patellas and they will NOT cover the surgery because it is considered a congenital condition, which they do not cover. It's a bummer because the surgery costs about $3000 per knee!! Yikes!! Good luck!

Gracie2006 · 06-24-2008, 05:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YorkieChick1

I have VPI insurance and I have a chihuahua with luxating patellas and they will NOT cover the surgery because it is considered a congenital condition, which they do not cover. It's a bummer because the surgery costs about $3000 per knee!! Yikes!! Good luck!

Ditto here. Gracie's surgery for both knees at once was about $3800, VPI did not cover one cent.

slantyeyedgirl · 06-24-2008, 05:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gracie2006

Ditto here. Gracie's surgery for both knees at once was about $3800, VPI did not cover one cent.

Did the surgery help fix the luxating patella? My inlaws have a 1 year old yorkie with a level 4 knee. Some people don't think surgery is the best solution, but what else can you do?

Patti · 06-24-2008, 06:08 AM

I have VPI and they will not cover it. Cali has grade 4 LP but has no symptoms. I am NOT advocating this for ANYONE ELSE but after discussion with my vet she said to take a wait and see approach. She said she had a dog with grade 4 LP and she never needed surgery and never had any problems. She said something about when they test for it it is an an artificial situation, they manually manipulate it so sometimes in their day to day life it never occurs. Should Cali show any signs then we would definatley look into our options.

kkashi82 · 06-24-2008, 07:20 PM

Thanks for the replies. What type of VPI plans do you have?

YorkieChick1 · 06-24-2008, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kkashi82

Thanks for the replies. What type of VPI plans do you have?

I have a standard plan.

06-23-2008, 08:06 PM	#1
kkashi82 YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: LAX Posts: 2	Patella luxation and VPI insurance For those with VPI insurance and have/had your Yorkie diagnosed with patella luxation (tibia something ...posilia - can't read the vet's poor writing), were you able to have the insurance cover the surgery? I just got a second opinion from a vet and was told that the insurance won't cover it. I was told that it's because it's some kind of pre-existing condition. For all I know, she probably got injured and as a result, her knee cap was dislocated. She never walked funny like she's been lately. Any help greatly appreciated.

06-23-2008, 11:51 PM	#2
YorkieChick1 Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Bay Area, California Posts: 2,249	I have VPI insurance and I have a chihuahua with luxating patellas and they will NOT cover the surgery because it is considered a congenital condition, which they do not cover. It's a bummer because the surgery costs about $3000 per knee!! Yikes!! Good luck! __________________ Nanci 's her furbabies!! Brooke,Binky,Bunny,Buster & BooBoo And My Chichis: Baby & Bitsy There's nothing that brightens my day more than a puppy kiss!

06-24-2008, 06:08 AM	#5
Patti Donating YT 30K Club Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 35,509 Blog Entries: 6	I have VPI and they will not cover it. Cali has grade 4 LP but has no symptoms. I am NOT advocating this for ANYONE ELSE but after discussion with my vet she said to take a wait and see approach. She said she had a dog with grade 4 LP and she never needed surgery and never had any problems. She said something about when they test for it it is an an artificial situation, they manually manipulate it so sometimes in their day to day life it never occurs. Should Cali show any signs then we would definatley look into our options. __________________ Cali Pixie Roxie : RIP Nikki; RIP Maya;RIP my sweet Dixie girl 1/17/08 http://callipuppyscastle.bravehost.com/index.html

06-24-2008, 07:20 PM	#6
kkashi82 YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: LAX Posts: 2	Thanks for the replies. What type of VPI plans do you have?