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Old 05-16-2022, 08:14 AM   #1
cloudy
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Default Vet fund

How much do you save for a vet fund? I was thinking £300 but wondered what you all do. I am also planning on getting insurance with Exotic Direct just in case of any operations needed.
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Old 05-16-2022, 08:39 AM   #2
Ria P
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Default Re: Vet fund

I'd increase it to at least £500 without insurance. Surgery alone costs around £275. Tests can be expensive as well. A basic consultation is around £30/£35 and a prescription around £12/£15.

I've looked into insurance for hamsters before which works out to around £15 per month per hamster which is quite expensive in my opinion. I'd probably go for it if i'd only have one hamster but with multiple hamsters a good vet fund makes more sense.
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Old 05-16-2022, 08:51 AM   #3
Ria P
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Default Re: Vet fund

Just been thinking that the average life expectancy of a hamster is around 2 years which equals a £360 expenditure in insurance payments calculated at £15 per month.

Considering that diagnosis and treatments in an animal that small is limited, i wonder which is the better option. Insurance or putting the money away into a vet fund. That way it would at least carry over to a future hamster should the fund have remained untouched.
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Old 05-16-2022, 08:52 AM   #4
cloudy
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Default Re: Vet fund

Thank you Ria. I will do that. The vet charges £60 for a consultation as they are an exotic vet. I appreciate your help. I was going to save plus get insurance. The vet said they accept Exotic Direct but I must pay first and then claim back any costs.
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Old 05-16-2022, 09:00 AM   #5
sushi_78
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Default Re: Vet fund

Insurance in most cases won't make sense in pure monetary terms but might be worthwhile for the peace of mind, if you have just one hamster. I believe the excess is about £60, so it won't cover routine vet visits but should cover any expensive treatments. With many hamsters that never need surgery or expensive procedures you technically end up worse off, but the peace of mind knowing that cost shouldn't be a barrier to treatment might have value for you.
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Old 05-16-2022, 09:02 AM   #6
cloudy
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Default Re: Vet fund

Quote:
Originally Posted by sushi_78 View Post
Insurance in most cases won't make sense in pure monetary terms but might be worthwhile for the peace of mind, if you have just one hamster. I believe the excess is about £60, so it won't cover routine vet visits but should cover any expensive treatments. With many hamsters that never need surgery or expensive procedures you technically end up worse off, but the peace of mind knowing that cost shouldn't be a barrier to treatment might have value for you.
Thank you Sushi. What concerns me is if a hamster has a health condition. If I had insurance then it would give me peace of mind. I read that Exotic Direct do not pay unless treatment is above £60. I just worry about things like Cushings as that sounds quite complex.
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Old 05-16-2022, 09:31 AM   #7
Ria P
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Default Re: Vet fund

Quote:
Originally Posted by cloudy View Post
Thank you Sushi. What concerns me is if a hamster has a health condition. If I had insurance then it would give me peace of mind. I read that Exotic Direct do not pay unless treatment is above £60. I just worry about things like Cushings as that sounds quite complex.
I think you'd need to look into the terms and policies of an insurance quite closely to find out what is covered and what is not. You'd also need to know if a pre existing health condition would be covered. For example a hydro hamster would be more likely to suffer from health issues than a hamster born without this condition.

It may also be a good idea to get some info from the vet surgery to find out about prices. For example the cost of aneasthesia, an ultrasound scan, blood test etc.
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Old 05-16-2022, 09:44 AM   #8
cloudy
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Default Re: Vet fund

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ria P View Post
I think you'd need to look into the terms and policies of an insurance quite closely to find out what is covered and what is not. You'd also need to know if a pre existing health condition would be covered. For example a hydro hamster would be more likely to suffer from health issues than a hamster born without this condition.

It may also be a good idea to get some info from the vet surgery to find out about prices. For example the cost of aneasthesia, an ultrasound scan, blood test etc.
That is a good tip. Thank you for that.
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Old 05-16-2022, 10:00 AM   #9
cloudy
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Default Re: Vet fund

The vet said an ultrasound is £85. They do not generally do blood tests on hamsters but if it needed it can be discussed. They said any specialist treatment would be referred to an exotic specialist.
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Old 05-16-2022, 10:11 AM   #10
LunaTheHamster1
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Default Re: Vet fund

I've looked into insurance before Cloudy. I think in the end I decided I was better off just putting it into a bank account.

It is good that you are thinking more in the sense of hundreds of pounds, I often see people say approx£75 for a vet fund, and I'm like that won't go far if you need treatment and to go back for a follow up appointment.
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