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Content warning: This article includes real images from a post-surgery procedure that some readers may find sensitive.
Krista thought it would be just another regular, quiet Saturday night. But her two-year-old tabby, Teddy, had other ideas.
The short-haired domestic cat Teddy from St. John’s, Newfoundland, is a whirlwind of energy. He roughhouses with his siblings, chases anything that moves, and is basically a professional treat beggar.
“He’s full of energy and mischief,” Krista says.
But one Saturday night, that playful curiosity almost cost Teddy his life.
When Curiosity Goes Too Far
Krista was holding a long, thin strip of plastic when Teddy snatched it from her hand. Before anyone could react, Teddy had swallowed it.
And not just a little nibble. Nope! All 13 inches of it.
What followed was a nerve-wracking case of foreign body ingestion, a common (and often urgent) accident in young, curious cats.
Knowing this could be dangerous, Krista rushed Teddy to the on-call emergency veterinarian.
The first attempt? Inducing vomiting. But no luck. The plastic wasn’t coming back up on its own.
With a long, thin object stuck in his digestive tract, waiting it out was risky. The vet recommended immediate surgery to remove it.
The $8,000 Decision
Krista’s heart was already racing, first for Teddy, then for her wallet. The surgery estimate came in at $8,000 to $10,000.
“When they told me the price, I was incredibly stressed,” Krista says.
With Teddy’s life potentially on the line, there was no time to shop around. In cases of foreign body ingestion like this, objects can cause serious blockages or internal damage if not treated quickly. Surgery was the safest option.
Thankfully, Teddy had Furkin Pet Insurance.
Teddy post-surgery, with the 13-inch piece of plastic removed from his stomach.
How Furkin Helped
After Teddy’s surgery, submitting the claim online was almost as easy as Teddy begging for treats. Within a week and a half, 80% of that $8,000 surgery was safely back in Krista’s bank account.
“The process was very easy,” she says.
Without that support, the situation could have looked very different.
“If we didn’t have a Furkin policy, we would not have been able to afford the surgery, and Teddy may have died trying to pass the long piece of plastic.”
Today, Teddy’s back to his full-time job of causing chaos: chasing, pouncing, and plotting his next snack heist, and reminding Krista that no piece of plastic is safe on her watch.
Why Pet Insurance Matters
Cats are curious, life is unpredictable, and vet bills from accidents like foreign body ingestion can pile up fast.
With Furkin, Krista didn’t have to worry about the cost, just Teddy. And that made all the difference.
“I wholeheartedly recommend Furkin Pet Insurance.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Furkin different than other pet insurance providers?▶
Furkin is some of the most comprehensive pet health insurance available in Canada, with coverage for accidents (e.g., hit by a car, etc.), illnesses (e.g., cancer, diabetes, etc.), and emergencies. Furkin's additional coverage separates us from the competition:
- Exam fees and taxes are covered
- Telehealth Support 24/7 Access: If you have an unexpected medical situation, you can call our Telehealth Support number to talk to a veterinary nurse.
- Advertising and Reward for a Lost Pet: If your pet is missing for at least 48 hours, we will reimburse the costs of advertising or reward money up to $1,000 annually to help you find your fur baby.
- Boarding Fees: If you or a family member living in the same household are hospitalized for at least 48 hours as a result of an accident or illness, Furkin will cover the boarding fees for your fur baby with a limit of $1,000 per incident.
- Holiday/Trip Cancellation: If your fur baby needs life-saving treatment for an eligible accident or illness within 7 days before your scheduled departure and it results in a cancellation of your holiday/trip, we will reimburse travel and accommodation costs up to $1,000 per incident.
- Petriage Online Subscription: This is an online pet “triaging” software application, that will give you instant, actionable information about your pet’s health instead of searching the web.
- Cremation and/or Burial: If in the unfortunate circumstances that your veterinarian recommends your pet be medically euthanized, Furkin will cover up to $1,000 of the cost of cremation and/or burial.
- Planted in Memory: If your pet should pass away while your coverage is in effect, we will plant a tree in the memory of your beloved fur baby.
For more information about everything that makes Furkin great, you can read our Sample Policy. Petriage and Telehealth Support are third-party service providers.
How long does it take to get reimbursed for my claim?▶
We will process your claims as quickly as possible! Your first claim, or some more complex claims, can take longer as we may need to contact your veterinarian for more information (such as requesting medical records from your clinic). Once we start our review and have all the needed information, the claim will likely be processed in the next 14 business days.
Can I use any veterinary clinic?▶
Yes, with Furkin you can go to any licensed veterinary office in Canada or the United States. This includes referral and emergency hospitals. Your policy will also provide coverage for any eligible accident or illness which occurs while your furry companion is in the United States of America, Canada, or any other region under U.S. or Canadian government control, such as military installations/bases in foreign countries.
