VPI for bloodwork

[kbun]

Hi! We’ve had VPI insurance on our bunny since we adopted him 4 years ago. He just turned 5 (we think) and at his checkup today he lost weight (now at 3.96lbs vs he’s always been above 4lbs and usually more in 4.2lbs range). The vet ordered bloodwork which she said she usually suggests after 5 years of age anyway, but also because of his weight loss.

I asked her if there was any coverage under VPI and she said she has heard good things and she will put that it’s because of weight loss. I was going to call VPI as well but I’m curious if people have had successful experiences getting some coverage (and if so, how it may be best to describe in the vets’ bill)? She mentioned testing for kidney function etc.

Thanks!

[Bam]

I don’t have VPI, but my bun’s insurance covered blood work when my bun was sick with a respiratory infection. If your bun has lost weight spontaneously, blood work would be a good way to find out what’s afoot. I reckon they’ll check liver and kidney function, possibly infectious markers as well. There would be no better or more cost-efficient diagnostic tool.

With my bun, the blood tests came back positive for infection but good liver- and kidney function. If the blood tests had shown sth off with his kidneys as well, he could not have had metacam (which he got together with other meds that completely cured his infection), so blood tests are also important to determine what meds a bun can tolerate.

You have good reason to suspect sth is up with your bun (the weight loss), your vet agrees your worries have merit and chooses the best way to try and diagnose him. I’d say those arguments are pretty strong, but read the terms of your insurance before you call them so you know what to expect.

[kbun]

Thank you! I did read the terms but because VPI covers multiple species and also have specific limits for each diagnostic test (vets bill just said it was a panel and in fact didn’t say on the printout it was because of weight loss – they just didn’t list a reason), it was confusing.

I will call VPI on Monday to talk through a bit then I guess just submit and see what other info they may request from me. Thank you!

[kbun]

Just so others know, I did end up submitting a claim (along with doctor’s medical records which indicated the sudden weight loss and his test results). I called VPI (now Nationwide) and they said the coverage depends on the diagnosis. I thought that was a big strange as we still don’t know yet the precise diagnosis, but VPI said they also have a general coverage ($180) for diagnostic testing with uncertain diagnosis.

It was actually fairly painless, got notification a day later about a reimbursement of $204 (on a total vet bill of $340). No detail on how that broke down that but that’s still really helpful!

Separate note – my bunny’s protein and liver levels were off while everything else was normal. Vet did not seem too concerned as she said based on my description of his irregular eating the days before the vet appointment, it could have been thrown off by that. Her recommendation was to track his weight over the next few months and take him in for potentially another blood panel then. If we wanted to be extra cautious they could do an abdominal ultrasound.

We are opting to track his weight (weighed him again yesterday and he’s back up 0.1lbs after a few days of the 0.25lbs he lost in that one month period. I’ve been noticing that he’s happy and willing to eat but has been lazier about pushing his ball around that has his pellets, which may be why he has consumed less. I assume it’s just old age? Trying to make sure he always gets his pellet servings even when he doesn’t fully push the ball around enough. Any other advice / thoughts from experts on this forum appreciated!

[Bam]

I’m glad the insurance covered that much! I love having insurance for my bun.

if he’s old he could have arthritis or some other age-related joint pain that makes him less willing to chase the treat ball. Exercise is still good though, so some treat ball exercise will help him. Maybe you’ll need to put more treat-like stuff in the treat ball, so he randomly gets a small piece of dried fruit among the pellets when he spins it? That could up the stakes, so to speak. There are supplements buns can get for arthritic pain/joint pain, but in moderate to severe cases, a maintenance dose of Metacam is often prescribed. Metacam can be hard on the kidneys though, and on the stomach lining. Massages can sometimes help with tense muscles and be nice for the bunny.

Weighing is very good for keeping an eye on a bun’s general health. I weigh my bun once a week. For young buns it’s good to make a weight curve so you see that they gain like they should. For healthy adult rabbits, excessive weight gain is always a risk (because they’re little pigs), and you want to nip that in the bud. For elderly buns it can be difficult to keep wight on, and with unwell buns, you can sometimes have weight loss before you see any other symptoms – rabbits are expert at hiding illness. Weight gives good clues. It’s always difficult to assess a bun’s weight without weighing them. There’s so much fluff. Amount of fluff varies too with moulting, and that tricks the human eye but not the scales.

[kbun]

Thanks! Great ideas, will give him more massages and put some dried fruit in the ball. And will just make sure to empty the rest of the ball of his pellets every night even when he hasn’t fully consumed. And will probably track his weight weekly for the next 2 months. 

Thank you!

[Author]

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