Dear Boulder

Natural Animal,

I just added a sweet little 4-month-old golden retriever boy to my family, and I want to make sure I can take great care of him. Do you think pet insurance is a good idea?


Golden in Golden

Dear Golden in Golden,

Congratulations on your fuzzy new addition!

We are so happy to hear you are thinking of your puppy's long term wellness. Pet insurance can be an excellent way to help keep your new boy a healthy member of your family for years to come.

Dogs (and cats) are loving companions, but they also like to get into "trouble" from time to time. A good pet insurance plan will help make your decisions during these difficult times in your pet's life so much easier to make. For example, active dogs like golden retrievers can tear ligaments in their knees just as professional athletes do. And we've all heard the story of the missing sock and guilty dog. These medical situations are not that uncommon and can cost a pretty penny to remedy. Good pet insurance plans can cover up to 90 percent of that cost.

Some pet insurance plans will even cover routine "wellness" care such as annual physical exams and even dental care.


The great news is there are tons of good pet insurance companies and plans to choose from. Having all those options can be daunting so we recommend talking to your veterinarian about which companies they stand behind.

Your Boulder's Natural Animal Hospital Veterinarians

Dear Boulder's Natural Animal Hospital,

My dog, Sparki, was just diagnosed with something my veterinarian called "laryngeal paralysis." Can you explain to me what that is?


Coughing Canine

Dear Coughing Canine,

Laryngeal paralysis is a condition that happens mostly in dogs. As you guessed, it affects the larynx, the doorway between the outside world and Sparki's trachea leading to his lungs. The larynx serves a couple purposes; it closes to prevent things like food from getting into the lungs and it also gives Sparki the ability to growl and bark.

In the case of laryngeal paRalysis, the larynx is basically playing the annoying game of "opposites" -- the nerve and/or muscle on one of both sides of the larynx is weak causing it to stay closed at times when Sparki needs it to be open. The condition may be worst during hot weather or heavy activity. Sparki may exhibit signs such as excess panting, exercise intolerance, voice change, loud breathing sounds, respiratory gasping or distress. In severe cases it can cause significant exercise intolerance and even collapsing.

Treatments can vary depending on how severe the case is. We recommend you consult with your veterinarian on what may be the best course of action with Sparki.

And who knows, maybe his raspy condition will result in him getting a role in a Clint Eastwood film!

Your Boulder's Natural Animal Hospital Vet

Editor's note: Boulder's Natural Animal veterinary clinic will answer your questions about pet health once a month in the Camera's Companions pages. Email your questions to

Boulder's Natural Animal Hospital is a full-service veterinary hospital, located in Boulder, that also provides a wide variety of integrative medical options such as acupuncture, low-level laser therapy, canine massage, nutritional supplements, dietary consultation, homeopathy and Traditional Chinese Herbal medicine. The clinic is located at 685 South Broadway. For more information, go to or call 303-494-7877.