The Problems Gentle Cats Get
Muffin's so laid back that I didn't notice when things started going wrong. She's not the type to complain.
That turned out to be part of the problem.
The Heart Murmur Discovery
Muffin was four when the vet found a heart murmur during her annual checkup. She seemed totally fine to me.
Turns out, cats are really good at hiding heart problems. The vet said Ragdolls are prone to something called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
We needed an echocardiogram to see how bad it was. $450 for the test, and that was just the beginning.
Muffin's heart muscle is thickening. There's no cure, just medication to help manage it. She's on heart pills twice a day now, and they cost $180 a month.
The scary part is that some cats with this condition just collapse suddenly. I check on Muffin constantly now, especially when she's been quiet for too long.
The Litter Box Problems
I started noticing Muffin spending more time in the litter box. At first I figured she was just being thorough. She's always been a neat cat.
Then I found blood in her urine.
Emergency vet visit. $300 just to walk in the door on a Sunday. Muffin had bladder stones.
The vet said Ragdolls are prone to urinary issues. Muffin needed surgery to remove the stones. $2,800.
Now she's on a special prescription diet to prevent more stones. $60 a bag, and she goes through one every three weeks.
The stones came back anyway. Another surgery six months later. This time it was $3,200 because they were bigger.
Kidney Function Scares
Muffin's routine bloodwork showed elevated kidney values when she was five. I thought it might be related to the bladder stone surgeries.
The vet said kidney disease is common in older cats, but Ragdolls can develop it younger than other breeds.
We're monitoring it with blood work every few months. Each test costs about $150, plus a vet visit.
So far her kidney function is stable, but knowing it could get worse makes every checkup stressful.
What I Learned About Ragdoll Insurance
After dealing with all of Muffin's issues, I have very specific opinions about what Ragdoll insurance should cover.
Urinary Issues Are Expensive and Recurring
Muffin's bladder stone surgeries cost over $6,000 total. And that doesn't include the ongoing prescription diet or follow-up appointments.
Make sure your policy covers urinary blockages and stone removal without annual limits. Some policies cap urinary coverage at $1,000 per year, which won't even cover one surgery.
Also check that they cover the prescription diets. Those add up over time, and they're necessary to prevent more stones.
Heart Disease Coverage Is Critical
Heart problems in Ragdolls aren't optional. It's common enough in the breed that you should expect it.
Make sure your policy covers cardiac diagnostics like echocardiograms and ongoing heart medication. Muffin's heart pills alone cost over $2,000 per year.
Don't let insurers exclude heart conditions as hereditary. If they won't cover the health problems common to your breed, what's the point of having insurance?