Medical costs

Your initial vet expenses will depend on the treatment that your pup received whilst in the breeder’s care. Dogs that originate from puppy farms are over 40% more likely to develop health problems than those that are bred ethically. This is because puppy farms are often unsanitary and many don’t provide the essential care that dogs need in their first weeks of life. 

Some puppy farms even forge the paperwork saying that their dogs been vaccinated and tested for genetic conditions, so it’s always best to get your new pup checked over by a vet just in case. 

Young Saints who haven’t received yet any veterinary care will need vaccinations, microchipping, parasite preventatives, and a vet should check their overall health, particularly their eyes and joints. Depending on the state of your pup’s health, this can cost as much as $500. Healthy pups should still undergo a general examination. New owners will also eventually have to spay and neuter their pets, which can cost anywhere from $50 – $500 depending on the dog. 

After that, medical costs will reflect the health of the dog. The average Saint Bernard in good health costs just under $500 per year in medical expenses, this includes vet bills, pet insurance, and expenses such as flea and tick preventatives. All dogs should attend annual vet check-ups and vaccination boosters, even if they appear to be healthy. It allows your vet to monitor all aspects of your dog’s health and gives you an opportunity to bring up any concerns or questions you may have. 

A Saint Bernard’s medical and insurance costs will almost certainly increase with age, as the likelihood of illness also increases. For example, older Saint Bernards are almost always affected by arthritis because of their size, so they will probably require regular joint supplements and pain killers to ease symptoms. Vets also sometimes recommend living aids and non-surgical therapies like hydrotherapy and acupuncture, which can be costly. 

(By the way – this is happens in many large and giant dogs. Other breeds affected by these conditions are King Shepherds and Shiloh Shepherds).

As mentioned above, common health problems for Saints include sight problems like distichiasis, heart problems like dilated cardiomyopathy, and skeletal problems due to their size. In fact, musculoskeletal diseases such as Osteosarcoma are the leading causes of death in Saint Bernards. They are also prone to skin sensitivities and are at high risk for obesity, which can make bone and heart problems worse, so owners need to make sure they provide a healthy diet to keep this at bay. 

Distichiasis is when extra eyelash hairs to grow on the inside of the eyelid and rub on the surface of the eye, it is thought to be hereditary and is quite common and treatable. Most dogs with the condition don’t experience pain or irritation and won’t need treatment. However, those that do may blink excessively, squint, and you may notice inflammation, discharge, and tears coming from the affected eye. It’s easily diagnosed with an eye exam and owners can usually manage the condition at home with daily eye medicine. In extreme cases, surgery may be required.

Dilated cardiomyopathy is the degeneration of the heart that ultimately leads to heart failure. It’s thought to be hereditary and is common in giant breeds because their hearts have to work extra hard to pump blood around their big bodies. It can be sudden or progressive in onset and affects dogs later in life. It is a very serious, often fatal condition, but treatment can stabilize the heart for a few months to a couple of years depending on the dog. Clinical signs include rapid breathing, coughing, a decreased desire to exercise, and fainting, and it can be diagnosed by vets with an ultrasound of the heart.

Osteosarcoma or bone cancer causes malignant tumors on the bones of sufferers, typically on the limbs. It’s thought to be caused by a mix of genetic and environmental factors and is more likely to affect giant breeds like Saint Bernards in old age. The tumors are visibly noticeable and painful and are diagnosed through blood work, urinalysis, and X-rays. 

Unfortunately, the prognosis is not good as bone cancer tends to spread quickly, but chemotherapy can be used to slow it down. Medication can also be used to treat the pain. Amputation is the best course of action, but limb-sparing surgeries can be done in some cases. Most dogs with osteosarcoma live for up to a year following a combination of surgery and chemotherapy.