Robust Small Dog with Clear Life-Stage Patterns: What Havanese Cost at the Vet
The Havanese is considered a robust breed with few genetic burdens – unlike many over-bred small dogs. Nevertheless, our data reveals clear life-stage patterns relevant for insurance choice.
Puppy Gastrointestinal: The early frontrunner
In Havanese puppies, 42% of all vet visits are gastrointestinal. Common causes are:
- Food changes when moving in and sensitive digestion during growth phase
- Swallowing small objects (toy parts, bone fragments)
- Parasite-related symptoms (worms, giardia)
- First reactions to food intolerances
What this means: Havanese puppies need the vet more often than puppies of some other breeds. Early insurance with a short 30-day waiting period for medical treatments is particularly worthwhile.
Adult Respiratory: The tracheal collapse factor
In adulthood (2–7 years), respiratory diseases reach the highest average costs at avg. €680 per case. Often this is tracheal collapse – a condition that occurs above-average in small dogs, where the trachea loses stability. Symptoms are chronic coughing, especially when putting on a harness.
Important: Acquired tracheal collapse is covered after 30 days of waiting period. Treatment can range from medication (more cost-effective) to surgery with stent placement (significantly more expensive). Harnesses instead of collars reduce the risk.
Seniors: Musculoskeletal and tumour risk
In Havanese aged 8+, musculoskeletal problems dominate at 42.9% of all cases. Tumours are the financially heaviest category in old age at avg. €598 per case. Early diagnostics via palpation and ultrasound (claimable via the preventive care budget) are advisable.
Other common conditions
- Patellar luxation (PL): one of the most common musculoskeletal diagnoses in small dogs like the Havanese. Treatment from medication to surgical (approx. €1,500–3,000). Note: Acquired PL covered after 18 months; congenital PL excluded.
- Hip and elbow dysplasia (HD/ED): rather rare in Havanese. Acquired forms covered after 12 months waiting period; congenital HD/ED excluded.
- Eye diseases (cataract, retinal dysplasia, PRA): cataract surgery approx. €1,500–3,000. Note: PRA and congenital eye diseases excluded; acquired cataract covered after 30 days.
- Mitral valve insufficiency (heart valve defect): common heart disease in old age. Diagnostics via ultrasound approx. €150–400, ongoing medication approx. €30–80/month. Acquired covered after 30 days.
- Liver shunt (portosystemic shunt): congenital vascular malformation. Note: Excluded as a congenital condition.
- Dental diseases (tartar, periodontitis): common in small dogs. Covered after 12 months.
- Haemophilia A: rare inherited bleeding disorder. Note: Excluded as inherited condition.
- Obesity and secondary conditions: Havanese beg charmingly – obesity is a common consequence. Diabetes treatment approx. €300–800/year.
The cost ranges listed above are based on the German Veterinary Fee Schedule (GOT 2022) and typical market prices in German veterinary practices. Actual costs may vary depending on the practice, the scope of treatment and the chosen GOT rate (1x to 4x). Sources are listed at the end of this page.
What Dalma Actually Reimburses for Havanese: Data from Claims on the Breed
Havanese claims at Dalma (January 2024 – December 2025). Source: Dalma claims database, March 2026.
Our claims data shows how costs develop over life stages:
Puppies (0–1 year): Gastrointestinal diseases dominate at 42%. Cardiovascular checks are financially most significant at avg. €209 per case – often preventive examinations of young dogs.
Adults (2–7 years): Other/non-specific diagnoses at 27.5%. Respiratory diseases cost avg. €680 per case – often tracheal collapse.
Seniors (8+ years): Musculoskeletal reaches 42.9% of all cases. Tumours represent the highest financial burden at avg. €598 per case.
Focus on the cuddles, we'll focus on the costs.
Surgery Insurance or Full Cover: Which Plan Suits the Havanese?
1. Surgery insurance for Havanese
Covers costs for surgical procedures – e.g. patellar luxation surgery, tumour surgery or stent surgery for tracheal collapse. Dalma includes:
- Surgical procedures for illness or accident
- Pre-op diagnostics up to 30 days before surgery
- Post-op clinic stays up to 30 days after surgery
- Medication, bandages and aftercare
- Physiotherapy and alternative treatments up to 30 days post-op
- Dental surgery after waiting period
- Emergency accommodation up to €250 per year
2. Dog health insurance (full cover) for Havanese
Covers diagnostics, treatments, medication and preventive care. 80–100% reimbursement, annual limit from €1500 to unlimited. Includes:
- Diagnostics and medical examinations
- Prescribed medication and treatments
- Unlimited physiotherapy
- Alternative treatments such as homeopathy or acupuncture
- Behavioural therapy up to 5 hours per year
- Telemedicine via FirstVet
- Preventive care budget for vaccinations, dental care, deworming (from €1,500 annual limit)
Assessment: For Havanese, full cover is particularly worthwhile: gastrointestinal treatments, diagnostics and medication for tracheal collapse and mitral valve insufficiency are often outpatient – only health insurance with full cover applies here.
What Does Havanese Insurance Cost at Dalma?
- Dog health insurance: from approx. €25 per month
- Surgery insurance: from approx. €9 per month
As of April 2026. Dalma offers 15% discount when insuring multiple pets. Neutering/spaying claimed via the preventive care budget.
From age 10, the reimbursement rate for illnesses decreases by 5% annually. Accident reimbursement remains unchanged. Due to the high life expectancy of the Havanese (14–16 years), early insurance is particularly worthwhile.
Waiting Periods for Havanese
- 2 days for accidents
- 14 days for surgeries
- 30 days for medical treatments
- 12 months for FORL, gingivitis and periodontitis
- 12 months for HD/ED
- 18 months for patellar luxation
Pre-existing conditions are excluded. Preventive care budget is available from day 1 – this covers puppy vaccinations, deworming and flea/tick protection, among others.
What Is Not Covered for Havanese
The Havanese is a relatively robust breed with few inherited conditions. The following breed-typical and general exclusions apply:
- Congenital patellar luxation – most common inherited disease in Havanese
- Congenital hip and elbow dysplasia
- PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy) – inherited retinal disease
- Congenital eye diseases (juvenile cataract, retinal dysplasia)
- Liver shunt (portosystemic shunt) – as a congenital condition
- Haemophilia A – inherited bleeding disorder
- Persistent deciduous teeth
- Epilepsy
- Osteoarthritis
- Diseases preventable by vaccination (distemper, parvovirus, rabies, leptospirosis)
Acquired eye, joint and heart conditions are covered after the waiting period. Since the Havanese has a long life expectancy (14–16 years), early insurance protection is particularly worthwhile.
Focus on the cuddles, we'll focus on the costs.
Claims Process at Dalma
100% digital. Upload invoice via app, 8-day deadline. Reimbursement target 48 hours (contractually up to 5 working days). Up to 4x GOT rate including emergency surcharges. Free choice of vet worldwide. Telemedicine via FirstVet free and unlimited. Neutering and spaying can be claimed via preventive care budget.
Havanese Insurance: Who Benefits Most
Insure at puppy age: At 42% gastrointestinal share in puppies, early insurance is particularly worthwhile. The 30-day waiting period for medical treatments has expired after just one month.
Full cover instead of OP-only: Gastrointestinal treatments, tracheal collapse diagnostics and senior tumour diagnostics are often outpatient – only full cover applies.
Plan for long insurance duration: With 14–16 years life expectancy, insurance is particularly worthwhile for the Havanese – the senior musculoskeletal phase and tumour risk are real burdens.
Less value: If your Havanese already has a PL or liver shunt diagnosis before contract start. These are considered pre-existing conditions.
A calculation: A Havanese with two puppy gastrointestinal treatments (avg. €245 each), one tracheal collapse diagnostic (approx. €350) and one senior tumour surgery (avg. €598) quickly reaches €1,400–€1,800 in covered costs over the dog's lifetime.
Frequently Asked Questions About Havanese Insurance
Is dog health insurance worthwhile for Havanese?
Yes. Even though the Havanese is considered a robust breed, our claims data shows that already at puppy age 42% of treatments are gastrointestinal-related. In adulthood, respiratory treatments at avg. €680 become relevant.
Is patellar luxation covered for Havanese?
Acquired patellar luxation is covered after 18 months of waiting period. Congenital forms are excluded. PL is one of the most common diagnoses in small dogs – early insurance is therefore particularly important.
Is tracheal collapse covered for Havanese?
Yes. Acquired tracheal collapse is covered after 30 days of waiting period. In adults, this condition is the most expensive in this life phase at avg. €680 per case.
Is a liver shunt covered?
No. The liver shunt (portosystemic shunt) is a congenital vascular malformation and excluded as a congenital condition. A veterinary pre-examination at puppy purchase is recommended.
Are puppy vaccinations covered?
Yes, via the preventive care budget (€70 or €100 per year). The preventive care budget is available from day 1 and covers puppy vaccinations immediately – without waiting period.
Is eye surgery covered for Havanese?
Acquired cataract (senile cataract) and other acquired eye diseases are covered after 30 days of waiting period (surgery after 14 days). PRA and congenital eye diseases are excluded.
How old does a Havanese get?
Havanese have a very high life expectancy of 14 to 16 years; some animals even reach 17 years and more. They are among the longest-living dog breeds.
Is there a deductible at Dalma?
No. Dalma has no deductible. Depending on the plan, 80–100% of eligible costs are reimbursed.
Can I insure my Havanese as an adult?
Yes. Insurance can be taken out at Dalma up to an age of under 9 years. Pre-existing conditions are excluded.
Does my Havanese stay insured after an expensive treatment?
Yes. Dalma waives the right to cancel after a claim.
Sources and Further Information
The veterinary costs mentioned in this article are reference values. Actual costs are governed by the German Veterinary Fee Schedule (GOT) and may vary depending on the practice, the scope of treatment and the chosen GOT rate (1x to 4x).
Official sources on the German Veterinary Fee Schedule (GOT 2022):
- Full text of the GOT 2022: https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/got_2022/
- German Veterinary Association (BTK): bundestieraerztekammer.de – official body with information on GOT, emergency service and billing
- German Federal Ministry of Agriculture (BMLEH): bmleh.de/DE/themen/tiere/got.html – background on the 2022 GOT amendment
Claims data:
The claims data used in this article is based on Havanese illness cases from the Dalma claims database between January 2024 and December 2025.
Sources and Further Information
The veterinary costs mentioned in this article are reference values. Actual costs are governed by the German Veterinary Fee Schedule (GOT) and may vary depending on the practice, the scope of treatment and the chosen GOT rate (1x to 4x).
Official sources on the German Veterinary Fee Schedule (GOT 2022):
- Full text of the GOT 2022: https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/got_2022/
- German Veterinary Association (BTK): bundestieraerztekammer.de – official body with information on GOT, emergency service and billing
- German Federal Ministry of Agriculture (BMLEH): bmleh.de/DE/themen/tiere/got.html – background on the 2022 GOT amendment
Claims data:
The claims data used in this article is based on Havanese illness cases from the Dalma claims database between January 2024 and December 2025.
