I'd go saving account in your situation. In mine, I kept up Pet Plan for both my dogs, thank goodness I did. Last year one was put to sleep 24 days after first showing signs all wasn't well. He was 6 and a very fit, happy boy till an inoperable tumour changed all that. Alongside this horror, our 10 year old dog had what can best be described as petit Mal type episodes, followed by a cancer diagnosis . The cost of all this horror was heading for £9000. Fortunately our insurer and vet worked together so all we had to worry about was the dogs. The six year old was put to sleep here at home, heartbreaking but that last loving thing you can do for your loved pet. The older dog recovered and is a happy, fit 11 year old.
Pet plan - expensive but it pays up.
However, in the OP situation, I'd save rather than insure.