There’s nothing quite like owning a pet. In fact, many would say that it’s priceless. But when it comes down to it, pets can have accidents and sudden illnesses, and it can get costly in a hurry. Read on to learn about the top 10 pet insurance claims for dogs and cats, and how the unexpected can add up.
The true cost of pet healthcare
In the last decade, veterinary care has progressed by leaps and bounds, with technological innovation and diagnostic testing inspired by discoveries in human medicine. Procedures such as knee replacements, advanced allergy testing, minimally invasive cancer surgeries, and chiropractic care are now available for dogs and cats, helping them live longer as well as increasing overall quality of life.
With these amazing advances come increased costs, and many pet parents aren’t prepared to shoulder the sometimes sudden financial burden.
Pet insurance provider Healthy Paws examined incident data from over 200,000 claims filed between June 2016 and June 2017, and identified the most common reasons dogs and cats visit the vet, and how much pet parents can expect to spend for the latest and greatest treatments in emergency care. The report covers recognizable symptoms, prevention, case stories, stats, and treatments.
You can download the full report from the Healthy Paws website. We’ve also covered some highlights below:
Most common pet insurance claims
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Top Accidents & Illnesses for Dogs |
Top Accidents & Illnesses for Cats |
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Claim to Fame: The most expensive incidents
How high can vet bills go? These are two expensive, but happy, endings from 2017:
Alaric, German Shepherd
After a traumatic accident, Alaric needed emergency surgery to fix his back legs. This included the procedure as well as x-rays, MRIs, multiple follow-ups and prescription medications.
Total Claims: $23,043
Healthy Paws Reimbursement*: $20,515
Kit Kat, Maine Coon
Kit Kat was in bad shape. She had a respiratory infection, a collapsed right lung, and an abscess on her left lung. She needed emergency surgery and was hospitalized for 5 days.
Total Claims: $21,219
Healthy Paws Reimbursement*: $18,823
*Healthy Paws reports these claims were made for incidents occurring between June 1, 2016, and June 1, 2017. Reimbursement was based on covered treatments using a 90% reimbursement level and a $100 annual deductible.
Other items covered in the report
Common accidents and illnesses
From digestive problems to orthopedic surgery, the Cost of Pet Health Care report covers a wide range of injuries and illnesses that can affect your pet. With real case studies, Healthy Paws breaks out the top ten most common ailments for dogs and cats.
Advances in vet diagnostics and treatment
Over 200,000 claims are explored to identify new diagnostics and treatment options used by vets. The report details how care for cats and dogs is improving, and how much those advancements can cost a pet owner.
Recognizable symptoms
Also included are the symptoms for the most common accidents and illnesses, so pet parents know what to look for before heading over to the vet.
Tips on prevention
Healthy Paws also includes tips on how to prevent some of the most common claims, with specific suggestions to help sidestep major calamities. If preventing a disease or injury for your pet is at all possible, it’s great to know how. After all, having a pet is about enjoying a connection with your companion, not budgeting on how to afford the unexpected.
2017 pet health insurance statistics
Also included in the report are some significant pet health insurance statistics. It really shows how fast a pet can go from 0 to emergency vet visit.
89 milliondogs |
94 millioncats |
91%of U.S. pet parents consider pets to be family |
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1 in 3 petswill need urgent vet care this year |
every 6 secondsan owner is given a vet bill of more than $1,000 |
$16 billionspent in the U.S. on |
<1%of pet parents in the U.S. |
Save up to 90%on vet bills with pet insurance |
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Source: American Pet Products & Pet Insurance Quotes
Not sure if you need pet insurance? Read our article to see if pet insurance is right for you.
Rover pack, you get a special discount on Healthy Paws Pet Insurance. Get a free quote today.
Learn more about Healthy Paws
Healthy Paws understands pet parents because we are pet parents: we know how devoted you are to the health and well-being of your furry family members.
Healthy Paws offers comprehensive accident and illness coverage—so you can focus on your pet’s care without worrying about the vet bill. Plus, with every free quote for dog or cat insurance, Healthy Paws makes a donation toward a homeless pet’s medical care through the Healthy Paws Foundation.
To see reviews from real customers, visit CanineJournal.com, ConsumersAdvocate.org, or PetInsuranceQuotes.com.
