Pet health insurance company Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI) recently reviewed all medical claims it received in 2006 to identify the top 10 reasons cats were taken to the veterinarian.
Like the 2005 list, skin allergies, kidney failure and upset stomachs remain at the top. A condition new to this year’s list is tooth extractions, but the No. 1 problem on the list was cat urinary tract infections.
Cats are susceptible to urinary tract infections caused by viruses, urinary crystals and/or stress. Male cats are more likely to get urinary tract infections than female cats because their urethras are in a different position.
Veterinarians say you should always monitor a cat’s frequency of visits to the litterbox because urination may increase with an infection.
The top 10 2006 cat claims by incident are:
1. Urinary tract infections
2. Upset stomachs
3. Kidney failure
4. Skin allergies
5. Diabetes
6. Respiratory infections
7. Ear infections
8. Tooth extractions
9. Colitis
10. Hyperthyroidism
“Almost all pets will have one of these conditions throughout their life. In general, younger pets have a tendency to eat things they are not supposed to eat, which may result in stomach problems. Older pets are prone to tumors and arthritis,” said Carol McConnell, VPI director of veterinary relations. “All of these conditions on our top 10 list can adversely affect the pet’s quality of life. Some could even become fatal. That is why many veterinarians are focusing on preventive health care.”