Posted: June 18 2008 2 a.m. EDT
Urinary tract infections were the top reason why cats were taken to the veterinarian in 2007, according to Veterinary Pet Insurance of Brea, Calif., which recently analyzed its medical claims received last year to determine the top 10 most commonly claimed conditions for cats and dogs. The top reason why dogs were taken to the veterinarian was because of ear infections.
For cats and dogs, the top 10 conditions accounted for about 25 percent of all medical claims received in 2007.
Top Reasons Cats Were Taken to the Vet
1. Urinary Tract Infections
2. Gastritis/Vomiting
3. Chronic Renal Failure
4. Enteritis/Diarrhea
5. Diabetes Mellitus
6. Skin Allergies
7. Colitis/Constipation
8. Ear Infections
9. Respiratory Infections
10. Hyperthyroidism
Top Reasons Dogs Were Taken to the Vet
1. Ear Infections
2. Skin Allergies
3. Pyoderma/Hot Spots
4. Gastritis/Vomiting
5. Enteritis/Diarrhea
6. Urinary Tract Infections
7. Benign Skin Tumors
8. Eye Inflammation
9. Osteoarthritis
10. Hypothyroidism
The biggest change on either list was feline enteritis, which jumped from No. 16 in 2006 to No. 4 in 2007. Almost a third of all the common conditions could be related to or exacerbated by diet, diet changes or dietary indiscretions.
“Gastrointestinal claims are common each year we publish our top 10 list, but our 2007 numbers indicate that pet owners took their pets’ gastrointestinal and dietary difficulties more seriously this past year, perhaps due to the pet food recall,” said Carol McConnell, vice president and chief veterinary medical officer for VPI.
The most expensive of the common cat conditions in 2007 was renal failure, with an average submitted claim fee of $279. For dogs, it was benign skin tumors at $327.