Ten Most Common Cancer-Related Claims

VPI received more than 55,000 claims for cancer diagnosis and treatments in 2012 – making cancer-related conditions collectively one of the most common type of medical claim received by the nation’s largest provider of pet health insurance last year. Additionally, VPI received 7,000 more cancer-related claims in 2012 compared to 2011. Heartbreaking figures like these led VPI to create Pet Cancer Awareness Month in 2005.

Last year alone, VPI policyholders spent more than $20 million on the top 10 cancer-related conditions. Lymphosarcoma or Lymphoma was the most expensive condition on the list, costing policyholders an average of $2,281 per pet. Below are the 10 most common cancer-related claims received by VPI in 2012:

Top 10 Cancerous Conditions

1. Lymphosarcoma or Lymphoma
2. Skin Cancer (Malignant Skin Neoplasia)
3. Splenic (Spleen) Cancer
4. Bone or Joint Cancer
5. Hepatic (Liver) Cancer
6. Thoracic (Chest) Cancer
7. Bladder Cancer
8. Brain or Spinal Cord Cancer
9. Peritoneal (Membrane Lining the Walls of the Abdominal and Pelvic Cavities) Cancer
10. Anal Gland (Sac) Cancer

Treating these pet cancers can be a considerable financial burden and it’s important for pet owners to realize the cost of care for this disease. Whether it’s through a savings account, additional credit and/or pet insurance, the best thing a pet parent can do is be prepared. To ensure that our policyholders are able to pursue optimal cancer treatment, VPI medical policies include benefits for the diagnosis and treatment of cancerous conditions, including chemotherapy and radiation when necessary.

Pet Cancer Detection Tips To detect cancer early, pet owners should be attentive to any growing lump or sore that fails to heal. They should also monitor their pet for:

1. Drastic changes in the pet’s appetite or weight
2. Unusually strong odors coming from a pet
3. Discharge or bleeding from any body opening
4. Difficulty chewing or swallowing
5. An unwillingness to exercise

To date, VPI has raised more than $175,000 to benefit the ACF. Throughout the month of November, VPI will donate $5 to the Animal Cancer Foundation (ACF), up to $10,000, for every photo, story or statistic shared on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook using #CurePetCancer.

For more information about the campaign, visit www.curepetcancer.com.

For more information about National Pet Cancer Awareness Month or to learn more about pet cancer, visit http://www.petinsurance.com/cancer.