The Top 10 Most Common Causes of Veterinary Visits in 2012

Just like humans, when our furry friends are stricken with even minor ailments like an ear infection, stomach ache or cough, it can prompt a visit to the veterinarian. While the majority of the conditions listed below are curable, they can become chronic and expensive to treat.

VPI policyholders spent more than $58 million in 2012 treating the 10 most common medical conditions afflicting their pets. After sorting through our database of more than 485,000 insured pets, these were the top 10 dog and cat medical conditions in 2012:

In 2012, VPI received more than 68,000 canine claims for skin allergies, the most common cause for taking a dog to see a veterinarian. The average claim fee was $96 per office visit. For cats, a bladder infection was the most common reason to take your kitty to the veterinarian. VPI received more than 4,000 medical claims for this ailment – with an average claim amount of $251 per office visit.

The most expensive canine condition on the list (arthritis) cost an average of $258 per visit, while, for cats, the most expensive condition (lymphosarcoma) cost an average of $415 per visit. In addition to familiarizing themselves with their pets’ routine and behavior, pet owners should schedule their pets’ semiannual veterinary examinations on a regular basis to help prevent and identify certain conditions before they become serious or costly.