Costs of Medical Treatment for Dogs and Cats

As a pet owner, you may have had an unexpected emergency that required immediate medical attention for your pet. If so, you may have incurred expenses which you hadn’t planned for, nor find it difficult to comprehend. 

Cost of medical treatment for dogs and cats can be exorbitant. It is estimated that veterinary costs have increased over 70%. To this end, here are some case studies that will bring home the point that pet insurance is not only necessary, but a cost-effective necessity. 

1. Polly is a seven-year-old-cat. She was diagnosed with a Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease, which is quite common among cats. She requires lab work, diagnostic testing, and medications to treat the infection. Cost: $1,500.00 
2. A 12-year-old Shar Pei named Dominic is diagnosed with a malignant tumor, and requires medical treatment. Cost: $950.00 
3. Hazel, an eight-year-old Siamese cat has an eye infection that requires medical attention as well as prescription medication. Cost: $170.00 
4. A six-year-old Retriever named Bailey has recently experienced an allergic reaction that left him with inflamed bumps in his neck and throat. If he had not been treated, he would have succumbed. Treatment for Bailey ensued and he survived. Cost: $2,096.00 
5. Apollo is a three-year-old domestic short haired cat who ate a pair of his owner’s nylons. Removing the offending material from his stomach required surgery. Cost: $1,332.40 

As you can see, veterinary treatments can run into the thousands. Now let’s take a look at the average costs for certain illnesses and/or accidents that may afflict your pet: Dogs: 

1. Cancer treatments - $3,600 
2. Hip dysplasia - $2,400 
3. Ingestion of foreign bodies - $2,100 
4. Motor vehicle accidents - $3,300 
5. Bladder stones - $1,200 

Cats: 

1. Fractured legs - $2,300 
2. Ingestion of foreign bodies - $1,200 
3. Infection (not eye) - $1,000 
4. Eye infection - $250 

When you look at these figures, you might be persuaded not to purchase or adopt a pet, right? But this is the downside to not having pet insurance; the upside is that with pet insurance you need not worry about the cost of treating your pet – the benefits derived from pet insurance coverage will take care of all your pet’s needs. You may wish to bookmark and visit this website: http://www.insurance-rates.ca/pet-insurance-rates.html. Here you will be able to peruse the many benefits offered, as well as examples of claim calculations which will give you an idea as to the premiums, deductibles, and amount paid. This is a comprehensive site that will help you choose the best coverage for your beloved pet.

About The Author

Liane Wood is a chartered insurance professional and registered insurance broker specializing in personal and small business insurance. Visit her website at: www.Insurance-Rates.ca