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When you bring home a new dog, especially a puppy, they can be the picture of health and energy, with unexpected accidents, short-term illnesses, or long-term health problems being the last thing most owners think about.
However, just as with human counterparts, health problems can be very common, with numbers out of the range Association of British Insurers This shows that the average pet insurance claim value for all pets in 2020 was £ 817, an increase of 2 percent from 2019.
Despite this surge and the number of searches for pet insurance that increased by over 40% in the last year alone, it may come as a surprise that out of 12 million dogs in the UK, only 3.4 million have pet insurance.
Money.co.uk , one of the UK’s leading financial services comparison websites, conducted a survey to identify the most common causes of veterinary visits and how much they could end up costing owners.
The most common reason dogs see the vet is because of skin conditions like yeast infections, mange or allergic reactions, which make up over 20 percent of all complaints, with treatment often requiring ongoing prescription.
Average treatment costs can be up to £ 800 depending on the size of the dog and whether the problem is one-off or recurring.
Second is stomach upset, with symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, gastroenteritis, parasitic infections, and pancreatitis, followed by eye and ear infections, which, while generally easy to get rid of, can result in higher bills and high costs to owners if the problem persists 400 euros a year.
Chis Morris, owner of the English bulldog Boris, discovered the cost of veterinary bills after initially experiencing relatively minor health problems.
“Bulldogs are prone to a number of health problems, as we found out early on,” he said.
“In the first six months we had made numerous visits to the vet, with Boris suffering from a cold, puppy acne and cherry eye – a common disease for this breed.
“Boris’s cherry eye continued to be a problem, leading to surgery, pain relievers, and multiple checkups.
“If your pet is not doing well, don’t ask questions and do whatever you can to make him feel better, no matter what the cost. Treatment for Boris in the first six months totaled nearly 1,500 pounds, but luckily we had taken the advice of another bulldog owner and reassured Boris from the day we got him. “
The most expensive causes of veterinary visits can be musculoskeletal problems that include ligament, joint, or tendon injuries, as well as other sprains and strains.
Tears or breaks in ligaments can often require surgery and post-operative care, which can skyrocket bills to £ 1,349 .
Older dogs, especially some breeds like Labradors and Bulldogs, are more likely to develop arthritis or other joint problems that can also become expensive later in life.
When looking for an insurance policy, it is important to shop around, read the fine print, and consider all aspects of your pet’s lifestyle, habits, and breed to ensure that the policy is suitable for them and their potential needs.
Salman Haqqi, personal finance expert at a leading pet insurance comparison site, money.co.uk He explains, “It can be difficult and sometimes impossible to manage unexpected veterinary bills. The nature of the illness and injury affects charges, with chronic illness tending to cost more than a simple infection.
“Other factors such as age, origin, and medical history can all have an impact on costs, which is why it is so important to include pet insurance in your budget when you decide to bring a dog or other pet home with you.
“Comparing the best pet insurance for you ensures you can cover the cost of potentially expensive problems and provide much-needed security so owners can focus on their dogs, from puppies to senior citizens.”
