Pet Owners Face Vet Bill of Over £1,000 for Common Illnesses – Here’s How to SAVE
Pet owners are facing vet bills of over £1,000 for common illnesses and treatments, according to new data from Tesco Insurance.
Lumps, lameness in dogs and dental disease in pets are among the most common ailments affecting pets across the UK.
Treatment costs can skyrocket very quickly, with some of the most common claims running into the hundreds and in some cases, thousands per vet visit.
The figures come to light as the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) announced a £21 cap on vet prescription fees in a move to make billing more transparent and fair.
Top 10 Insurance Claims for Dogs
Over the past, Foreign Body was the most costly common condition claimed for by pet owners, setting them back £1,034.50 on average, according to Tesco Insurance.
Lameness was the second most expensive claim at £828.32, while vomiting and diarrhoea were the third most costly at £691.22 on average per claim.
The table below shows the most common claims for dogs:
| Condition | Average Claim Cost |
|---|---|
| Foreign Body | £1,034.50 |
| Lameness | £828.32 |
| Vomiting | £695.48 |
| Vomiting and Diarrhoea | £691.22 |
| Epilepsy/Seizures | £646.50 |
| Miscellaneous Lump | £524.01 |
| Allergies | £371.97 |
| Arthritis/Degenerative Joint Disease | £353.59 |
| Otitis (inflammation or infection of the ear) | £299.74 |
| Dental Disease | £241.26 |
Top 10 Insurance Claims for Cats
For cats, road traffic accidents were the most expensive claim at £938.18 on average, while inappetence was the second most costly condition at £733.87.
Weight loss was the third most expensive condition at £639.58 on average.
The table below shows the most common claims for cats.
| Condition | Average Claim Cost |
|---|---|
| Road Traffic Accident | £938.18 |
| Inappetence (loss or lack of appetite) | £733.87 |
| Weight Loss | £639.58 |
| Vomiting | £608.30 |
| Lameness | £516.05 |
| Hyperthyroidism | £483.56 |
| Skin Wound | £369.06 |
| Arthritis/Degenerative Joint Disease | £280.43 |
| Cat Bite Abscess | £252.57 |
| Dental Disease | £246.54 |
How to save on vet bills
Register with a vet: signing up to a vet helps avoid being charged an unregistered client fee, which can be around £100.
Seek a second opinion: getting another opinion about the best treatment for your pet can help ensure you’re paying for the right level of care.
Consider online prescriptions: pet medication can be cheaper online, so be sure to shop around to find the best price and cut costs.
Think about pet insurance: pet insurance can be handy if your pet needs costly treatment. But the right type of policy or whether you need one at all depends on your pet’s age and health. Comparing pet insurance policies could help you find out whether it’s the most cost-effective way to manage your pet’s treatments.
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