Cat bladder infections are the most common medical condition that prompts feline parents to visit a veterinarian, according to data collected by a major pet health insurer.
Veterinary Pet Insurance Co. (VPI) said it recently sorted its database of insured pets and found it received more than 4,000 medical claims for cat bladder infections in 2012, with an average claim amount of $251 per office visit.
The most expensive condition for cats – lymphosarcoma, or cancer of the lymph nodes -- cost an average of $415 per visit, said VPI, which is based in Brea, Calif., and calls itself the oldest and largest pet health insurance company in the United States.
Other common cat ailments include periodontitis/dental disease, overactive thyroids, chronic kidney disease, upset stomach/vomiting, diabetes, intestinal upset/diarrhea, skin allergies and upper respiratory infections, the company reported.
“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,” the company recommended.
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