COLUMBUS, Ohio – For veterinarians, treating canine and feline conditions such as dermatitis, otitis externa and gastropathy is part of daily practice, but these common conditions can be unpredictable and costly in the eyes of pet owners.
“When we talk about protecting pets from the unexpected, many families imagine things like traumatic injury, poisoning, or ingestion of a foreign body,” says Dr. Jules Benson, Nationwide’s vice president, pet health and chief veterinary officer. “While these are certainly situations where pet health insurance is beneficial, our data actually shows that most claims come from very common conditions.”
In 2022, Nationwide Pet health insurance members filed more than 1.43 million claims for the top 10 common medical treatments affecting dogs and cats. The nation’s pet health care leader analyzed its database of more than 1.2 million pets to determine the top medical conditions that prompted veterinary visits for dogs and cats last year:
|
the dog |
the cat |
| 1. Atopic or allergic dermatitis | 1. Chronic kidney disease |
| 2. Otitis externa | 2. Cystitis |
| 3. Enteropathy | 3. Gastropathy |
| 4. Gastropathy | 4. Enteropathy |
| 5. Pyoderma | 5. Hyperthyroid disease |
| 6. Anal gland sacculitis | 6. Dental Diseases (Dental Infections, Cavities, Abscesses) |
| 7. Arthritis | 7. Diabetes Mellitus |
| 8. Benign skin neoplasia | 8. Atopic or allergic dermatitis |
| 9. Cystitis | 9. Upper respiratory infections |
| 10. Dental Diseases (Dental Infections, Cavities, Abscesses) | 10. External otitis |
“Year after year, we see that ear infections, urinary and gastrointestinal diseases, and skin allergies account for a large portion of the claims we receive for cats and dogs nationwide,” said Dr. Benson. “And as doctors know, all are conditions that can start small but can become serious, even chronic, if left untreated. Having pet safety solutions in place can make a big difference in whether pet parents can seek veterinary care early and then what diagnoses and treatments work for them.”
Among dogs insured nationwide:
- For the 11th consecutive year, skin allergies were the most common health problem, with more than 373,000 individual claims received (up from 335,000 in 2021).
- For a single dog, the highest cost of a skin allergy diagnosis came at just over $9,480, from a dog in New York with multiple chronic conditions. He receives monthly Cytopoint injections in addition to daily oral Atopica and weekly allergen injections.
Among cats insured nationwide:
- Chronic kidney disease regained the top spot as the most common medical condition with more than 18,400 unique claims received.
- For a single cat, any of the top 10 conditions cost more than $19,821. For a cat in Georgia who was suffering from a severe diabetic episode. He was admitted to a veterinary emergency center but was so quickly rejected that he was transferred to a 24-hour specialty center under the supervision of a board-certified veterinary intern. The team was able to stabilize him and get him back on his feet. He is now taking insulin to manage his diabetes and is doing well at home.
With Nationwide pet health insurance, many veterinary expenses associated with the diagnosis and treatment of these common conditions are eligible for reimbursement based on the member’s selected coverage. To explore pet health insurance coverage for dogs, cats and many avian or exotic pets, see petinsurance.com.
About Nationwide Pet Insurance
With more than 1.2 million insured pets, Nationwide is the first and largest provider of pet health insurance in the United States. Nationwide pet health insurance plans cover dogs, cats, birds and exotic pets for multiple medical problems and conditions related to accidents, illnesses and injuries. Medical plans are available in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Products underwritten by Veterinary Pet Insurance Company (CA), Columbus, OH; National Casualty Company (all other states), Columbus, OH. Agency of Record: DVM Insurance Agency. All are affiliates of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. Pet owners can find pet insurance nationwide Facebook or follow Twitter. For more information about nationwide pet insurance, call 800-USA-PETS (800-872-7387) or visit petinsurance.com.