The True Cost of the Most Common Pet Illnesses
Any pet owner who has lately visited the veterinarian is probably not shocked that the price of veterinary care is continuing to climb. Previously reserved for use in human health, procedures including knee replacements, sophisticated allergy testing, cancer operations, and chiropractic therapy are now accessible to dogs and cats.
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Stomach Issues
Stomach issues in cats and dogs can be identified if your pet is vomiting, having diarrhea, not eating or drinking, foaming at the mouth and drooling. All this may be a signal that it’s time to go to a vet. Moreover, much like cats, dogs can experience gastrointestinal problems for a variety of reasons, such as swallowing plants or foreign items.
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Skin Conditions
Skin difficulties: Dogs are not immune to skin disorders, and owners are not immune to the costs. The costs for treating dermatitis with prescription medications can vary from $100 to $500, whereas encounters with poisonous insects or snakes can cost far more – up to hundreds of dollars. When treated with antibiotics, the scenario for cats with UTIs is comparable to that for dogs with UTIs and is quite affordable.
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Infected Ears (otitis externa)
Frequently, allergies or faulty ear architecture are the underlying cause of recurrent bacterial or fungal ear infections. Although outer ear infections can be uncomfortable and unpleasant, if they spread to the inner ear, they can cause hearing and neurological damage.
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Eye Problems
Glaucoma, cataracts, dry eye, cherry eye, abrasions, and infections are among the common eye disorders that can cause discomfort and visual loss. All eye disorders should be evaluated by a veterinarian as once to lower the risk of permanent harm.
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Injured Cruciate Ligament
Similar to how an ACL tear affects people, a dog’s Cranial Cruciate Ligament (CCL) damage is a serious knee joint condition that frequently need surgery to correct.
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Seizures
Seizures can last anywhere from a few seconds to many minutes and manifest as uncontrollable twitching or shaking. Epilepsy may be the reason of your dog’s frequent seizures, which are brought on by irregular, uncontrolled bursts of electrical activity in the brain. Ingesting poison or having liver or renal illness are some more potential reasons.
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Infections of the Urinary Tract (UTIs)
Dogs frequently have urinary tract infections (UTIs), which can happen at any point in their lives. Bacteria that typically enter the urethra and ascend to the urine bladder, where they grow and colonize, are what cause UTIs.
Common Illnesses in Cats
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UTI
Despite having comparable symptoms like frequent, tiny quantities of urination and accidents outside the litter box, cats are more likely than dogs to visit the clinic for urinary difficulties. While younger cats frequently suffer from a disorder known as idiopathic cystitis, elderly cats and those with underlying health issues like diabetes are more likely to get infections.
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Eye Problems
Cats may have conjunctivitis, corneal ulcers and sores, uveitis, and retinal damage as eye disorders. To lessen the possibility of long-term harm, a veterinarian should examine any eye disorders as away. Eyedrops and surgery are also forms of treatment.
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Heart Problem
Cats may experience hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, blood clot-related difficulties, or problems with their cardiac valves. Cardiac failure cannot be cured, however the majority of heart diseases may be temporarily controlled with medicine.
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Diabetes
Diabetes mellitus type II is frequently diagnosed in cats. Most overweight diabetic cats develop insulin resistance, which reduces the body’s cells’ capacity to respond to insulin. Blood sugar levels become unusually high as a result of insulin resistance. Diabetes can cause weight loss, appetite loss, vomiting, dehydration, severe depression, issues with motor function, coma, and even death if it is not managed.
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Kidney Illness
In senior cats, chronic renal disease is a prevalent condition. Acute kidney damage is a serious disorder that starts out quite suddenly. With the use of a particular diet, drugs, and fluid treatment, many kidney problems may be treated.
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Approximate Cost of Illness
The approximate cost for the above-mentioned illnesses can vary depending on the stage of illness. The cost of digital X-rays ranges from $150 to $400 (depending on the number of views), $800 to $1,000 for an endoscopy, up to $1,500 for a biopsy, $300 to $500 for an ultrasound, and $3,000 for a CT scan.
If you’re concerned about how you’ll pay for your pet’s medical care in the event of an accident or illness, pet insurance could be a good option for you. If you choose to get pet insurance, dog insurance or cat insurance, shop around and conduct research to obtain the most advantageous coverage.