What are the most common illnesses dogs suffer from?

Here is the list – Top 10 Canine Medical Conditions of 2008 – based on reported pet insurance claims.

Many of conditions on the list are chronic medical conditions that often require repeat visits to the vet to treat and control. Any of these conditions can be expensive to treat. This is especially true if you need to return to your vet on a regular basis to deal with the chronic nature of these medical conditions. If left untreated, any of the top 10 conditions could result in serious health problems and eventually cost hundreds of dollars to treat.

1. Ear Infections – certain dogs and even dog breeds like Basset Hounds and German Shepherds are predisposed to ear problems, but any dog can be affected. There are many causes of ear infections, including ear mites, allergies, and foreign bodies such as foxtails
2. Skin Allergies – includes allergies to food, pollen, grass, carpets and, most commonly, fleas; dogs with allergies can have red skin, hair loss and itching
3. Pyoderma/Hot Spots – this is the term given to infected wounds arising from self trauma. For example, if your dog has a skin allergy and he repeatedly scratches or chews the affected area of skin, then this can create a skin sore which may become infected if left untreated; the most common symptom is a hairless, moist, painful area on the skin, often on the neck or rear end
4. Gastritis/Vomiting
5. Enteritis/Diarrhea
6. Urinary Tract Infections – the most common symptoms are frequent urination, inappropriate urination, or bloody urine
7. Benign Skin Tumors – the most common symptom is an abnormal lump or growth on or under the skin
8. Osteoarthritis - the most common symptoms are lameness, trouble getting up or walking
9. Eye Inflammation – the most common symptoms are a red, irritated or painful eye
10. Hypothyroidism – the most common symptoms are hair loss and weight gain

So ear infections took the lead as the # 1 problem for dogs on the Top 10 List, and benign skin tumors rank #1 in terms of treatment cost – they are the most expensive to treat at an average of $340 per incident.

Pet Insurance

In these economic times, going to the vet is one more expense that many of us can’t afford.  That is why considering a pet insurance policy is a great way to ensure that if your pet is faced with a serious health condition, you have the financial ability to do what’s best for him or her.

Please take a moment to learn about the many benefits of pet insurance for yourself. There are a variety of plans to fit every budget. It will only take a minute and it could be the difference between providing the best care for your precious pup, or only doing only what you can afford to do for him at the time without having the burden of using your savings or going in debt.

So take the extra step today and get an instant quote on a plan for your dog. You’ll be glad you did. Go to embracepetinsurance.com

Alternatives to Pet Insurance

If the monthly premiums for Pet Health Insurance just do not fit in your budget, there are other alternatives.

Care Credit

Care Credit is a flexible payment plan option for veterinary expenses that works like a credit card but has some additional bonuses. The number one benefit is that you do not pay anything for Care Credit until you utilize the service and even then, the company offers interest free payment plans if the bill is paid within a certain time period.

Please keep in mind that the Care Credit can only be used at a participating veterinary. Visit their website for additional information and a list of local veterinarians.