Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI) analyzed its medical claims received in 2007 to determine the top 10 most commonly claimed conditions for dogs and cats. For both cats and dogs, the top 10 conditions accounted for about 25% of all medical claims received last year in the US.
Canine 
1. Ear infections
2. Skin allergies
3. Pyoderma/hot spots
4. Gastritis/vomiting
5. Enteritis/diarrhea
6. Urinary tract infections
7. Benign skin tumors
8. Eye inflammation
9. Osteoarthritis
10. Hypothyroidism
Feline
1. Urinary tract infections
2. Gastritis/vomiting
3. Chronic renal failure
4. Enteritis/diarrhea
5. Diabetes mellitus
6. Skin allergies
7. Colitis/constipation
8. Ear infections
9. Respiratory infections
10. Hyperthyroidism
Are you a bit surprised about some of the things that aren't on the list? Vice president and chief veterinary medical officer for VPI, Dr. Carol McConnell says, "Falling just short of the top 10 are the major injuries that often motivate pet owners to purchase pet insurance: broken bones, poisonings or trauma from car accidents or animal attacks."
The most dramatic change on either list was the rise of feline enteritis from No. 16 in 2006 to No. 4 in 2007. Nearly a third of all the common conditions listed above could be related to or exacerbated by diet, diet changes or dietary indiscretions.
The most effective way to reduce common dietary conditions is to talk to your veterinarian about quality pet food tailored to your dog or cats dietary needs and to feed that food consistently.
As the summer is drawing to a close in Texas, I can assure you that I have seen my share of allergies, ear infections and hot spots in dogs this summer with the hot weather. However as the snow never flies around here, we never see complete relief down here and I can expect to see more throughout the rest of the year. In my favorite feline friends, I can't necessarily say one ailment tops another on this list, I have seen all of these sprinkled through quite regularly on a daily basis. I must comment though that those kitties brought in for a supposed urinary tract infection quite often have something else going on. More on that in another blog!
Until next time, enjoy the cooler weather that is coming our way and keep your pets healthy!
Post Disclaimer: Not all of the pictures in this post are mine (most of them are, including the one of my new cute little Dachshund Oliver! but not all) , I could not find the appropriate people to credit for these pictures, if they are your lovely pictures please let me know so that I can give you proper credit.
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