Media releases 2014

Dogs bring their owners countless pleasures, but an unexpected trip to the vet can also mean a financial headache for the unprepared.

Many dog owners – and those considering welcoming a pooch into the family - might be surprised to learn that it’s not uncommon for treatments to cost thousands.

Southern Cross Pet Insurance, New Zealand’s longest-standing pet insurer, has released a list of the ten most common claims for dogs that cost over $1,000 in 2013. They are:

• Cruciate ligament (knee joint ligament)
• Intestinal obstruction (partial or full blockage of the stomach or intestine)
• Traumatic injury
• Cancer
• Foreign body (ingestion of an object)
• Fracture
• Urolithiasis (kidney stones)
• Pancreatitis (inflamed pancreas)
• Lameness
• Anal Gland disorder

In the last eight months, Southern Cross Pet Insurance has received claims after veterinary treatment was required following ingestion of the following items:

• A pen
• Three socks
• A plastic bolt with large flat head and steel washer
• Teat from a baby’s bottle
• Cigarettes as well as the cigarette packet
• Chocolate Easter eggs and Easter bunnies, including the foil
• Five protein bars
• Nurofen tablets (stomach also contained a peach stone, beer bottle lid, a stone and other plastic)

There are even repeat offenders. One poky little puppy has visited the vet on several occasions having eaten sanitary items, dental floss, an empty raisin packet, empty yoghurt container and a muffin case.