Thinking of our pets becoming unwell is never pleasant, but the truth is that accidents can sometimes happen - so it's important that you're prepared.
Experts at Admiral Pet Insurance have warned owners to always make sure their pets are covered by a policy should they fall unwell. If not, you could be slapped with vet bills worth thousands of pounds.
It comes as vet procedures have seen a seven percent increase in price over the last year, putting pressure on families who are already struggling with the cost of living crisis.
Liverpool Echo reports that specialists at the pet insurance company have detailed some of the most common injuries and accidents a pet can sustain, and how much they generally cost to treat.
Accidental poisoning is one of the most expensive common conditions that vets face, with some treatments costing over £5,000.
The most common toxic items eaten by pets are chocolate, grapes, sultanas and raisins for dogs, and antifreeze, lily pollen and toxic household plants for cats.
This is one of the most expensive conditions to treat in animals as it can range from around £289 for examinations, monitoring and medication, to around £5,000 for more intense treatment.
The reason it's so expensive is because it often needs to be carried out on an emergency basis, frequently in an out-of-hours vet surgery.
Another expensive condition to treat is lameness, which is when the animal can't use their limbs properly.
Treatment ranges from £120 for a consultation and medication to £3,800 for surgery and aftercare.
The removal of any lumps and bumps on a dog could start at £454, rising to £2,000 where unwell animals have had to go through chemotherapy after tumours.
Admiral also revealed some insight on the cost of claims it has received from pet owners, including a cat who needed complicated elbow surgery, which would have cost the owner a whopping £4,000 had they not been insured.
There was also a dog that suffered a fracture to its foreleg which had to be amputated, totalling £2,240, and another dog who had a severe reaction to a parasitic infection, whose treatment came to £3,150.
It's estimated that around 10 million households in the UK have a pet dog, while around 8.2 million own a cat.
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