What Every Pet Owner Should Know About Emergencies Accidents Can Be Life-Threatening for Pets, Emotionally and Financially Draining for Pet Owners AverageCosts for Treating CommonInjuries 2002 Injuries to Pets 1. Fracture 2. Gastric torsion (bloat in large breeds) Avg. TreatmentCosts $1740.00 (repair with stainless steel plate) $1736.89 3. Gastric foreign body $1209.74(surgery) Anti-freeze ingestion $ 578.42 or poisoning Insecticide toxicity $ 493.00 Multiple lacerations $ 441.73 Snail bait ingestion $ 423.75 Ingestion of $ 270.84 = (NAPSA)—Pets are unpredictable and in an instant can find themselves in emergency situations. An analysis of claims submitted to Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI), the nation’s oldest and largest pet medical insurance provider, revealed some of the most commoninjuries to pets in 2002 and just how expensive it can be to treat each type of injury. “Just like children, pets are unable to understand the hazards of household chemicals, antifreeze, toxic plants, electrical cords and other dangerousobjects around the house,” says Jack Stephens, DVM, founder and chief executive officer of VPI. It’s also a good idea to pet-proof your home just as new parents might childproof a home. Keep your clinic’s contact information near the phone whereit’s readily available. If the emergency is after normaloffice hours, you may need to visit a pet emergency facility—keep their number and address handy. Many veterinarians recommend protecting your pet with a medical insurance policy. Unexpected emergencies bring unexpected costs, and pet insur- household chemicals 9. Single lacerations 10. Soft tissue trauma $205.32 $195.32 @ ance can help pet owners make decisions based on what’s best for their pets without worrying about the expense. Knowing a pet is protected with insurance can lessen the burden of having to makelife or death decisions about a critically injured pet. “The dogs and cats we share our homes with are curious, playful and always mischievous,” concludes Stephens. “Owners can’t possibly predict what their pets will get themselves into, but knowing their pet is protected does provide peace of mind and can reduce some of the stress involved in emergency situations.” Founded in 1980 by Dr. Jack Stephens with the support of 750 independent veterinarians, Veterinary Pet Insurance, Brea, Calif., is the nation’s number-one medical insurance plan for dogs, cats, birds and other common exotic pets, with approximately 320,000 policies in force. Exclusively endorsed by American Humane, Veterinary Pet Insurance policies make the miracles of veterinary medicine affordable by covering more than 6,400 medical treatments for accidents and illnesses, with optional coverage available for preventive and routine care. Policies are licensed in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Policies are underwritten by Veterinary Pet Insurance in California and in all other states by National Casualty Co., an A+15 rated company, in Madison, Wisconsin. For more information, call 800- USA-PETS(800-872-7387) or visit the Veterinary Pet Insurance Web site at petinsurance.com.
