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Pets require routine medical attention just like their human counterparts, and while common issues such as ear infections and skin allergies are rarely life-threatening, they can be unexpected and expensive. Nationwide, the nation’s first and largest provider of pet health insurance, recently sorted through its database of more than 600,000 insured pets to determine the top medical conditions that prompted veterinary visits for dogs and cats in 2016. Below are the results.

“We encourage pet owners to schedule regular medical checkups as recommended by their veterinarians to prevent many common, yet problematic medical conditions,” said Carol McConnell, DVM, MBA, vice president and chief veterinary medical officer for Nationwide. “It’s important for pet owners to be familiar with their pet’s daily habits to help identify oddities in their routine. Early detection can prevent many of these issues from becoming serious.”

Last year, Nationwide members spent more than $81 million to treat the 10 most common medical conditions affecting their pets. Skin allergies were the most common health issue among Nationwide insured canines with more than 102,000 individual claims. Dental diseases accounted for the most common medical condition among Nationwide insured felines with more than 5,200 claims.

TOP MEDICAL CONDITIONS 

Dogs

1. Skin Allergies
2. Ear Infection
3. Non-cancerous Skin Mass
4. Skin Infection
5. Arthritis
6. Periodontitis/Dental Disease
7. Vomiting/Upset Stomach
8. Diarrhea/ Intestinal Upset
9. Bladder or Urinary Tract Infection
10. Anal Gland Inflammation/Infection

Cats

1. Periodontitis/Dental Disease
2. Bladder or Urinary Tract Disease
3. Chronic Kidney Disease
4. Vomiting/Upset Stomach
5. Excessive Thyroid Hormone
6. Diarrhea/Intestinal Upset
7. Diabetes
8. Inflammatory Bowel Disease
9. Skin Allergies
10. Valvular Heart Disease or Murmur

Learn more about Nationwide Pet Insurance here, or call 877-738-7874 and mention Ohio Farm Bureau for your preferred pricing.

Insurance terms, definitions and explanations are intended for informational purposes only and do not in any way replace or modify the definitions and information contained in individual insurance contracts, policies or declaration pages, which are controlling. Such terms and availability may vary by state and exclusions may apply. Underwritten by Veterinary Pet Insurance Company (CA), Columbus, OH, an A.M. Best A+ rated company (2017); National Casualty Company (all other states), Columbus, OH, an A.M. Best A+ rated company (2017). Agency of Record: DVM Insurance Agency. Nationwide, the Nationwide N and Eagle, and Nationwide is on your side areservice marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. ©2018 Nationwide.