Top 10 Cancerous Conditons in Pets

In 2010, VPI received more than 71,000 claims for cancer diagnosis and treatment in pets – making cancer-related conditions collectively the fourth most common type of medical claim received last year. Many pet owners are unaware of the prevalence of this disease among companion animals and, as a result, can underestimate the cost of treatment for pet cancer.

Last year alone, our policyholders spent more than $26.4 million on the top 10 cancer-related conditions. Cancer of the brain or spinal cord was the most expensive on the list, costing policyholders an average of $720 for the diagnosis and nonsurgical treatment options. For those who opted to pursue surgical treatments for this condition, policyholders incurred $2,642 on average.

Below are the 10 most common cancer-related claims received by VPI in 2010:

Cancerous Conditions

1. Lymphosarcoma or Lymphoma
2. Skin Cancer (Malignant Skin Neoplasia)
3. Splenic (Spleen) Cancer
4. Bone or Joint Cancer
5. Eyelid Cancer
6. Hepatic (Liver) Cancer
7. Thoracic (Chest) Cancer
8. Bladder Cancer
9. Brain or Spinal Cord Cancer
10. Oral (Mouth) Cancer

Treating these pet cancers can be a considerable financial burden and it’s important for pet owners to realize the cost of care for this disease. Whether it’s through a savings account, additional credit and/or pet insurance, the best thing a pet parent can do is be prepared. To ensure that our policyholders are able to pursue optimal cancer treatment, VPI medical policies include benefits for the diagnosis and treatment of cancerous conditions, including chemotherapy and radiation when necessary.  

In an effort to empower pet owners with knowledge about this disease and the treatment options available to them, we launched National Pet Cancer Awareness Month in 2005. Seven years later, we’re still fighting to make an impact, and are grateful to those who have joined the cause. Our Facebook fundraising campaign has been a huge success, raising $10,000 for the Animal Cancer Foundation. Because of the overwhelming response to our $1 per “Like” campaign, we’re increasing the cap on our donation!

Thank you to all of our new friends and to our existing fans who have helped spread the word. Keep on sharing the news; more “Likes” means more money for animal cancer research, up to $20,000! 

For more information about National Pet Cancer Awareness Month or to learn more about pet cancer, visit http://www.petinsurance.com/cancer.