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Rising vet bills lead owners to sacrifice pets
Rising vet bills lead owners to sacrifice pets
03 March 2010 11:52:25
Vets have noticed an increase in treatment costs.
Many vets have been forced to put down a cat or dog because their owner simply could not afford the cost of treatment, research by Sainsbury's Pet Insurance has found.
The insurer discovered that 56% of vets have witnessed such a scenario over the past five years, while 88% have experienced a case where the owner turned down a recommended course of treatment because of the cost.
Joanne Mallon, manager of Sainsbury's Pet Insurance, revealed that vet fees are increasing by around 12% a year, leading many animals to be put down needlessly.
She insisted that pet insurance should be an "essential item" on a prospective owner's list when they consider the costs of keeping a dog or cat.
"Doing without insurance is simply false economy and, worse still, could result in some heart-breaking family decisions being made later down the line," Ms Mallon pointed out.
The research also revealed that 63% of vets think the cost of treating a skin tumour has risen over the past 12 months, while 53% reported an increase in the cost of treatment for dental trauma.
Policies provide varying levels of cover, making it vital for anyone considering buying a dog or cat to compare pet insurance products and ensure they find the best protection.
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