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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 16th April 2014
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Pet insurance claims on the rise

Average claims have topped £600.

With the release of the latest ABI figures, the cost of owning a pet has been highlighted with the average claim on pet insurance topping £600.

In 2013, £478 million was paid out by pet insurers - the equivalent of £1.3 million every day - largely to cover veterinary bills for the treatment of sick or injured cats and dogs. This figure has risen by 24 per cent since 2010.

Almost 800,000 claims were made last year, a rise of eight per cent since 2010. Despite this high number, however, out of the 17 million owners of cats and dogs in the UK, only 15 per cent have pet insurance. This leaves an alarming number of owners still risking the cost of large veterinary bills for their beloved pets.

Figures indicate the average cost of treating a dog inured in a road traffic accident is £674, and £300 for a cat. Spinal surgery for a dog can cost £2,000 and treating a uterine infection will cost around £900. An overnight stay can typically cost £675 for a dog, and £300 for a cat.

Along with claims for cats and dogs, there have been a number of unusual pet claims including the removal of a mouth tumour from a hedgehog, and the treatment of a ferret with heart disease.

 

 

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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.