Keeping Pets Safe During the Holiday Season

BREA, Calif., Nov. 20, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- From munching on colorful holiday light bulbs to ingesting chocolate treats intended for human consumption, pets are exposed to a variety of dangerous objects during the holiday season. In 2012, Veterinary Pet Insurance Co. (VPI) policyholders spent more than $24.3 million on medical conditions commonly associated with the holidays. As the season approaches, VPI reminds pet owners of the potential dangers presented to our four-legged companions. Below are the most common holiday hazards for pets:

• "People" food and scraps
• Chocolate and/or other caffeinated products
• Christmas tree decorations (Ornaments and tinsel)
• Holiday plants (Lilies, hollies, mistletoe and poinsettias)
• Holiday lighting

VPI, the nation's first and largest provider of pet health insurance, recently sorted its database of more than 500,000 insured pets to determine the most common medical conditions associated with the holiday season.

Medical Conditions Associated with the Holidays
Gastritis (vomiting), the most common medical condition associated with the holidays, cost an average of $275 per pet. Examples of potential holiday hazards that could result in gastritis include the ingestion of Christmas tree water and holiday plants, such as lilies, mistletoe and poinsettias. Enteritis (diarrhea), the second most common medical condition associated with the holidays, cost an average of $120 per pet. The ingestion of "people" food, especially high fat leftovers and scraps are common examples of potential holiday hazards that could result in enteritis.

Intestinal foreign body – surgical (foreign object in the intestines), the most expensive medical condition associated with the holidays, costs an average of $2,033 per pet.  The digestive system's inability to pass tinsel, ribbons and bone fragments (from holiday meats) are examples of foreign objects that could require surgery for removal.

Of the 269,471 claims processed during the holiday months (November through January 2012), 25,731 were for conditions commonly associated with holiday festivities. Of those claims, 17,955, or 70 percent, were specifically associated with vomiting and diarrhea, illustrating the importance of keeping pets from eating tempting seasonal items.

Keeping Chocolate Away from Pets
VPI received 1,016 methylxanthine (chocolate toxicity) claims in 2012. The 221 claims that were submitted in December alone presented a 306 percent increase over an average of 72 methylxanthine claims submitted during the other 11 months of the year. Chocolate toxicity claims had an average cost of $378 per pet. Although death only occurs in approximately one in every 3,000 chocolate intoxication cases, the ingestion of chocolate could result in vomiting, diarrhea, urination, hyperactivity, heart arrhythmias, tremors and seizures. 

"With the increased activity and exposure to dangerous items during the holiday season, it's important to keep a watchful eye on our pets," said Carol McConnell, DVM, MBA, vice president and chief veterinary officer for VPI. "Pet owners should be sure to place all potentially hazardous items out of reach. Taking necessary precautions in advance will keep the holidays happy, and hopefully avoid a trip to the veterinary emergency room!"

About Veterinary Pet Insurance
With more than 500,000 pets insured nationwide, Veterinary Pet Insurance Co./DVM Insurance Agency (VPI) is a member of the Nationwide Insurance family of companies and is the first and largest pet health insurance company in the United States. Since 1982, VPI has helped provide pet owners with peace of mind and is committed to being the trusted choice of America's pet lovers.

VPI Pet Insurance plans cover dogs, cats, birds and exotic pets for multiple medical problems and conditions relating to accidents, illnesses and injuries. CareGuard^® coverage for routine care is available for an additional premium. Medical plans are available in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Additionally, one in three Fortune 500 companies offers VPI Pet Insurance as an employee benefit. Policies are offered and administered by Veterinary Pet Insurance Company in California and DVM Insurance Agency in all other states. Underwritten by Veterinary Pet Insurance Company (CA), Brea, CA, an A.M. Best A rated company (2012); National Casualty Company (all other states), Madison, WI, an A.M. Best A+ rated company (2012). Pet owners can find VPI Pet Insurance on Facebook or follow @VPI on Twitter. For more information about VPI Pet Insurance, call 800-USA-PETS (800-872-7387) or visit petinsurance.com.

SOURCE Veterinary Pet Insurance