The Most Unusual Claims

Pet Insurance Australia has released its top unusual pet claims for 2019 with ingestion topping the list.

“Our pets surprise us every day and that is also very evident in claims made against pet insurance,” Crighton says. “Besides the very obvious claims such as allergies and illness, we also see some unusual claims that prove our companion animals can get up to all sorts of mischief.”

From ingestion of foreign materials such as balls, corncobs, bones, and plastic, to the more unusual like hearing aids, mouthguards, and needles.

“We’ve seen some interesting cases of ingestion over the years that have caused pet owners a huge amount of stress,” Crighton says. “Some are very obvious, while others have left pet owners scratching their heads!”

Other items vets have seen consumed include pool balls, balloons, fish-hooks, earrings, coins, handkerchiefs, tea towels, and dental floss.

While around $15,000 of a $19,600 claim was paid for a dog that ingested a corn cob, it is socks that have a way of finding themselves into a dog’s stomach. Labradors are the most likely breed to eat a foreign object (16%) and are also the most common ‘sock eater’.

Other claims involve younger pets suffering from typical older dog problems.

“Sadly, arthritis is increasing overall, and even with younger pets,” Crighton says. “We’ve also had a Rottweiler suffering from cataract operations at only the age of three.”

Allergies are by far our most common claims, with atopic dermatitis and ear issues topping the list.

“Many pet owners take out pet insurance during puppyhood and the kitten stages to ensure they are covered for many of the common ailments that affect our pets,” Crighton says. “But the more unusual claims are certainly an eye-opener to many pet lovers of the possible issues your pet may face.”

Top Unusual Claims

• A curious Cavoodle ingested their owners hearing-aid
• Domestic shorthair cat ingested orange icing from a cake requiring hospitalisation
• Kelpie ingested a fish-hook requiring surgery
• Ragdoll being stung by a bee and suffering an allergic reaction
• Labrador eating rubbish causing gastrointestinal upset
• Mixed breed narrowly avoiding leg amputation due to a car accident
• Canine suffering from slipped discs after off-leash play
• French Bulldog ingested tampons requiring extensive surgery
• Three-year-old Rottweiler requiring double cataract operations
• Great Dane sustaining broken bones after an incident involving a horse
• Schnauzer diagnosed with meningitis and needing extensive hospitalisation

Featured by:

• Perth Now

Photo by Jamie Street on Unsplash

Nadia Crighton

Nadia Crighton is a renowned and accomplished professional in the fields of Journalism, Public Relations, and Writing, with an extensive career spanning over 25 years, 20 of which have been dedicated to promoting the health and well-being of pets.

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