The most expensive cat insurance claims

As a cat owner, there’s nothing like an unexpected vet bill to put pressure on those purse strings. We’d do anything for our beloved animals, but with some unforeseen health issues running into the thousands of pounds, our finances can only stretch so far.

Understanding these conditions not only prepares you for potential emergencies but also highlights the importance of pet insurance to cover any sudden shocks. With this in mind, here are the most expensive cat insurance claims recorded by Agria Pet Insurance, including details on what causes these conditions and how they’re typically treated.

Top 10 most expensive cat insurance claims*

1. Abdominal wall rupture – £9,826.41
2. Meningitis (unspecified) - £8,151.63
3. Urolithiasis (ureteric) - £7,511.50
4. Hydrocephalus - £7,448.43
5. Intussusception, gastroesophageal - £6,154.64
6. Fracture of thoracic limb - humerus (site unspecified) - £6,000.00
7. Protein-losing nephropathy (PLN) (azotaemia unspecified) - £5,402.06
8. Vasculitis/vasculopathy - £5,283.83
9. Polyp (middle ear) - £4,902.86
10. Protozoan infection finding - £4,652.98

*Figures are the average cost per claim and are based on all Agria Pet Insurance claims received between Nov 2023 and May 2024. 

Here’s a look at each condition and its treatment in some more detail.

1. Abdominal wall rupture - £9,826.41

An abdominal wall rupture occurs when the muscles of a cat’s belly tear, allowing the organs to protrude through the weakened area. It’s often caused by some kind of trauma, like a car accident or a cat taking a nasty fall from height.

Thankfully, abdominal wall ruptures are pretty rare, but they can be life-threatening if a pet doesn’t get immediate veterinary care. The cost of treatment tends to cover emergency surgery, where a vet will repair the rupture and reposition the cat’s organs. After surgery, recovery may involve pain management, antibiotics, and restricting the cat’s activity until they’re healed.

2. Meningitis (unspecified) - £8,151.63

Meningitis in cats is a serious disease that affects the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, which become inflamed. It can be caused by infections, autoimmune diseases, or other unknown factors. Meningitis is quite rare in cats, but when it does occur it’s more often seen in young animals or those with weakened immune systems. 

To diagnose meningitis, a vet may perform spinal fluid analysis. Treatment then usually includes corticosteroids (commonly referred to as ‘steroids’) to reduce inflammation and antibiotics or antivirals if an infection is present.

3. Urolithiasis (Ureteric) - £7,511.50

Urolithiasis refers to the formation of stones in the urinary tract, specifically the ureters in this case (tubes that connect a cat’s kidneys to its bladder). These stones block urine flow and cause severe pain, with vomiting, fever and a decreased appetite all typical symptoms too. Urolithiasis is relatively common, particularly in certain breeds like Persians. 

Treatment involves surgically removing the stones or using a catheter, which is inserted into the bladder via the urethra, to dislodge them. Over the long-term, a vet may advise on a specialised diet to manage the condition and prevent the stones from returning.

4. Hydrocephalus - £7,448.43

Often referred to as “water on the brain,” hydrocephalus is an abnormal buildup of cerebrospinal fluid (a watery substance that surrounds and protects the brain and spial cord). It’s fairly uncommon in cats, and often congenital, meaning it’s a condition that tends to affect kittens from birth.

Mild cases may be managed with medication to reduce fluid pressure. However, more severe cases may require surgical intervention, such as placing a small tube called a shunt to drain the excess fluid.

5. Intussusception (Gastroesophageal) - £6,154.64

This condition occurs when one part of a cat’s intestine ‘telescopes’ into another - meaning one section slides into another, a bit like a telescope collapsing into itself - causing a blockage. It tends to be more common in young cats. 

Thankfully, it’s quite rare but potentially life-threatening when it does occur. It can result from gastrointestinal infections, or a cat swallowing something it shouldn’t that irritates the gut. 

To correct the blockage and get the intestines working again properly, a cat will need specialist surgery – which, as with many of the conditions on this list, tends to explain the relatively high cost of the average claim.

6. Fracture of Thoracic Limb (Humerus) - £6,000.00

This refers to a broken humerus, the upper bone of the front leg. It’s often caused by some kind of trauma. Fractures are fairly common, especially in active or outdoor cats. And treatment involves stabilising the bone with pins, plates, or external fixation. Recovery typically includes pain management and restricted movement.

7. Protein-Losing Nephropathy (PLN) - £5,402.06

PLN is a kidney condition where proteins leak into the urine, leading to a number of issues. It’s often associated with chronic kidney disease, which is where the kidneys gradually stop working. It’s an uncommon condition but seen more frequently in older cats. The type of treatment can depend on the underlying cause of the condition. However, vets may prescribe medications to manage protein loss and address underlying kidney disease. A special diet may also be required.

8. Vasculitis/Vasculopathy - £5,283.83

Vasculitis refers to inflammation or damage to blood vessels, often caused by autoimmune diseases or infections. It tends to be rare in cats and is usually secondary to another condition. Treatment focuses on addressing the underlying cause and managing symptoms with corticosteroids and immunosuppressive drugs (medication that reduces the cat’s immune system response). Diagnosing the condition can be complex. Add on the cost of medication and ongoing check-ups or tests and the cost of treatment can soon increase – pushing up the price of pet insurance claims.

9. Polyp (Middle Ear) - £4,902.86

Middle ear polyps are benign growths that can cause balance issues, head shaking, and ear infections in cats. They are relatively uncommon but more frequently found in young animals. The size and location of the polyp tends to determine how much it affects the cat. 

Polyps are removed surgically, often through a procedure called a ventral bulla osteotomy. This is where the surgeon makes an incision under the neck to access the middle ear.

10. Protozoan Infection - £4,652.98

Protozoan infections, such as toxoplasmosis, are caused by single-celled organisms that can get into a cat’s system and cause them to become unwell. Some infections are mild, which the cat may fight off themselves. But in other cases, they can affect multiple organs and lead to severe illness.

Thankfully, severe infections tend to be fairly rare in well-cared-for cats, although outdoor cats are at higher risk. This is because they’re more likely to come into contact with contaminated water, soil, or prey which can carry parasites.

The relatively high cost of a claim tends to be due to several things. First, there’s the diagnosis, which can include blood work, stool samples and certain scans and/or imaging. And then there’s the medications required and specialist veterinary care. Also, protozoan infections may take a while to resolve themselves, requiring ongoing vet visits and medication refills, which can push up costs.

Why cat insurance is essential

These costly conditions highlight the often-unpredictable nature of vet bills. The good news is that many common conditions are preventable with regular check-ups and a healthy lifestyle. However, should something unexpected happen, having cat insurance ensures you’re well prepared, allowing you to focus on your furry friend’s recovery without worrying about the dent to your finances.

All our policies come with 24/7 access to vet video calls through the Agria app.