The 8 most expensive dog insurance claims

If you’re like us, then you’d do anything for your beloved pet. But that doesn’t mean we’re thrilled about handing over a big chunk of cash if they have any unforeseen health issues. On the plus side, having a peace-of-mind dog insurance policy can help take the bite out of what otherwise may be an expensive trip to the vet.

Here we look at dog insurance claims at the more expensive end of the scale. These are some of the more costly claims we’ve seen, including what causes these conditions, and how they’re treated.

Top 8 most expensive dog insurance claims*

1. Abscess, spinal cord – £11,418.91
2. Intestinal perforation, large intestine – £11,023.29
3. Nephroblastoma (site unspecified) – £8,518.86
4. Carcinoma, stomach (gastric) – £7,693.36
5. Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysplasia – £7,401.74
6. Abscess, peritoneal – £7,397.89
7. Post-operative complication: infection – £6,674.25
8. Prostatic cyst – £6,206.61

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

Now we’ll take a closer look at each condition and its treatment.

1. Abscess, spinal cord – £11,418.91

On average, the most expensive veterinary procedure for dogs is an abscess in the spinal cord, otherwise known as spinal epidural empyema (SEE). Fortunately it’s rare, but it’s pretty unpleasant. It’s an infection which causes neurological dysfunction, fever and spinal pain. It’s considered an emergency, and requires immediate treatment if your dog has it.

Symptoms to look out for include spinal pain, fever, lethargy and incontinence. It can lead to anorexia and paraparesis or paraplegia. It can also involve progressive neurological dysfunction, which can manifest itself in things like lack of coordination, tremors, disorientation and changes in behaviour.

Its treatment depends on the type of infection, but your vet may recommend a course of antibiotics which could last between 6 to 12 months, or anti-inflammatory medication, or both. It can also lead to surgery, which pushes up the price.

2. Intestinal perforation, large intestine – £11,023.29

A bowel or large intestinal perforation in dogs is a life-threatening condition which needs immediate attention. This is often caused by swallowing an object which can’t pass through the dog’s system, such as a chunk of bone or piece of plastic – usually something hard.

Symptoms can come on quickly, including severe abdominal pain, and you may also notice their abdomen bloating. They may also experience nausea and vomiting, fever or chills.

This can result in needing surgery to repair the hole. In some cases, it can result in the removal of part of the intestine. Emergency surgery like this can be pricey, which is why having pet insurance in place is a good idea.

3. Nephroblastoma – £8,518.86

Nephroblastoma is a malignant tumour that can affect a dog's kidneys (particularly in young dogs) or spinal cord (more common in larger breeds). Mercifully, it’s rare. But it’s also serious, and it’s best to catch it quickly, as otherwise it can spread to the lungs, liver and other lymph nodes.

Symptoms can include blood in the urine (although this can also be caused by urinary tract infections), lethargy, weight loss, abdominal pain and vomiting. Treatment tends to involve surgery, often alongside chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

4. Carcinoma, stomach (gastric) – £7,693.36

Gastric carcinoma (GC) is a form of stomach cancer in dogs. Again, it’s thankfully a fairly rare condition. Although in truth, the condition’s exact prevalence is unknown, because it can be symptomless for a long time. And unfortunately, by the time symptoms do present themselves, they can be fairly non-specific, and the condition itself may be advanced.

Symptoms can include chronic intermittent vomiting (sometimes with blood, or the appearance of coffee grounds), lethargy, loss of appetite and weight loss. They may also have discomfort or swelling in their abdomen. Treatment tends to involve surgically removing the tumour, often coupled with chemotherapy. Radiotherapy may also be used for local tumours which can’t be removed.

5. Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysplasia – £7,401.74

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects the lower jaw to the skull. Dogs can sometimes have a malformed joint, leading to TMJ luxation. This results in the jaw locking intermittently. It’s most common in breeds such as Basset Hounds, Dachshunds and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.

Keep an eye out for difficulty opening and closing the mouth, which may be accompanied by a clicking sound. It can also cause drooling, a lump or swelling on the side of the face, and your dog might whine while eating. Treatment usually involves manipulating the bone back into place under general anaesthetic. If the joint is still unstable, the dog may have to wear a support muzzle after the procedure.

6. Abscess, peritoneal – £7,397.89

The peritoneum is a membrane which lines the inside of the abdominal cavity. Dogs can get abscesses here – in other words, a buildup of pus – which is serious, and can be life-threatening. There are a few potential causes, including a wound or injury to the abdomen, or a foreign object piercing the abdominal cavity from the inside.

Signs to look for can include pain or swelling in the abdomen, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhoea, weakness, fever and rapid breathing. Treatment can include surgery to fix the underlying cause, as well as IV fluids, painkillers and antibiotics.

7. Post-operative complication: infection – £6,674.25

After undergoing surgery, it’s possible for surgical wounds to get contaminated. This is known as surgical site infection (SSI), and can be pretty unpleasant. Signs of infection include redness and swelling, discharge (usually yellow or green), pain and warmth in the area operated on. Infection can also lead to lethargy, vomiting, diarrhoea and fever.

Prevention is better than cure here, so try to stop your dog from licking their wound for 10-14 days after surgery. This might involve using the dreaded cone (its proper name is Elizabethan collar, or E collar), but needs must. If your dog does become infected, you should take them to a vet as soon as possible. Treatment is likely to involve wound cleaning and drainage, and a course of antibiotics. However, it can sometimes involve further surgery to remove the infected tissue.

8. Prostatic cyst – £6,206.61

This is a fluid-filled sac that can develop in a dog’s prostate. While it’s not cancerous, it’s important to get it sorted out, as it can cause dogs a lot of discomfort. It’s usually caused by an enlarged prostate, often due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). This tends to be more of an issue in older dogs, and breeds such as Scottish Terriers, German Shepherds, and Doberman Pinschers are more prone to BPH.

Prostatic cysts can lead to trouble going to the toilet, cloudy or bloody urine, lethargy, decreased appetite, and abdominal pain or swelling. Treatment might include ultrasound-guided drainage, castration or in some cases surgical intervention. Dogs normally recover completely after surgery.

Why dog insurance is essential

If your dog has regular check-ups and a healthy lifestyle, this can help to prevent common conditions. But ultimately it’s a roll of the dice as to whether dogs develop certain conditions, and veterinary treatment is often expensive. This is why having a good dog insurance policy in place means you’re prepared, and can help take the sting out of unpredictable vet bills.

And if you take out dog insurance with Agria, all our policies come with 24/7 access to vet video calls through the Agria app.