New Data Reinforces the Power of Preventive Veterinary Care

In addition to insights on some of the most common avoidable illnesses found in pets, the practice uncovered the financial implications of treating vs. preventing them

More than ever before, pets and people share an undeniable bond. We love our pets and go above and beyond to help them live happy, healthy lives. In fact, a recent report from Banfield Pet Hospital – the leading provider of preventive veterinary care and part of the Mars Veterinary Health family of practices – found an increase in puppies and kittens receiving care in 2020 compared to the year prior. Yet despite having their best interests in mind, each year cats and dogs across the country continue to contract preventable diseases that can have serious impacts on their health.

Seeing more than three million pets annually, Banfield analyzed its electronic veterinary health records system – the largest in the U.S. – for data and insights on some of the most common illnesses that are preventable but unfortunately still seen in too many of our pets, including dental health issues, parvovirus, heartworm, and feline leukemia.

To further look at the impacts of these illnesses, the practice also uncovered how much more costly it can be to treat vs. prevent them. Every pet’s situation is unique, and costs can vary significantly from what’s outlined below depending on severity of the illness and the pet’s size, weight, age, comorbidities and more. 

Among other key findings:

• Oral health issues are the most common diagnoses Banfield sees in dogs and cats, and a new study from Waltham Petcare Science Institute leveraging Banfield data found extra-small dog breeds (<14.3 lbs) were up to five times more likely to be diagnosed with periodontal disease than giant dog breeds (>55 lbs).
• In the past 10 years, Banfield saw an increase in cats diagnosed with heartworms, which is of particular concern as there is currently no safe treatment to remove or kill adult heartworms in cats.
• In addition to posing serious health implications for dogs, treating parvovirus can cost owners nearly 24 times more than preventing the virus.

Here’s a deeper look at the data.

More than bad breath
Bad breath isn’t just an unpleasant smell you tolerate from your beloved pet – it can be a sign of dental disease, which can be associated with oral pain, ptyalism (excessive drooling), bleeding, and reluctance to eat or drink. 85% of adult dogs and 80% of adult cats seen at Banfield in the past year between the ages of 3-10 showed signs of dental disease (including dental calculus).

Periodontal disease, a more serious form of dental disease in pets, may also be linked to other chronic and systemic health problems in the rest of the body, including heart and kidney disease. Research based on Banfield data found:

• Cats with advanced stages of periodontal disease were 1.5x more likely to develop chronic kidney disease
• Dogs with advanced periodontal disease were 2.3x more likely to develop chronic kidney disease and 6.3x more likely to develop endocarditis (infection of a heart valve)

When looking at cost, removing a single diseased tooth can be 3 times more expensive than professional dental cleanings and 25 times more expensive than monthly at-home dental care. Routine care at home has been shown to be a very important aspect of good oral health and should be part of a holistic oral care plan that includes professional dental cleanings, as well. Partner with your veterinary team to craft an at-home care plan that’s right for your pet, which can include regular brushing and the use of Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC)-approved dental chews (VOHC.org) like Greenies.

Attention, puppy owners!
Parvovirus causes severe illness, vomiting and diarrhea in dogs – primarily puppies – and has a nearly 100% fatality rate if left untreated. The disease is highly transmissible and unprotected pets can contract it from other dogs and high-traffic areas, so is of ongoing concern as people and their pets begin socializing more.

Luckily, there is an effective way to protect our beloved pets. When looking at the past 10 years, Banfield’s data reveals a 13% increase in dogs 14 months or younger receiving the parvovirus vaccine and a 69% decrease in dogs of the same age contracting the illness.

That said, lockdowns due to COVID-19 might have negatively impacted owners ensuring their puppies received this important vaccine, as BluePearl Specialty and Emergency Pet Hospital saw a 70% increase in the number of parvovirus cases relative to ER cases in 2020 as compared to the same time periods in the previous five years – underscoring the importance of remaining committed to prevention.

Heartworm: a continued concern, especially for cats
According to the American Heartworm Society, more than a million pets in the U.S. have heartworm – a serious and potentially fatal parasite for dogs and cats that is contracted from mosquitos – and cases have been diagnosed in all 50 states.

In the past decade, Banfield’s data found a 46% drop in dogs diagnosed with the parasite, underscoring the importance and effectiveness of preventive care. When looking at dogs specifically, treating heartworm can be over 12 times more expensive than annual canine heartworm prevention.

The same decrease in cases unfortunately can’t be said for cats: in the past 10 years the practice saw a 22% increase in felines diagnosed with heartworms. This is particularly concerning for a number of reasons, including:

• There is currently no safe treatment to remove or kill adult heartworms in cats, so infected cats can only be treated supportively and symptomatically.
• In cats, heartworm infections cause a syndrome known as heartworm associated respiratory disease (HARD).

There are multiple ways to prevent heartworm infection so it’s important to partner with your veterinarian to determine what’s right for your pet. These options include monthly oral medications, monthly topical medications, and an injection available to dogs that’s given every six or 12 months by your veterinarian.

Feline leukemia: preventing the fatal disease
Feline leukemia is a fatal disease, with research showing the median survival time for cats post diagnosis is 2.5 years. The disease weakens cats’ immune systems and increases their susceptibility to other diseases and infections. Depending on your cat’s daily habits and other pets in the household, your veterinarian might recommend yearly tests for the infection – especially for cats that venture outside or live with other outdoor pets.

Preventing this disease is important for your cat’s overall health and wellbeing, and the good news is there’s an effective vaccine. According to Banfield’s data, cats diagnosed with this disease decreased by 36% over the past 10 years. Compared to prevention, treating feline leukemia can be 41 times more expensive.

Ensuring our pets get the care they need
When identifying and treating illnesses such as heartworm or feline leukemia, the sooner concerns are noted, the more likely your veterinarian can recommend a treatment plan to manage those health changes. Banfield knows that unfortunately cats don’t see the vet as often as dogs. In fact, cats made up just 22% of the pets seen at Banfield in the past year, and Royal Canin found that more than half of all cats in the U.S. don't receive veterinary care on a regular basis.

While some cats might find trips to the vet stressful, Banfield veterinarians recommend partnering with your hospital team on ways to make the process easier on you and your pet. This can include taking time to get your cat used to its carrier, talking with your vet about calming products to help them feel more at ease during exams, and determining the best time to bring your cat in to be seen. Let us know how you’re helping your pet get important preventive care by tagging @BanfieldPetHospital and #Cat2Vet.