Veterinary Pet Insurance reported today the top 10 reasons why dog owners took their dogs to the veterinarian:

1. Ear infections
2. Skin allergies
3. Stomach upsets
4. Benign tumors
5. Bladder infections
6. Skin infections
7. Sprains
8. Eye infections
9. Colitis
10. Skin lacerations

This information is based on actual claims submitted in 2004. Note that not all dog owners have pet health insurance. Most dog owners do not.

VPI said that ear infections, being the top reason, accounted for 9% of all claims, and is consistently the top reason each year.