For most pet parents, emergencies don’t arrive with flashing lights or a warning siren. They arrive quietly. A limp that wasn’t there this morning. A bite wound hidden under fur. A dog who won’t eat. A cat who hasn’t used the litter box all day. Vet waiting rooms are full of these stories. Some sad, some surprising, some slightly unbelievable. What do they all have in common? No one planned to be there.

We sat down with Dr Carla Goede, Vet of the Month and private-practice veterinarian at Rinaldo Riverside, to talk about the emergencies she sees most often. Using dotsure.co.za’s national pet insurance claims data, we explored the most common claims seen across South Africa and asked Dr Carla to share what those trends look like from her consulting rooms. We asked her to break down the costs that catch pet parents off-guard, and the emergencies she wishes people took more seriously.

Dr Carla’s perspective is grounded not only in clinical experience, but in deep compassion. Inspired by South Africa’s natural world, she believes animals’ resilience is extraordinary, but that they shouldn’t have to fight alone. We couldn’t agree more.

RELATED: VET ADVICE; PET INSURANCE VS PET MEDICAL AID

Paws, Problems & Panic: What Are Some Common Pet Emergencies?

We learned a few things from Dr Carla. Dogs explore their surroundings by chewing, eating, or licking things, which can make them sick, while cats roam long distances and are therefore more prone to injuries.

“One of the most common emergencies we see is bite wounds. Dog-on-dog, cat-on-cat, and sometimes even wildlife-related,” says Dr Carla.

And what looks like a small puncture can quickly turn into a severe infection, abscess, or internal injury. Bite wounds often require sedation, wound flushing, antibiotics, pain relief, and follow-up visits.

Another emergency many pet parents underestimate is Rabies (rare, real, and relentless). “Rabies is still very real in South Africa,” Dr Carla stresses. “Vaccination is non-negotiable, not just for your pet, but for human safety too.”

Then there are seasonal spikes they see every year:

  • Heat-related emergencies, especially in brachycephalic (flat-faced) dogs during summer

  • Chocolate toxicity around Easter

  • Gastroenteritis after festive-season table scraps

  • Parvovirus outbreaks following heavy rains.

These are not rare cases. They are predictable, preventable, and often devastating without fast treatment. And super costly without pet insurance.

Common Pet Insurance Claims

Our claims data shows that many of the most common pet insurance claims stem from everyday environments, rather than reckless behaviour, something Dr Carla also confirmed seeing play out daily.

Home & lifestyle hazards:

  • Rat poison and medications accidentally ingested

  • Fishhooks swallowed by dogs walked along beaches (especially Durban)

  • Foreign body removal after pets eat socks, bones, toys, or corn cobs.

  • Puppies are particularly vulnerable to Parvoviral Enteritis

  • Brachycephalic dogs often suffer from congenital and breathing-related complications

  • Senior pets commonly develop osteoarthritis, subtle at first, painful over time.

These conditions consistently rank amongst the most common pet insurance claims nationally, and are also some of the issues vets like Dr Carla treat most frequently.

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Dog Bite Wounds:

These cases often escalate quickly. Don’t be fooled by fur. What’s hidden underneath could mean treatment which may include:

  • Sedation or anaesthesia

  • Wound exploration and flushing

  • Antibiotics and pain medication

  • Repeat visits for infection monitoring.

Without insurance, costs can climb rapidly, especially if surgery is needed (because a small wound today can be a surgical site tomorrow).

Dogs Being Hit by a Car:

“One of the most common emergencies we treat are dogs that have been hit by cars,” Dr Carla explains. This happens fast, is extremely frightening and financially taxing. These cases often require:

  • X-rays or ultrasounds

  • Surgery

  • Hospitalisation

  • Long recovery periods.

This is where pet insurance becomes critical.

Bills, Breakdowns & Budget Shock: What do medical tests and surgery cost?

In South Africa, the cost of medical care can vary widely depending on where you’re treated and what’s required. Diagnostic tests can cost anything from a few hundred to several thousand rands, while surgery in the private sector can quickly climb into the tens or even hundreds of thousands.

Below is a rough guide to what you might expect in the private sector:

Test / Procedure Estimated Cost (ZAR)
X-rays (e.g., chest, limb) R450 – R900
Ultrasound / Sonar (e.g., abdomen, breast) R900 – R1 200
ECG ± R500
CT-Scan R1 500 – R5 000+
MRI Scan R6 000 – R18 000+
Diagnostic Gastroscopy (day case) R3 730 – R7 000
Diagnostic Colonoscopy (day case) R5 000 – R7 000

These tests are often essential for getting an accurate diagnosis, but costs can add up quickly when more than one is needed.

Here are some of the costs associated with surgery:

Procedure Estimated Cost (ZAR)
Wisdom Teeth Extraction ± R12 875
Cataract Removal ± R19 500
Caesarean Section ± R28 545
Bunion Repair R28 000 – R28 575
Laparoscopic Appendectomy R32 400 – R42 335
Open Inguinal Hernia Repair R33 800 – R38 000
Hip Replacement R61 875+
Knee Replacement R59 370 – R150 000+
Emergency Care (e.g., car accident) R100 000 – R150 000

It is advisable to confirm current pricing directly with the specific health facility or laboratory.

This is where comprehensive pet insurance proves its worth. “Surgery can be quite costly and tend to be the most financially stressful for pet parents. Especially orthopaedic procedures or emergency abdominal surgery. Severe stomach bloating in large breed dogs, and treatment ofParvovirus often end up costing more than the average pet parent expects.” Added Dr Carla.

And when we asked if there are common conditions with hidden or ongoing costs that pet parents might not consider upfront? She shared that many chronic conditions, for example, skin and autoimmune conditions, or chronic pain such as osteoarthritis, may need long-term treatment, or a change to a specificprescription-only food, which will incur lifelong costs for that pet.

Vet-Approved Advice You’ll Wish You Heard Sooner

Here are some parting words of wisdom from Our Vet of the Month:

Preventable emergencies and precautions

  • Tick and flea control. Tick bite fever kills

  • Spaying and neutering to prevent infections and cancers.

One emergency every pet parent should understand:

Snakebites. Know your nearest 24-hour vet and local snake rescuer before an emergency happens, she advises.

Warning signs never to ignore:

  • Male cats struggling to urinate, this is life-threatening.

What not to do:

  • Never give human medication

  • Never induce vomiting unless instructed to.

One golden rule:

Do not use poison, such as rat or snail poison, if you have pets in your yard, regardless of how securely you think it is stored.

How to Claim With dotsure.co.za and Regain Peace of Mind

Emergencies are complex enough. Claims shouldn’t be. While pet insurance doesn’t stop emergencies from happening, it stops them from becoming financial crises.

With dotsure.co.za:

  • Claims are simple and fast

  • Support is wholehearted

  • Cover is designed for real-life emergencies.

Because when things go wrong, your focus should be on your pet, not on the bills. Get in touch.