Tiny Pets Often Mean Huge Vet Bills

Ask.Vet has released a new survey.

Owners of small pets often end up with costly veterinarian bills, CBS News reports.

In fact, in a recent study, gerbils turned out to be the most expensive pets in terms of healthcare costs.

The survey of 1,000 U.S. pet owners found that eight in 10 gerbil owners racked up in excess of $500 in vet bills each year. The research was conducted by Ask.Vet.

Also among the top 10 most expensive pets in terms of vet costs were mice, chinchillas, hedgehogs, guinea pigs and frogs, according to CBS News.

One reason that rodents are so expensive to care for is that they tend not to show signs of illness until they’re very sick.

 “If the owner wants to save them at that point, it’s all hands on deck,” said Dr. Cherice Roth, a vet with Ask.Vet, according to CBS News.

Neither dogs nor cats made the top 10, which in addition to small animals included alpacas, goats, sheep and pot-bellied pigs.

Read more at CBS News