This report is based on the medical data from 2.1 million dogs and nearly 450,000 cats seen by veterinarians in one of the 700 locations of the Banfield Pet Hospital network in the U.S. in 2010. The report analyzes major trends by breed, species, and disease.

Overview of study findings, from the report:

• “Diabetes — Since 2006, there has been a 32 percent increase in canine diabetes and a 16 percent increase in feline diabetes cases at Banfield hospitals.”
• “Heartworm Disease — One of the top three health risks for companion animals seen in Banfield hospitals in the Southern United States is heartworm disease. In 2010, this potentially fatal disease was detected in 6.7 percent of dogs in Mississippi; 6.3 percent in Arkansas; nearly 5 percent in Louisiana; nearly 3 percent in Alabama; 2.6 percent in Texas; and slightly more than 2 percent in South Carolina.”
• “Dental Disease — The most common disease in dogs and cats is dental disease, affecting 68 percent of cats and 78 percent of dogs over the age of 3. Just as with humans, dental disease has been associated with changes in liver, kidney and cardiac functions.”
• “Otitis externa — The second most common disease affecting dogs and cats is otitis externa (ear infection). This disease has seen a 9.4 percent increase in dogs and a 34 percent increase in cats since 2006.”
• “Fleas and ticks — Overall, the proportion of flea infestation has increased 16 percent in dogs and 12 percent in cats over the past five years.”
• “Internal Parasites — Roundworms, hookworms and tapeworms can be transmitted from animals to humans. Roundworms, hookworms and whipworms have been on the rise in cats since 2006 while hookworms and whipworms have been on the rise in dogs during this same period.”