Pets mirror America's obesity problem

San Francisco Gate: Cardiac arrest claims for pets have increased 47 percent the last two years alone, while claims for other obesity-related illnesses have been steadily increasing, according to Veterinary Pet Insurance of Brea, Calif.

Diabetes claims are up 16 percent and hypertension claims up 27 percent over two years, while claims have nearly tripled for a type of spinal surgery that can be related to obesity. Treatments for arthritis and cancer also are up sharply -- diseases that become more prevalent as animals grow older, but also because they're overweight.

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