veterinary pet insurance.

Andrew H. Walker, Getty Images Hollywood's blockbuster "Twilight" franchise has ushered in the dawn of a new, favorite pet name among animal-adoring Americans: Once again Bella was the No. 1 name for dogs in a survey released this month by Veterinary Pet Insurance, the nation's largest provider of pet health insurance. It was also No. 2 for cats and No. 7 for exotic animals. Considering that the first "Twilight" flick -- about Bella, a comely teenage loner played by Kristen Stewart who falls in love with a vampire classmate -- hit theaters in late 2008, the trend toward naming a beloved pet after the saga's lead character probably began with the fans who initially read the books. The Top ...

Getty Images Your dog's ears may be better at hearing than yours will ever be --- but taking care of them comes at a price. According to an evaluation of veterinary claims filed with the Veterinary Pet Insurance Co. (VPI), canine ear infections were the leading cause of vet visits in the United States. In 2009 alone, VPI -- the company that insures almost half a million American pets -- received about 68,000 claims for ear related vet visits. The average cost per visit was $100. Also among the company's top reasons for doggie vet visits were skin allergies at number two, followed by skin infection/hot spots, gastritis/vomiting and enteritis/diarrhea. In cats, lower urinary tract ...