(MNN.com) -- My dog has a preference for shoes, but some dogs
and cats have a knack for finding and consuming more dangerous
items, in spite of our best efforts to deter that behavior. When
those things get stuck, pets often need a trip to the vet for
emergency removal. According to the American Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), more than 5,000 pets
received treatment at the group's Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital
in New York. Many of the cases resulted in costly treatment for
preventable conditions. The group's top five are dental disease,
urinary tract disease, pyometra, foreign body ingestion and
high-rise syndrome, with veterinary bills ranging from $400 to
more than $3,000. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of
cure. 1. Dental disease (Estimated cost: $400 to $1,000)
"Picture what would happen if you literally never brushed your
teeth," says Dr. Louise Murray, vice president of the Bergh
animal hospital. "With proper dental care, dental treatments are
shorter, less complicated