Pet owners who fail to insure their animals could be faced with serious problems if costly veterinary treatment is suddenly needed, an industry spokesperson said yesterday.

Mark Johnson, from the British Small Animal Veterinary Association, says that vet's charges are increasing all the time as a result of the introduction of new treatments - and can occasionally rise into the thousands as a result of x-ray and surgery costs following road accidents.

"Fees are going up well above inflation on an annual basis - mainly because of the new treatments that are being introduced and all the various new drugs, diagnostic techniques and new surgical techniques," Mr Johnston said.

"Your pet can cost you a lot of money as far as veterinary fees are concerned.

"The biggest acute costs or sudden onset costs would be some sort of major orthopaedic surgery, which can be from a road traffic accident.

"It can cost thousands for that sort of treatment," he added.

Mr Johnston went on to say that a lot of people don't insure their pets - and claimed that this made it a "major problem" if something serious does happen.