Dog health

Pomeranian health problems and costs

The health issues a real source ties to the Pomeranian, what each one is, and what it tends to cost, so you can plan ahead.

Last updated: October 2026 · 24 sources · see sources

Quick answerThe breed club and AKC point to 7 health issues to plan for: luxating patella, inherited eye disease, heart disease, hypothyroidism, epilepsy, allergies and itchy skin and tracheal collapse. A typical vet bill for a small dog runs $273 – $1,110.

Health problems linked to the Pomeranian

Conditions and what they can cost
ConditionWhat it isRelated costs
Luxating patella (slipping kneecap)Named by: AKC breed page, breed club screening [1]The kneecap slips out of its groove. Mild cases may only cause an odd skip in the step; severe cases can need surgery. [2]Surgery, median invoice: $1,284 (typical $578–$3,229) [3]
Dog X-rays (owner bills): $130–$300 [4]
Inherited eye diseaseNamed by: breed club screening [6]Breed clubs ask for regular exams by a veterinary eye specialist to catch inherited eye problems before they cause trouble. [5]Sick visit (owner bills): $160–$525 [7]
Heart diseaseNamed by: breed club screening [6]Breed clubs ask breeders to have hearts checked, often by a cardiologist, because some inherited heart problems run in the breed. [8]Dog ultrasound (owner bills): $80–$500 [9]
HypothyroidismNamed by: AKC breed page [1]The thyroid gland makes too little hormone, which can cause weight gain, low energy and skin problems. A daily pill usually controls it. [10]Dog blood work (owner bills): $60–$190 [11]
Epilepsy (seizures)Named by: AKC breed page [1]Repeated seizures with no other cause found. Many dogs do well on daily medicine, but a long seizure is an emergency. [12]Emergency visit (owner bills): $500–$1,600 [13]
Dog MRI (owner bills): $900–$2,900 [14]
Allergies and itchy skinNamed by: AKC breed page [1]Allergies to pollen, dust mites or food often show up as itchy skin, paw licking and ear infections. They are managed, not cured. [15]Allergy and skin treatment (owner bills): $275–$850 [16]
Tracheal collapseNamed by: AKC breed page [1]The windpipe softens and flattens, causing a honking cough. Many small dogs are managed with weight control, a harness and medicine. [17]Dog X-rays (owner bills): $130–$300 [4]

Costs are national figures from our sourced cost guides, not breed-specific prices. Being on this list doesn't mean a pet will get the condition.

Here is how the AKC breed page puts it: Pomeranians are generally healthy little dogs, and responsible breeders screen their stock for health conditions such as luxating patellas (kneecaps that slip out of place), hypothyroidism, collapsing tracheas, congestive heart failure, seizures, and alopecia X (black skin disease). [1]

Health screening

The national breed club recommends these health tests for breeding dogs: Patella Evaluation, Cardiac Exam, Ophthalmologist Evaluation. [1][6] If you are buying a puppy, it is fair to ask the breeder for the parents' results. OFA keeps a public database of many of them.

The UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory lists 2 DNA health tests for the Pomeranian, including Lhasa Apso Albinism (LAA); Progressive Rod-Cone Degeneration (PRA-prcd). [18] One health test costs $58 there. [19]

What to budget

For a small dog like the Pomeranian, a typical vet bill runs $273 – $1,110 (median $508), and surgery, when needed, runs $435 – $1,484. [20]

Lifetime cost, roughly. Our yearly estimate for an adult Pomeranian at US-average prices, before insurance, is $880–$1,400. Multiply that by a life expectancy of 12–16 years and you get roughly $10,500–$22,100 over a lifetime, before inflation and before any major illness. The low end is the ASPCA's yearly cost of care; the high end adds one typical vet bill a year. [20][21] It's simple math on sourced figures, not a quote.

Insurance and savings

The average accident and illness policy cost $836 a year for a dog in the US in 2025. [22] Timing matters more than the price. A condition that shows up before you enroll is usually treated as pre-existing and isn't covered. [23] Many plans also have a 6 to 12 month waiting period for orthopedic problems like knees and hips. [24]

Prefer saving instead? Putting money aside each month works too; see insurance vs a savings fund.

Common questions

What health problems are common in the Pomeranian?

Based on the AKC breed page and the national breed club's screening list, the conditions to know about are luxating patella, inherited eye disease, heart disease, hypothyroidism, epilepsy, allergies and itchy skin and tracheal collapse. That doesn't mean every Pomeranian will get them.

How much are vet bills for a Pomeranian?

Breed-specific bills are rare, so VetReceipt groups dogs by size. For small dogs, a typical vet bill runs $273 – $1,110 (median $508).

Should I get pet insurance for a Pomeranian?

It's a personal call. The average accident and illness policy was $836 a year in 2025 (NAPHIA). If you want it, enroll while your pet is young and healthy, because conditions found before enrollment are usually excluded.

What health tests should a Pomeranian breeder do?

The national breed club recommends: Patella Evaluation, Cardiac Exam, Ophthalmologist Evaluation. Ask to see the parents' results.

How long does a Pomeranian live?

The AKC lists a life expectancy of 12–16 years.

Pomeranian breed guideLuxating patella surgery cost for dogsHeart disease (mitral valve disease) in dogsVetmedin (Pimobendan)Surgery and hospitalization costDiagnostics cost

This page is general information for planning, not veterinary advice. Talk to your vet about your own pet.

Sources (24) — tap to show
  1. AKC – Pomeranian breed page (with the national breed club)
  2. VCA – Luxating patella in dogs
  3. VetReceipt – Vet care cost by category (2026)
  4. VetReceipt – Dog X-Ray Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  5. OFA – Eye certification
  6. OFA – CHIC program: breed-specific health screening requirements
  7. VetReceipt – Dog Sick Visit Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  8. OFA – Cardiac disease
  9. VetReceipt – Dog Ultrasound Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  10. VCA – Hypothyroidism in dogs
  11. VetReceipt – Dog Blood Work Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  12. VCA – Epilepsy in dogs
  13. VetReceipt – Emergency Vet Visit Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  14. VetReceipt – Dog MRI Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  15. VCA – Inhalant allergies (atopy) in dogs
  16. VetReceipt – Dog Allergy & Dermatology Treatment Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  17. VCA – Tracheal collapse in dogs
  18. UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory – Pomeranian DNA tests
  19. UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory – Dog DNA test prices (effective Aug 3, 2026)
  20. VetReceipt – Dog breed vet costs by size
  21. ASPCA – Cutting Pet Care Costs (2021 table)
  22. NAPHIA – State of the Industry 2026 report highlights (2025 premiums)
  23. RealVetCost – Feline diabetes treatment cost
  24. VetReceipt – Dog TPLO Surgery Cost (owner bills, 2026)