Dental & surgery

Pyometra surgery cost

Pyometra is a serious uterine infection in unspayed females, usually treated with emergency surgery.

Updated October 15, 2026 · US prices · 3 sources · see sources

Typical US prices
Item	Typical US price	Src
Pyometra Surgery: typical owner bill	$1,500–$3,000 (estimate)	[1]
Cat Pyometra Surgery: typical owner bill	$1,200–$2,200 (estimate)	[2]
On the bill: Emergency or consult exam	$50–$250	[1]
On the bill: Blood work (Blood count and chemistry panel)	$100–$400	[1]
On the bill: IV line and fluids (Before and during surgery)	$45–$500	[1]
On the bill: Anesthesia and monitoring (Closer monitoring than a routine spay)	$110–$500	[1]
On the bill: The surgery (Removing the infected uterus. More for dogs, by size)	$150–$2,000	[1]
On the bill: Hospital stay (1 to 3 nights, mostly for dogs)	$200–$625 a night	[1]
On the bill: Medication (Injections in hospital plus antibiotics to take home)	$45–$320	[1]
On the bill: Ultrasound (For some cats, before surgery)	$200–$465	[1]

Ranges come from the sources below, and each one measures something slightly different (published prices, owner invoices or planning budgets). Your vet's estimate is what counts. Older figures, like the ASPCA's 2021 table, are probably lower than today's prices.

What affects the cost

Dog or cat Published prices: $1,400–$6,400 for dogs and $1,200–$2,200 for cats. [1]
The kind of practice Emergency hospitals charge much more than a regular vet for the same surgery. [1]
Nights in hospital One to three nights at $200–$625 each, mostly for dogs. [1]
Your pet’s size Anesthesia and medication cost more for bigger animals. [1]
How sick your pet is Sicker pets need more care before and after surgery. [1]
Your dog’s size Large breeds need more anesthesia and more fluids. [3]
Time of day After-hours care alone can add $500–$1,500. [3]

📍 Regional note

Time of day and where you live After-hours care and big-city practices cost more. [1]

Ways to save

Ask about a payment plan before surgery Many hospitals take CareCredit or Scratchpay, or have their own plan. [1]
Ask how many hospital nights are expected Each night costs $200–$625 for dogs. [1]
Ask for a written prescription for take-home antibiotics A generic filled at a regular pharmacy saves $10–$30. [1]
Ask if the recheck is in the quote The recheck and follow-up blood work come to $100–$300 when billed separately. [1]
Get the estimate in writing, line by line Hospital nights and fluids are the lines that change the total most. [1]
If your pet is insured, check before you book A plan bought before the illness started usually pays 70–90% of the bill. [1]
If your dog is insured, check before you book A plan bought before the illness started usually pays 70–90% of the bill. [3]
Ask whether an overnight stay is expected Monitoring is $100–$200 a night when it is billed separately. [2]

Questions to ask your vet

Print this or bring it on your phone.

Ask about a payment plan before surgery
Ask how many hospital nights are expected
Ask for a written prescription for take-home antibiotics
Ask if the recheck is in the quote
Ask whether an overnight stay is expected

Common questions

How much does pyometra surgery cost?

Pyometra surgery typically costs $1,200–$5,000+ depending on pet type, severity, and whether it's performed at a regular vet or emergency hospital. For dogs, expect $1,400–$6,400 with larger dogs and emergency hospitals on the higher end. For cats, expect $1,200–$2,200 as a smaller procedure. This is significantly more than an elective spay ($300–$700) because pyometra is an emergency requiring stabilization, hospitalization, and intensive care. (Source: VetReceipt)

Why is pyometra surgery so much more expensive than a regular spay?

A pyometra surgery costs 3–7x more than a routine spay for several reasons. Emergency exam fees ($100–$250) vs routine ($40–$80). Pre-surgical stabilization: IV fluids ($100–$300), IV antibiotics ($50–$200), and blood work ($150–$400) before surgery even starts. The surgery itself is more complex — the infected uterus is enlarged and fragile. Post-op hospitalization ($200–$600/night for 1–3 nights) is usually required. A $300 elective spay prevents a $2,000–$5,000 pyometra emergency. (Source: VetReceipt)

What does the pyometra surgery bill include?

Emergency exam ($100–$250). Blood work + urinalysis ($150–$400). IV catheter and fluid therapy ($100–$300) — pre-surgical stabilization. IV antibiotics ($50–$200). Anesthesia ($200–$500) — higher risk requires more monitoring. Emergency ovariohysterectomy ($500–$2,000) — the surgery. Post-op hospitalization ($200–$600/night × 1–3 nights). Pain management ($50–$150). Take-home antibiotics ($30–$80). Follow-up visit ($50–$100). (Source: VetReceipt)

How much does pyometra surgery cost for a dog?

Dog pyometra surgery typically costs $1,400–$6,400 depending on your dog's size, the severity of the infection, and whether you're at a regular vet or emergency hospital. Small dogs at a general practice during business hours may be closer to $1,400–$2,500, while large dogs requiring emergency after-hours surgery with ICU hospitalization can reach $6,000+. (Source: VetReceipt)

Why is pyometra surgery more expensive for larger dogs?

Larger dogs need higher doses of anesthesia, more IV fluids for stabilization, larger surgical supplies, and longer surgery time due to the size of the infected uterus. Based on estimates we've seen, a large-breed pyometra can cost $2,600–$6,400 compared to $1,400–$2,500 for a small dog. (Source: VetReceipt)

What does a dog pyometra surgery bill include?

A typical pyometra bill includes: emergency exam ($69–$100), blood work and chemistry panel ($119–$285), IV catheter and fluid therapy ($44–$500), the ovariohysterectomy surgery itself ($191–$1,500), anesthesia and monitoring ($109–$350), post-op hospitalization ($200–$630/night), injectable medications ($18–$240), and follow-up care. The surgery fee is often only 30–40% of the total — stabilization and hospitalization make up the rest. (Source: VetReceipt)

How much does pyometra surgery cost for a cat?

Cat pyometra surgery typically costs $1,200–$2,200. Based on real estimates from cat owners, a straightforward case at a regular vet runs about $1,260 while emergency cases requiring ICU monitoring and specialist referral can reach $2,200+. Cats generally cost less than dogs for the same procedure because they're smaller and need less anesthesia and medication. (Source: VetReceipt)

What does a cat pyometra surgery bill include?

A typical cat pyometra bill includes: surgery consult exam ($50–$75), pre-op blood work ($99–$150), IV catheter and fluids ($63–$99), feline ovariohysterectomy ($150–$500), pyometra-specific surgical charge ($125–$250), antibiotics ($18–$50), pharmacy medications ($25–$100), and post-op monitoring. Some cases also require abdominal ultrasound ($200–$465) if the diagnosis isn't clear. (Source: VetReceipt)

Is cat pyometra surgery more or less expensive than for dogs?

Cat pyometra surgery is typically 30–50% less expensive than dog pyometra. Cats cost $1,200–$2,200 while dogs run $1,400–$6,400. The difference comes from smaller body size (less anesthesia, smaller incision, less fluid), shorter surgery time, and often shorter hospitalization. However, emergency or specialist-referred cat cases can still reach $2,000+. (Source: VetReceipt)

Sources

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