Treatments & surgery

Pet surgery and treatment costs

What 59 common surgeries, procedures and treatments cost for dogs and cats, what each one involves, and what recovery looks like. Every price links to its source.

Last updated: October 2026

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Bones & joints

FHO surgery cost for dogs

FHO (femoral head ostectomy) removes the ball of the hip joint so it can no longer grind.

Dogs · from $2,791See costs Bones & joints

Total hip replacement cost for dogs

A total hip replacement swaps a painful hip for an artificial ball and socket.

Dogs · from $4,000 to $10,000 per hipSee costs Bones & joints

Luxating patella surgery cost for dogs

A luxating patella is a kneecap that slips out of its groove.

Dogs · from $1,000 to $5,000See costs Bones & joints

Broken leg and fracture repair cost for dogs

A broken bone usually means an emergency visit followed by surgery with plates, pins or screws.

Dogs · from $1,371 to $5,803See costs Bones & joints

Leg amputation cost for dogs

Amputation sounds scary, but most dogs adapt to three legs surprisingly well.

Dogs · from $700 to $1,850See costs Bones & joints

Leg and tail amputation cost for cats

Cats usually do very well on three legs.

Cats · from $400–$1,500See costs Bones & joints

Elbow dysplasia surgery cost for dogs

Elbow dysplasia is a growth problem in the elbow joint, most often in large, fast-growing breeds.

Dogs · from $1,500–$4,000See costs Spine & rehab

IVDD back surgery cost for dogs

When a disc in the spine bulges or bursts, it can press on the spinal cord.

Dogs · from $3,000–$8,000See costs Spine & rehab

Physical therapy and rehab cost for dogs

Rehab helps dogs recover after surgery and stay comfortable with arthritis.

Dogs · from $180See costs Spine & rehab

Arthritis injection cost for dogs and cats

Monthly arthritis injections like Librela (dogs) and Solensia (cats) have become common.

Dogs & cats · from $60–$190See costs Eyes & ears

Cherry eye surgery cost for dogs

Cherry eye is a red, swollen bump in the inner corner of the eye.

Dogs · from $544See costs Eyes & ears

Cataract surgery cost for dogs

Cataract surgery can give a blind dog its sight back.

Dogs · from $3,782See costs Eyes & ears

Entropion surgery cost for dogs

Entropion is an eyelid that rolls inward so lashes and fur rub the eye.

Dogs · from $400See costs Eyes & ears

Corneal ulcer treatment cost for dogs

A corneal ulcer is a scratch or sore on the clear front of the eye.

Dogs · from $36See costs Eyes & ears

Eye removal (enucleation) cost for dogs and cats

Removing an eye is usually done to end pain from an eye that can't be saved.

Dogs & cats · from $600 – $1,400See costs Eyes & ears

Eye infection and pink eye treatment cost for dogs

Red, goopy eyes are a common reason for a vet visit.

Dogs · from $345See costs Eyes & ears

Eye infection treatment cost for cats

Watery, squinty eyes in cats are often linked to feline herpesvirus.

Cats · from $80–$375See costs Eyes & ears

Ear hematoma surgery cost for dogs and cats

An ear hematoma is a pocket of blood in the ear flap, usually from hard head shaking.

Dogs & cats · from $535 to $1,230See costs Eyes & ears

TECA ear surgery cost for dogs

TECA removes the whole ear canal.

Dogs · from $3,800See costs Eyes & ears

Ear infection treatment cost for cats

Ear infections are less common in cats than in dogs, but they're itchy and uncomfortable.

Cats · from $190–$800See costs Emergency & hospital

Bloat (GDV) surgery cost for dogs

Bloat (GDV) is when the stomach fills with gas and twists.

Dogs · from $2,000–$7,500See costs Soft tissue surgery

BOAS (brachycephalic airway) surgery cost

Flat-faced dogs often struggle to breathe through narrow nostrils and a long soft palate.

Dogs · from $1,500–$5,000See costs Soft tissue surgery

Splenectomy (spleen removal) cost for dogs

Dogs can live normally without a spleen.

Dogs · from $1,700 – $2,200See costs Soft tissue surgery

Hernia surgery cost for dogs

Hernia repairs range from a quick belly-button fix during a spay to emergency surgery.

Dogs · from $450–$850See costs Soft tissue surgery

Lipoma (fatty lump) removal cost for dogs

Lipomas are soft, fatty lumps that are usually harmless.

Dogs · from $250 to $700See costs Soft tissue surgery

C-section cost for dogs

Some breeds need planned C-sections, and any dog can need an emergency one if labor stalls.

Dogs · from $1,229See costs Soft tissue surgery

Laryngeal paralysis (tie-back) surgery cost

In laryngeal paralysis, the voice box doesn't open fully, so older dogs pant loudly and struggle in heat.

Dogs · from $2,500–$5,000See costs Emergency & hospital

Wound and laceration repair cost for dogs

Cuts and bite wounds are some of the most common emergency bills.

Dogs · from $450–$1,350See costs Emergency & hospital

Wound and abscess repair cost for cats

Cat bites often turn into abscesses a few days later.

Cats · from $400–$1,200See costs Emergency & hospital

Poisoning treatment cost for dogs

If your dog ate something toxic, fast care usually means a smaller bill and a better outcome.

Dogs · from $550–$2,950See costs Emergency & hospital

Snake bite treatment cost for dogs

Venomous snake bites are emergencies.

Dogs · from $600 to $1,000See costs Emergency & hospital

Intestinal blockage surgery cost for cats

Cats love string, ribbon and hair ties, which can bunch up the intestines.

Cats · from $2,367See costs Soft tissue surgery

Anal gland expression and surgery cost for dogs

Scooting is often a sign of full anal glands.

Dogs · from $30–$75See costs Soft tissue surgery

Collapsing trachea treatment cost for dogs

A honking cough in a small dog is often a collapsing trachea.

Dogs · from $50–$200/monthSee costs Urinary

Bladder stone surgery (cystotomy) cost

Some bladder stones dissolve with a special diet, but others have to come out.

Dogs & cats · from $586.95See costs Urinary

PU surgery (perineal urethrostomy) cost for cats

Male cats that block again and again may need PU surgery, which creates a wider opening so they can pee.

Cats · from $1,500 to $3,000See costs Urinary

Urinary blockage treatment cost for dogs

A dog who can't pee is an emergency.

Dogs · from $850–$4,200See costs Urinary

UTI treatment cost for cats

True bacterial bladder infections are less common in cats than in dogs, so testing the urine matters before treatment.

Cats · from $275–$950See costs Hormone & cancer care

Radioactive iodine (I-131) cost for cats

Radioactive iodine cures most hyperthyroid cats with a single treatment.

Cats · from $1,900.00 to $2,100.00See costs Hormone & cancer care

Radiation therapy cost for dogs and cats

Radiation therapy is offered at specialty and university hospitals for some cancers.

Dogs & cats · from $2500–$7000See costs Hormone & cancer care

Dialysis cost for dogs and cats

Hemodialysis filters the blood when kidneys suddenly fail.

Dogs & cats · from $900 to $1,200See costs Emergency & hospital

Blood transfusion cost for dogs

A transfusion can be lifesaving after bleeding or with severe anemia.

Dogs · from $500 to $3,000See costs Tests & imaging

Echocardiogram (heart ultrasound) cost

An echocardiogram is an ultrasound of the heart.

Dogs & cats · from $200–300See costs Tests & imaging

Endoscopy cost for dogs and cats

Endoscopy uses a thin camera to look inside the throat, stomach or intestines, and sometimes to grab a swallowed object without surgery.

Dogs & cats · from $800 to $3,000See costs Tests & imaging

Biopsy cost for dogs

A biopsy sends a piece of tissue to a lab so a pathologist can say exactly what a lump or problem is.

Dogs · from $250See costs Tests & imaging

Fine needle aspirate (lump test) cost for dogs

A fine needle aspirate is the quick, low-cost first test for most lumps.

Dogs · from $160See costs Tests & imaging

X-ray cost for cats

X-rays help vets see bones, the chest and the belly.

Cats · from $225See costs Tests & imaging

Heartworm test cost for dogs

A heartworm test is a quick blood test, usually done once a year.

Dogs · from $71See costs Emergency & hospital

Anesthesia cost for dogs

Anesthesia is a line on nearly every surgery and dental bill.

Dogs · from $80See costs Emergency & hospital

Anesthesia cost for cats

Most cat dental and surgery bills include an anesthesia line.

Cats · from $70See costs Emergency & hospital

IV fluids cost for dogs

IV fluids keep sick dogs hydrated and support blood pressure.

Dogs · from $70See costs Emergency & hospital

Hospital stay cost for cats

When a cat stays overnight, the bill includes nursing care, fluids, medicines and repeat checks.

Cats · from $550–$2,200See costs Emergency & hospital

Emergency vet cost for cats

An emergency visit for a cat starts with an exam fee, then tests and treatment build the total.

Cats · from $450–$1,200See costs Emergency & hospital

Sick cat vet visit cost

A sick visit usually costs more than a checkup because of tests and medicine.

Cats · from $225See costs Emergency & hospital

Vomiting treatment cost for cats

Cats vomit for many reasons, from hairballs to kidney disease.

Cats · from $225–$975See costs Emergency & hospital

Seizure vet visit cost for dogs

A first seizure is frightening.

Dogs · from $250–$1,500See costs Emergency & hospital

Limping vet visit cost for dogs

Limping visits often include an exam, X-rays and pain medicine.

Dogs · from $475–$1,200See costs Mouth & teeth

Full-mouth extraction cost for cats

Feline stomatitis is severe, painful mouth inflammation.

Cats · from $1,500–$3,000See costs End of life

At-home euthanasia cost for dogs and cats

Many families prefer to say goodbye at home.

Dogs & cats · from $410See costs

Looking for spay and neuter, dental cleanings, TPLO, MRI or emergency visits? Those are in our main cost guides. For illnesses, see conditions.

Common questions

Why do prices for the same surgery vary so much?

Price depends on who does it (a specialist or a general practice), where you live, your pet's size and health, and whether it's planned or an emergency. Each page explains the main cost drivers for that treatment.

Where do these prices come from?

Every figure on these pages links to its public source: owner-bill data from VetReceipt, national averages from CareCredit's cost research, published price lists from clinics and veterinary schools, and cost summaries from RealVetCost. If we couldn't find a reliable price, we don't list one.

Do you list medicine doses?

No. Doses depend on your pet's weight, health and other medicines, so they should always come from your veterinarian.

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