What pet surgery actually costs
National ranges below; every guide itemizes the bill, adjusts it to your state, and shows what insurance would and wouldn't have paid. Ranges span uncomplicated cases to complex referral-hospital courses.
Dog procedures
TPLO surgery
$3,000–$6,800Board-certified surgeon or experienced GP surgeon; one knee per operation; 8–12 week recovery with restricted activity.
Dog ACL/CCL surgery
$1,700–$6,500Lateral suture for small/older dogs at GP clinics; TPLO/TTA for larger dogs, usually at referral practices.
Breed guides: labrador
IVDD surgery
$5,000–$14,000Neurologist or boarded surgeon at a referral/emergency hospital; MRI or CT first, then decompression surgery; several days hospitalized.
Breed guides: dachshund, french bulldog
Luxating patella surgery
$1,500–$3,500Orthopedic procedure, one knee at a time; 6–8 week recovery. Many small breeds have it in both knees.
Breed guides: yorkshire terrier
Hip dysplasia surgery
$1,500–$14,000FHO at GP/referral clinics, best for smaller dogs; THR at referral hospitals for large breeds; per-hip pricing.
Breed guides: german shepherd
Cherry eye surgery
$300–$1,800Day surgery under general anesthesia; the other eye follows within a year in a large share of dogs.
Breed guides: cane corso
Dog cataract surgery
$2,700–$4,200Referral-only procedure with significant pre-op testing; usually both eyes in one anesthesia when both qualify.
BOAS surgery
$700–$4,000Soft-tissue surgery, increasingly laser-assisted; often done alongside spay/neuter in young brachycephalic dogs.
Breed guides: french bulldog
Lymphoma & cancer treatment
$3,000–$10,000Veterinary oncologist; weekly-to-biweekly visits across ~6 months; palliative prednisone is the low-cost alternative.
Full guide coming soon — the calculator on any page already covers it.
Swallowed object removal
$1,150–$7,500GP or ER; endoscopy where available; surgery same-day when obstructed.
Full guide coming soon — the calculator on any page already covers it.
Bloat (GDV) surgery
$3,000–$8,500ER-only, middle-of-the-night surgery; 2–3 days ICU after; survival is better than 80% when treated fast.
Full guide coming soon — the calculator on any page already covers it.
Cat procedures
Cat urinary blockage treatment
$1,150–$5,800Emergency/ER medicine; perineal urethrostomy (PU) surgery for recurrent cases.
Lymphoma & cancer treatment
$3,000–$10,000Veterinary oncologist; weekly-to-biweekly visits across ~6 months; palliative prednisone is the low-cost alternative.
Full guide coming soon.
Swallowed object removal
$1,150–$7,500GP or ER; endoscopy where available; surgery same-day when obstructed.
Full guide coming soon.
Wondering whether insurance is worth it before the bill arrives? Start with the worth-it guides or run the calculator on any page.