How much does dog surgery cost?
How much does dog surgery cost?
$250 – $700 average cost (simple procedure)
$1,000 – $6,000+ average cost (complex surgery)
Average dog surgery cost
Dog surgery costs $250 to $700 for simple procedures like spaying, neutering, or lipoma removal. However, most surgeries are more complex and cost $1,000 to $6,000 or more. The total cost of dog surgery depends on the specific procedure, your dog's size and age, the type of veterinary clinic, and your location.
| Surgery type | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Anus gland removal | $1,000 – $2,600 |
| Bladder stones | $1,500 – $4,000 |
| Broken leg | $2,000 – $5,000 |
| Canine Crucial Ligament (CCL / ACL) | $1,000 – $6,000 |
| Cataract | $3,500 – $5,600 (one eye) $4,300 – $6,600 (both eyes) |
| C-section | $700 – $1,800 (planned surgery) $2,000 –$4,000 (emergency surgery) |
| Cherry eye | $500 – $1,200 |
| Dental / tooth extraction | $500 – $1,300 |
| Ear hematoma | $500 – $2,500 |
| Eye removal | $500 – $2,000 (one eye) $1,200 – $3,000 (both eyes) |
| Eye ulcer | $1,000 – $3,000+ |
| Femoral Head Ostectomy (FHO) | $1,200 – $2,500 |
| Hernia | $150 – $700 (umbilical hernia) $4,000 – $8,000 (diaphragmatic hernia) |
| Hip dysplasia | $1,200 – $7,000+ |
| Hip replacement | $3,500 – $7,000+ (one hip) |
| Intestinal blockage | $2,000 – $10,000 |
| IVDD / slipped disc | $2,000 – $4,000 |
| Leg amputation | $1,000 – $5,000+ |
| Lipoma removal | $250 – $700 (simple lipoma) $1,000 – $1,800+ (infiltrative lipoma) |
| Luxating patella (knee) | $1,500 – $5,000 |
| Pyometra | $800 – $2,200 |
| Spay / neuter | $250 – $650 (spay) $200 – $500 (neuter) |
| Splenectomy | $1,700 – $3,000 |
| Stomach flip | $400 – $2,000 (preventative surgery) $1,500 – $7,500+ (emergency surgery) |
| TPLO | $2,500 – $6,000 |
| Tumor / mass removal | $250 – $700 (fatty tumor) $450 – $2,100 (other tumors) |
The cost of dog surgery typically includes:
Physical exam
Anesthesia
Surgical procedure
Post-op care and monitoring
Antibiotics and pain medications
Follow-up visit
Most veterinarians charge separately for diagnostic tests like X-rays, blood work, or ultrasounds.
Cost of dog surgery by type
Anus gland removal
Dog anus gland removal costs $1,000 to $2,000 for unilateral surgery (removal of one gland) or $1,600 to $2,600 for bilateral surgery (removal of both glands). Your veterinarian may recommend removing your dog's anal glands if they frequently become infected or impacted.
Bladder stones
Dog bladder stone surgery costs $1,500 to $4,000, depending on the dog's size and the surgical method used. Cystotomy, the surgical removal of stones through a small incision in the bladder, is often the preferred treatment, especially when the bladder stones are large or numerous.
Broken leg
Dog broken leg surgery costs $2,000 to $5,000 on average, depending on the fracture type and complexity. Costs are higher for dogs that require additional post-surgical care and physical therapy to regain mobility.
Canine Crucial Ligament (CCL / ACL)
Dog CCL surgery costs $1,000 to $6,000 on average. In dogs, the ACL is called the cranial cruciate ligament or CCL. Surgery repairs the injured knee after your dog tears the ligament. A CCL tear causes pain and limping in the affected leg and can cause significant arthritis if left untreated.
Cataracts
Dog cataract surgery costs $3,500 to $5,600 for one eye or $4,300 to $6,600 for both eyes. Cataracts are cloudy opacities that block light from entering the eye, leading to blurry or hazy vision. As cataracts become larger and denser, they can lead to complete blindness. Surgery is the only available treatment option.
C-section
A dog C-section costs $700 to $1,800 for a planned procedure at a veterinarian's office or $2,000 to $4,000 for emergency surgery. A Cesarean section, commonly known as a C-section, is a surgical procedure used to deliver puppies when natural birth is not possible or safe.
Cherry eye
Cherry eye surgery costs $500 to $1,200. Dogs have a third eyelid that provides additional protection for the eye and contains a gland that produces tears to keep the dog's eye moist. When this gland pops out of position, it causes a swollen red or pink lump in the corner of the eye. This condition can cause chronic dry eye, impair vision, and contribute to other long-term eye problems.
Dental / tooth extraction
Dog tooth extraction costs $500 to $1,300 on average at a vet's office or $250 to $700 at community veterinary clinics. Your vet may recommend tooth extraction if your dog has advanced periodontal disease, a fractured tooth, or an abscess.
Ear hematoma
Dog ear hematoma surgery costs $500 to $2,500. An ear hematoma appears as a swollen, fluid-filled pocket, mass, or bubble on the entire ear flap or a small portion of it. Other names for an ear hematoma include "aural hematoma" and "cauliflower ear."
Eye removal
Dog eye removal surgery costs $500 to $2,000 for one eye or $1,200 to $3,000 for both eyes. Eye removal, also called enucleation, is a last resort when other treatments have failed or the condition poses a significant threat to the dog's health and well-being.
Eye ulcer
Dog eye ulcer surgery costs $1,000 to $3,000+ depending on the ulcer severity and procedure required. Surgery is most common with deep, complicated, melting, or chronic ulcers that won't heal. Some eye ulcer surgeries involve advanced procedures like corneal grafts or transplants, which require specialized equipment and expertise.
Femoral Head Ostectomy (FHO)
Femoral Head Ostectomy (FHO) surgery for dogs costs $1,200 to $2,500 per hip. FHO surgery removes the femoral head (the "ball" of the hip joint) to eliminate painful friction in damaged hip joints. Surgery is often necessary due to underlying conditions that lead to hip joint damage, such as injury, genetic predisposition, or degenerative joint diseases.
Hernia
Dog hernia surgery costs $150 to $700 for a simple umbilical hernia to $4,000 to $8,000 for a diaphragmatic or hiatal hernia. A hernia is when a part of the body or internal organ protrudes out through the lining that normally holds it in. Surgery involves repairing the opening, sometimes using a biocompatible mesh for structure and support.
Hip dysplasia
Dog hip dysplasia surgery costs $1,200 to $7,000+. Hip dysplasia is a painful condition affecting the hip joints, leading to mobility issues. Vets often recommend surgery to alleviate pain and improve quality of life.
Hip replacement
Dog hip replacement surgery costs $3,500 to $7,000 per hip. Canine hip replacement, also known as total hip replacement (THR), is a major surgical procedure used to treat severe hip problems that impact a dog's quality of life.
Intestinal blockage
Dog intestinal blockage surgery costs $2,000 to $10,000 for the standard exploratory laparotomy or "ex lap" procedure to locate and remove a bowel obstruction. Intestinal blockage is a serious condition where there is a partial or complete blockage that prevents food, liquids, and gas from passing through normally.
IVDD / slipped disc
IVDD surgery costs $2,000 to $4,000 on average, not including the cost of diagnostic imaging or pre-surgical bloodwork. Spinal surgery is the recommended treatment for dogs suffering from severe intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), also referred to as slipped or herniated discs.
Leg amputation
Dog leg amputation costs $1,000 to $5,000+ and may be necessary for dogs with osteosarcoma (bone cancer), severe injury, joint dislocation, or limb deformity. Amputation is a serious surgical procedure veterinarians recommend only when it's the best option to relieve pain, improve quality of life, or save a dog's life.
Lipoma removal
Dog lipoma removal costs $250 to $700 for a simple fatty tumor located directly below the skin or $1,000 to $1,800+ for an infiltrative lipoma deeper in the body. Vets don't remove simple lipomas unless the tumor causes discomfort, interferes with the dog's mobility, or reduces their quality of life.
Luxating patella (knee)
Luxating patella surgery for dogs costs $1,500 to $5,000 per knee. A luxating patella is a common orthopedic condition in dogs where the kneecap (patella) dislocates or moves out of its normal position. This condition can cause pain, difficulty walking, and an abnormal gait.
Pyometra
Pyometra surgery costs $800 to $2,200. Pyometra is a severe and potentially fatal infection of the uterus that affects unspayed female dogs. It occurs a few weeks after a heat cycle and involves the accumulation of pus in the uterus. This condition can quickly become life-threatening if left untreated.
Spay / neuter
The average cost to spay a dog is $250 to $650, while the cost to neuter a dog is $200 to $500.
Spaying is the surgical removal of a female dog's reproductive organs (ovaries and uterus). This renders her unable to reproduce and go into heat.
Neutering is the surgical removal of a male dog's testicles. This makes him unable to impregnate female dogs and reduces certain hormone-driven behaviors.
Splenectomy
A dog splenectomy costs $1,700 to $3,000. Spleen removal may be necessary for dogs with cancerous splenic tumors, a ruptured spleen, splenic torsion, or a severe spleen infection. Dogs can live normal, healthy lives after spleen removal surgery.
Stomach flip
Dog stomach flip surgery costs $400 to $2,000 for preventative gastropexy or $1,500 to $7,500+ for emergency surgery. Bloat in dogs, also known as Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV), is a life-threatening condition that can rapidly progress if left untreated. Without immediate veterinary intervention, bloat can be fatal within hours.
TPLO
Dog TPLO surgery costs $2,500 to $6,000. TPLO surgery, or tibial plateau leveling osteotomy, is a surgery that helps heal a ruptured or torn ligament in dogs. A torn cranial crucial ligament (CCL) means the dog's tibia, or shinbone, moves forward too far and rotates in a painful way when walking. TPLO is the safest and most effective treatment.
Tumor removal
Dog tumor removal costs $250 to $700 to remove a simple fatty tumor located directly below the skin or $1,000 to $1,800+ for a lipoma deeper in the body. Costs range from $450 to $2,100 to remove a dog mammary tumor, eyelid tumor, or mast cell tumor, depending on the size and complexity.
What affects the cost of dog surgery?
Several factors affect the total cost of dog surgery:
Complexity of the case: Costs are higher for complex or emergency surgeries.
Anesthesia fees: The type and duration of anesthesia affect the overall cost. Older dogs or those with health conditions may need specialized anesthetic protocols, which can increase costs.
Pre-surgical tests: Blood work, X-rays, ultrasounds, and other diagnostic tests are essential before surgery. These tests can add to the total cost but are vital for ensuring your dog is stable enough for anesthesia and surgery. Common tests and fees include:
A dog blood test costs $100 to $200.
Dog X-rays cost $150 to $250 per image.
A dog ultrasound costs $300 to $600.
Location: Veterinary costs vary significantly by geographic region. Vets in major metropolitan cities and areas with higher costs of living tend to charge more compared to those in rural areas.
Veterinary clinic or hospital: Specialty veterinary hospitals and emergency clinics charge more than general practice veterinarians. However, these facilities often have specially trained staff and advanced equipment that may be necessary for complex cases.
Post-op medications & supplies: Pain management medications, antibiotics, and other post-surgical treatments can add to the total cost. Your dog may also need an Elizabethan collar, also called a cone, to prevent them from licking or biting the incision area.
Dog surgery FAQs
Can dogs have water before surgery?
Whether or not your dog can drink water before surgery depends on the surgery type. Allowing your dog to have water before some procedures can be dangerous, so it's important to follow your veterinarian's specific pre-surgical instructions.
Does pet insurance cover dog surgery?
Pet insurance may cover the cost of dog surgery if your policy is in effect before symptoms develop and if the plan is an accident-and-illness plan rather than an accident-only plan. Many policies cover emergency surgeries and treatments but exclude pre-existing conditions like cancer, heart disease, or arthritis.
Pet insurance for dogs costs $35 to $75 per month on average but can cost $100+ per month for large dogs.
Questions to ask your vet
Ask your veterinarian these questions to ensure you understand the treatment options, surgical procedure, risks, and recovery process:
What is the underlying cause requiring this surgery?
How many of this specific type of surgery have you performed?
What are the risks and benefits of the surgery?
Are there any alternative treatment options?
What is the expected recovery time, and when can my dog return to normal activities?
What signs should I watch out for during recovery?
What post-operative care will my dog need?
What pain management options are available for my dog?
How many follow-up appointments will be necessary?
What are the long-term prognosis and potential for full recovery?
Will my dog need ongoing medications or special care?
What happens if complications arise during or after surgery?
When should I schedule follow-up appointments?
What is the total estimated cost, including all diagnostic tests and post-operative care?
Using our proprietary cost database, in-depth research, and collaboration with industry experts, we deliver accurate, up-to-date pricing and insights you can trust, every time.