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How much does pet surgery cost?
Some pet surgery costs can exceed $20,000, but they don’t need to if you plan ahead and find the right pet insurance.
Common pet surgery costsLearn more
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Want cover for surgery? Pet insurance has your back
There are many reasons a pet might need surgery. Procedures can range from basic ones, such as neutering, to more complex and expensive ones, such as foreign object removal, cancer surgery and more. The costs of these can vary widely depending on the animal, the vet and the situation. For example, if your dog needs surgery to remove a swallowed object, the cost might range from a few hundred dollars to a staggering $20,000+. This is where pet insurance can save you lots.
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Cost of common pet surgeries
These figures are sourced from Petsure insurance claims data between June 2018 and July 2019. It's a tricky area to confirm figures for, given how much costs can vary. This was the latest data we could find as of August 2021.
| Average claim amount, 2019FY | Highest claim amount | |
|---|---|---|
| Cancer | $3,503 | $34,183 |
| Gastro intestinal | $1,319 | $21,633 |
| Snake bite | $2,133 | $20,147 |
| Pneumonia | $1,610 | $7,316 |
| Arthritis | $688 | $12,460 |
| Diabetes | $1,952 | $16,712 |
| Ear infection | $883 | $14,271 |
| Tick paralysis | $1,156 | $5,293 |
| Multiple fractures | $2,066 | $13,902 |
| Cataracts | $1,755 | $14,916 |
| Dermatitis | $832 | $24,354 |
| Urinary Tract Infection | $814 | $12,223 |
Common treatments covered
We researched 11 providers to help you easily compare providers that offer the following common pet treatments: cancer, gastro intestinal, tick paralysis, fractures and cataracts. For a full list of treatments, click Get Quote to head to the provider's site and check the PDS.
We update our data regularly, but information can change between updates. Confirm details with the provider you're interested in before making a decision.
What factors affect the cost of pet surgery?
Pet surgery costs vary depending on the clinic you go to, the breed of your pet and the type of injury that's occurred. As a result, it's not possible to give you an exact price, but we help you work out whether you're likely to pay less or more, depending on the following:
🌡️ The nature of the condition. The same operation might be done in under an hour or might take several hours depending on the situation. Similarly, it might require more specialised equipment or a different type of anaesthesia. All of these can significantly affect the cost.
🏥 The veterinary practice. Veterinarians are generally free to charge what they want, so prices can vary based on where you live and the vet you go to.
🐶🐱 Whether you have a dog or a cat. Dogs are typically more expensive than cats.
🧬 The breed of your pet. Different breeds can medically be very different. For example, different breeds of dog will need different kinds of anaesthesia before surgery, some of which are more expensive than others.
⚖️ How large your pet is. Surgery is generally more expensive for bigger pets, although it can vary depending on the condition being treated.
Can pet insurance lower pet surgery costs?
✅ Yes. Pet insurance usually reimburses a portion of vet bills – most commonly around 80%, up to a specified annual limit.
So for example, say a vet charges $2,000 for cruciate ligament surgery. A pet insurance policy with an 80% reimbursement rate will pay you $1,600, leaving you with $400 left to pay. If you want to avoid out-of-pocket expenses, there are a few policies that cover 100% of surgery costs (provided the costs don't exceed the annual limit), such as Vets Choice Elite Cover, Petsy Dog Accidental Injury and Illness Cover (Vet Select) and Pet Insurance from Coles.
In most cases, you'll find that they also have an annual limit for specific treatments. This can be as high as $25,000 or as low as $2,000, so how much you pay for pet surgery can differ greatly depending on the policy you pick.
Does it matter which vet I go to?
Getting value for your money from pet insurance is dependent on the types of claims you think you’ll be making. If you have a comprehensive policy, more expensive claims can give you more value for your money.
There are no set general service fees for veterinarians, so you might get very different prices from different vets.
We've researched the most commonly required pet surgeries and how much they generally cost to help you work out whether pet insurance is worth it.
As such, it’s worth considering the typical costs of different procedures, so you can think about pet insurance cover in real dollars.
Why are vet bills so expensive?
Surgery is complicated and involves a lot of steps before, during and after the process. All of these are part of the cost along with the equipment and expertise that’s being used. Depending on the procedure, your vet bill may include the following costs:
- Diagnosis and examinations
- Preoperative tests
- Anaesthesia
- Theatre fees
- Surgical fees
- Disposable surgical items
- Pharmaceuticals
- Prosthetic items
- Follow-up checks
- Follow-up drug prescriptions
- Pet kennel costs at the vet’s if your pet needs to remain overnight for health reasons
Find comprehensive pet insurance now
At Finder, we make it easy for you to find a pet insurance policy and help with the high cost of cat or dog surgery.
🔍 Use our quick comparison tool to filter through the best policy for your needs.
Some policies can cover you for as much as $25,000 a year and all include surgery. Each policy is tailored to the breed and age of your pet, so compare features first then click through for a personalised quote.
According to Bunbury + Eaton Vet Clinic, difficult lump removals can reach as high as $3,000.
Brisbane Pet Surgery says that fractures can cost between $1,500 and $2,500, though it can reach as much as $3,000. It also states that a referral centre will likely charge between $5,000 and $10,000.
A comprehensive abdominal ultrasound is likely to cost you around $350, according to Albert Park Vet. However, shorter scans are likely to cost less. The cost of a pet ultrasound can also vary depending on what the vet is looking for and where you go.
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Gary Hunter is a writer at Finder, specialising in insurance. He’s been writing about life, health, travel, home and pet insurance for over three years, has pored over hundreds of product disclosure statements and written more than 500 insurance articles. Gary is passionate about helping Aussies understand their insurance policies so that they can get better value for their money.
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can you please give me an estimate for a Labrador to have a culture and susceptibility biopsy of her right hind foot
Hi Linda,
Thanks for reaching out to us and I hope you are well. Sorry to hear about your Labrador’s condition. Upon checking the prices on our table above, it doesn’t show any estimated costs for a culture and susceptibility biopsy of her right hindfoot. As this is a very special case, the best way to get a quote on this is by reaching out to a vet surgeon and one that your trust can help your dog.
Hope this helps and feel free to reach out to us again for further assistance.
Best,
Nikki
About how much should I expect it to cost for my French bulldog to get his soft palate shortened and nostrils larger?
Hi Cath,
Thank you for getting in touch with finder.
Currently we don’t have the estimate cost of any Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS) related surgeries such as trimming elongated soft palate and stenotic nares correction. It is best to contact your chosen vet on cost of the said surgery.
I hope this helps.
Thank you and have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Jeni
Can u give me an idea as to how much an ultrasound for a small dog would cost. Checking prostate, kidneys, bladder lining.. Thankyou.
Hi Roxy,
Thanks for contacting finder, a comparison website and general information service. I hope you are having a great day.
Depending on the situation and the equipment, the cost could be from $50 to $500. -It could also depend on what the vet is looking for and where you go.
Diagnostic ultrasounds can be a lot more difficult and might require a vet to collaborate with radiologists, cardiologists or other specialists.
I hope this helps.
Best regards,
Judith