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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Why you can trust Finder's pet insurance experts
We're free
You pay the same as buying directly from the pet insurer. Better still, we regularly run exclusive deals that you won't find on any other site – plus, our tables make it easy to compare policies.
We're experts
Our team of pet insurance experts have researched and rated 25+ policies as part of the Finder Awards. We've produced guides on everything from the best policies to jargon-free explainers.
We're independent
Unlike other comparison sites, we're not owned by an insurer. That means our opinions are our own and we work with lots of pet insurance brands, making it easier for you to find a good deal.
We're here to help
Since 2016, we've helped 110,000+ people find pet insurance by explaining your cover options, simply and clearly. We'll never ask for your number or email. We're here to help you make a decision.
Gary Ross Hunter is an editor at Finder, specialising in insurance. He’s been writing about life, travel, home, car, pet and health insurance for over 6 years and regularly appears as an insurance expert in publications including The Sydney Morning Herald, The Guardian and news.com.au. Gary holds a Kaplan Tier 2 General Advice General Insurance certification which meets the requirements of ASIC Regulatory Guide 146 (RG146).
Receive quotes for policies from Pet Insurance Australia and apply securely online. Choose from 3 levels of cover and pay nothing for the first 2 months.
The range of prices for cataract surgery that you include in the table above is very wide ie from $1800 to $14,000. Is there a guide for how to find a vet at the lower end?
Unfortunately, veterinarians are pretty much free to charge what they want for their services. That’s why you’ll often see wide differences in pricing for cataracts and other types of treatments. Generally, you could lower the cost of your overall bills by choosing an insurer with higher annual cover limits. With that in mind, you could look at our guide to comprehensive pet insurance.
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.
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.
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.
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The range of prices for cataract surgery that you include in the table above is very wide ie from $1800 to $14,000. Is there a guide for how to find a vet at the lower end?
Hi,
Unfortunately, veterinarians are pretty much free to charge what they want for their services. That’s why you’ll often see wide differences in pricing for cataracts and other types of treatments. Generally, you could lower the cost of your overall bills by choosing an insurer with higher annual cover limits. With that in mind, you could look at our guide to comprehensive pet insurance.
I hope this helps.
Regards,
James
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