How much does pet surgery cost?

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.

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.

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Name	Product	Cancer	Gastro intestinal	Tick paralysis	Fractures	Cataracts
Medibank Ultimate Pet Care							Get 16% off your first year. Sign up and use promo code SAVE16 by 14 Sep 2022. T&Cs apply.	Get quote More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Budget Direct Pet Insurance							Apply online and get 15% off your first year’s premium. T&Cs apply.	Get quote More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
PIA Major Medical Cover							Covers specified accidents and illnesses, with Routine Care Cover included. Get 2 months free when you sign up.	Get quote More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
PD Deluxe Plan							Apply online and get your first 1 month free. T&Cs apply.	Get quote More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Vets Choice Elite Cover							Get a 5% discount when you insure more than one pet.	Get quote More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Woolworths Comprehensive Cover							Woolies top policy comes with a $24,000 annual limit — higher than the majority of providers — plus cover for accidents, illnesses and routine care. Pay the gap and claim on the spot with GapOnly. Pricebeat is available for similar policies. T&C's apply.	Get quote More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Kogan Pet Luxury Cover							Sign up and get your first month FREE plus $10 ongoing monthly credit. T&Cs apply.	Get quote More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Australian Seniors Top Accident & Illness Cover							Extra benefits such as overseas cover for your pet, plus an optional routine care add-on.	Get quote More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Guardian Platinum Accident & Illness Cover							Lifetime cover for cats and dogs, up to 80% covered.	Get quote More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Real Premium Accident & Illness Cover							Claim up to a maximum of $12k per year, with no excess to pay.	Get quote More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
RSPCA Ultimate Plus Accident and Illness Cover							Comprehensive cover for your pet, including the option of routine care. Get 1 month free for the first year of new policies. T&C's apply.	Get quote More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Petsy Top Cover							Enjoy 5% off your first year of pet insurance.	Get quote More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Coles Premium Cover							Earn 10x Flybuys points per $1 spent on pet food at Coles Supermarkets. T&Cs apply.	Get quote More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
PetsOnMe Deluxe Plan							Get 2 months free if your pet is between 6-52 weeks old, or 1 month free if your pet is over 1 year old. T&Cs apply.	Get quote More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

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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:

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.

• How much will a lumpectomy for my dog cost?

  According to Bunbury + Eaton Vet Clinic, difficult lump removals can reach as high as $3,000.

• How much will a broken leg cost?

  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.

• How much will a pet ultrasound cost?

  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.