Price of dog operations

Written by The Meilleurtaux editorial team .
Updated

October 18, 2023 .
Reading time :
6 mins

Dog owners know how much these pets are full members of the family. These adorable furballs need attention. Many ailments can make them suffer or cause them a disability, whether linked to an injury, an illness, or even old age. However, when an operation is necessary, the bill can be very significant, especially in the absence of specific health insurance. What operations are possible for a dog? Discover prices and solutions to reduce costs in this guide.

What is the average cost of a veterinary consultation for a dog?

A veterinary consultation simple for a dog costs around forty euros. This price includes the consultation itself, not the examinations or additional veterinary care. In addition to the consultation itself, it is necessary to add, on average:

• €60 for the implantation of an electronic chip;
• €200 for descaling;
• €50 per x-ray;
• €40 for an ultrasound of a single organ;
• €75 for a complete ultrasound;
• €350 for a scanner (a single area);
• €550 for an arthroscopy (visual exploration of the joints).

In addition to the cost of the consultation and associated veterinary care, we must potentially take into account the costs linked to thepurchase of medicines (antiparasitics, painkillers, antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, etc.).

If your dog suffers from cancer and must undergo a radiotherapy protocol, the costs can easily reach very significant amounts.

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What costs should be expected in the event of laboratory analyzes for a dog?

Of the laboratory analyzes may be necessary in the dog to ensure its good health or to detect a possible pathology. Biological analyzes (or blood tests) and stool analyzes cost €75 on average. Regarding urine tests, it costs around twenty euros.

Price of an operation in dogs: the main interventions

We identify around tencommon operations in dogs. This may, for example, involve sterilization or castration, the removal of a tumor, cruciate ligament surgery, or even cataract surgery. Let's take a closer look at each type of intervention and the average cost to expect.

Sterilization and castration

These interventions both consist of making the animal sterile.

Sterilization

We speak of “sterilization” for females. Two techniques are possible:

• There chemical sterilizationconsisting of placing a subcutaneous contraceptive implant (its effect lasts between 6 and 12 months, it is necessary to renew it);
• There surgical sterilization (oophorectomy), an irreversible procedure during which the veterinarian removes both ovaries.

The price of sterilizing a female dog is €285 on average, with an observed maximum of €600.

Castration

Castration, used for the male, can refer to three methods:

• Chemical sterilization;
• Surgical sterilization;
• But also vasectomy, consisting of cutting the conduit used to transport sperm.

The castration of a dog is charged on average €180, with an observed maximum of €425. Note that in the event of an undescended testicle(s) – or cryptorchidism – it is sometimes necessary to carry out an abdominal operation. In this case, the cost of the intervention is higher: from €700 on average.

Cruciate ligament surgery

There rupture of the cruciate ligaments in dogs is treated, as for humans, by surgery. The intervention consists of modifying the orientation of the tibial plateau to be able to refix the tibia in a new position. It is supplemented by rehabilitation sessions. In total, with surgery and rehabilitation, it costs around €2,000.

Surgery for a broken leg

The intervention ensures correct consolidation of the bone. It allows your dog to quickly regain the use of his paw. Concretely, the fractured bone is returned to its normal position using implants. The average price of this operation in dogs is €350 for a simple fracture.

Operation following patella dislocation

Quite common in small dogs, patella dislocation can be treated using a technique called “manipulation reduction”. It consists of applying gentle pressure on the affected knee in order to put the kneecap back in place. When the dislocation is permanent (grades 3 and 4), it requires surgical intervention. The bill can reach or even exceed €1,000.

Removal of a tumor or cyst

Like humans, dogs are not immune to a tumor or cyst. In all cases, ablation may be necessary, particularly if the location of the cyst is troublesome or if it is a malignant tumor. Removal of a cyst in dogs costs around €250, that of a mammary tumor, for example, around €600.

Digestive endoscopy

Digestive endoscopy is used to explore the upper digestive tract (gastroscopy) or the lower digestive tract (colonoscopy). For example, it can be performed to remove a tumor or extract a foreign body. Its average price varies between €300 and €700.

Cataract surgery

As in humans, cataracts in dogs are responsible for a gradual decline in vision. There cataract surgery is one of the most expensive interventions. You will need to budget €1,000 per eye, or €2,000 for both eyes.

Operation for hip or elbow dysplasia

Disabling, dysplasia is a malformation or developmental abnormality of tissue causing poor adjustment of the bones of the joint. The dog may be hit at the hip or elbow. The operation to remedy this costs between €500 and €1,000.

Eye ulcer surgery

Eye ulcer, or corneal ulcer, is an unfortunately quite common canine disease. If not treated in time, it can have serious consequences: spread of infection, blindness. Different factors can be the cause, such as tear insufficiency, traumatic shocks (cat scratches, for example), or the presence of a foreign body, such as the spikelet.

In the event of a simple ulcer (superficial lesions), drug treatment is preferred. Sometimes a small intervention is required. This is billed at around €200. But in the event of deep lesions, the bill rises quickly: up to €3,000 for both eyes, or even more.

Herniated disc surgery

In dogs, a herniated disc results from compression of the spinal cord. This is, again, a common pathology among our canine friends. There surgery for a herniated disc in dogs is invoiced at a price of approximately €600.

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What solutions can be found to reduce the price of a dog operation?

Taking care of your pet is essential to help prevent health problems or reduce their severity:

• balanced diet ;
• vaccination ;
• take care of your health in general.

But sometimes an operation is unavoidable. To better cover the expenses inherent to the intervention, you can contact different structures, such as:

• The Animal Assistance Foundation’s dispensaries;
• The Veterinarians for All association;
• Veterinary schools.

They allow you to benefit from reduced veterinary costs in order to avoid forgoing care for your four-legged companion.

To reduce your veterinary costs, you also have the choice of taking out dog health insurance. Animal mutual insurance companies cover all or part of veterinary costs in the event of illness or accident, including:

• the operations ;
• veterinary consultations;
• vaccines ;
• medication.

Considering the prices of operations for dogs and ongoing costs, this is an expense that quickly pays for itself, with the average annual contribution being €480 (€40 per month). To be well reimbursed in the event of an operation, it is advisable to take out a mid-range or even high-end mutual fund. Expect respectively around €420 per year (€35 per month) and €960 per year (€80 per month).

As we have seen, operations on dogs can represent a significant budget. That's without taking into account hospitalization costs, examinations, medications, etc. To obtain health coverage adapted to the best price for your dog, compare mutual insurance offers in a few clicks with our online comparator.

Written by
The Meilleurtaux editorial team