How much can pet surgery cost in Australia?
Brace yourself, it might surprise you! Pet surgeries can come with a hefty price tag, much like their human counterparts.
Key takeaways
- Pet surgeries can be nearly as expensive as human ones.
- Costs depend on factors like the pet health provider, your pet’s breed, and the condition being treated.
- Pet insurance can help you bear the brunt of vet bills and surgery costs.
The cost of pet surgery
Just like managing our own health, making sure our pets receive necessary surgeries is vital for their well-being and happiness. In Australia, the cost of pet surgeries can be surprisingly high, often close to the price of human procedures.
Keep in mindthe cost of pet surgeries in Australia isn’t universal. Factors like inflation, as well as advancements in technology and medication, constantly change the cost of things. What you pay will also depend on your pet's breed, the surgery, how severe their condition is, and which practice you choose to go with. Your vet can give you a more accurate quote once they’ve assessed your pet and the level of treatment they need can be understood.
We’ve sourced pet surgery prices from a range of vet clinics around Australia to help you get a rough idea of how much you could pay. These prices are indicative only, and the actual amount will depend on your chosen clinic and your pet’s specific needs.
| Surgery | Price |
|---|---|
| Hip replacement | $5,000 - $6,000 |
| Cruciate ligament repair | $3,000 - $4,000 |
| Entropion (eye surgery) | $1,200 - $1,600 |
| Cataract surgery | $1,805 |
| Limb fractures | $2,500 - $4,000 |
| Corneal ulcers | $1,805 |
| Bladder stone removal | $1,700 - $2,200 |
| Gastrointestinal obstructions | $1,600 - $2,100 |
| Grass seed removal | $350 - $750 |
| Small lump removal | $700 |
| Large lump removal | $1,300 |
| Dental surgery | up to $2,200 |
| Lumpectomy | $1,500 - $2,500 |
| Moderate dental disease extraction | $900 - $1,400 |
| Severe dental disease extraction | >$1,800 |
Pet surgery payment options
There are several ways to go about paying for your pet’s surgery, and your choice can really impact the total amount you end up spending.
- Pet insurance: This can ease the financial burden of pet surgeries by covering a chunk of the costs upfront. Comprehensive policies will typically cover up to as much as $30,000 across surgery, hospital visits, and medicines for conditions like conjunctivitis, cancer, and cruciate ligament injuries. It’s also only possible to make a claim on surgery if pet insurance has been purchased prior to a condition developing. Not all policies are built the same, so be sure to check what they cover and if there are any exclusions.
- Out-of-pocket payment: Paying directly can be a good option if you’ve saved up or done some financial planning. This is the most expensive option up front, but it won’t leave you in debt or having to make regular payments to an insurer.
- Personal loan or credit card: These are great for spreading the cost of pet surgeries over time. However, watch out for interest rates, as they can really add up if you’re not careful.
- Payment plan with the vet: Having a payment plan with a vet can make the cost of surgery easier to handle within your monthly budget. It’s wor
th asking your vet about these options to keep finances stress-free while your pet gets the care they need.
How much are Australians spending on pet insurance?
Every month, we ask a bunch of Aussies what they're paying for their pet insurance. Here's what their bill looked like in October 2024.$120
Price based on 151 responses about their monthly premium in October 2024.Pet insurance that covers surgery
We researched 11 providers to help you easily compare the following common pet treatments: cancer, gastro intestinal, tick paralysis, fractures and cataracts.
What factors affect the cost of pet surgery?
Pet surgery costs can be very different depending on the clinic you go to, the breed of your pet, and the type of injury that occurred. Because of this, it’s not easy to give an exact price for a particular procedure. However, we can help you figure out whether you're likely to pay less or more depending on the following factors:
The nature of the condition
The same procedure can be done in under an hour or might take several hours, depending on the situation. When dealing with something like lumps, its location on your pet’s body may need additional examinations. At some clinics, this could involve sending a sample to a specialist lab, resulting in an extra lab fee. This can add an extra few hundred dollars to your bill.
A more intense condition might need 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. In urban areas, because there’s a higher concentration of pet health providers, the cost of pet surgery tends to be more competitive. But in rural areas, where there are fewer veterinary specialists, clinics can charge higher rates for the same services.
Whether you have a dog or a cat
Typically you’ll find that dogs are more expensive to take care of than cats due to the difference in anatomy, typical health issues, and sizes. Take dental extractions, for instance. A dog’s might cost a lot more than a cat’s due to the complexity and time involved with a dog’s larger and often more damaged dental structures.
The timing of your surgery
Because veterinary clinics and hospitals have varying peak times for surgeries and staffing levels throughout the day, when you elect to have your pet’s surgery can affect the cost. In our research, we found some clinics will charge in the range of $1,350 - $1,700 for a day procedure, while after-hours procedures come with a higher price tag of $2,200 - $2,600. If the surgery isn’t planned or is an emergency, this can increase again.
The breed of your pet
Different breeds can be very different medically. This can come with a range of unique challenges in surgery due to their larger size or different health risks. For example, bulldogs will need different kinds of anaesthesia before surgery because of their narrow airways, some of which are more expensive than others.
How large your pet is
Surgery is generally more expensive for bigger and heavier pets, although this can vary depending on the condition being treated. For example, some vet clinics might charge $400 to desex a dog that’s under 10kg, compared to $600 to desex one that’s over 40kg.
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Ask a question
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