The 12 Most Expensive Vet Bills You Could Get If You Own A Pet

Taking a cat or dog to the veterinarian can be a stressful experience for both the pet and owner. Even at cooperative care practices designed to make vet visits less stressful for pets, the potential costs may cause financial concern. Regular check-ups and shots won't necessarily make the prepared caretaker panic. Still, the chance of an examiner finding something wrong or a visit brought on by a specific concern can raise anyone's anxiety. At best, you hope for something that is an easy fix, but sometimes problems first deemed small can snowball into significant and expensive issues.

Those who have brought a pooch into their lives can expect higher bills across the board, as not only do procedures cost more, but vet visits are more frequent, according to 2023 data shared by the American Veterinary Medical Association. The frequency of vet visits can be attributed to outdoor hazards and breed-specific genetic conditions in dogs. At the same time, the overall size and variance that come with doggos makes them more expensive than their kitty counterparts. To reflect this difference, we've provided a range of costs for the most expensive vet procedures that reflects the lowest amounts for cats up to the maximum for dogs (when applicable). You'll find the specific price range for each type of pet under the individually listed vet bills.

Seeing a dog's eyes become cloudy or appear infected is a cause of concern for any owner. A wide range of conditions affect a pet's eyes, from conjunctivitis to glaucoma. A diagnosis of cataracts in need of surgery is going to be one of the most significant bills an owner can incur in this category. Cataracts are the breakdown of proteins in the lens, leading to clumping that gives that cloudy or opaque eye color that can lead to full or partial blindness. The reason for cataracts developing ranges and can occur at any age, though when it comes to dogs, certain breeds are more predisposed than others.

Dog owners can expect to pay between $2,700 and $4,000, per Argyle Veterinary Hospital. Aftercare involves administering drops regularly and following up appointments to ensure recovery is going according to plan; your dog may also have to stay at the vet for the first day to monitor any potential complications. For felines, Cats.com shares that surgery can cost between $1,800 to $3,000. Cataracts may not cause a cat or dog pain. In cases where the size of the cataract is small, a vet may be able to prescribe anti-inflammatory eye drops that will need to be taken for the pet's lifetime instead of conducting surgery.

While hip dysplasia is most common among large dog breeds, a disconnect of the kneecap can affect both big and small pooches, as well as cats. Toy-sized dogs can be particularly susceptible, with Yorkshire terriers and Chihuahuas facing a higher risk. Patellar luxation occurs when the patella shifts out of its normal alignment in the knee joint, causing pain and discomfort. It can be seen through limping, hunching, or a cracking/popping noise from the joints. For felines, taking weight off of a leg, hopping, or limping can also signal issues. There are two types of patellar luxation: a medial (dislocating toward the inside) or a lateral (outside).

Patellar luxation surgery can cost between $1,000 and $5,000 for a dog per knee, according to Dogster. The aftercare process may include physiotherapy, vet follow-up visits, and pain-killing medication to help your canine while it recovers. Before surgery, tests can consist of an MRI or X-ray, which may lead to higher fees. The cost of surgery for a cat does not differ from that of a dog, and it is estimated by Integricare Animal Health to be between $1,000 and $5,000 per knee. Your vet may also recommend a supplement to aid in maintenance and a balanced nutritional diet to ensure a healthy weight to reduce strain on the joints.

Humeral fracture repair surgery aims to restore the humerus, the long bone in the upper front limb. This surgery is required when the bone is fractured or broken in cats and dogs due to trauma, like being stuck by a car or pathological conditions. Treatment can vary depending on the extent of damage, but pet parents can expect to pay for surgery costs, which include repositioning bone fragments by using screws, pins, and bone plates to make the joint stable. Other factors that may affect the treatment and expenses are the pet's age and any pre-existing conditions that could complicate surgery or recovery.

After a fracture is repaired, your pet will likely need to stay at the veterinarian for a few days so they can monitor for potential complications, like infections. Once the vet clears them to return home, your little companion may need to spend plenty of time resting in their favorite bed, as restricted movement could be advised to aid recovery. You will likely need to follow up with your vet with additional appointments so they can keep an eye on the healing process. Repairing a fracture or broken leg on a dog will range between $2,000 and $5,000, per Dogster. Owners can expect to pay between $1,500 to $4,000 for their kitty counterparts, according to Greystanes Vet Clinic.

Surgery required for hip dysplasia remains much more common in dogs than cats, though both can be considered for different procedures to correct the condition. Of the three options available – femoral head osteotomy, double or triple pelvic osteotomy (more commonly used on puppies under ten months), and total hip replacement — the latter is the most expensive option, albeit the most effective. The surgery involves the insertion of plastic and metal to replace a hip joint, alleviating symptoms attached to hip dysplasia.

Certain dog breeds are predisposed to hip dysplasia, but it is more common in larger varieties. Of course, the size of your pet will affect the price. The cost for this surgery can range between $3,500 to $7,000 per hip for canines, according to Tumwater Veterinary Hospital. If surgery is required on both hip joints, they must be done separately, with at least 12 weeks recovering in between. Meanwhile, the same surgery for a kitty costs between $1,500 to $4,000 depending on the severity and the veterinarian's location and expertise in the field, per Greystanes Vet Clinic.

Aftercare can also inflate prices, with your pet needing to be monitored after surgery, which can last from several hours to several days. Once the vet is comfortable sending a pet home, recovery takes around six weeks, with a potential need for follow-up appointments and physiotherapy.

A diagnosis of septicemia and bacteremia can be used interchangeably, and while they are separate issues, one is the product of another. Bacteremia results from a build-up of bacteria in the bloodstream, while septicemia is the body's response to that infection (sepsis). This form of blood poisoning manifests itself in low blood pressure, vomiting, diarrhea, and high fever, which can cause your cat or dog to go into shock and is fatal if not treated. Sepsis has a high mortality rate in pets of 20 to 50% (via 2022 research shared in the Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Intervention), and treatment of the condition is an emergency and should be addressed immediately if its symptoms occur.

Treating sepsis in a dog costs between $2,000 and $9,500, according to Wag!. These costs vary based on the treatment and age. A vet may use any or all combo of IV fluids, antibiotics, feeding tubes, oxygen application, surgery, and persistent monitoring, which increase the price. Wag! shares that feline friends face a similar if slightly lower range for emergency treatment for septic shock of $2,000 to $8,000. Both cats and dogs will require subsequent intravenous therapy and tests to check blood chemistry and organ function until levels return to normal, exacerbating expenses with additional appointments.

Several types of cancers can affect the health of felines and canines. However, the most common variety for both is lymphoma, which is cancer of the lymphatic system: lymph nodes/ducts, spleen, bone marrow, thymus, and parts of the gastrointestinal tract. This is a complex condition, as within the diagnosis of lymphoma, it can be broken down into more than 30 different subtypes in dogs alone. The treatment plan will vary based on the variety, location, and needed procedures. While the most significant expense would come from surgery to remove a growth, the costs of medicine and chemotherapy for a beloved pet can add up.

A single chemotherapy session for a dog ranges from $150 to $600, with an expected total of all treatments between $1,000 and $10,000, per ImpriMed. Prices may vary depending on how it is administered, whether through oral medication or intravenously. If the condition is treatable through steroids, costs are manageable, with a two-week dose costing between $6 and $20. For cats, oral medicine to assist with pain and nausea costs between $25 to $50, while the chemotherapy itself will total between $200 to $2,000 for all sessions, according to Wag!. Given the complications of treating cancer, it is always best to discuss the various options with your veterinarian, as it is not uncommon for prices to inflate beyond the expected range, depending on the situation.

Gastric dilatation-volvulus, often called bloat, occurs when the stomach fills with gas, fluid, or food, causing it to expand and potentially twist. Bloat in dogs is dangerous and requires immediate veterinarian intervention, as the twisting can cut off blood supply to various organs, leading to numerous complications, shock, and death. This condition primarily affects large dog breeds, with great Danes having a high occurrence rate of bloat at around 39% (via Animal Emergency Hospital). GDV can also occur in cats, but the condition is extremely rare, with only a handful of cases ever reported.

The cost of treating gastric dilatation volvulus can range from $500 to $10,000 depending on the severity and if surgery for GDV can be prevented through other measures taken by a vet, according to Wag!. However, expect a bill upwards of $6,000 with no guarantee of success. In emergencies, your vet may also perform a gastropexy. However, this surgery, which involves creating permanent adhesion between the stomach and the abdominal wall to prevent twisting in the future, can be done in advance. If you have a canine prone to the condition, you can often have the preventative surgery done at the same time as a spay or neuter or around one year of age; great Danes who got the surgery were around 30 times less likely to experience GDV later in life, per a 2003 study published in Preventive Veterinary Medicine. The cost of preventive gastropexy can be 2.5 times less than an emergency procedure.

Parvovirus is a highly infectious and severe illness that can affect cats and dogs; with cats, the condition is referred to as feline panleukopenia. Parvovirus does not travel interspecies, so an infected canine can't give the illness to a feline, and vice versa. The symptoms of Parvo are particularly severe, carrying an 80% mortality rate (via Wag!). Symptoms begin with fever and lethargy and escalate to include vomiting and diarrhea, which can be so severe on a pet's body that it can lead to sepsis, shock, and heart failure.

Parvovirus is most prevalent in kittens and puppies who have not grown old enough to get shot to prevent the condition; for any pet parent, keeping a cat or dog's parvo shots up to date is essential. A vet's first significant concern will be dehydration and electrolyte imbalance caused by severe vomiting and defecation. If vomiting is not too persistent, electrolyte solutions can be administered orally by a professional; in severe cases, IV solutions will be used to stabilize a pet.

Treating parvovirus in a dog costs between $500 and $12,000. Getting vaccines and early treatment will contribute to lower costs, while emergency surgery will put a pet parent in the more expensive range. The cost of treating feline panleukopenia ranges between $500 – $2,000, per Wag!.

Any cancer treatment is going to be costly for a pet parent; there will always be a wide range of potential complications, required follow-ups, and medications that can come with a diagnosis. Cancer of the lungs presents unique issues, making it one of the more expensive types to handle.

Symptoms of lung cancer in a dog can appear through difficulties breathing, lethargy, loss of appetite, fever, vomiting, or coughing blood. A vet will run a CT scan of the lungs if these conditions appear. Depending on location, size, and if other areas are infected, a vet may recommend chemotherapy, but if surgery is viable, it will be the most likely route taken. The cost of treating lung cancer in dogs can range between $3,000 and $15,000, according to Wag!. However, your vet may discuss other options, as successful surgery may only extend a canine's life for another year.

Cats face similar issues when dealing with lung cancer, and again, a vet may choose chemotherapy over surgery depending on location and severity. Still, the overall price for cats may be lower than that of their canine counterparts, with Wag! identifying a range of $3,000 to $10,000. A cat may have to stay at the vet for several days after surgery, and recovery will include follow-up appointments, treatments, and medication.

Organ transplants in animals are always restricted by the professionals available, donors, and success rate; the process is relatively rare despite dating back to the 1980s. The most common type of transplant performed is a kidney (renal transplant). Yet this comes with its own challenges, including a low success rate in dogs. Successful surgeries come with further challenges, with immunosuppressive drugs a lifelong necessity.

For these reasons, the price of renal transplants is very high, with the operation itself costing an average of $20,000 and drugs costing $11,000 annually for dogs, per Wag!. Consistent urine and blood tests will also be required, increasing the aftercare expense. Considering the moral implications of harvesting a kidney from another dog that can't consent and a success rate of only 40%, surgery is seldom considered an option.

While complications for cats after renal transplant surgery are common, and survival rates are affected by various factors, including age, overall, there is a 77.5% survival rate from surgery to discharge according to a 2008 study in Veterinary Surgery. Still, the procedure comes with the same ethical issues and subsequent costs. PetMD notes expenses when considering both cats, with the surgery costing between $12,000 and $15,000, and medication and follow-up tests coming in at about $1,000 per year for the recipient of the kidney.

Neurosurgery can be an intimidating concept for any pet parent. The medical specialty focuses on various diagnoses, treatments, and surgeries related to disorders affecting the broader nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, and their supporting structures. The underlying reason for needing surgery can range from tumors to neuromuscular disease, with symptoms such as seizures or paralysis also potentially requiring medical intervention falling under the blanket of neurosurgery.

The most common reason for brain surgery is the removal of a tumor, according to Southeast Veterinary Neurology. Treatment for this condition is often done in conjunction with radiation therapy (RT), follow-up care, and medication. Many factors contribute to the price for this procedure, including the tumor's size, consistency, and location. These variables also influence the success rate of a surgery; think of it similarly to humans, who can develop a wide range of cancers.

The price of treating a dog's brain tumor can range from $5,000 to $25,000, with an average cost of $12,000, per Wag!. Felines get the more affordable treatment in this case, with Wag! identifying a range of  $4,000 to $6,500, including follow-up and testing. A "well-defined, single brain tumor" in a dog poses the best chance for success, while in cats, approximately 50% will see their life expectancy increase after the procedure.

Despite heart surgery not being uncommon among humans — more than 900,000 cardiac surgeries are performed yearly in the U.S. (via Mass General Brigham) — it does not happen as often for pets. Owners are limited as to where they can get heart surgery for their cats and dogs when it comes to one of the most frequently-seen problems: mitral valve disease. In 2023, the only location offering canine open heart surgery for the mitral valve was the University of Minnesota Veterinary School. The availability of the surgery is slowly growing, with the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine's Henry and Lois Foster Hospital for Small Animals (FHSA) successfully performing the procedure in 2024. 

Some vets will also offer heart surgeries for cats and dogs, but the scope of this practice is pretty rare in availability and frequency. More clinics exploring options is a slow but positive step forward. Previously, pet owners would travel to countries like France or Japan for mitral valve repair.

The University of Florida places the cost of mitral valve surgery at $45,000 to $50,000. This amount does not include the cost of consultations, follow-up, and any additional medications. The limited availability and expertise for the procedures is just one of the reasons behind the high cost. Information on the price for mitral valve surgery for cats is unavailable, but heart issues in kitties' do happen. Dealing with an enlarged heart or mitral valve dysplasia averages around $2,000 for treatment.