Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs Yorkshire Terrier Vet Costs
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel owners spend $550-$1,400/yr at the vet. Yorkshire Terrier: $380-$900/yr. That's a $335/yr gap in average costs. Here's where the money goes.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
$8,000-$20,000
lifetime vet costs (11 yrs)
high health risk
Lifetime Gap
$2,500
Yorkshire Terrier costs less
Yorkshire Terrier
$7,000-$16,000
lifetime vet costs (14 yrs)
moderate health risk
Vet Cost Breakdown
| Category | Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | Yorkshire Terrier | Lower Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Vet Cost (avg) | $975/yr | $640/yr | Yorkshire Terrier |
| Annual Range | $550-$1,400 | $380-$900 | - |
| Preventive Care | $300/yr | $280/yr | Yorkshire Terrier |
| Emergency Risk Budget | $600/yr | $300/yr | Yorkshire Terrier |
| Pet Insurance | $40-$80/mo | $25-$50/mo | Yorkshire Terrier |
| Spay/Neuter | $150-$350 | $150-$350 | Cavalier King Charles Spaniel |
| Lifetime Vet Cost | $8,000-$20,000 | $7,000-$16,000 | Yorkshire Terrier |
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Health Risks
high risk · small, 12-18 lbs · 11-year lifespan · 3-4 visits/year average
- Mitral valve disease (MVD) (nearly 100%) $500-$5,000
- Syringomyelia (SM) (25-70%) $500-$8,000
- Patellar luxation (10-15%) $1,500-$4,000
- Ear infections (20-30%) $100-$300
- Eye conditions (dry eye, cataracts) (10-15%) $300-$2,000
Yorkshire Terrier Health Risks
moderate risk · small, 4-7 lbs · 14-year lifespan · 2-3 visits/year average
- Dental disease (30-40%) $400-$1,500
- Patellar luxation (15-20%) $1,500-$4,000
- Portosystemic shunt (liver shunt) (2-5%) $3,000-$8,000
- Tracheal collapse (5-10%) $500-$4,500
- Hypoglycemia (10-15%) $100-$500
Breed-Specific Procedures
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Cardiac auscultation $50-$150
- Echocardiogram $300-$600
- MRI (if SM symptoms) $1,500-$3,000
- Dental cleaning $300-$700
- Eye exam $50-$150
Yorkshire Terrier
- Dental cleaning + extractions $400-$800
- Patellar evaluation $50-$100
- Bile acids test (liver) $80-$200
- Wellness exam + vaccines $130-$260
- Blood glucose check $30-$80
Insurance: Is It Worth It?
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
$40-$80/mo ($480-$960/yr)
high risk. Insurance is close to mandatory for this breed. One surgery can exceed years of premiums.
Yorkshire Terrier
$25-$50/mo ($300-$600/yr)
moderate risk. Worth it if you get coverage before age 2, when premiums are lowest.
Premiums from Nationwide, ASPCA, and Embrace. Accident + illness plans, $500 deductible, 80% reimbursement.