Moderate health risk large · 60-70 lbs · 13-yr lifespan

Irish Setter Vet Costs: What You'll Actually Pay

$480 to $1,100 per year at the vet. Over a 13-year lifespan, that's $7,000 to $15,500 total. 1-2 visits/year.

Annual Vet Cost

$480-$1,100

Lifetime Vet Cost

$11,250

13-year avg

Insurance

$40-$75/mo

$480-$900/yr

Annual Vet Cost Breakdown

Where your Irish Setter vet budget actually goes.

Preventive care (vaccines, exams, prevention) $360

Breed-specific health risk reserve $420

Spay/neuter (one-time, amortized) $200-$500

Annual total range $480-$1,100

Irish Setter Health Issues: What to Watch For

Hip dysplasia

10-15% of breed

Moderate rate in active large breeds.

Treatment cost: $1,500-$6,000

Epilepsy

5-8% of breed

Seizure disorder. Managed with phenobarbital or potassium bromide ($30-80/month).

Treatment cost: $300-$2,000

Bloat (GDV)

3-5% of breed

Deep-chested large breeds carry elevated bloat risk.

Treatment cost: $3,000-$7,000

Recommended Procedures & Screenings

Procedure	Frequency	Cost
Hip OFA screening	Once at age 2	$250-$500
Dental cleaning	Every 1-2 years	$300-$700
Wellness exam + vaccines	Annual	$150-$300

The Bottom Line on Irish Setter Vet Bills

Irish Setters are active, relatively healthy dogs with good lifespans. Epilepsy and bloat are the main watch items. A gastropexy at spay/neuter time significantly reduces bloat risk.

Compare With Other Breeds

Mastiff $800-$2,200/yr Bulldog $700-$2,000/yr Saint Bernard $750-$2,000/yr Cane Corso $700-$1,800/yr Bernese Mountain Dog $650-$1,800/yr French Bulldog $650-$1,800/yr Bloodhound $650-$1,700/yr Persian $600-$1,600/yr Sphynx $580-$1,600/yr Scottish Fold $550-$1,500/yr Great Dane $600-$1,500/yr Bull Terrier $580-$1,500/yr Akita $620-$1,500/yr Boston Terrier $550-$1,400/yr Boxer $550-$1,400/yr Cavalier King Charles Spaniel $550-$1,400/yr Doberman Pinscher $520-$1,400/yr Chow Chow $520-$1,300/yr German Shepherd $500-$1,300/yr Rottweiler $500-$1,300/yr Great Pyrenees $530-$1,300/yr Basset Hound $500-$1,300/yr Alaskan Malamute $550-$1,300/yr Golden Retriever $500-$1,200/yr Maine Coon $450-$1,200/yr Dalmatian $500-$1,200/yr Weimaraner $490-$1,200/yr Ragdoll $440-$1,150/yr Pembroke Welsh Corgi $450-$1,100/yr Miniature Schnauzer $430-$1,100/yr British Shorthair $420-$1,100/yr Bengal $430-$1,100/yr Samoyed $450-$1,100/yr Siamese $400-$1,100/yr Labrador Retriever $480-$1,100/yr Maltese $420-$1,050/yr Abyssinian $400-$1,050/yr West Highland White Terrier $420-$1,000/yr Dachshund $400-$1,000/yr Cocker Spaniel $420-$1,000/yr Pomeranian $400-$1,000/yr Poodle (Standard) $450-$1,000/yr Australian Shepherd $420-$1,000/yr Siberian Husky $420-$1,000/yr Vizsla $410-$980/yr Havanese $390-$950/yr Border Collie $420-$950/yr Shetland Sheepdog $400-$950/yr Yorkshire Terrier $380-$900/yr Standard Schnauzer $380-$900/yr American Shorthair $350-$900/yr Shih Tzu $380-$900/yr Bichon Frise $380-$900/yr German Shorthaired Pointer $400-$900/yr Shiba Inu $380-$880/yr Beagle $380-$850/yr Whippet $360-$850/yr Jack Russell Terrier $350-$850/yr Australian Cattle Dog $350-$800/yr Chihuahua $300-$700/yr

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