25 Vet Cost Statistics (2026)

Routine wellness exam: $50–$80 for dogs and cats

The exam fee covers a comprehensive physical: weight, heart, lungs, eyes, ears, teeth, and skin. Most annual visits include vaccines, parasite testing, and preventive medications on top of the exam — bringing the typical annual visit to $200–$400.

Emergency exam averages $160 nationally — before any treatment

Emergency exam fees range from $100–$250 depending on the clinic and region. This is just the triage and evaluation fee. Diagnostics, medications, and procedures are billed separately on top of the exam.

Hawaii has the highest emergency exam fees at $240; Mississippi the lowest at $115

Emergency vet fees track local cost of living. Hawaii's high wages and island overhead push emergency exam fees to $240. Mississippi and neighboring states run $115–$135 for the same exam. Source: AVMA regional fee data, 2024.

Vet costs vary 79% between the cheapest and most expensive states

Mississippi (0.78× national average) vs. Hawaii (1.4× national average). That spread means a $500 procedure nationally costs about $390 in Mississippi and $700 in Hawaii.

After-hours emergency clinics add an average 60% surcharge to all services

Emergency clinics charge a premium for overnight and weekend coverage. The surcharge applies to the exam, diagnostics, medications, and procedures — not just the initial fee. Hawaii averages a 100% after-hours premium; most states are 50–65%.

Dental cleaning costs $300–$700 for dogs (anesthesia required)

Pet dental cleaning requires general anesthesia, which drives most of the cost. Anesthesia alone runs $100–$300. Vets recommend annual cleanings; skipping leads to periodontal disease requiring tooth extractions ($150–$1,200 each). Cat dental cleaning runs $250–$600.

Spay costs $200–$600; neuter costs $150–$400

Full-service vet clinics charge the higher end of these ranges. Low-cost spay/neuter clinics often perform these procedures for $150–$250. Timing matters: spay/neuter before first heat reduces cancer risk and is recommended by most veterinary guidelines.

ACL (CCL) surgery in dogs costs $2,000–$6,000 — the most common expensive orthopedic procedure

Cruciate ligament tears are extremely common in dogs, especially large breeds. TPLO (tibial plateau leveling osteotomy) is the gold-standard repair at $3,500–$6,000 per leg. Extracapsular repair is less expensive but has higher failure rates in dogs over 30 lbs. Many owners cite ACL surgery as the primary reason they carry pet insurance.

Foreign body removal surgery runs $1,500–$5,000 when a dog swallows something it shouldn't

Dogs are remarkably good at swallowing things: socks, toys, corn cobs, bones. When the object can't pass on its own, surgical removal is required. Endoscopic retrieval (if caught early) runs $800–$2,500. Open abdominal surgery runs $1,500–$5,000.

Bloat/GDV surgery costs $3,000–$8,000 and is life-threatening without immediate treatment

Gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) is most common in large, deep-chested breeds: Great Danes, German Shepherds, Labs. The stomach twists, cutting off blood supply. Emergency surgery within hours is the only option. Without it, the dog will die. This single event is the reason many large-breed owners insure their dogs.