As beautiful as it is to have a dog in the family, vet visits can add some difficulties to your wallet. A basic vet visit may cost you around $50-$2504, but if your pet needs certain diagnostics, you can expect the cost to go up a few hundred dollars in some cases.
Dogs, irrespective of breed, will have multiple vet visits during their lifetime. Starting when they are young, they will need vaccinations, preventive medications, microchipping, spaying or neutering, etc. Your vet appointment cost will depend on which of these needs you are taking your pet to the vet.
We’ll take you in-depth into different types of reasons why your dog may need a vet visit, the factors affecting the cost, and then finally how you can save on them.
Factors Affecting the Cost of a Vet Visit
There are multiple factors that can affect the cost of a vet visit for a dog. They include –
Type of Visit
Routine visit – This typically includes a standard wellness exam.
Emergency Visit – This can be a visit to an urgent care or an after-hours appointment. These visits are usually priced higher than the routine ones.
Specialist visit – A visit to someone like a dermatologist, cardiologist, or other specialist can cost more.
Location
Vets in tier-1 cities usually cost more than the ones in suburban or rural areas.
The cost can also vary from state to state depending on the regulations, cost of living, etc.
Type of Clinic
Private clinics often cost more but can provide more personalised care.
Shelters or university vet hospitals can be a reasonable option but can sometimes offer only limited services.
Dog’s age and overall health
Costs are usually higher for senior dogs as they tend to require more tests and treatments
What to Expect in a Routine Vet Visit for a Dog?
In a routine vet visit you can expect a complete nose-to-tail check-up for your dog that would include checking –
Vitals – Heart rate, breathing rate, body temperature, and weight
Infections – Any signs of infection in ears, eyes, nose, mouth, and skin.
Parasites – Any types of worms on the skin and coat
How Much Does a Vet Appointment Cost for a Dog?
The average cost of a routine vet visit is between $50 - $85. In states like New Jersey and New York, you can expect costs on the higher end of this estimate, while in states like Kansas, Wyoming, West Virginia, etc. the cost would be around $60. (1)
The cost, however, does not include any diagnostic tests. Your vet may feel the need to conduct some tests if any signs of infection or any other medical condition are visible during the exam. The average costs of the same are – (2)
Blood tests - $120
Heartworm test – $50
Fecal exam - $35
X-Ray - $200
Ultrasound - $450
Allergy tests - $250
Geriatric Screening - $100
And if you’re taking your dog to the vet for the treatment of a specific medical condition, the average costs of some of them are as below. (2)
Infections - $150
Allergies - $250
Stomach issues - $300
Bladder issues - $600
Hypothyroidism - $123
Add surgery to this, and you can be looking at a huge bill of $1000 - $800,0 depending on the illness.
We know all these numbers can look scary. 16% of pet parents lose a pet because they could not afford vet care. Roughly 83% of pet parents required at least one vet visit in a year. 25% of them required emergency vet visits. (3)
How can you get reimbursed for the Costs of a Vet Visit for Dogs?
Pet parents can get reimbursed up to 90% of covered treatment costs for their dogs and cats. While routine vet visits may not be covered by basic plans, some insurers have wellness add-ons that can help cover routine visits as well. It is important to note that pre-existing conditions and any symptoms that arise during the waiting period are typically not covered.
Spot Pet insurance can help provide financial assistance for eligible veterinary care in case of unexpected accidents, illnesses, or injuries. Our plans can help pet parents manage the eligible costs of covered veterinary care and help ensure that their pets can receive the best treatment possible. Here are some ways that Spot pet insurance plans can help:
Covers Unexpected Veterinary Costs: Spot pet insurance plans help cover the eligible costs of unexpected veterinary treatments, such as emergency surgeries, X-rays, and prescription medications for covered conditions.
Customizable Plans: Choose your annual limit, reimbursement rate, and deductible from a range of options, and create the plan that will fit the needs of your pet and your budget.
Peace of Mind: With Spot pet insurance plans, pet parents can know that they can provide the best care for their pet with less worry about the cost.
Spot's also offers preventive care add-ons, which can help cover the eligible costs of spaying and neutering, dental cleaning, vaccinations, and other routine care services.
Get a quote today!
Mostly a tech person, always a pet person. I am dedicated to improving the lives of pets and their humans with technology. Off-duty, I enjoy writing about the misbehaving of computer programs and my two Aussiedoodles, Calvin and Hobbes.
Megna, M. (2024, January 25). Pet Ownership Statistics 2024. Forbes Advisor. https://www.forbes.com/advisor/pet-insurance/pet-ownership-statistics/
How much does a vet visit cost? Average pricing by procedure. (n.d.). https://www.carecredit.com/vetmed/costs/#average-state-costs
Zagame, K. (2023, December 28). 2024 Pet insurance Survey: Fearing costs, 30% of pet owners have avoided the vet. https://www.marketwatch.com/guides/pet-insurance/pet-insurance-survey/
“What Is CareCredit? | CareCredit.” Www.carecredit.com, www.carecredit.com/vetmed/costs/.
