Average vet costs in the US
Common US veterinary procedures fall in well-known price bands: a spay/neuter $200–$500, a dental cleaning $300–$700, an X-ray $150–$400, bloodwork $80–$200, an emergency exam $150–$500 (treatment extra), a tooth extraction $500–$1,200, an ultrasound $300–$600, and major orthopedic surgery such as an ACL/TPLO $3,500–$5,000. Actual prices vary widely by region, clinic and your pet's size. These are typical ranges — get a written estimate from your own vet.
Source: Aggregated clinic / CareCredit / Pawlicy price surveys. Data as of June 2026.
Common vet procedure prices
| Procedure | Typical price range | Type | Anesthesia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spay/neuter | $200–$500 | Routine / elective | Yes (general) |
| Dental cleaning | $300–$700 | Preventive / routine | Yes (general) |
| ACL/TPLO surgery | $3,500–$5,000 | Major orthopedic surgery | Yes (general) |
| X-ray | $150–$400 | Diagnostic | Sometimes (sedation) |
| Bloodwork | $80–$200 | Diagnostic / pre-surgical | No |
| ER visit | $150–$500 | Emergency | Depends |
| Tooth extraction | $500–$1,200 | Dental / sometimes urgent | Yes (general) |
| Ultrasound | $300–$600 | Diagnostic | Sometimes (sedation) |
Source: Aggregated clinic / CareCredit / Pawlicy price surveys. Data as of June 2026.
Procedure cost guides
$200–$500 · Routine / elective
Dog dental cleaning$300–$700 · Preventive / routine
ACL / TPLO knee surgery (dog)$3,500–$5,000 · Major orthopedic surgery
Pet X-ray (radiograph)$150–$400 · Diagnostic
Bloodwork / lab panel$80–$200 · Diagnostic / pre-surgical
Emergency vet visit$150–$500 · Emergency
Tooth extraction$500–$1,200 · Dental / sometimes urgent
Ultrasound (abdominal)$300–$600 · Diagnostic
How vet costs fit your budget
A single big procedure can cost more than a year of routine care, which is why many owners buy pet insurance or keep a vet emergency fund. To see how procedures fit into a breed's total, browse the dog and cat cost pages, or run your own numbers in the pet cost calculator.
Last updated: 2026-06-18