The cost of neutering a dog at a Humane Society or at non-profit clinic can range from $45 to $250, depending on the local cost of living and the weight of the dog. The cost of spaying, a more complicated surgery, usually ranges from about $70 to $250.
For example, in St. Louis, Missouri, clinics may spay or neuter from $45-$100 dollars; in Austin, Texas, non-profit clinics may charge around $70, and in San Jose, California, the Humane Society can charge $150-$250. Many counties and local humane societies offer free or discounted dog spay or neuter for qualified low-income residents.
Some clinics and animal hospitals can charge up to $200-$300 or more, depending on the weight of the dog.
The cost of both neutering and spaying vary greatly by geographic region, and even by veterinarian.
In neutering, the veterinarian makes an incision in front of the scrotum, removes both testicles, then stitches the incision.
In spaying, the veterinarian makes an incision in the abdominal wall, removes the uterus and ovaries, then stitches the incision. VeterinaryPartner.com offers an overview of neutering[1] and spaying[2] .
General anesthesia usually is used for neutering and spaying.
Neutering benefits include protection from prostatitis and testicular tumors, as well as reduction of undesirable behaviors, including aggression toward other male dogs, desire to roam, urine marking and inappropriate mounting.
Spaying benefits can include a lowered risk for mammary tumors, reproductive bleeding, uterine tumors and infection.
The American Veterinary Medical Association[3] offers a list of the benefits and risks of spaying and neutering.
Additional costs:
Spaying a dog that is in heat, or obese costs about $25 extra.
Spaying a pregnant dog costs about $50 to $125 extra.
Laser surgery can reduce pain, bleeding and swelling, and can be more precise, but costs between one-quarter and one-third more.
Most veterinarians offer the option of pre-anesthesia blood work, to make sure the liver and kidneys are working properly, for about $40.
Extra pain medication, usually an injection before surgery and a pill for later, usually costs between $10 and $30.
For male dogs, testicular implants are available. They cost between $94 and $919 per pair, depending on the size and model. Neuticles.com[4] offers a detailed description of the product.
Discounts:
Most animal shelters and humane societies include spaying or neutering in the adoption fee.
Low-cost spay and neuter services, where a veterinarian offers a reduced rate or an organization -- or state or local government -- offers subsidies, can cost as little as $30. But lower cost sometimes means an assembly-line approach is used, so the dog might not get as much attention or recovery time.
In rare cases, such as with programs that use veterinary students, spaying and neutering can be free. Because of breed-specific legislation where some local governments require pit bulls be altered, free programs for this breed are becoming more common.
Shopping for a dog spay or neuter:
Tip: Find out which type of anesthesia is used and whether the dog is hooked to a heart monitor during surgery. CanisMajor.com[5] has a list of questions to ask.
To find a good veterinarian, ask fellow dog owners, breeders or humane associations. Or, search the American Veterinary Medical Association[6] website to find your state's veterinary medical association for a referral.
Ask the veterinarian how long he or she has been practicing, and how much continuing education he or she receives per year. Then, tour the clinic to check cleanliness, attitude and clinic policies and prices. VeterinaryPartner.com offers guidelines on how to find[7] a veterinarian.
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Got an estimate on how much his neuter would cost. Breakdown: Castration-145.00 Bloodwork-70.00 IV fluid-32.00 Burprenorine-40.00 Take home pain meds-25.00 E-collar- 20.00 Total- $332.00
My 1 year old puppy was spayed yesterday. It was $356.42 for surgery and meds. The cone was an extra $12.76. She also had her umbilical hernia repaired for an additional $183.23. Grand total $553.18. I live in a high cost area and prices are higher here. We have a great vet.
The price would have been $282.08, but I opted for the blood work and to have it done via laser versus scalpel. I was still surprised by the cost, but I didn't really have anything to compare it to. We maxed out our budget for veterinary visits for the pup with that one.
BARC is a county clinic that does spay, according to weight. My dog weighed 28# and cost $60.00 The procedure is done by a licensed VET in a sterile environment with anesthetic. Pain meds are given when you pick up your pet. Drop off your pet early in the am and pick up mid-afternoon.
Just got this estimate for my scheduled procedure this week. So glad I looked here. It does include an overnight stay but this just sounds exorbitant. Thanks for the comps!
We were given an estimate for spay our puppy from 650-1900 from receptionist. Final cost was $1008. At no time did we see or speak to Dr Gamble about this nor when we picked up our pup after her surgery. This is the absolutely worst service we had ever received over the years with other vets. Really unheard of, So unprofessional.
This service included the spay surgery ($107), Surgery Laser Therapy, C02 Laser Fee, Surgery Catheter, Pre-Blood Work Panel ($95), Comfy Cone ($21), take home Pain Medicine and Sedative ($38) to help tone down activity during the healing process, and initial vaccinations ($22). At first I did not understand what the additional Laser Therapy represented but now realize this helps further the healing process and is in addition to the standard laser surgery associated with the spay process. This was a one day process (no overnight stay). The doctor called after surgery to let us know everything worked out well and that she would be ready for pickup at a given time. The staff was helpful and caring in that they took the time to bathe the kitty after she woke up from surgery and soiled herself. Although we could have opted out of the Laser Package and other extra costs, we are pleased with the service received!
Received excellent treatment addressing several surgeries under one anesthesia. Having all three separate surgeries done at same time was convenient, cost-effective and easier for our pet. Dr. McIntosh and Staff at El Dorado Animal Hospital are off-the-charts awesome to deal with.
I did not have Dominic neutered today because I only wanted him neutered. I did not want to pay for pre-op blood work and I did not want an overnight hospital stay. All mandatory. So I walked out the door. I wonder how many neutering procedures are cancelled in healthy under-the-age-of-one dogs based on the blood work. Probably almost never. A healthy dog on the outside is likely healthy on the inside too. I wonder who would have been monitoring my dog overnight. I don't see why an overnight stay is mandatory when the procedure is done outpatient every day on countless number of dogs.
Healthy and up to date on shots. No pre surgical blood work. Neutering with cardiac monitor and laser for speed of healing. They trimmed his nails (didn't need it considering I just did it so I felt that was a waste of $16) but I love my vet. I've been using him for years and he treats my animals with care and respect. I was a little surprised because my 2 male cats were only $200 a piece.
Fantastic job by Peta.. I couldnt believe some of the prices posted. 60 lb female spay costed 35$, plus 15 for her rabies shot. I dropped her off at 7 am and picked her up at 1230pm. They even sent her home with prescription pain pills. Used the dissolve sutures also. Incision looked great and they treated her awesome!
The average cost in my area is around $150-250 depending on size. I am blown away at any neuter bill over $500. I can't imagine offering an estimate at that price with a straight face! No wonder there are so many unaltered dogs out there.
Napa Humane is the best. My dog's neuter was $90 and included the pre-surgery exam, pain medication and even a re-check. Female dogs are only $120. Very happy with their service.
Pre/OP Bloodwork (always important)...56.00 Surgical adult neuter over 76 lbs....251.30 Loxicom (metacam) 5mg/ml injection....55.38 Metacam Oral suspension-32/ml.........84.40 IV Catheterization (not sure Y?)......25.00 Fluids Intravenous....................37.60 Elizabethian Collar...................15.50 I've been going 2 this vet for over 20 yrs & they've always been very good & they let me pay a little at a time when I can which really helps cuz they know I won't forget about them. Overall the price is not too bad & includes 1 day recovery & evaluation time. My GSD as it turns out is very sensitive 2 the anesthesia which is a combination of what puts the dog under & a pain med. The pain med/combo is important for ur dog cuz 1 without the other can cause more complications & may be harder to reverse when waking them up after surgery. Most GSD's tend 2 be hypersensitive 2 alot of things & if your GSD needs surgery they need 2 be looked after carefully, NO SHORTCUTS!
I was in sticker shock. I was given the estimate on day of surgery and should have left to go check around. Agree with others that if you can afford you go to a good vet but fromehat I'm told I should have paid $300-400. I was given laser treatment option for $40 more but was only told it would help decrease swelling or pain. No mention of no stitches or shorter healing time. My dog has to have stitches and collar on for 17 days which seems like a long time. Surgery in 2016.
You guys need to update your database to accept the year 2016. Took my 8yr old Pom to my regular vet for his shots and neutering. There is no way I would just take him anywhere for any type of surgery. This clinic is perfectly cleaned, and the staff are very compassionate and professional. Even though it was a little on the pricey side, I trust them to take perfect care of my best friend. No price can substitute that.
Neuter dog 0-25lb $100.60 Blood work $77.60 Take home pain med $42 Baby teeth extract $10 He is an 8 month mini dachshund The date was Dec 2015 but the form only has 2014 or before.
This price included pre op blood screening, 1 post op laser healing, cone, anti inflammatory med and pain medication for my large breed male. He was in the office at 7:00 am and I picked him up at 4:00 pm same day.
Lucy is a rescue dog. She showed up on the property one night at the end of March 2015 w/o collar/tags, and I decided to keep her. The procedure went thru the Humane Society under their low-income program. With no collar/tags, Lucy needed a rabies shot first, and I paid the fee of $10 for that to the Humane Society, along with a fee of $35 for the spay. However, at the animal clinic, I was charged another $30 because of Lucy's weight being over 40#, another $30 for laser surgery that I chose because of Lucy's age, another $55 for a blood profile because I was told the vet wouldn't know if the surgery would be safe for Lucy w/o it, $15 for a pain injection, and another $15 for a heartworm test that I chose because I live near a lot of water, hence mosquitoes. I had my Border Collie spayed in 2011 when she was about two months old thru a different animal clinic in a different county; it cost a lot less with just a set fee to have her spayed. No option to choose 2015 w/this online form.
Like anything in life, you get what you pay for. You can price shop, but there is likely a reason why a vet hospital is charging more than another. At my hospital we hold ourselves to a higher standard then most, because we want to provide the best care to our patients. We're not a bargain spay neuter clinic. These places take lots of short cuts to keep prices low for people that can not afford vet hospital prices. They do not have the same standard of care for their patients..bottom line they just cant afford to. They are the only option for some people and it can be better than nothing but trust me when I say...like with anything you get what yo pay for. Discuss with your veterinarian what your budget is any they should be able to show you an estimate of costs and explain value behind the dollar. A big influence on this procedure is the age and size of the animal. Mature females will cost more, but that's because the procedure will take longer due to increased vascularization.
Having my 2 year old Chihuahua I adopted from fix long beach spayed today. Dropped her off at 7am, picking her up today. They are very nice. Its free for long beach residents.
We were told by the vet we normally take her to that she had pyometra and would need immediate spay for $900. She took amoxicillin for a week and we contacted SNAP - spay and pain medications totaled $75. Thank goodness for this program!
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