Most dog owners plan for shots and checkups. The bills that catch people off guard come from accidents and sudden illnesses, and they can run from a few hundred dollars to many thousands.
Below are common surprise vet bills for dogs and what they often cost. We’ll use Lemonade Pet as an example along the way.
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Emergency vet visits
A trip to the emergency vet costs more than a regular visit, and the bill adds up fast:
- Emergency exam: $75 to $200
- Tests: $200 to $4,000, with blood work at the low end and scans like an MRI at the high end
- Overnight hospital stay: $600 to $1,700 a night
Eating something they shouldn’t
Dogs, and puppies most of all, swallow things they shouldn’t. Some foods are toxic to dogs, like onions and anything with xylitol, a sweetener found in some peanut butter. Corn cobs, bones, and toys can get stuck.
An x-ray to find the problem costs $75 to $250, or up to $400 for harder cases. If something is stuck in the intestines, your dog may need surgery.
Example from Lemonade Pet: its base plan helps pay for x-rays, plus medicine to keep the dog calm if needed, when a dog swallows something it shouldn’t.
Knee injuries
A torn cruciate ligament is a common knee injury in dogs, like a torn ACL in people. It’s often fixed with surgery, and treatment can cost $3,000 to $8,000.
Example from Lemonade Pet: Max, a 3-year-old Golden Retriever, tore his cruciate ligament on a hike, and his surgery cost $4,200. His plan pays back 80% of each bill (his co-insurance), minus a $250 yearly deductible (the part his owner pays first). 80% of $4,200 is $3,360, and minus the $250 deductible, Lemonade paid back $3,110. His owner paid $1,090.
Lemonade covers bone and joint problems 30 days after you sign up. Signs of a knee problem before then count as pre-existing, which means they aren’t covered.
Broken bones and cuts
Broken bones, deep cuts, and infected wounds often need surgery. A broken leg can cost thousands once you add up tests, surgery, and follow-up visits.
Example from Lemonade Pet: Bruno, a 4-year-old German Shepherd, broke his leg chasing a squirrel. His tests, surgery, and follow-up care cost $4,800.
Ear infections and allergies
These bills are smaller, but they come back. An ear infection often costs $120 to $150 for the exam and medicine. Allergies can cost $200 to $1,000 a year to treat.
Example from Lemonade Pet: Pepper, a 2-year-old Beagle, needed a vet visit, a lab test, and medicine for an ear infection, which cost $320. Her plan also has 80% co-insurance and a $250 deductible. 80% of $320 is $256, and minus the $250 deductible, Lemonade paid back $6. That claim used up her deductible for the year, so any more eligible claims that year won’t have one taken out.
Dental problems
Gum disease and broken teeth can cost $300 to $2,000 a year to treat. Many basic plans leave out dental illness unless you add it.
Example from Lemonade Pet: its dental illness add-on covers tooth pulls and gum disease treatment, up to $1,000 a year. It’s offered in some states, not all.
Long-term illnesses
Some problems need care for the rest of a dog’s life. Here’s what they often cost to treat each year:
- Arthritis: $200 to $2,700
- Diabetes: up to $2,500
- Addison’s disease (a hormone problem): $600 to $2,400
- IVDD (a back problem with the discs in the spine): $3,000 to $8,000
- Cancer: $10,000 to $30,000
Cost ranges on this page come from Lemonade’s vet cost guides.
How pet insurance helps with a surprise bill
With most dog insurance, you pay the vet first and send in a claim. The insurer pays back its share of the bill (the co-insurance), minus your deductible (the part you pay yourself first each year).
Say your dog has a $1,000 vet bill, and your plan has a $250 deductible and 80% co-insurance. The plan’s share is 80% of $1,000, which is $800. Take off the $250 deductible and the plan pays you $550, so you pay $450 total.
Insurance only pays for new problems that start after coverage begins. For more, see what pet insurance covers for dogs.
Habits a trainer can help with
Some surprise vet trips start with habits, like grabbing food off the floor or slipping out the front door. A dog trainer can work on commands like “leave it” and “stay.” You can find a dog trainer near you and compare local prices.
Lemonade Pet plans start as low as $10 a month. Get a quote for your dog in as little as 90 seconds.