Article Summary
- Veterinary costs have been rising for the past decade, but tariffs are escalating the costs of supplies and medications veterinarians use, further increasing the cost of care.
- Pet owners can manage high veterinary bills by setting up payment plans, utilizing crowdfunding sites, or securing pet insurance.
- Delaying care is never a good option, as the cost of preventable infections or worsening conditions could make vet bills even higher.
Veterinary costs are on the rise. Industry statistics indicate that the costs associated with keeping your pet healthy have steadily increased by almost 60% over the past decade.
Several reasons factor into the rising costs, most notably the increased cost of supplies and medication over that span of time. But the recent implementation of tariffs on many imports, including medical supplies used in traditional and emergency veterinary practices, could make the already rising cost of veterinary supplies climb even higher.
When the cost of supplies increases, the cost of care generally does, too.
Hearing that rising costs are often passed along to the consumer is likely not welcome news for pet owners who already commit to spending a certain amount on their pets every month, from food to toys to vaccines and beyond. It’s the unexpected that usually catches pet owners financially off guard.
It is also the unexpected that can’t be ignored, regardless of high vet costs.
Veterinary Costs
Now that we know why vet costs have gone up so much, it’s important to point out that the cost of veterinary care varies depending on the procedure or service that is needed. At Dr. Kelly’s Surgical Unit, we specialize in surgical procedures as a way to offer affordable veterinary services.
That specialty often allows us to offer budget-friendly pet care when compared to traditional veterinary clinics that offer a broader scope of services. It isn’t uncommon for the pet owners we serve to learn that they will save a significant amount of money, regardless of the procedure, by choosing us to handle their surgical services rather than a traditional veterinary clinic.
For example, pet owners could be asked to pay up to $600 to get their dog spayed based on industry averages. At Dr. Kelly’s, our priciest spay procedure for a female dog that isn’t pregnant is about half that.
The costs associated with eye enucleation for dogs follow that same pattern, where veterinary clinics may charge up to $2,000, and at Dr. Kelly’s, we charge up to $750. And when it comes to bladder stone removal surgery for dogs, we’re below the industry average at about $1,000.
A typical veterinary clinic may charge as much as $3,000 for the procedure.
Affordable Veterinary Care
Pet owners who are quoted a price for a procedure are often faced with sticker shock. And it isn’t uncommon for that sticker shock to lead to an impossible decision, as pet owners weigh out the love they have for their pet against the degree to which they can’t afford the procedure the pet needs.
It is this type of terrible circumstance that motivated Dr. Kelly’s Surgical Unit to keep costs as low as possible for pet owners. Even still, with the cost of care increasing, some procedures may still be challenging from an affordability standpoint.
Some pet owners have had success setting up payment plans for the care their pet needs, while others have used pet insurance to help cover some of the costs. Crowdfunding platforms are also an avenue that many pet owners have used, and some have even begun to specifically focus on veterinary care.
At Dr. Kelly’s Surgical Unit, we accept two different forms of credit that pet owners often use to help manage costs. Care Credit and iCare Financial both offer flexible financing options for the costs of veterinary care.
However, the most valuable way to keep the cost of veterinary care more manageable is by acting when you notice an issue. Delaying care can often lead to more costly interventions in the end, and it could sacrifice your pet’s ability to recover or lead to more serious side effects.
When surgical needs arise, we encourage pet owners to consult with our team of veterinary surgical specialists before proceeding with their veterinary clinic. More often than not, we’re a more affordable option. And these days, every penny counts.
Dr. Kelly’s Surgical Unit is a trusted veterinary team serving the Phoenix, Peoria, East Mesa, Queen Creek and Tucson metro areas, with accessible locations in each market, offering highly specialized surgery, quality spay and neuter procedures, and accessible dental care for pets. Contact us to learn more about our specialized services or to schedule an appointment.
