Unexpected vet emergencies and cost
Allergies Cats and dogs can suffer from various allergies, including environmental/seasonal, food, and flea saliva allergies. While most allergies don’t require immediate life-saving treatment, sometimes a reaction may be so severe may be so severe that it needs to be treated at an emergency vet. Cost estimate (avg) $211-$709
Bite wounds Wounds from a bite from another animal or insect could require stitches or become infected and require emergency care. Cost estimate (avg): $2,937
Broken bones Any fractured bone will require immediate care to minimize pain and avoid permanent damage. Cost estimate (avg): $1,784
Poisoning or toxic ingestion Toxic plants or foods, chemicals, marijuana or alcohol, and mushrooms are just a few of the items that can poison your pet and send them to the emergency vet. Cost estimate (avg): $2,044
Foreign object ingestion Also known as eating something they shouldn’t, ingesting a foreign object is a common reason people go to the emergency vet, for both dogs and cats. It often requires surgery to remove the offending item if there is an intestinal tract blockage. Cost estimate (avg): $4,069
Abdomen conditions Abdomen or stomach issues are among the top reasons dog and cat owners go to the vet. This can include gut inflammation, ingesting an indigestible or toxic substance, parasites, infections, some types of cancer, and other serious illnesses. Cost estimate (avg): $5,351
Internal injuries Damage to internal organs, whether from a fall, a car accident or other trauma, will require an emergency vet visit and possibly surgery. Cost estimate (avg): $4,012
Seizures Whether caused by epilepsy, a tumor or a fungus, seizures are scary and will need to be assessed by an emergency vet. Cost estimate (avg): $247 (initial visit)
Torn ligaments Dogs especially are prone to cruciate ligament (knee) injuries and these tears often require surgery to repair. Cost estimate (avg): $2,771
Cancer Cancer is the number one cause of death in senior pets and comes in many forms, just as in humans. Treatment is expensive and may include everything from tumor removal surgeries to blood work, X-rays, medication, chemotherapy and even special diets. Cost estimate (avg): $1,600-$2,785
Bloat surgery cost When a dog’s stomach becomes bloated due to gas, food, or liquid, that bloat can lead to a stomach flip. This is a life-threatening emergency for dogs because it can prevent food from moving from the stomach into the intestines. Cost estimate (avg) $13,246
Cost estimates are based on Healthy Paws internal claims data using the average cost of claims for such conditions filed for dogs during a 1-year period from Oct. 1, 2022 through Oct. 1, 2023. Estimates may be low as multiple invoices are often submitted for one condition.
