A dog knee surgery is needed if the dog suffers an injury to the knee. Knee injuries can affect your dog and he may not be able to walk without a surgery. There are several types of knee surgery, depending on the type of injury. If you are interested in finding out about the costs of a knee surgery, you should get informed.
Types of Knee Surgery
The type of knee surgery your dog requires depends greatly on the type of injury he has suffered. Ask your vet about the type of surgery recommended.
The main types of knee surgery in dogs include:
- Tibial plateau leveling osteotomy or TPLO, recommended if the cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) is torn or ruptured
- The lateral fabellar technique also known as the extarcapsular technique
- The TTA technique
Average Costs of Knee Surgery
On average, you will find the costs of a knee surgery for dogs ranging from $2,000 to $2,500. However, the cheapest you are likely to find will be $ 600, while the more expensive end will be around $3,500 or even higher up.
Factors Determining the Costs
The knee surgery costs can vary and may be determined by a number of factors such as:
- The type of surgery required (TPLO, TTA or other), depending on whether the ligaments or the bones are affected
- The complexity of the procedure
- Whether the surgeon employs laser beams of a scalpel, the laser surgery is more expensive
- The fees of the surgeon, which can be based on his prestige and qualifications
- The geographical location (California and New York surgeons may charge more)
- The breed of the dog
- The age of the dog, as puppies and senior dogs may present several risks and the surgeon will have to be extra cautious
- Whether the consultation costs are included in the surgery costs; the initial consultation may be complimentary, but some vets may charge extra, so you may have to pay an additional $50 to $150
- Whether the anesthesia is charged separately, make sure you ask your surgeon prior to the procedure
Additional Costs
There may be additional costs that may include:
- The medication treatment required prior and after the surgery
- The costs of hospitalization
- Costs of post surgery care
- The higher costs of a special diet required after the procedure
- The follow up visits, as typically, each consultation will be charged
All in all, the additional costs may sum up to $500 to $1,000.
Choosing a Surgeon
When you choose a surgeon for your pet, make sure you consider other factors, not only the costs involved. A cheap price may reflect lack of skills, but not necessarily.
It’s important that the vet is a certified pet surgeon and has experience in dog knee surgeries.
If you choose wisely, your pet will be able to walk again and enjoy his life. An unsuccessful surgery can affect your dog and disable him for life.