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Dog Spay or Neuter Cost

How Much Does a Dog Spay or Neuter Cost?
 
low cost Low: Neuter: $45-$110
 
average cost Spay: $50-$175
 



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Typical costs:
  • The cost of neutering a dog at a Human Society or at a low-cost clinic can range from $45 to $135, depending on the weight of the dog. The cost of spaying, a more complicated surgery, usually ranges from about $50 to $175.
  • 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.
What should be included:
  • 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 and spaying.
  • 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 offers a list of the benefits 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 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. Spay/USA has a referral service for reduced cost spay and neuter clinics.
  • 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. Pit Bull Rescue Central offers a list of resources for pit bull owners.
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 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 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 and which questions to ask a veterinarian.
Article updated September 2007
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Recent Posts
Amount: $269.00 too expensive
Posted by: Mark todd in Berryville, VA.Purchased: January, 2008
Treatment: NeuterBreed: sherpard/husky
Vet: Dr. Jerry Henke
I was told I would have to pay $269.00, that is with the SPCA $65.00 discount. How is it possible to charge so much? Flip is 6 to 8 months old. I was told it was for the medication and surgery? What...was everything used in the opperation plated with platinum.
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Amount: $316.00 spaying my dog
Posted by: pam in commerce city, CO.Purchased: November, 2007
Treatment: spayedBreed: toy poodle
I think this is awfull that it cost this much to spay a tiny dog.
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Amount: $478.50 Spay And Neuter
Posted by: Judy in Louisa, VA.Purchased: February, 2008
Treatment: Spay and NeuterBreed: pomeranian and beagle
I had my female beagle spayed and the cost was 229.50. My male dog cost 249.00, but he did have one testicle retained.Without the retained testicle, the cost would have been 189.50. It's expensive but far less expensive than a litter of pups, not to mention other health benefits my dog will have.
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Amount: $699.00 Rottweiler Neuter
Posted by: a user in Trenton, NJ.Purchased: 2007
Treatment: QuoteBreed: Rottweiler
Unbelivable!
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Amount: $0.00 prices
Posted by: a user in winchester, MA.Purchased: 2008
I can not see how the animal hospital can stay in bussinss with your cheap prices listed above!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! In Ma the prices are tripled for spay and neuters!!!!!!!!! Those people should thanks there lucky stars they dont live around here.Ve ts go to school for 8 years and get paid well.How do they do it?????
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Amount: $0.00 You guys paid a lof
Posted by: Ivy in Plano, TX.Purchased: 2008
Treatment: SpayBreed: Terrier Mix
Vet: John Carver
I found a wonderful vet that had a friendly environment and staff. My puppy is on 6 months and her procedure total, with the \"e\" collar was $105. It\'s been less than 24 hours since the procedure and she is doing well, no complications.
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Amount: $250.00 Read the fine print!
Posted by: Mickie in Doylestown, PA.Purchased: March, 2008
Treatment: NeuterBreed: Mixed retriever
Please do your homework and don't get suckered into purchasing the low-cost neutering certificates from Friends of Animals and other groups. I paid $65 for a male dog certificate, but could only find two vets within 1/2 hour that would honor it. I made an appointment with the practice that my sister knew of and approved of. They are a good practice, but attached many hidden charges to the estimate. By the time they were finished, it would have been about $350, which is about $25 more than what my usual vet charges, plus the cost of gas for traveling the distance for three appointments! They were going to charge me for the pre-op exam, when the certificate actually said that it was included. This was not an oversight- the certificate said "cursory" pre-op exam and they said that they only do "full" exams. They removed this charge after I had a hissy fit at this obvious play of semantics. They insisted on pre-op bloodwork, which is a good idea, but it cost $109. They were going to charge me for the post-op pain injection, but I reminded them that was included on the certificate. Then they were going to charge $40 for 4 days of Rimadyl. I told them that I used to have a 100lb sheepdog on Rimadyl, and it didn't cost $10 a day, despite the fact that she weighed 3X more than my current pup. Luckily, I had some current Rimadyl at home and only had to recalibrate the dose. They were also going to charge for an E-collar, which I was able to borrow. I opted to pay an extra $75 for laser surgery and $50 for the microchip.
I don't know whether the FOA certificate is the scam, or if the problem was with this particular practice, but something should be done about this duping of animal owners who just want to do the right thing, but not pay an arm and a leg. If I had not asserted myself, it would have cost more than $100 more. As it was, it was still no bargain.
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Amount: $110.00 Neutering and Spaying
Posted by: a user in Inglewood, CA.Purchased: February, 2005
Treatment: neuterBreed: cockapoo
When I got my cockapoo neutered back in 2005 I thought it was expensive what I paid for the procedure but now that I got a new dog I am realizing how cheap it was. When I took him it included everything didn't worry about anything just taking him home. Compared what I paid for neutering my cockapoo $110, to spaying my chihuahua $210 and that does not include anesthesia and the other stuff so it adds up and I just have to keep looking to find somewhere else. There are lots of programs now that will help pay part of it or will help you find somewhere free.
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Amount: $440.00 paying 7lb dog
Posted by: Ria in northridge, CA.Purchased: April, 2008
Treatment: spayingBreed: chihuahua
Vet: Northridge Vet Center
This is what I was quoted. So far I haven't found a single vet charge this much. I think I'll shop around.
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Amount: $429.80 Cryptorchid Neuter
Posted by: Pat in Marietta, PA.Purchased: May, 2008
Treatment: NeuterBreed: English Setter
Vet: Donegal Animal Hospital
Total cost for neuter including having to go into the abdomen to get right testicle and after seeing some of the other costs listed here I don't think it was too bad other than they gave me an "estimate" as a spay cost of $235. But I did choose to have the pre-op blood work of $61.
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Amount: $143.50 Shop around
Posted by: Phyllis in Apopka, FL in Winter Springs, FL.Purchased: April, 2008
Treatment: SpayingBreed: Chihuahua
Vet: Winter Springs Vet
Cost for spaying $85 (extra $10 because she was in heat), plus rabies & other shots and 6 month supply of Interceptor! Wonderful doc and staff. A 30 minute drive, but well worth it.
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Amount: $386.21 Neuter cost for 5 lb. pup
Posted by: Dani in Gilbert, AZ.Purchased: May, 2008
Treatment: neuterBreed: yorkie mix
Vet: Animal Wellness
This is top notch. They don't leave anything out. Even a ekg. Blood work, micro-chip, pedicure, the collar and all meds. This price includes a puppy discount of 10%. I guess after seeing some of the other prices I'm not as shocked as when I first saw mine.
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Amount: $585.06 Neuter cost for 2 chihuahua males
Posted by: alex in Knoxville, TN.Purchased: May, 2008
Treatment: Neutering ; teeth cleanedBreed: chihuahua
Vet: Dr. Jonathon James
I was quoted a price of $65.00 each for neutering and $45.00 for cleaning teeth. When I picked up the dogs the neutering cost was $202.00 each and $250 for 5 extrations that were not agreed to.
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