Our story
Charlie's eye surgery: $6,000 or $1,800?
Charlie has glaucoma, and his eye had to be removed (enucleation). Two vets quoted the same surgery. Their prices were $4,200 apart.
Vet A
$6,000
Vet B
$1,800
Same dog. Same surgery. $4,200 difference.
Why I built this
Most owners get one quote and never see the other number. I made this site so pet owners can share receipts, and the rest of us can see what care really costs before we say yes.
Why vet bills run high
- Labor. One vet told NPR it is over half of costs at many clinics.1
- Supplies. Drugs, gowns and syringes cost more, partly due to tariffs.1
- Equipment. Digital X-ray, ultrasound, labs and anesthesia monitors are costly to buy and run.3
- You pay directly. Only about 4% of U.S. pets are insured.2
- Ownership (disputed). Corporate chains owned about 25% of general practices in 2023, up from about 5% a decade earlier. Critics say that raises prices. Chains say local competition still holds them down.4
These explain why bills are high, not a $4,200 gap between two quotes. Quotes can also differ in what they include, so ask for an itemized estimate and compare.3