Surgery costs in San Diego
Typical dog and cat surgery ranges in the San Diego metro area, adjusted for local pricing. These are broad educational estimates — actual quotes vary by clinic, specialist, and urgency.
By Pet Surgery Estimate·Updated July 28, 2026·Methodology·Sources
Low
$500
Avg
$1,000
High
$2,250+
Low
$3,300
Avg
$5,900
High
$13,650+
Low
$1,900
Avg
$3,900
High
$7,850+
Low
$1,600
Avg
$3,550
High
$8,600+
Low
$560
Avg
$1,000
High
$2,600+
Low
$170
Avg
$280
High
$620+
Low
$220
Avg
$390
High
$780+
Low
$1,750
Avg
$3,550
High
$8,550+
Low
$2,750
Avg
$4,250
High
$7,000+
Low
$1,700
Avg
$2,700
High
$4,500+
Low
$560
Avg
$1,100
High
$2,600+
Low
$4,000
Avg
$7,000
High
$13,650+
Low
$2,200
Avg
$4,200
High
$7,850+
Low
$2,450
Avg
$4,950
High
$9,400+
Low
$560
Avg
$1,100
High
$2,150+
Low
$220
Avg
$450
High
$900+
Low
$340
Avg
$620
High
$1,350+
Ranges assume a medium pet at a general practice in the San Diego metro. Emergencies and specialists cost more.
Common pet surgeries in San Diego
Choose a procedure for a full cost breakdown, then use the calculator below to personalize it for your pet.
ACL / CCL / TPLO (knee)
$2,450 – $6,250+
Estimate costDental cleaning + extractions
$500 – $2,300+
Estimate costSpay
$300 – $1,200+
Estimate costForeign object removal
$1,950 – $7,000+
Estimate costDental cleaning + extractions
$450 – $2,000+
Estimate costUrinary blockage (blocked cat)
$1,550 – $7,650+
Estimate costSpay
$200 – $700+
Estimate costMass / lump removal
$500 – $1,900+
Estimate costPersonalize your San Diego estimate
Adjust for your pet, the procedure, urgency, and clinic type.
Finding care in San Diego
San Diego ranks #18 among U.S. metro areas in this cost model. Surgery estimates here run well 12% above the national baseline because of the area's cost-of-living, labor, and emergency-hospital density. The city is also in California, a higher-cost area state, so both metro and state adjustments apply. Use these ranges as a starting point and get itemized quotes from local clinics.
Places to compare surgery quotes in San Diego:
- General-practice and small-animal clinics in San Diego
- 24-hour emergency and specialty hospitals in San Diego and California
- Low-cost spay/neuter or vaccine clinics in San Diego
- Nonprofit pet-assistance and veterinary payment-plan programs in California
- University or teaching veterinary hospitals within driving distance of San Diego
When comparing surgery quotes in San Diego, ask whether the estimate includes anesthesia, monitoring, take-home medications, and recheck visits. Those line items are often billed separately and can change the total significantly.
Insurance
Could insurance help with future costs?
Financing
Worried about paying upfront?
Frequently asked questions
Is pet surgery more expensive in San Diego?
How can I find affordable vet surgery in San Diego?
How accurate are these metro estimates?
Other metro cost pages
Pet owners near San Diego often compare costs with New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas–Fort Worth, Houston and Atlanta.
Important disclaimer
This estimate is for educational purposes only. It is not veterinary advice, medical advice, financial advice, or an insurance coverage determination. Actual prices vary by clinic, location, diagnostics, anesthesia, complications, aftercare, and policy terms.