Higher-cost area+16% vs. national

Surgery costs in San Francisco

Typical dog and cat surgery ranges in the San Francisco metro area, adjusted for local pricing. These are broad educational estimates — actual quotes vary by clinic, specialist, and urgency.

By Pet Surgery EstimateUpdated July 28, 2026MethodologySources

Cat Dental Cleaning with Extractions

Low

$520

Avg

$1,050

High

$2,300+

Cat Emergency Abdominal Surgery

Low

$3,400

Avg

$6,100

High

$14,150+

Cat Foreign Object Removal (Surgery)

Low

$1,950

Avg

$4,050

High

$8,100+

Cat Fracture (Broken Bone) Repair

Low

$1,700

Avg

$3,650

High

$8,950+

Cat Mass / Lump Removal

Low

$580

Avg

$1,050

High

$2,650+

Cat Neuter (Castration)

Low

$175

Avg

$290

High

$640+

Cat Spay (Ovariohysterectomy)

Low

$230

Avg

$410

High

$810+

Cat Urinary Blockage Treatment

Low

$1,800

Avg

$3,650

High

$8,850+

Dog ACL / CCL / TPLO Surgery

Low

$2,850

Avg

$4,400

High

$7,250+

Dog Bladder Stone Surgery (Cystotomy)

Low

$1,750

Avg

$2,800

High

$4,650+

Dog Dental Cleaning with Extractions

Low

$580

Avg

$1,150

High

$2,650+

Dog Emergency Abdominal Surgery

Low

$4,100

Avg

$7,250

High

$14,150+

Dog Foreign Object Removal (Surgery)

Low

$2,250

Avg

$4,350

High

$8,100+

Dog Fracture (Broken Bone) Repair

Low

$2,550

Avg

$5,100

High

$9,750+

Dog Mass / Lump Removal

Low

$580

Avg

$1,150

High

$2,200+

Dog Neuter (Castration)

Low

$230

Avg

$460

High

$930+

Dog Spay (Ovariohysterectomy)

Low

$350

Avg

$640

High

$1,400+

Ranges assume a medium pet at a general practice in the San Francisco metro. Emergencies and specialists cost more.

Personalize your San Francisco estimate

Adjust for your pet, the procedure, urgency, and clinic type.

Finding care in San Francisco

San Francisco ranks #13 among U.S. metro areas in this cost model. Surgery estimates here run well 16% 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 Francisco:

  • General-practice and small-animal clinics in San Francisco
  • 24-hour emergency and specialty hospitals in San Francisco and California
  • Low-cost spay/neuter or vaccine clinics in San Francisco
  • Nonprofit pet-assistance and veterinary payment-plan programs in California
  • University or teaching veterinary hospitals within driving distance of San Francisco

When comparing surgery quotes in San Francisco, 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?

Pet insurance may help with future eligible accidents or illnesses, but waiting periods, exclusions, and pre-existing conditions can apply. Always check policy terms before assuming coverage.

Financing

Worried about paying upfront?

Vet payment plans, third-party financing, and nonprofit assistance can help spread or reduce the cost of care. Compare options before you decide.

Frequently asked questions

Is pet surgery more expensive in San Francisco?
San Francisco is adjusted by a cost-of-living multiplier of 1.16× the national baseline. Local pricing still varies between clinics, specialists, and emergency hospitals, so treat these as broad educational ranges.
How can I find affordable vet surgery in San Francisco?
Compare general practices, nonprofit and university clinics, and get itemized estimates. Ask about payment plans, and check whether insurance or financing fits your situation.
How accurate are these metro estimates?
They apply a cost-of-living multiplier based on the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis 2024 Regional Price Parities. They are educational only and are not quotes — your veterinarian can give an accurate price after an exam.

Other metro cost pages

Pet owners near San Francisco 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.