PetQuick Answer
The 2026 Canadian Vet Cost Report is a free, citable snapshot of what common dog and cat veterinary procedures typically cost in Canada (CAD). Figures are estimate ranges compiled from publicly available Canadian veterinary pricing — not quotes, not clinic fee schedules, and not an actuarial dataset. Journalists, bloggers, and researchers are welcome to cite it with a link. For the full 46-procedure dataset, use the Canadian Vet Cost Index (with free CSV and PDF), or try the interactive Vet Cost Estimator.
Key findings (2026)
- Emergency vet visits in Canada typically run $500–$5,000, depending on severity and hospitalization.
- The most expensive common scenarios are cancer treatment (a full course, ~$3,000–$15,000) and total hip replacement (~$6,000–$12,000+ per hip).
- Emergency abdominal surgery — bloat (GDV) or a swallowed object — commonly runs $2,500–$10,000.
- Cruciate (ACL/TPLO) surgery, one of the most common dog orthopedic claims, runs ~$3,000–$6,500 per knee.
- A feline urinary blockage, the classic male-cat emergency, runs ~$1,500–$4,000.
- Advanced imaging is a major cost step: MRI ~$2,000–$4,000+, CT ~$1,500–$3,000+.
- Even a routine or sick visit spans $55–$500+ once diagnostics are added.
- The through-line: the biggest bills are emergencies and chronic illness, which is exactly what pet insurance is designed to absorb — see is pet insurance worth it?
Cost highlights table (CAD, 2026)
| Procedure / scenario | Typical range (CAD) | Detailed guide |
|---|---|---|
| Routine / sick vet visit | ~$55–$500+ | Vet visit cost |
| Emergency vet visit | ~$500–$5,000 | Emergency visit |
| Dental cleaning | ~$400–$1,300 | Dental cleaning |
| X-ray / ultrasound | ~$150–$800 / $300–$800 | Imaging |
| MRI / CT scan | ~$2,000–$4,000 / $1,500–$3,000 | MRI & CT |
| Cruciate (ACL / TPLO) surgery | ~$3,000–$6,500 / knee | ACL surgery |
| Total hip replacement | ~$6,000–$12,000+ / hip | Hip replacement |
| Bloat (GDV) surgery | ~$2,500–$7,500+ | Bloat surgery |
| Foreign-object surgery | ~$2,000–$10,000 | Foreign-object surgery |
| Feline urinary blockage | ~$1,500–$4,000 | Urinary blockage |
| Cancer treatment (course of care) | ~$3,000–$15,000 | Cancer treatment |
| IVDD (slipped disc) surgery | ~$4,000–$10,000 | IVDD surgery |
Estimate ranges compiled from publicly available Canadian veterinary pricing — not quotes, not a clinic fee schedule, and not an actuarial dataset. Actual costs vary by clinic, province, the pet, and case severity. The full 46-procedure list, with a downloadable CSV and PDF, is on the Canadian Vet Cost Index.
Methodology
These figures are estimates, not quotes. We compile them from publicly available Canadian veterinary pricing and our own library of individually-cited procedure guides, reviewed in 2026. Ranges are deliberately wide because veterinary costs genuinely vary — by clinic, province, the animal's size, whether a specialist or emergency hospital is involved, and how long the pet is hospitalized. This is a planning and reference snapshot, not a clinic fee schedule, medical advice, or an actuarial/insurance-pricing dataset. Always confirm real costs with your own veterinarian.
Cite this report / for journalists
You're welcome to cite these figures in articles, videos, and research — with attribution and a link to this page. Suggested citation:
You can also embed our free interactive Vet Cost Estimator on your own site — copy this code:
Media enquiries: contact us. Please keep the "estimates, not quotes" framing intact when citing.
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