How Much Does Dog Hernia Surgery Cost?

Last Updated on November 26, 2023 | Written by CPA Alec Pow
First Published on October 1, 2020 | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popivker

Like their human owners, canine companions face occasional medical issues requiring surgical interventions. Among them – hernias. When sections of the intestine push through weakened abdominal muscles, surgical reinforcement, and reconstruction are almost always necessary.

But how much does dog hernia surgery cost? This guide breaks down typical pricing, cost variables, insurance coverages, and savings strategies so families can access urgently needed care without financial fangs.

The cost of hernia surgeries for dogs – including common inguinal, umbilical, and perineal procedures – is between $400 and $8,000 depending on the complexity and size of the hernia, the veterinary center you’re going to, and the location of the hernia in the body, with an average cost of $1,600 for uncomplicated hernias. The final bill will also be influenced by factors like several hours of OR time, consumable supplies, anesthetics, and medications to control post-op discomfort for recovery, which can take several weeks.

By contrast, tackling trickier organ displacement into chest cavities called diaphragmatic hernias requires advanced surgical skills and equipment found at dedicated veterinary referral centers.

For more complex hernia repairs expect costs of $3,000-$8,000+ to reposition migrating organs like stomachs invading lung space. Such acute interventions call for imaging diagnostics, bloodwork profiling, and ICU stays inflating total bills rapidly. Still, these worst-case investments pay off by saving your dog and improving long-term prognosis.

Type of Hernia	Description
Umbilical Hernias	Occur when belly button rings don’t fully close after birth. Seen often in Weimaraners, Pekingese, Basenjis, Airedales.
Inguinal Hernias	Inner tissue protrudes through pelvic area gaps. Afflicts middle-aged toy breeds like Basenjis, and Poodles.
Peritoneopericardial Diaphragmatic (PPD) Hernias	Congenital hernia defect where diaphragm doesn’t form properly. Allows abdominal organs too close to heart. Most common in Weimaraners.
Hiatal Hernias	Stomach muscles weaken and stomach pushes into chest. Seen frequently in bulldogs and Chinese shar-peis. More common in male dogs.
Perineal Hernias	Pelvic muscles weaken allowing organs to push out under skin. Typically impacts older unneutered males. Rare in female dogs.

You should also read our articles about the costs of dewclaw removal, dog pancreatitis treatment, and broken nail fix for your dog.

It’s not uncommon for the surgery to be as low as $400 when made with a spay or neutering during the young pup stage. You will be able to decrease the final bill considerably if you choose to have both surgeries at the same time, as costs for things like the anesthetic will be halved.

TheDoggyMedia has an article about hernia surgery for dogs and lists several costs for the treatment depending on its type. Based on their research, the cost of the hernia surgery will probably fall anywhere between $750 to $1,600.

Factors Affecting Dog Hernia Surgery Costs

From pre-op blood panels determining anesthesia dosing to aftercare pain prescriptions easing post-op discomfort, multiple factors shape final surgical costs including:

Hernia Type – Umbilical hernias are simpler to reconstruct than invasive diaphragmatic repairs reconfiguring chest cavities.
Facility Type – University veterinary hospitals offer sophisticated surgical supports like CT imaging and ICU care unavailable at neighborhood clinics.
Age & Weight – Younger, smaller dogs require less sedation medication compared to huge elderly Saint Bernard’s.
Medications – Post-op painkillers, antibiotics, and assistive treatments accumulate daily so stays spanning multiple nights add expenses.

While geographic location contributes modestly to pricing variability, surgical complexity, and aftercare needs represent the primary cost drivers.

Additional Dog Hernia Surgery Cost Considerations

Alongside surgical services, additional doctor recommendations come with incremental costs:

- Pre-Op Bloodwork – Anesthesia profiling labs run $80-$200 to calibrate optimal dosing.
- E-Collars – Protective cones preventing biting surgical sites cost $15-$30.
- Follow-Up Visits – Incision checks after suture removal cost $50-$100 weekly.

<li”>Overnight Stays – Round-the-clock nursing observation costs $100-$150 per night.

Dog Inguinal Hernia Costs: Repair Expenses

Inguinal hernias occur when the intestines have invasive pelvic canal gaps known as inguinal rings. Surgeries sewing these openings closed prevent life-threatening strangulations. However, undescended testie removals complicating 30% of procedures under the same sedation add to the costs given the additional complexity of tackling two concerns simultaneously.

Communicate openly about any prior neutering procedures and explicitly request estimates outlining standard care approaches plus cost-raising issues for potential complicating scenarios. This allows you to make fast decisions ensuring needed follow-up interventions.

Dog Umbilical Hernia Prices: Belly Button Repair Costs

Among the most common hernias in dogs, umbilical hernias result from incomplete postnatal abdominal wall closure allowing intestinal bulges near belly buttons. Thankfully, most of them will resolve spontaneously as puppies mature. When protrusions persist necessitating intervention, relatively simple outpatient ligament reinforcement surgeries realigning abdominal architecture cost approximately $500-$1,000.

While hardly bankbreaking for small procedures, they can still save the life of your pet.

Dog Perineal Hernia Surgery Costs

Perineal hernias develop when pelvic ligaments deteriorate with age allowing rectal tissue to protrude under tail areas towards groins. They require complicated reconstruction surgery costing $1,500-$3,500 on average. These delicate dissections demand extensive anesthesia monitoring and post-op wound management driving expenses higher over basic umbilical repairs.

Sadly, perineal hernias frequently afflict elderly, larger-breed males already affected by mobility issues and thinning bone health.

Symptoms of Hernias in Dogs

The most common symptom of a hernia is a small bump near your dog’s belly button.

Other signs a dog has a hernia include:

Bulge in the abdominal area
Pain/discomfort when moving
Vomiting due to intestinal issues

Routinely checking your dog’s abdomen and seeing the vet regularly ensures early diagnosis and treatment to stop the pain and perhaps prevent surgery.

Can Hernias Be Prevented in Dogs?

It’s nearly impossible to fully prevent a hernia in dogs since they can be congenital or result from traumatic injuries.

However, owners can take proactive steps to lower risks by:

Avoiding activities straining the abdomen
Neutering male dogs to reduce chances of inguinal hernias

Most umbilical hernias get caught on early vet exams after adoption, enabling quick intervention before problems compound.

Does Pet Insurance Cover Hernia Surgery for Dogs?

Whether policies cover costs depends on the chosen provider and plan.

Pet insurance generally covers surgeries but hernias may be considered congenital conditions according to experts. It’s best to check coverage specifics beforehand.

If uninsured, alternatives like payment plans or medical credit cards can ease financial burdens when managing vet bills.

What is Recovery Like After Dog Hernia Surgery?

Vets typically recommend restricted activity for 1-2 weeks post-surgery to allow proper incision healing. Overall recovery spans 4-6 weeks with pain/anti-inflammatory medications to keep dogs comfortable.

Cone collars prevent chewing stitches. Follow all aftercare instructions closely and provide a clean, safe environment for rest supporting proper healing.

Is Hernia Surgery Necessary for Dogs?

If the pet displays no discomfort, they can live normal lives even with unrepaired hernias, according to experts. However, strangulation risks mean vets often recommend surgery alongside spays/neuters for the highest safety.

Even without surgery, closely monitor hernia progression with regular veterinary exams tracking any changes quickly. Carefully watch for swelling, redness, or pain escalations.

Strategies To Minimize The Cost of Hernia Surgery in Dogs

When facing crushing veterinary cost concerns, some savings options could still help you:

Explore pet insurance coverage for future health hazards once cleared by underwriters after existing condition resolution.
Weigh CareCredit financing through 0% promotional offerings allowing several months before interest accrual.
Ask the veterinarian about discounts for immediate single payments or non-profit foundations providing donor-funded financial aid grants.
Consider anchoring GoFundMe campaigns sharing stories sincerely to get community empathy & financial support.

Author
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Alec Pow

CEO at ThePricer Media

Alec Pow is a thorough and methodical Financial and Business Analyst with over 15 years of experience in financial statement analysis, Foreign exchange derivative hedging instruments analysis, modeling, and risk management, with a long history of writing for big news publications like Forbes, MSN.com, Washington Post, and many more.

How Much Does Dog Hernia Surgery Cost?