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When your puppy swallows a sock or your cat develops a urinary blockage, the vet bill isn’t just a few hundred dollars. Australian emergency procedures routinely run into the thousands, and that’s before hospitalisation and specialist care. Here’s what you might face – and how insurance can help.
Typical surgery costs
Finder’s guide to pet surgery lists common procedures and their price tags: hip replacements cost $5,000–$6,000; cruciate ligament repair costs $3,000–$4,000; cataract surgery costs around $1,805; gastrointestinal obstruction removal costs $1,600–$2,100; grass seed removal costs $350–$750, and dental surgery can cost up to $2,200. Even smaller procedures like entropion eye surgery run $1,200–$1,600.
Tick paralysis treatment is another expensive emergency. PetSure data cited by NALZO shows that the average cost of treating tick paralysis in dogs is $2,402, with costs ranging from $900 to over $10,000.
For indoor cats, our blog explains that emergency vet visits (for urinary blockages, gastrointestinal obstructions or ingestion of foreign objects) typically cost $1,500 to $4,000. And our myths article notes that emergency procedures like snake bites or broken limbs can cost over $2,000 and up to $5,000.
Why insurance makes sense
Without insurance, you’ll pay these bills outright. With PetsOnMe, you can claim back up to 80 % of eligible costs, reducing a $4,000 surgery to $800 out of pocket. Our Classic and Deluxe plans offer annual limits up to $20,000, and you can start cover from just six weeks old. We also provide fast claims – many are processed within one business day – so you’re not stuck in limbo.
Preparing for emergencies means more than putting money aside; it means ensuring your pet can receive treatment immediately. Comprehensive insurance lets you say “yes” to surgery without hesitation, which is exactly the kind of reassurance our perfect customers value.
