How Much Does Pyometra Surgery Cost?
Pyometra is a potentially life-threatening condition that affects the uterus of an unspayed cat or dog. The uterus becomes filled with pus and will continue to spread, leading to something known as sepsis. Underlying conditions often point to urinary tract infections and/or poor hygiene.
How much does pyometra surgery cost?
On average, the entire surgical procedure is going to cost $500 to as much as $2,200+, depending on the severity of the condition, where you live and vet performing the procedure. The costs, however, can be double if you were to have the procedure done at a local emergency clinic. These estimates won’t include pre-operative tests as we talked about below.
For example, a vet on JustAnswer.com said that his clinic would charge around $1,200 to $1,500 for the procedure.
At Animal Alliance, a freestanding low-cost spay/neuter clinic for cats and dogs in New Jersey, the cost of dog spaying is $125 to $250, depending on the weight of the animal. For a pyometra emergency surgery, an additional $200 is required for IV fluids, antibiotics, hospitalization, and pain medication.
According to this forum thread on DollarForum.com, a forum member was quoted $1,105, which included the anesthetic, removal, medication, saline and ear cleaning. From the responses received, the price seemed to be fair, but some had paid closer to $900 in the early 2000s.
Pyometra surgery overview
There are two types of pyometra: open and closed. In open pyometra, the cervix stays open, but the infection drains from the uterus, often the first sign of pyometra, whereas in closed pyometra, the cervix is sealed, trapping the infection inside of the uterus. In this scenario, it can be more severe since there’s no escape from the infectious discharge, often leaking into the bloodstream and abdomen, eventually leading to death if untreated.
Before the treatment, your vet, depending on the circumstances, may want to take a blood test, urinalysis, culture analysis, radiograph and/or ultrasound. Blood tests can help diagnosis pyometra since the white blood cell count will be high, often an indicator of the disease. A urinalysis can be ordered to check the urine concentration. In the case of pyometra, a low urine concentration may point to the disease as well. Radiographs and an ultrasound can both examine the uterus to see how swollen it is and help determine if the animal is either pregnant or suffering from the fluids causing the swelling.
During the surgical procedure, the dog will immediately be put on fluids to help keep the dog hydrated. The procedure is going to be similar to that of a spay; however, the chances of risk is greater due to the chance of toxic contents mixing with the uterus. To prevent the toxins from mixing in, the vet will often create a “dam” that is used to create a barrier. With the barrier, they will be able to remove the pus.
Most pets, as long as the surgery is deemed successful, will recover in a few weeks. Your pet will have to stay a few days at the local vet hospital.
What are the extra costs?
As mentioned above, a series of blood and/or urine tests will be conducted by the veterinarian before the surgery even is considered/begins to confirm their diagnosis. The test will typically show that the body is fighting a severe infection, and an ultrasound and/or X-ray is also usually performed to check the uterus. The cost of the tests may depend on the veterinarian or laboratory but can easily add another $500 to $1,000 to the total estimates above.
Other extra costs to budget for will include the antibiotics prescribed after the treatment to help your pet recover. This can cost close to $100.
Intravenous fluid therapy, if necessary, may be an additional $150 to $300.
Tips to know:
The following symptoms can often be seen with pyometra: pale gums, lethargy, weight loss, vomiting, diarrhea and/or abdominal distension.
There are cases when an animal dies, even after undergoing the best treatment. This occurs when the animal suffers septic shock or when toxins have moved out of the uterus and entered the bloodstream.
According to the VCA Hospitals, the success rate for treating open-cervix pyometra is approximately 75-90% in uncomplicated cases and the success rate for treating closed-cervix pyometra is only about 25-40%.
How can I save money?
Even though it may be too late, the best way to prevent pyometra is simply by having your animal spayed as soon as possible. When the uterus is removed, the likelihood of it developing the infection is down to zero, avoiding costly pyometra-related expenses. The process can be done around six months, and spaying, on average, can cost $300 to $600, depending on the type of animal. If getting your pet spayed through a charity or local shelter, however, the costs can greatly be reduced.
Those who can’t afford the payments up front can often work out payment plans with the vet’s office or can be referred to a company that may be able to set you up with a special loan.
Advertising Disclosure: This content may include referral links. Please read our disclosure policy for more info.
Average Reported Cost: $2225
How much did you spend?
- Laura (Lawrenceville, New Jersey) paid $1000 and said:
Do not call Animal Alliance unless you are into being verbally abused. My vet diagnosed my dog with an open pyometra, prescribed antibiotics and referred me to Animal Alliance in Lawrenceville, NJ. My vet does not do Pyometra spays. I called on a Thursday and left a message, Called again on friday and left a message. They returned my call on Monday. I was called names. Told that just to teach me a “lesson” they were going to charge me what a private vet would. Then she asked me if my vet was going to charge me $1000.00. I tried to explain to her that my vet does not do these and referred me to them. She then went on to lecture me that this should have been done already as it is an emergency spay. Note, it is an emergency with a closed not an open but should be taken care of in a timely manner. My vet felt the antibiotics would only increase the success of surgery. finally this rude woman told me “no we won’t help your dog”
Was it worth it? No
- Dingo (Winston Salem, North Carolina) paid $2800 and said:
Estimate. 2,200.00 – 2,800.00
Open cervix, overnight stay,X-Ray,blood work…Was it worth it? Yes
- Mars (Gaithersburg , Maryland) paid $1900 and said:
So worth it
Was it worth it? Yes
- John (Milford, Connecticut) paid $1300 and said:
Surgery went well. Dropped dog off at noon and surgery was done by 3. Picked dog up next day. This included medicine and a follow up appointment
Was it worth it? Yes
- Robert (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) paid $3400 and said:
Ridiculous!!!
Was it worth it? Yes
- Cristine (Miami-Dade, Florida) paid $600 and said:
I go to Gilley’s Animal Clinic in homestead, FL. My boston terrier has an open pyometra, her surgery hasn’t been done yet but Dr. Gilley is going to charge $600. This includes blood work, as many overnight observation stays as needed and everything else the needed before, during and after the surgery. He is an amazing vet who has saved the lives of two of my dogs already. I trust him over any other vet, and I love him even more knowing that other vets are charging such insane prices for this same surgery. Wish us luck guys, I hope my dog makes it through this!
Was it worth it? Yes
- Chris (Los angeles, California) paid $5500 and said:
Dont know if i got completely ripped off, or because of the location and the doctor performing the procedure.
Definitey worth my little baby back in good health.
Was it worth it? Yes
- Whitney (Virginia Beach, Virginia) paid $1300 and said:
The cheapest place I could find was at a emergency vet clinic, they did immediate surgery put her on antibiotics and fluids did blood work then kept her for 3 days keeping her on fluids because she wasnt eating or drinking they sent her home with pain medicine for 14 days I’m pretty happy with the price, I thought for everything they did for her it was worth 1300$
Was it worth it? Yes
