Average cost of veterinary X-rays
Veterinary X-rays cost between $103 and $383. Dog X-rays cost between $126 and $300, while cat X-rays cost between $100 and $267.* However, this is just the basics. The cost of X-rays for your pet can vary depending on the severity of the injury, location, and type of veterinary clinic you visit.
Factors affecting the cost of veterinary X-rays
Below are some of the most common factors that affect the cost of X-rays.
Injury
The location and severity of your pet’s injuries have two of the most significant impacts on cost. Pricing depends on how easy it is for the veterinarian to access the body parts being X-rayed. For example, your pet’s feet or legs are more likely to be X-rayed than his head or tail. Dental X-rays cost less, ranging from $50 to $90.
Veterinary office
The type of veterinarian office you go to and its location also affect the cost of X-rays. For example, an emergency clinic or veterinary hospital will charge more than your regular veterinary office. On the other hand, you can find local animal organizations that provide cheap dog and cat X-rays.
Sedative
Some pets may be in extreme pain or extremely anxious, so they won’t sit still long enough for the veterinarian to perform an X-ray. If this happens, your veterinarian may recommend sedation or anesthesia. Your pet may also need to relax the muscles to get a clear image of the skull or teeth, in which case your veterinarian may also recommend anesthesia. Sedation or anesthesia costs an additional $50 to $220.
Why your pet may need X-rays
The reasons your pet may need X-rays vary. X-ray machines and radiographs are standard tools for diagnostic imaging for common health problems, such as bladder stones. Below are some of the most common reasons dogs and cats need X-rays.
Broken bones
The most common reason dogs and cats need X-rays is for broken bones. Veterinarians often see broken bones in animals’ legs. X-rays are the best procedure to confirm the location and severity of the fracture.
Tumor
X-rays can help your veterinarian detect certain types of tumors. This is a low-cost procedure to determine if your pet has one canceralthough not all tumors show up on X-rays.
Dental problems
X-rays are the standard for pet dental care. Both dogs and cats often require sedation for dental X-rays. Even if your pet has no dental problems, many veterinarians recommend annual X-rays.
Bowel obstruction
If your dog or cat swallows an undigested object, it can become a serious health problem. A stomach X-ray provides your veterinarian with a visual image of the object in your pet’s intestinal tract. Intestinal blockages can be life-threatening, so if you think your pet has ingested a foreign object, we recommend contacting your veterinarian immediately.
Lung or heart problems
If your pet develops strange breathing habits or problems, you may want to have a chest X-ray. It will help your veterinarian identify conditions such as bronchitis, pneumonia or fungal infections.
Bottom line: Does your pet need vet X-rays?
X-rays are more than just an emergency procedure; they are common diagnostic tools for your pet’s health care. Your dog or cat will need dental X-rays during routine vet visits, and you never know when there will be broken bones, hip dysplasia, or serious sugar problems. intestines may occur.
We recommend that you consider a pet insurance policy to cover the cost of X-rays and any related procedures that may follow, such as blood tests or treatment of orthopedic problems. Learn about our top recommended pet insurance providers below.
Lemonade Pet Insurance: The Most Affordable Plans
Lemonade is a great choice for pet parents looking to save money. The company offers some of the most affordable pet insurance plans, including X-ray coverage. Lemonade also offers a user-friendly smartphone app to manage your claims and track your policy coverage and payments. The company covers X-rays as part of diagnostic coverage in its standard accident and illness insurance plan, which includes blood tests, urinalysis, MRI, lab tests, CT scans and ultrasounds.
To find more about: Lemonade pet insurance review
Onsite pet insurance: Most customizable
We recommend On-site pet insurance for those interested in personal insurance. The company’s policies are more customizable than many competitors, with Annual limit option from 2,500 USD to unlimited. Spot policies also cover some items that many other pet insurance providers don’t, such as exam fees and microchipping.
To find more about: Onsite pet insurance reviews
Trupanion Pet Insurance: The most flexible deductible
trupanion is a nationwide pet insurance provider offering unlimited annual coverage limits, customizable deductibles, and direct payments. While pet insurance typically requires you to pay the entire vet bill and be reimbursed later, Trupanion’s $0 deductible option allows you to pay only a percentage of the bill at checkout. Trupanion offers a comprehensive pet insurance plan with accident and illness coverage including X-rays for dogs and cats 14 years of age and younger.
To find more about: Trupanion pet insurance review
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