The most common surgeries cats receive (and what you can expect to pay for them!)

Every cat parent needs to prepare for the possibility of medical issues big and small. This involves both financial planning and learning about the kinds of surgeries cats are most likely to require. Many cats will need to undergo at least one of the procedures described below within their lifetime.

Besides spaying and neutering, the most common types of surgeries cats receive which are not related to injury include: oral surgeries, tumor removals, bladder surgeries, and eye procedures. These operations fall under the category of “elective procedures” because they are not immediately life-threatening and the surgeries are planned in advance rather than in response to an emergency situation (information from The Drake Center for Veterinary Care). The cost of each surgery varies by provider, but insurance-based figures can help you budget when medical complications arise. The estimated costs per procedure below are provided by MetLife Pet Insurance.

Tooth Extraction

Gum disease and feline tooth resorption are the leading causes of tooth issues in cats that require surgery to be treated. According to Memphis Veterinary Specialists, a veterinarian will recommend the removal of one or more teeth if your cat is in pain and the problem tooth has the potential to incite other dental problems. To prevent infection, a tooth may need to be extracted fully or in part, depending on the damage.

Gum disease is the primary origin of tooth decay. Experts at Memphis Veterinary Specialists explain that “Gum disease is caused by a build-up of plaque on your cat's teeth that eventually hardens into a substance called calculus or tartar. When not removed, the hardened tartar will cause pockets of infection between the gum line and the teeth, leading to gum erosion and tooth decay.” You can lessen the likelihood of your cat developing gum disease by taking care of your cat’s teeth at home and by making specialist dental visits.

Another common oral issue cats experience is feline tooth resorption, which happens when teeth erode on their own, starting with the base structures of the tooth. Veterinarians advise that “there is no way to prevent feline tooth resorption and the teeth experiencing resorption almost always need to be extracted.”

Estimated cost: $50 - $130 per tooth removed

Tumor removal

Furkin Pet Insurance warns that “If you notice any abnormal growths or lumps on your cat's body, especially if they are rapidly growing, firm, or ulcerated, these may need surgical evaluation and potential removal.” The majority of tumors treated in cats are related to the skin and its closest underlying layer. Information from the Merck Vet Manual states that cats frequently receive treatment for skin-based tumors “partly because they are the most easily seen tumors and partly because the skin is constantly exposed to many tumor-causing factors in the environment. Chemical carcinogens, solar radiation, and viruses all can cause skin tumors. Hormonal and genetic factors may also play a role.” However, tumors can be hard to distinguish from other forms of skin irritation. A veterinarian can determine if abnormal lumps, patches, or rashes on your cat’s skin are due to disease instead. Tumors come in many different forms, so it is very important that a professional looks them over.

Some benign tumors may not require removal, while tumors which are malignant (cancerous) have the potential to spread across the body and are more likely to require surgery. Experts from the Merck Vet Manual write that “Treatment depends largely on the type of tumor, its location and size, and overall physical condition of the animal.”

Estimated cost: At least $500, depending on the severity and if the tumor is cancerous

Bladder surgery

Like humans, cats are prone to bladder issues, primarily from urinary tract infections or over-excretion of bladder minerals. These complications produce bladder stones. Veterinarians from Cuyamaca Animal Hospital caution that cats cannot pass bladder stones on their own and affected cats require a surgery called a cystotomy in order to remove the bladder blockage.

Estimated cost: $900 - $4,000

Eye Surgeries

Cataract surgery

Cataracts, or clouding of the normally clear lens of the eye, is not just a human condition. Vets at VCA Animal Hospitals state that “Depending on the severity of the cataract, this interference can significantly impact the cat’s vision. Cataracts can occur in cats of any age, sex, or breed. A genetic predisposition to inherited cataracts has been observed in Himalayan, Birman, and British shorthair breeds.”

Cataracts can stem from different illnesses within the body. Many diseases are capable of causing a specific kind of inflammation called uveitis in which the cat’s immune system attacks the eye lens.

Cataract surgery “involves breaking down and removing the cataract (a process known as phacoemulsification), then replacing the lens of the eye with an artificial lens.” Veterinary ophthalmologists can determine if your cat is a candidate for the procedure.

Estimated cost: $2,000 - $3,500

Eyelid surgery

If a cat is born with eyelids that face inward toward the eye instead of outwards away from the eyeball, they will feel discomfort from the eyelids making contact with sensitive tissue in the eye. This condition is called entropion.

According to PetMD, “Entropion is especially irritating to the cornea, or the curved, clear part of the eye. Lower eyelid entropion is most common, and usually occurs toward the outside edge of the eye. The abnormal rolling of the eyelid may introduce hair directly onto the cornea and conjunctiva, causing scratches, ulcers, inflammation, discharge and pain.”

While all cats are at risk of entropion, certain breeds are predisposed to the condition, especially Himalyans and Persian cats.

Surgery to correct entropion involves removal of a tiny selection of skin and fur by the eyelid. Removing that specific area of skin causes the eyelid to recede into its natural spot, preventing the eyelid from making contact with irritable tissue.

Estimated cost: $500 – $2,000

Maintaining your cat’s health can be a costly endeavor, but awareness of common medical conditions is the first step towards preparing for future veterinary needs.

Quote of the day: “Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.” - Anatole France

Do you have a cat question you’d like answered in our blog? Email rmniels [at] gmail.com.

Sources:

“8 Most Common Cat Surgeries & How Much They Cost,” Furkin Pet Insurancehttps://www.furkin.com/blog/common-surgeries-cats“Cataracts in Cats,” VCA Animal Hospitals

https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/cataracts-in-cats

“Cat Surgery - What To Know If Your Cat's Having Surgery,” The Drake Center for Veterinary Carehttps://www.thedrakecenter.com/services/cats/cat-surgery

“Cat Tooth Extractions: What to Expect,” Memphis Veterinary Specialists

https://www.memphisveterinaryspecialists.com/site/blog-cordova/2022/09/15/cat-tooth-extractions

“Common Surgeries Your Cat May Need & What They Cost” MetLife Pet Insurance

https://www.metlifepetinsurance.com/blog/pet-health/cat-surgery-cost/

“Entropion in Cats,” Pet MD

https://www.petmd.com/cat/conditions/eyes/c_ct_entropion“Everything You Need to Know about Pet Cystotomy,” Cuyamaca Animal Hospital

https://www.cuyamacaanimalhospital.com/post/pet-cystotomy

“Tumors of the Skin in Cats,” Merck Vet Manual

https://www.merckvetmanual.com/cat-owners/skin-disorders-of-cats/tumors-of-the-skin-in-cats