Hip dysplasia surgery for a dog costs €600 for a femoral head excision and €1,300 for a triple osteotomy at the Veterinary Hospital of the University of Zaragoza. Anaesthesia and the pre-operative assessment are billed separately.
Key facts
- A femoral head excision costs €600 and a triple osteotomy €1,300 at a university veterinary hospital.
- The price includes up to 24 hours of observation and two follow-up visits with dressings and X-rays without sedation, but not anaesthesia or the pre-operative assessment.
- Petplan reimburses 100% up to €3,100 a year if the condition is not pre-existing.
Reference prices (2026)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Official hip dysplasia screening (with sedation) | €180 |
| Pre-operative assessment (without lab tests) | €30 |
| Femoral head excision | €600 |
| Triple osteotomy | €1,300 |
| Other joint surgery | €1,000 |
| General inhalation anaesthesia (2 h), 0 to 9 kg | €70 |
| General inhalation anaesthesia (2 h), 10 to 24 kg | €120 |
| General inhalation anaesthesia (2 h), 25 to 45 kg | €200 |
| General inhalation anaesthesia (2 h), over 45 kg | €320 |
What makes the price vary?
The weight of the dog changes the cost of anaesthesia: two hours of general inhalation anaesthesia cost €70 up to 9 kg, €120 from 10 to 24 kg, €200 from 25 to 45 kg and €320 above 45 kg. The surgical technique also changes the bill, from €600 for a femoral head excision to €1,300 for a triple osteotomy. Surgery prices exclude biopsies, cultures and complementary tests, and emergency surgery adds 25% to the price.
How much does Petplan cover?
Petplan Spain reimburses 100% of the invoice up to €3,100 a year, with a €45 co-payment per illness or accident, at the vet of your choice. It does not cover pre-existing conditions or preventive care, and there are waiting periods of 15 days for accidents and 30 days for illness.
Cover depends on when the first signs appeared: anything that already existed or had shown signs before the policy started counts as pre-existing and is never covered. The conditions exclude prostheses, except hip, knee or elbow replacement. Hospitalisation is covered when the vet confirms the pet must be hospitalised for basic treatment.
Frequently asked questions
How much does hip dysplasia surgery cost for a dog?
At the Veterinary Hospital of the University of Zaragoza, a femoral head excision costs €600 and a triple osteotomy €1,300. Add anaesthesia, from €70 to €320 depending on weight, and the pre-operative assessment at €30.
What does the surgery price include?
It includes up to 24 hours of hospital observation and up to two follow-up visits with dressings and X-rays without sedation. It does not include the pre-operative assessment, anaesthesia, biopsies, cultures or complementary tests.
Sources
- Veterinary Hospital of the University of Zaragoza, 2026 public prices (VAT included).
- Petplan, health insurance general conditions (in Spanish).
See also: cost of hip surgery, cost of an X-ray, cost of anaesthesia and the real cost of the vet in Spain 2026.
Indicative prices. Spain has no official price scale and each clinic sets its own fees: these are the public prices of a university veterinary hospital, and other clinics may charge differently.
