Many operations and some tests, such as a CT scan or a dental clean, need sedation or general anaesthesia. The price depends mainly on the size of the animal and how long it lasts.
Key facts
- At a university vet hospital, sedation costs €30 to €80 depending on weight.
- General inhalation anaesthesia for up to 2 hours costs from €70 for a cat or small dog to €320 for a dog over 45 kg.
- From the third hour, €50 is added per hour or part of an hour.
Reference prices (2026)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Pre-anaesthetic assessment (no lab tests) | €30 |
| Sedation: Cat or small dog (0-9 kg) | €30 |
| Sedation: Medium dog (10-24 kg) | €45 |
| Sedation: Large dog (25-45 kg) | €60 |
| Sedation: Dog over 45 kg | €80 |
| General inhalation anaesthesia, up to 2 h: Cat or small dog (0-9 kg) | €70 |
| General inhalation anaesthesia, up to 2 h: Medium dog (10-24 kg) | €120 |
| General inhalation anaesthesia, up to 2 h: Large dog (25-45 kg) | €200 |
| General inhalation anaesthesia, up to 2 h: Dog over 45 kg | €320 |
| Each extra hour of inhalation anaesthesia | €50 |
| General intravenous anaesthesia | €100 |
What makes the price vary?
The animal’s weight, how long the procedure lasts, the type of anaesthesia (inhalation or intravenous) and the tests done beforehand. At this hospital, surgery prices do not include the anaesthetic or the pre-anaesthetic assessment, which are charged separately.
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.
The policy covers surgery and procedures carried out by the vet to treat an accident or illness. Check your conditions for the detail of each item.
Frequently asked questions
Is anaesthesia dangerous for an older dog?
There is always some risk, which is why an assessment and often a blood test are done first. With that information the vet adjusts the protocol.
What is the difference between sedation and general anaesthesia?
Sedation relaxes the animal for short tests; under general anaesthesia it is unconscious, as needed for surgery.
Sources
- Veterinary Hospital of the University of Zaragoza, 2026 public prices (VAT included).
- Petplan, health insurance general conditions (in Spanish).
See also: cost of a blood test, cost of a CT scan, cost of cataract surgery and 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.
