A herniated disc presses on the spinal cord and can leave a dog unable to walk within hours. When surgery is needed, the bill combines the operation, the imaging and the anaesthetic.
Key facts
- At a university vet hospital, a laminectomy or hemilaminectomy costs €1,200 and a ventral slot €1,300.
- The surgery price includes up to 24 hours of observation and two check-ups with bandage changes and X-rays, but not the anaesthetic, the pre-anaesthetic assessment or the CT scan and myelogram.
- Petplan reimburses 100% up to €3,100 a year if the disc problem is not pre-existing.
Reference prices (2026)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Laminectomy or hemilaminectomy (CT and myelogram not included) | €1,200 |
| Ventral slot | €1,300 |
| CT scan of one region, without contrast (sedation included) | €400 |
| Myelogram (films charged separately) | €235 |
| Inhalation general anaesthesia, 2 hours (dog of 10 to 24 kg) | €120 |
| Pre-anaesthetic assessment (without lab tests) | €30 |
| Specialist consultation | €60 |
What makes the price vary?
The part of the spine affected, which decides the technique, the dog’s weight, which changes the anaesthetic price, and the imaging done before surgery. If the surgery is an emergency, this hospital adds a 25% surcharge.
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 includes surgery carried out by the vet to treat an injury or illness. Hospitalisation is covered when the vet confirms it is needed for basic treatment. If the disc problem was already developing before you took out the policy, it is a pre-existing condition and is not covered.
Frequently asked questions
How much does disc surgery cost in total?
At this hospital, for a dog of 10 to 24 kg: €1,200 for the hemilaminectomy, €400 for a CT scan of one region without contrast, €120 for 2 hours of inhalation anaesthesia and €30 for the pre-anaesthetic assessment. €1,750 in total.
What is the difference between a hemilaminectomy and a ventral slot?
A hemilaminectomy opens a window in the side of the vertebra and is used in the thoracolumbar spine; a ventral slot reaches the cervical spine from underneath. At this hospital they cost €1,200 and €1,300.
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 CT scan, cost of anaesthesia, cost of hospitalisation 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.
