How Much Does It Cost To Sedate a Dog?

Dog sedation costs largely depend on your pet’s size — sedating a small dog costs less since the required dose of medication is smaller. Based on our research, sedation can cost $50 to $75 for small dogs and $100 to $200 for large dogs.

Other factors that can impact how sedation costs include:

• If the procedure is routine or emergent
• Who performs the sedation (primary, specialist or emergency veterinarian)
• Veterinary care costs in your area
• If your dog has health problems
• The desired anesthetic technique (light vs. deep sedation)

To illustrate differences in dog sedation costs by location, we pulled figures from two veterinary clinics along the west coast. A low-cost clinic in Los Angeles, Calif., may offer sedation from $45 to $85, whereas a clinic in Portland, Ore., charges $100 for small dogs and $100 to $130 for large dogs. 

The above sedation cost figures are not all-inclusive — you may incur additional expenses related to your pet’s visit or procedure. The following veterinary services may add to the cost of sedation:

• Veterinary office visit: A physical examination or veterinary consultation before sedation may cost $50 to $250.
• Patient monitoring: A veterinary team member will monitor your pet’s vital signs while under heavy sedation. Your base sedation fee may or may not include the cost of this service.
• Blood tests: Pre-sedation blood tests help your veterinarian assess your pet’s overall health to choose the safest sedative drugs and doses. These tests may cost $80 to $200 if required.
• Imaging: If your pet is undergoing sedation for an imaging test, plan for an additional $75 to $250 for the X-rays or $300 to $600 for an ultrasound. Advanced imaging like computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) will cost more.
• Surgery or procedure costs: Vets typically use sedation for minor procedures, such as wound repair or small mass removal, which may cost up to $500.

There are a few key differences between sedation and anesthesia. Sedation relaxes your pet but does not induce complete unconsciousness — many sedated pets are still awake and aware of their surroundings. Anesthesia is a state of controlled unconsciousness in which your pet cannot feel or sense their surroundings, similar to human anesthesia.

Vets can administer sedation medication orally or through an injection, whereas anesthetics are administered by injection or inhaling gas. Pets under anesthesia require more extensive and careful monitoring than those under sedation.

Sedation levels can range from light to deep using different drugs and drug combinations. Common reasons for light sedation include:

• Nail trimming
• Grooming
• X-rays
• Intravenous (IV) catheter placement
• Blood draw for a heartworm test or routine blood work
• Routine veterinary services or checkups for nervous or fearful pets

Veterinarians may prescribe oral sedatives to give your pet during stressful events at home, before vet visits or at the groomer. Extremely fearful pets may require heavier sedation. Your vet may also administer heavier doses of sedative drugs during painful or lengthy non-surgical procedures, such as a torn toenail repair, wound cleansing, small skin tumor removal or orthopedic X-rays for hip dysplasia screening.

Surgical procedures such as spaying or neutering, foreign object removal, large mass removal and orthopedic repair will require general anesthesia. Costs for anesthesia are usually built into a total surgery package cost, but some clinics may charge based on how long your pet is under gas anesthesia. For example, a clinic in Portland charges $200 to $225 for the first 30 minutes of anesthesia, but costs may vary depending on your location.

The drugs and techniques used in modern veterinary medicine have made sedation and anesthesia safe for most dogs, but some risks will always remain. Veterinary professionals can address most risks associated with sedation or anesthesia during the procedure using supportive measures, such as providing supplemental oxygen, keeping pets warm with external heat sources and monitoring vital signs closely.

Some pet owners may worry about death or fear their dog will go to sleep and not wake up. But this rarely happens. A study by the Royal Veterinary College at the University of London found that 14 out of every 10,000 dogs undergoing sedation or anesthesia die from procedure complications, so the average dog has a 0.14% risk of sedation- or anesthesia-related death.

Talk with your veterinarian about your pet’s individual risks if you have concerns about an upcoming procedure or the post-sedation care of your dog.

Sedation is often necessary for dogs undergoing painful or stressful procedures. Although sedation carries some risk — and may cost up to $220 — it is often necessary to ensure pets receive important medical care. Your veterinarian may administer sedation for stressful, routine procedures such as nail clipping or urgent or life-threatening emergencies like surgery. Sedation can also help keep veterinary staff safe if fearful pets struggle or bite during a procedure.

Your dog may require sedation or anesthesia at some point in their life, but you can’t always predict when or why. A pet insurance policy can help you plan for unexpected medical procedures by covering sedation and anesthesia if your dog experiences an accident or is injured. You can also check out cheap pet insurance plans or start a pet savings account to ensure your pet receives the veterinary care they need in the event of an emergency.