How Much Does Cat Eye Removal Surgery Cost In 2024?

If your cat has to undergo surgery to remove an eye, also known as enucleation, the cost may vary depending on a variety of factors. The individual needs of your cat, experience of the veterinarian, location of the vet clinic—all these may play a part in determining the cost of the surgery.

With my 15+ years of experience in the insurance industry and as a cat owner myself, I’ve seen firsthand how important timely intervention can be to ensure the well-being of your cat.

What Conditions Might Require Eye Removal In Cats?

There are several eye conditions in cats that might make eye removal surgery necessary. Here are some leading eye problems that can lead to enucleation:

• Severe Infections: Chronic, severe eye infections in cats that don’t respond to treatment may need eye removal surgery.
• Uveitis: Uveitis, an inflammation of the cat’s eye middle layer, can be extremely painful besides difficult to treat in a lot of cases, so it might require surgical removal of the eye.
• Severe Trauma: If your cat’s eye is severely injured beyond repair, removal of the affected eye may be the best option in order to alleviate pain and complications.
• Cancer: In some cases, tumors within or around a cat’s eye may require removal of the eye to prevent the cancer spreading.
• Glaucoma: Glaucoma causes increased pressure within the cat’s eye, which might cause pain as well as blindness. Enucleation may be necessary if this condition can’t be managed with medication..

In cats with any of these eye conditions, your vet will almost always try less drastic treatments before surgery to remove your cat’s eye. An exception to this is severe trauma or cancer, both of which will need surgery right away.

Symptoms And Diagnosis

Cats can experience different symptoms of eye conditions, including:

• Third Eyelid Showing: The third eyelid, also known as the “haw,” might become visible if there is an underlying issue.
• Lumps or Bumps: Any sort of growth in or around your cat’s eye could be a sign of a serious condition.
• Discharge: Yellow, green, or watery discharge may be an indication of infection or other eye condition.
• Changes in Eye Color: Any changes in eye color, especially in adult cats, should be checked by a veterinarian.
• Redness or Swelling: Inflammation around the eye may indicate infection or injury.
• Squinting or Blinking: Excessive squinting or blinking can mean pain and/or discomfort.
• Cloudiness: A cloudy appearance in your cat’s eye may suggest cataracts or other issues that affect the cornea.
• Loss of Vision: If your cat is suddenly bumping into things or seems disoriented, it could be due to vision loss.

Causes

• Severe Trauma: Injuries that irreparably damage your cat’s eye, including a ruptured globe, might require removal to head off further complications.
• Severe Infections or Inflammation: Persistent infections or inflammation that don’t respond to treatment, such as feline herpesvirus, may lead to enucleation.
• Glaucoma: Glaucoma causes increased pressure within the cat’s eye, causing pain as well as potential blindness. Surgery may be necessary if it can’t be managed with medication.
• Tumors: Growths in or around the eye could be cancerous like iris melanoma or squamous cell carcinoma, and may necessitate eye removal surgery to prevent spread of the cancer.
• Congenital Deformities: Sometimes cats are born with deformities of the eye that cause dysfunction or chronic pain., making enucleation the most viable option.
• Phthisis Bulbi: Phthisis Bulbi is a condition where the cat’s eye shrinks and becomes non-functional, usually this is caused by trauma or disease.

If your cat is having eye problems, it’s important to schedule a visit with the vet at your earliest convenience. Eye removal surgery can greatly improve the quality of life for cats that are suffering from chronic pain or serious eye problems.

Treatment

Eye removal surgery itself is the treatment for quite a few conditions, as noted above. This surgery typically involves any initial treatment and diagnosis leading up to the surgery, pre-operative treatment, the surgical procedure, and post-operative treatment including follow-up visits to the vet.

How Much Does Eye Removal Surgery For Cats Cost?

Enucleation, or eye surgery removal, in cats may vary depending on several factors, such as:

• Location of the veterinary clinic
• Veterinarian’s experience
• Surgical technique

The average cost of this surgery ranges from $600 to $1,000. The cost of eye surgery removal in cats usually includes the following components:

• Initial Vet Visit: $50 to $100
• Pre-Surgery Tests: $100 to $200
• Surgical Procedure: $600 to $800 which generally includes anesthesia
• Post- Surgery Medications: $50 to $100
• E-collar: $20 to $50

Post-surgical vet check-ups aren’t usually included in the quote and may incur additional costs of $50-$100 per visit​​.

Real-World Examples Of Eye Removal Surgery Costs For Cats

• A-Z Animals: They report an average cost of $1,000 to $2,000 for eye removal surgery in cats.
• VCA Animal Hospitals: Costs range from $600 to $1,100 for eye removal surgery in cats.
• Lemonade Pet Insurance: This company states an average cost of $600 to $1,000 for eye removal surgery in cats.

What Factors Affect The Cost Of Eye Removal Surgery In Cats?

The cost of eye removal surgery for cats can vary based on several key factors. Being knowledgeable about those factors may  be helpful to you when trying to anticipate the expenses.

• Location: As realtors say, “Location, location, location.” This applies to the cost of veterinary services, also. A good rule of thumb is that you can expect to pay more in metropolitan areas and less in rural areas​.
• Pre-Surgery Consultations and Tests: Diagnostic tests such as blood work along with consultations are necessary prior to surgery, which add to the total cost​​.
• Veterinarian’s Experience and Specialty: A board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist may charge more than a regular vet because of their training and expertise, which is crucial for complex cases​​.
• Anesthesia: The type and duration of anesthesia used during the surgery can significantly impact the cost, with general anesthesia typically required​​.
• Post-Surgery Medications and Follow-Up Care: Post-surgery care, including medications and follow-up visits, adds to the overall expense and is crucial for ensuring successful recovery and managing complications​.

Does Pet Insurance Cover Eye Removal Surgery In Cats?

Most pet insurance covers eye removal surgery for cats, but may vary by the policy and company.

Hereditary And Congenital Conditions

One congenital condition in cats that may lead to eye removal surgery is eyelid agenesis. This health problem occurs when a cat is born without part or even  all of their eyelids, which leads to chronic irritation and eventual damage to the eye. If this condition isn’t treated, it may cause extreme pain along with complications. Eye removal surgery might be necessary to improve the quality of life for your cat.

Here are 4 other congenital conditions that can necessitate eye removal surgery in cats:

1. Persistent Pupillary Membrane (PPM): This condition involves remnants of the cat’s fetal blood vessels and can cause obstruction of vision if they don’t regress as they should.
2. Coloboma: A defect in the structure of the eye, often appearing as a notch or gap in the iris, retina, or optic nerve.
3. Anophthalmia: This is a rare condition in which one or both of the cat’s eyes are totally absent.
4. Microphthalmia: One or both eyes are underdeveloped and abnormally small.

Pre-Existing Conditions

First of all, you should know that while most pet insurance providers will extend coverage for congenital eye problems in cats, very few will cover a pre-existing condition.

How Can I Save Money On Eye Removal Surgery For Cats?

Saving money on eye removal surgery for your cat can be done if you employ various strategies.

Probably the first thing you should do is look into getting pet insurance that provides coverage for hereditary and congenital conditions. This can greatly offset the cost of vet care for your pet. Many comprehensive pet insurance plans will cover the surgery after deductibles and coinsurance, possibly saving you hundreds to even thousands of dollars. It’s important to enroll your pet in insurance early in order to avoid issues with pre-existing condition exclusions.

Another way to save is by looking into financing options or payment plans offered by many vet clinics. Some clinics will offer no-interest payment plans or alternative financing options to help you spread the cost over a period of time. You might also want to look for veterinary schools in your area that offer discounted rates for procedures performed by students under supervision.

What Breeds Are Usually Affected By A Need For Eye Removal Surgery?

Certain breeds of felines are typically more prone to eye conditions that necessitate the need for eye removal surgery. Here are those breeds at higher risk:

• Maine Coon: These large cats are known for issues such as entropion, which might become severe, leading to surgery if not treated properly.
• Himalayan: Himalayan cats are predisposed to inherited eye conditions such as corneal ulcers and cataracts, both of which, if left untreated, may lead to eye removal surgery.
• Persian: Due to their brachycephalic flat faces, Persians are prone to severe eye conditions such as entropion and corneal ulcers, which may require eye removal surgery
• British Shorthair: These cats are susceptible to severe entropion, as well as other eye problems that may need surgical intervention to remove the affected eye.
• Exotic Shorthair: Much like Persians, this breed of feline has a brachycephalic facial structure, making them more prone to serious eye issues which could make eye removal surgery necessary.

What Is Involved In Eye Removal Surgery For Cats?

Here are the typical steps involved in eye removal surgery for cats:

Pre-Surgery Preparation

• Your cat will undergo a thorough physical examination.
• Fasting for around 12 hours prior to surgery is recommended to prevent complications due to anesthesia.

Anesthesia

• Your cat is put under general anesthesia in order to make sure it doesn’t experience any pain during the surgical procedure.

Surgical Steps

• The area around the cat’s eye is shaved and also disinfected.
• The surgeon makes an incision around the cat’s eye to remove its eyeball, surrounding tissues, and occasionally the eyelid, as well.
• The wound is closed with sterile sutures.

Post-Surgery Care

• Antibiotics along with pain management meds are administered to prevent infection and lessen pain.
• Your cat may need to wear an Elizabethan (E) collar to keep it from scratching or biting the surgical site.

Recovery

• The majority of cats recover well and adapt quickly to having one eye.
• Follow-up visits to the vet are essential to monitor healing and address any complications.

What Happens If Eye Removal Surgery Isn’t Done?

If eye removal surgery (enucleation) for cats isn’t done when it’s medically necessary, there are a variety of complications that might arise, possibly affecting your cat’s quality of life. Here are some potential outcomes:

Chronic Pain

• Ongoing Pain: Conditions such as glaucoma, trauma, or infections can cause chronic, persistent discomfort and pain can affect your cat’s behavior and its overall well-being.

Infection

• Spread of Infection: Infections that are left untreated can spread to surrounding tissues or even other parts of your cat’s body, and lead to more serious health problems.

Vision Loss

• Vision Deterioration: If your cat’s eye condition goes untreated, it could lead to total loss of vision in the affected eye, and in some cases might affect the healthy eye, also.

Tumor Growth

• Cancer Progression: If the eye is affected by a tumor, not removing it can allow the cancer to grow and potentially spread to other parts of the body.

Behavioral Changes

• Anxiety and/or Stress: Chronic pain and discomfort may lead to changes in your cat’s behavior, such as hiding, increased aggression, or loss of appetite.

Overall Health Decline

• General Health: Chronic pain and infection may weaken your cat’s immune system and general health, making it more prone to other health problems.

Quality Of Life

• Quality of Life: A combination of infection and pain, along with behavioral changes, may greatly reduce the quality of life for your cat.

How Can I Prevent Eye Removal Surgery For My Cat?

While it may not always be possible to prevent eye removal surgery for your cat, there are a few preventative measures that could help minimize the risk.

• Good Hygiene: Maintaining good hygiene around your cat’s eyes is critical to eye health. If there is a discharge, gently clean it with a damp cloth.
• Prompt Treatment of Infections: Take your cat to the vet right away if it shows signs of an infection in or around its eyes.
• Avoid Traumatic Injuries: Try to keep your cat indoors, or supervise them closely when outdoors to avoid accidents such as being hit by a car.
• Vaccinate: Keep your cat current on vaccinations, especially for diseases such as feline herpesvirus, which causes serious eye problems.
• Regular Monitoring: Monitor your cat’s eyes for abnormalities. If conditions like severe eye ulcers, tumors, or glaucoma are detected early, eye removal surgery may be avoided.