Cost Of Dog Eye Removal Surgery In 2024

The cost of dog eye removal surgery, also known as enucleation, may vary depending on multiple factors such as  the condition of the dog’s eye, its age, health and size, as well as the location of your veterinary clinic. The average cost of this surgery is between $475 to $4,000.

In this article, we’ll look at the aspects of eye removal surgery: treatments, causes, and the costs of the procedure. Ignoring the condition that necessitates eye removal surgery can lead to serious health issues. With more than fifteen years of experience in the insurance industry, and as a dog owner myself, I’ve seen firsthand how important timely intervention can be to ensure your pet’s health and well-being.

What Is Dog Eye Removal Surgery?

Eye removal surgery in dogs, known as enucleation, refers to the surgical removal of an eye along with its adjacent structures, including eyelids.

Enucleation is ordinarily done when a dog’s eye is causing severe pain, is cancerous, irreversibly damaged, or affected by glaucoma that doesn’t respond to treatment. Eye removal surgery is almost always a last resort, only performed when every previous attempt to salvage the eye has been unsuccessful.

Symptoms And Diagnosis

Symptoms that may lead to eye removal surgery are diverse, but all cause pain and discomfort to the dog. Here are some of the most common symptoms:

• Cloudy eyes
• Bloodshot whites of the eyes
• Vision loss
• Drainage from one or both eyes

If you notice any of these symptoms in your dog, it’s crucial that you consult with a veterinarian as soon as possible for an examination, diagnosis and a treatment plan. Early detection and treatment can be enormously helpful in managing these conditions to give your dog proper relief.

Causes

Here are some of the things that may lead to eye removal surgery in dogs:

• Progressive Eye Diseases: Progressive eye conditions, like advanced cataracts or progressive retinal atrophy may lead to vision loss and discomfort. When vision can’t be restored, or the dog’s pain and discomfort alleviated with other treatments, eye removal surgery might be the most viable option available to improve quality of life.
• Tumors: Benign or malignant tumors within the eye or or around it might call for eye removal surgery. Surgery can help prevent the spread of malignant cancerous cells along with providing relief of pain caused by the tumors.
• Infections: Recurrent or chronic, on-going eye infections such as endophthalmitis, glaucoma, as well as chronic conjunctivitis, may mean that eye removal surgery to prevent further problems is necessary. When conditions like these don’t respond to antibiotics or other medical treatments, the procedure becomes the last resort in order to ensure the dog’s health and well being.
• Injuries: Dogs may experience serious eye injuries that can’t be repaired, making eye removal a requirement to alleviate pain and eliminate infection. These types of injuries may be the result of fights, encounters with sharp objects, or accidents.
• Congenital Abnormalities: Dogs can enter the world with conditions such as microphthalmia, or underdeveloped eye, anophthalmia, or absence of an eye. In these cases, eye removal surgery is often recommended to prevent discomfort along with complications that might potentially arise from these congenital abnormalities.

The need for enucleation, or eye removal surgery, can have quite a few different causes. Here are some of the most common problems that can lead to eye removal surgery in dogs:

• Eye Ulcers: Open sores on the cornea, which is the clear frontal surface of the eye.
• Glaucoma: Glaucoma is a condition in which the pressure increases within the eyeball, causing pain and even blindness.
• Uveitis: Uveitis is inflammation of the uvea, which is the middle layer of the eye, causing vision problems along with pain.
• Eye Injuries: This may include puncturing or perforating an eyeball.
• Tumors: Some eye tumors are cancerous, and are painful as well as aggressive.

Any of these conditions can cause blindness if left untreated.

Treatment

Eye removal surgery is a serious procedure and proper post-operative treatment is imperative for the animal’s well-being.

Here are some treatments that a dog will need after eye removal surgery:

• Surgery: This procedure is performed under general anesthesia. The entire eyeball is removed, leaving an empty eye socket that will be permanently closed by stitching the upper and lower eyelids together.
• Post-Op Care: Following the eye removal surgery, your dog will be prescribed oral anti-inflammatory and/or pain killer meds along with antibiotics for several days. This will help in preventing infection along with pain management.
• Protective E-Collar: After this type of surgery, most dogs are sent home with a plastic Elizabethan, or “E” collar, which is a plastic cone worn around their necks to stop them from scratching or rubbing the surgery area on furniture or floors.
• Follow Up Visits: Follow up visits to the vet are critical in monitoring the healing process.

How Much Does Eye Removal Surgery Cost?

Eye removal surgery in dogs has an average cost of between $475 and $4,000. The total cost may vary depending on various factors such as the location of the clinic, the condition of the eyes, the dog’s size and age along with overall health.

What Is Included In the Surgery Cost?

In most cases, the cost of eye removal surgery in dogs includes:

• The procedure itself
• Pre-op as well as post-op care,
• Diagnostic tests such as X-Rays and blood work
• Anesthesia
• Medications
• Follow-up visits.

Real-World Examples Of Eye Removal Surgery Costs

1. VCA Animal Hospitals: Costs range from $1,000 to $3,000 for a simple eye removal surgery. More complicated case might be more costly
2. Lemonade Pet Insurance: Provides a range of $500 to $2,000 per eye for eye removal surgery in dogs. This pet insurance provider has a tier of deductible amounts for policyholders to choose: 70%, 80% or 90%. Your reimbursement will be based on the level you selected, plus your deductible..
3. A-Z Animals: A-Z Animals give an average cost for dog eye removal surgery of between $2,700 to $4,000. That price may vary depending on  the severity of the condition as well as the dog’s age and any other health issues.

What Factors Affect The Cost Of Eye Removal Surgery?

The cost of eye removal surgery in dogs may vary greatly depending on a number of factors. Having a good understanding of these factors will be helpful to you in anticipating the cost, and also in being able to make informed decisions about your dog’s care.

• Dog’s Health and Size: A dog with other underlying health conditions or a large breed might require additional medications, which will increase the total bill.
• Condition of the Eye: More severe eye conditions might require more complex surgery, adding to the overall cost.
• Veterinarian’s Specialty: A veterinary ophthalmologist, board-certified, may charge more.
• Pre-Op: Diagnostic tests and consultations such as blood work and physical examinations necessary pre-op as well as post-op, add to the overall cost​​.
• Medications: Includes anesthesia during the surgery along with any pain/anti-inflammatory, steroidal or antibiotics both before and after surgery.
• Clinic Location: Veterinary clinics located in large cities or areas with a high cost of living will usually have higher costs than a smaller, more rural area.
• Follow-Up Care: Post-Operative care adds to the cost of eye removal surgery in dogs and is critically important for successful recovery and managing any complications that may arise.​.

Does Pet Insurance Cover Eye Removal Surgery?

Pet insurance coverage for eye removal surgery differs according to the provider and the policy. Typically, the majority of pet insurance plans include coverage for procedures such as eye removal surgery.

It’s always best to check over the coverage carefully in order to ensure there are no exclusions for certain conditions.

Most policies will pay a percentage of reimbursement plus a deductible.

Hereditary And Congenital Conditions

Most comprehensive pet insurance policies include coverage for congenital conditions along with hereditary conditions, eye removal surgery included. For instance, Lemonade Pet Insurance ordinarily provides coverage for the cost of eye removal surgery, excluding coinsurance and deductibles, provided the policy was in effect before symptoms appeared​.

MetLife Pet Insurance also covers eye removal surgery in dogs under its policies that encompass hereditary conditions. Pet owners are advised to check for exclusions related to their dog’s pre-existing conditions​​.

Pre-Existing Conditions

Very few pet insurance policies will cover pre-existing conditions, meaning a disease or injury that your dog had before you purchased coverage.

Some pet insurance providers, however,  distinguish between what is considered a curable or an incurable condition, and will cover pre-existing conditions that have been deemed as cured for a specific length of time. Some companies require a 12 month period in which there were no signs of the condition, while others require 6 months. It depends on the specific carrier. Broken bones or respiratory infections can fall into this category.

How Can I Save Money On Eye Removal Surgery?

Saving some money on eye removal surgery for dogs is possible, and may be achieved using several possible strategies.

First of all, consider purchasing a pet insurance policy that provides coverage for hereditary as well as congenital conditions. This alone could greatly offset the cost of eye removal surgery for your dog. Numerous comprehensive pet insurance policies will cover the cost of surgery after coinsurance and deductibles, which could save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Be aware that it’s important to enroll your dog in insurance earlyon in order to avoid issues with exclusions for pre-existing conditions.

You might also explore financing options such as payment plans sometimes available through veterinary clinics. Some will offer payment plans or financing options with low or no interest. These plans and options may help in making the cost more manageable by spreading it over time. Look for veterinary schools that offer discount rates for procedures that are done by students under supervision.

What Breeds Are Typically Affected By Eye Removal Surgery?

Some dog breeds are more prone to needing eye removal surgery because of genetic predispositions along with anatomical features. The canine breeds most often requiring eye removal surgery include:

• Standard Poodle
• Cocker Spaniel
• Miniature Poodle
• Bichon Frise
• Boston Terrier
• Toy Poodle
• Chihuahuas
• Brussels Griffons
• Cane Corsos

Sporting Breeds

• Labrador Retriever
• Siberian Husky
• Newfoundland
• American Staffordshire Terrier

Brachycephalic Breeds

Short-nosed, or brachycephalic, breeds are more susceptible to having corneal issues that need surgery. These include:

• Pugs
• French bulldogs
• Pekingese
• Boxers
• Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
• Lhasa Apsos
• Shih Tzu
• Mastiff
• Dogue de Bordeaux
• Affenpinscher
• Chow Chow
• Japanese Chin

Other Affected Breeds

While the categories shown above cover a lot of the most common affected breeds that require eye removal surgery, keep in mind there are other breeds, too, that can develop eye problems that may lead to surgery. The following are at risk for types of tumors that might necessitate eye removal:

• Light colored coat breeds
• Hairless breeds

Is Surgery Required For Eye Removal?

In order to remove the entire eye, surgery must be performed.

There are some non-surgical treatments that might be an alternative to eye removal surgery in dogs. However, their effectiveness depends on the type and severity of eye problems involved. For example, Lanomax, eye drops developed for cataracts in dogs, works by dissolving the clumps of protein that form them.

In general, based on the sort of eye problem, a vet might try antibiotics, eye drops, and steroids to avoid surgical removal of the eye. This isn’t possible if the eye is cancerous, of course.

Eye problems in dogs such as cataracts, uveitis and glaucoma can sometimes be treated with non-surgical methods.

What Happens If Eye Removal Surgery Isn’t Done?

The surgical removal of a dog’s eye is typically a treatment of last resort to prevent the spread of disease or pain. It’s ordinarily performed to remove a seriously injured eye when it can’t be managed medically.

If not done, there may be grave consequences for the dog, including:

• Risk of infection
• Chronic pain
• Inflammation
• Spread of disease such as cancer

How Can I Prevent Eye Removal Surgery?

Preventing eye removal surgery isn’t always possible, as the conditions that bring about the need for eye removal are sometimes genetic, and some breeds are predisposed toward those issues. There is no ironclad way to prevent eye removal surgery, but there are some steps you can take to lessen the risk and help to ensure overall eye health.

1. Eye Protection: Always be aware of protecting your dog’s eyes from accidents and injuries. This means being mindful of the dog’s surroundings, keeping them away from sharp objects or certain situations where eye injuries might occur.
2. Proper Handling: Use a harness instead of a collar. A collar scruffs your dog’s neck, pulling back its eyelids.
3. Regular Check-ups: Regular veterinary check-ups can help detect eye conditions early before they become severe.
4. Healthy Lifestyle: A healthy diet combined with exercise makes a big contribution to a dog’s overall health, which includes eye health.
5. Prompt Treatment: If you see signs of eye discomfort in your dog such as squinting, blinking, ocular discharge, closing the eye, or rubbing—get it to a vet as soon as possible.