Dog X-ray Cost: What Can You Expect?

Quartz Advisor Reviews Team

Quartz Advisor Reviews Team QZ.com

12/21/2023 01:36 PM

A dog x-ray cost is something that can stress out any pet owner – both because of the cost itself, and because of the underlying reason for the x-ray. As much as we try to protect our dogs from accidents and injuries, we can’t be with them every minute of the day. Because they’re so active, dogs can be prone to falling and injuring themselves. As it is with our children, our first instinct is to let them walk it off. However, if it’s apparent that it’s a serious injury or the dog is in pain, your next instinct will probably be to take the dog to the vet just to be on the safe side.

In many situations, an x-ray is recommended. If you don’t have good pet insurance, your main concern will be the dog x-ray cost. Here is some helpful information about costs, what x-rays might find, and what pet insurance companies actually cover x-rays.

Continue reading to learn more about the best pet insurance providers that cover dog x-ray costs so that you can choose the best one for your needs:

Spot: Best overall
Lemonade: Most affordable
ASPCA: Most experienced
Embrace: Best for deductibles
Healthy Paws: Best for chronic conditions
Prudent Pet: Best for dog and cat parents who want basic options
Figo: Most flexible reimbursement rates
Wagmo: Best for immediate reimbursement
Trupanion: Most flexible deductible

What Does a Dog X-Ray Cost?

A dog x-ray cost can range from about $80 to $400 or more, and it can vary because of several factors. Where you choose to take your dog can play a big part in determining the cost. A large veterinary clinic will generally be more expensive than a small-town veterinarian. Some cities have animal organizations that offer low-cost medical exams that include dog x-rays.

If you take your dog to an emergency clinic, the charge will be higher than if you take him or her to the vet’s office. The $80 to $400 range is based on a single x-ray. If you dog has broken his leg or broken bones in more than one area, it may require more than one x-ray, especially if one x-ray doesn’t cover all the areas of the body affected by the injury.

The size of your dog also determines cost. A single x-ray may be all that’s necessary for a small dog. A large dog like a German shepherd may require multiple x-rays just to be able to see everything internally. It may be difficult to get your dog to lay still during the x-ray without some sort of medication. In this situation, the dog will have to be sedated. Anesthesia and pain medication are going to add to the cost of the x-rays.

What Can You See in a Dog X-Ray?

Although a dog x-ray can be very helpful in diagnosing your dog and determining what’s going on, an x-ray may not always be the only thing required for diagnosis. In some serious cases, the x-ray may not get to the root of the problem, and an ultrasound will be required.

There are also only certain things that can be seen on a dog’s x-ray. The dog will be placed in a position so the x-ray machine can capture certain parts of the body. Dog x-rays can spot broken bones, foreign objects in the dog’s digestive system and broken bones. However, if the dog has health issues in the blood, tissues or muscles, the vet may need to take additional images.

Depending on the dog’s illness or injury, the vet may require a CT scan or a magnetic resonance image (MRI). These types of x-rays can give the vet an actual live image of what’s going on in the dog’s body. These can be quite expensive. An ultrasound can cost anywhere from $300 to $800 or more, and this is in addition to the regular dog x-ray. Unfortunately, dog owners with pet insurance are often the only ones that can afford these types of treatments for their dog.

Does Pet Insurance Cover Dog X-Rays?

The cost of dog x-rays can be very expensive, especially if they need several. Pet insurance can take away a lot of the financial pressure. When choosing a pet insurance policy, it’s important to understand what the policy covers. Not all pet insurance companies cover the dog x-ray cost. Here are three pet insurance companies that do cover the cost of x-rays. They are all excellent pet insurance companies that can help you pay the cost of diagnostic imaging that can possibly save your dog’s life.

Healthy Paws offers a comprehensive plan that covers a wide variety of things, including x-rays and ultrasounds. Healthy Paws offers you the choice of a $250 or $500 deductible and a maximum reimbursement rate of 70, 80 or 90 percent. A nice feature about Healthy Paws is that they do not have an annual or lifetime payout amount. What this means is that your dog can be treated for the same thing a few different times, and the insurance will continue to pay.
Pets Best offers a few different pet insurance plans. While the Pet Wellness Plan will not cover the cost of x-rays and ultrasounds, their BestBenefit Accident and Illness Plan and their Accident Only plan both cover the cost of dog x-rays, ultrasounds and similar imaging. Pets Best offers dog owners their choice of deductibles that range from $50 to $1,000. You can also choose a 70, 80 or 90 percent reimbursement rate. They also offer unlimited coverage plans.
ASPCA is a pet insurance company that offers plans for pet owners on a budget. They do cover the cost of dog x-rays under their illness and accident plans. Dog owners can choose deductibles from $250 to $1,000 and reimbursement rates of 70, 80 or 90 percent. They do have an annual maximum amount, but dog owners can choose from rates ranging from $3,000 to $10,000.

Choosing a pet insurance company can be almost as complex as choosing a health insurance policy for your family. You want a policy that will enable you to provide your dog with the best possible medical care. While this typically involves coverage for basic illnesses and injuries, there may come a time when your canine friend needs more help. A good pet insurance policy can be a big help!

Top Pet Insurance Companies Which Cover Dog X-Ray Costs

Spot: Best overall
Lemonade: Most affordable
ASPCA: Most experienced
Embrace: Best for deductibles
Healthy Paws: Best for chronic conditions
Prudent Pet: Best for dog and cat parents who want basic options
Figo: Most flexible reimbursement rates
Wagmo: Best for immediate reimbursement
Trupanion: Most flexible deductible

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does pet insurance cost?

Pet insurance costs will vary based on your pet insurance provider, location, your pet’s breed, your pet’s age, and more. Other factors that will influence the cost of pet insurance include the type of plan you choose, especially if the plan has extensive coverage and if you opt for preventative care add-ons. The more coverage your plan has, the higher the cost is likely to be.

To give you a general idea of pet insurance costs, we’ve researched the following numbers for you. Currently, most dog insurance plans cost $28 per month on average, and cat insurance plans can cost as little as $11 per month. Depending on the plan, you can expect to pay anywhere from $10 per month to $90 per month in most cases.

Is buying pet insurance worth it?

For most pet owners, pet insurance is absolutely worth it. We never know when our pet could have an unexpected accident or develop an illness, so having a backup plan in place to help pay for your pet’s vet bills is beneficial for most pet parents. Vet bills can quickly add up to hundreds, or even thousands of dollars, which many pet parents don’t have readily available.

Having pet insurance protects you financially and gives you peace of mind that you won’t have to say no to recommended treatments to benefit your pet’s health and happiness.

Do all vets take pet insurance?

In short, yes. Your pet insurance provider doesn’t work with your vet, so you don’t have to worry about your vet being in-network like a human health insurance plan. Instead, you submit your claim directly to your pet insurance provider, which will reimburse you based on your coverage. This allows you to go to any licensed veterinarian, whether they are at a clinic or animal hospital, to get your pet the care they need. As long as the treatment is covered under your plan, you’ll be covered.