Pet costs · Editorial review 11 September 2026 · Compare Vet Pricing editorial team
Sources checked 10 September 2026 to 11 September 2026. Individual source dates appear below; an editorial review does not refresh a price or establish clinical approval.
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At a glance
Arthurs publishes £3,300 for TPLO surgery alone or £3,900 with its standard work-up for a dog under 40kg. Stansted publishes a £4,000 under-40kg package, while RVC publishes £4,000 for its stated under-50kg package. These are named-provider examples, not a pooled range, UK median or advice about which operation is appropriate.
Earlier provider tariffs checked 10 September 2026; RVC labels its orthopaedic list last updated 1 August 2025. Fitzpatrick’s figures include VAT and remain from-prices, including printed bands: the upper figure is not a guaranteed ceiling. Source checked 11 September 2026; no tariff effective date is displayed. These are named-provider examples, not a national benchmark.
Published cruciate/TPLO examples
| Provider | Published price | Stated package boundary |
|---|---|---|
| ProviderRVC, dog under 50kg | Published price£4,000 fixed price | Stated package boundaryAssessment, gait analysis, general anaesthesia, pre/post-operative radiographs, surgery and implants, three days hospitalisation and analgesia; emergency fees, complications, re-exams and follow-up radiographs excludedSources: Royal Veterinary College |
| ProviderStansted, TPLO under 40kg | Published price£4,000 fixed price | Stated package boundaryConsultation, laboratory fees, radiography, two days hospitalisation and medicationsSources: Stansted Veterinary Specialists |
| ProviderArthurs, TPLO under 40kg | Published price£3,300 surgery only; £3,900 with standard work-up | Stated package boundaryThe lower figure expressly excludes pre-operative work-up and consultationSources: Arthurs Veterinary Specialists |
| ProviderFitzpatrick, TPLO under 45kg (<45kg) | Published priceFrom £4,750 including VAT | Stated package boundaryConsultation, one night, radiography, anaesthesia, implants, physiotherapy assessment/discharge plan, initial two weeks’ medication and recheck. Extra hospitalisation, investigations or procedures may cost more. The provider states that a £100 anaesthesia supplement applies to brachycephalic breeds.Sources: Fitzpatrick Referrals |
| ProviderFitzpatrick, TPLO over 45kg (>45kg) | Published priceFrom £5,250 including VAT | Stated package boundarySame stated TPLO package. Exactly 45kg is not assigned to either printed band: ask the provider. The provider states that a £100 anaesthesia supplement applies to brachycephalic breeds.Sources: Fitzpatrick Referrals |
| ProviderFitzpatrick, bilateral TPLO | Published priceFrom £7,750 including VAT | Stated package boundaryProvider specifies two nights rather than one. The provider states that a £100 anaesthesia supplement applies to brachycephalic breeds; confirm the complete written estimate.Sources: Fitzpatrick Referrals |
Different weight cut-offs and inclusions prevent a cheapest-provider conclusion. Fitzpatrick’s figures include VAT and remain from-prices, including printed bands: the upper figure is not a guaranteed ceiling. Source checked 11 September 2026; no tariff effective date is displayed. These are named-provider examples, not a national benchmark.
Request an itemised episode-of-care estimate
Ask the referring and operating practices to show consultation, pre-operative tests, imaging, implants, anaesthesia, hospitalisation, take-home medication, rechecks and later imaging separately. Confirm which organisation bills each item.
Sources: Royal Veterinary College · Stansted Veterinary Specialists · Arthurs Veterinary SpecialistsThe fixed price can end before recovery follow-up
RVC expressly excludes re-examinations and follow-up radiographs. A provider total should therefore state both included review points and the fees that may follow discharge. Complications are also outside its fixed price.
Sources: Royal Veterinary CollegeWorked comparison: add the work-up before comparing
For a dog under 40kg, Arthurs lists £3,300 for surgery only and £3,900 with standard work-up: a £600 difference within that provider’s tariff. Stansted’s £4,000 under-40kg line already states consultation, laboratory fees, radiography, two days hospitalisation and medications. The useful comparison is therefore £3,900 against £4,000 after confirming what “standard work-up” contains—not £3,300 against £4,000. RVC’s £4,000 threshold extends to under 50kg but excludes later re-exams and follow-up radiographs, so a 40–49kg dog does not belong in the under-40kg comparison.
Sources: Arthurs Veterinary Specialists · Stansted Veterinary Specialists · Royal Veterinary CollegeUse prices only after the clinical proposal is clear
This comparison does not choose a surgical technique or establish that surgery is needed. Ask the responsible vet to name the proposed procedure and alternatives, then compare estimates for that same scope. Do not delay urgent assessment to shop for a tariff.
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Copy the charges from the written estimate for the service your vet has proposed. If a package includes an item, do not add that item a second time.
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This only adds your entered charges. It does not select tests, surgery or treatment, predict complications, or replace a written veterinary estimate. Confirm VAT and the estimate limits with the provider.
Worked arithmetic example
Arithmetic illustration only: a £1,000 package plus a separately charged £150 consultation totals £1,150. These are not observed prices or recommended services.
Method: multiply each price by its quantity, round each line to the nearest penny, then add. No inflation or unentered charges are assumed.
Sources and checks
Dates below record our source checks, not a guarantee that a quoted price or rule is unchanged. Confirm the current quote and terms before buying or booking. Report a correction.
- Small-animal referral pricing — orthopaedics updated 1 August 2025Royal Veterinary College · Checked 10 September 2026
- Specialist referral pricesStansted Veterinary Specialists · Checked 10 September 2026
- Orthopaedic service pricesArthurs Veterinary Specialists · Checked 10 September 2026
- Orthopaedics, neurology and dentistry price guideFitzpatrick Referrals · Checked 11 September 2026