Tplo Surgery Cost: Average Vet Prices & Ways to Save

TPLO stands for tibial plateau leveling osteotomy, a surgery veterinarians use to repair a torn cranial cruciate ligament in a dog's knee. It is one of the larger single expenses a dog owner can face, and the price differs a good deal between clinics, regions, and types of surgeon.

The figures here come from cost guides and clinic price lists, last checked Oct 11, 2026. Whether your dog needs surgery, and which repair is best, are decisions for your veterinarian or a board-certified veterinary surgeon.

The range depends on the source. Here is how published figures stack up per knee:

Chewy gives $3,000 – $6,000. Lemonade is considerably higher at $6,000 – $10,000. Rex Vet gives $2,000 – $6,000 for TPLO or TTA, both bone-cutting repairs, and $3,500 – $6,000 for a large dog of about 80 lb.

Regional data shows the same spread. Sustainable Vet Group reports $3,500 – $6,500 across New York clinics, with $4,500 – $5,500 for most pet owners. Premium clinics with board-certified surgeons charge $6,000 – $6,500. A low-cost clinic in San Diego, Anicira, lists $5,200 – $7,500.

A quote labeled "low-cost" can still land above a general practice price on another list. The bottom line depends on what is included, so do not compare headline numbers alone.

A surgery estimate should say what it covers. Items often priced separately or folded into the total include pre-operative workup, anesthesia, the surgery, hospital stay, medications, and rechecks. Rex Vet lists some of the add-ons:

Pre-operative bloodwork costs $200 in Rex Vet's figures, and diagnostics cost $600. Anicira lists pre-anesthetic blood work at $160. Ask the clinic whether the estimate includes follow-up X-rays, medications, and rehabilitation visits, and what happens if a complication needs more care.

The kind of provider affects the price. Premium clinics with board-certified surgeons charge more in the New York data, and a general practice or low-cost clinic can charge less. The right choice depends on your dog, your budget, and your veterinarian's advice. Ask how many TPLO procedures the surgeon performs and what the clinic's approach to complications is.

Location matters as well. The New York figures above show a wide spread inside a single state, and costs in other regions can differ again.

TPLO is one of several ways to repair a torn cruciate ligament. Rex Vet lists lateral suture repair, an alternative technique, at $750 – $2,500. Other repairs exist, such as TTA, which falls in the same bone-cutting category as TPLO in Rex Vet's range.

Which repair suits your dog depends on factors your veterinarian will assess, such as the dog's size, activity level, and the condition of the knee. Do not choose by cost alone. Ask your veterinarian why they recommend one technique over another, and whether a second opinion from a surgeon makes sense.

• Dog size. Rex Vet lists a separate range for a large dog of about 80 lb.
• Surgeon and facility. General practice, low-cost clinic, and specialty hospital prices differ.
• Region. Regional pricing varies widely.
• Workup. Bloodwork and diagnostics add to the total.
• One knee or both. Prices here are per knee, so a second knee is a second cost.
• Aftercare. Medications, rechecks, and rehabilitation add to the total.
• Complications. Extra care costs more.

Chewy reports $3,000 – $6,000, Rex Vet reports $2,000 – $6,000, and Lemonade reports $6,000 – $10,000. The three sources cover different clinic mixes, and the higher figures may reflect specialty hospitals and larger dogs. A low number may leave out workup or aftercare. When you compare, ask what each estimate includes.

• What does the estimate include, and what is billed separately?
• Who performs the surgery, and what are their qualifications?
• What is the plan and cost if there is a complication?
• What does recovery involve, and what rechecks are included?
• Are other repair techniques appropriate for my dog, and what do they cost?
• Do you offer payment plans?

• Get itemized estimates from at least two clinics, including a specialty surgeon.
• Ask whether the clinic offers payment plans or accepts financing options such as a veterinary credit card.
• Check your pet insurance policy. Ask the insurer how it treats cruciate injuries before you schedule.
• Ask whether a low-cost clinic in your region performs TPLO, and confirm the surgeon's qualifications.