Surgical Skills are a Specialty. Let’s Start Charging Like It.
Let’s talk about something that’s long overdue: raising surgical fees in general practice.
In a field where costs are climbing, staff are burning out, and client expectations keep evolving, one thing has stayed strangely stagnant: what we charge for veterinary surgery.
Veterinarians still performing surgery, especially complex soft tissue or orthopedic procedures, are offering something increasingly rare and specialized. But their fees? Often stuck where they were five or even ten years ago.
It’s time we change that.
The Shrinking Supply of Surgical Veterinarians
Here’s the truth: fewer general practice veterinarians are willing to perform surgery today. And it’s not just your imagination. The numbers back it up. According to a 2023 AAHA workforce study, only 42% of associate veterinarians in general practice are performing surgery regularly. That number’s going down, not up.
So, what’s driving this shift?
Risk aversion: Newer grads are often uncomfortable with anything beyond basic spays and neuters.
Training gaps: Vet schools are focusing more on diagnostics and internal medicine, so surgical case exposure is limited.
Burnout concerns: Surgery days are long, intense, and high-stress. Without extra compensation, many associates simply opt out.
Demand Is Outpacing Supply
At the same time, client demand for surgical care isn’t slowing down, it’s ramping up.
More people own pets than ever before
Pets are living longer, which means more injuries and chronic conditions
Referral delays at specialty hospitals are pushing more cases back to GPs
So now we’ve got a mismatch: fewer vets doing a harder job with higher stakes, and still charging as if surgery is just another line item on the invoice.
Why Surgery Should Be Priced Like the Premium Service It Is
Surgery is not just another routine service. It’s not interchangeable with a wellness exam. Surgery is:
Time-consuming
Physically and mentally demanding
High-liability
Technically specialized
Here’s a shocking stat: some spay/neuter clinics charge more per minute than general practices performing complex surgeries, with IV fluids, full monitoring, and recovery care included.
And when you block off a full surgery slot, you’re often losing the opportunity for 3 to 4 exam appointments. If your pricing isn’t aligned with the time, risk, and resources involved, you’re probably undercutting your own margins.
Let’s Do the Math
Say you charge $450 for a mass removal, with full monitoring and lab work. Your costs — including labor, supplies, and other expenses—total around $250, which leaves you with a $200 margin.
But what if:
The procedure runs long
You’re the only vet on staff who can perform it
Your surgical schedule is booked 2+ weeks out
In that case, you’re not just undercharging, you’re undervaluing your time, your skillset, and your unique role in the hospital.
Raising Fees Supports Everything That Makes Surgery Safe and Successful
Here’s what a fee increase really supports:
Better DVM compensation
The rising costs of CE, surgical equipment, and anesthesia protocols
The client perception that your surgical care is high quality, high value, and not something to be taken for granted
How to Raise Fees Without Surprising Clients
You don’t need to make a big dramatic announcement. Instead, shift how you frame it.
Bundle smartly: Offer surgery as a complete care package — including pre-op labs, anesthesia, pain meds, monitoring, and post-op rechecks.
Train your team: Make sure they can confidently explain everything that goes into a safe, successful surgery.
Frame it around safety and standards: Clients care more about trust than price.
Try this language:
“We’ve adjusted our surgical pricing to reflect the time, safety standards, and personalized care we provide — which continue to exceed general practice norms.”
Final Thought: You’re Already a Specialist, Now Price Like One
If you’re a veterinarian who still operates — and does it well — you’re offering something clients can’t find just anywhere. In fact, you’re delivering a specialty-level service in a general practice setting.
In a world where fewer associates are picking up the scalpel, and pet owners are desperate for access to skilled surgical care, it’s time your fees reflected the value of what you do.
Raising surgical fees isn’t just about money. It’s about pricing surgery for what it actually is: a scarce, essential, high-skill service that deserves to be compensated accordingly.
The information presented here is not intended as a substitute for legal advice. You should familiarize yourself with the laws of your local jurisdiction and seek legal advice from a local attorney who specializes in such matters.