The removal of puppies from the uterus of a pregnant dog in an emergency or pre-planned case requires a C-section. Although C-section saves the lives of dogs and puppies from difficult and complex births, the process needs your wallet. But how much does a dog cesarean section cost might be your question. Pre-planned surgery may require around $1000 but an emergency case can require over $4000. The overall costs can vary so you need to read till last to know what should you know.
How much does it cost to have a dog C-section?
On average, the dog C-section cost ranges from $500-$4000. The cost varies depending on where you live, whether the process is emergent or pre-planned, or if your pooch needs before and after process care.
The overall cost also varies according to the emergency veterinarian, animal hospital, vet clinic charges, and the facility type you want. While complications can break the bank, a pre-planned cesarian section with your vet costs less than an urgent surgical operation at a large referral center.
A canine cesarian section is a prime expenditure when determining whether to breed your pooch and is an important element for executive breeders in their business scheme. C-sections can become obligatory at any time, and unexpected complications can happen during birth, even if your pooch had fortunate births in the past.
Additional cost for C-section
Pre-operative cost
Mostly the expenses that move your wallets occur before even the dog’s C-section. Pre-birth checkups are required. Once your dog’s pregnancy is confirmed, at least two visits are needed at the vet’s side.
- Soon after the pregnancy confirmation, monitor the mother’s health condition and conforming puppies’ number.
- Close to the due draw date to monitor the overall health conditions of the mother and puppies.
If you observe unusual symptoms and concerns then discuss them with your vet even if it is just a teleheath. The C-section bill doesn’t include vet appointments or routine checkups leading to canine surgery. For every routine checkup, your wallet needs $50-$200 or more in case your vet suggests some further tests and medications. If you have pet insurance then it might cover these expenses.
For your post-operative pooch and puppies, you will probably prepare your house. You might purchase some supplies like:
- A whelping box or nest in soundless space.
- Pet safe disinfectant.
- Heat source.
- Room thermometer and rectal thermometer.
- Small scale.
- Premium nursing diet.
Whether or not your dog is having a C-section, these are the necessities for pre-birth. It is ideal to have these supplies before the dog whelps, your veterinarian can bestow you with most of these supplies after your pooch gives birth.
Post-operative cost
You have paid the C-section bills of animal hospitals or vet clinics, but the story doesn’t end here. If your pooch and puppies are perfectly alright then you might not require a licensed vet appointment. If you wanna give an individual checkup to the pooch and puppies, your wallet needs more money. Some post-operative medicines and supplies can also be required:
- Pain medicines for a few weeks.
- To prevent the pooch from chewing or licking the wound, an Elizabethan collar is needed.
- Baby bottle or puppy formula.
These additional and unexpected supplies are not planned for C-section but may add hundreds of dollars to the overall costs.
Why would your dog need a C-section?
If a pooch is unable to do whelping (safe natural birth) because of some causes then a C-section is performed. C-sections can become necessary because of some factors:
- Oversized heads and large puppies can’t pass via the birth canal.
- Some dog breeds like brachycephalic which includes Boston terriers, french bulldogs bulldogs, etc have narrow pelvis while puppy heads are large.
- Ineffective or weak contractions.
- Excessive labor timespan.
- Insufficient production of cortisol to prompt labor, particularly because of single puppy pregnancy.
- Muscle weakness because of depleted levels of calcium or glucose.
- Infections in uterine.
- Several underlying health problems.
- Dead puppies inside the birth canal or womb.
- Symptoms of distress and illness in puppies.
Recovery period after a dog C-section?
Dogs need 2 to 6 hours after C-section to recover from anesthesia. They gain their appetites after a few hours and have to eat something within 24 hours. The internal body temperature of some dogs may be higher however, it should not last over 3 days. After birth, your pooch might have up to 7 days of vaginal discharge.
The dog cesarian section incision should be healed without any infection. If the stitch removal is required then your vet may want your dog back in the clinic. However. Stitches should be removed within 10 to 14 days.
How many C-sections can a dog have?
How many C-sections a dog can have_well there’s no strict limit. However, veterinarians suggest the 2-3 times limit of dog C-sections throughout the life. Repeated surgeries enhance the risks of complications like the formation of scar tissue and problems for incoming pregnancies.
Does pet insurance cover C-sections?
Surgeries that are related to nursing and breeding are not covered by all the pet insurance companies. Thus, you might have to shake your wallet for your dog’s C-section. Riders or odd-ons are offered by some pet insurance companies for the nursing and breeding of your dog. For instance, for the breeding dogs, a special rider is offered by AKC. some bills related to breeding like pyometra, mastitis, and emergency C-sections are covered by this rider.
Different offers are given by different pet insurance companies, so you can consult the sales representative of the pet insurance company if there’s a way to acquire coverage for pregnancy and breeding care etc.
Conclusion
The breeders and dog owners should prepare themselves for the successful birth of puppies from the dog’s uterus by C-section in a pre-planned surgery or an emergency case to keep them healthy and wealthy. Although a dog’s C-section costs you, it helps for a safe birth.
