What Common Vet Conditions Cost: Insurance Claims Data
Clinic price lists are rare, but insurers publish what their policyholders’ claims cost. The figures below come from two insurers’ public reports. They measure different things, so they are shown separately and should not be treated as a price list for your clinic.
Nationwide: Cost of Common Conditions
Nationwide’s report gives the 80th-percentile claim cost for the first 30 days after a diagnosis (2024 data), meaning 80% of claims for that condition cost less than the figure. Some conditions also show the cost over a full year.
Dogs
| Condition | First 30 days (80th percentile) | Full year |
|---|---|---|
| Skin allergies | $265 | $841 |
| Ear infection (otitis externa) | $304 | — |
| Osteoarthritis | $414 | $1,093 |
| Liver disease | $499 | — |
| Urinary tract infection | $533 | — |
| Valvular heart disease | $553 | $1,203 |
| Kidney failure | $575 | $992 |
| Gastroenteritis | $702 | — |
| Trauma | $708 | — |
| Dental disease | $1,284 | — |
Cats
| Condition | First 30 days (80th percentile) | Full year |
|---|---|---|
| Osteoarthritis | $439 | — |
| Hyperthyroidism | $511 | — |
| Kidney failure | $655 | $1,201 |
| Inflammatory bowel disease | $828 | $1,464 |
| Diabetes | $850 | $2,240 |
| Gastroenteritis | $802 | — |
| Urinary disease | $943 | — |
| Dental disease | $1,517 | — |
Source: Nationwide, “What is most likely to send your pet to the veterinarian” (March 2025, 2024 claims).
Embrace: Average Cost per Claim
Embrace reports the mean paid claim, not a percentile, so its numbers are not comparable to Nationwide’s.
| Measure | Value | Period |
|---|---|---|
| Diarrhea, average claim | $247 | 2025 |
| Dermatitis, average claim | $217 | 2025 |
| Lameness, average claim | $449 | 2025 |
| Cruciate ligament rupture, average claim | $1,436 (highest claims near $15,000) | Q2 2026 |
| Median claim, all conditions | $183 | Q2 2026 |
| Claims covered | 93% of about 1.09 million claims | 2025 |
Average claim by breed (Q2 2026)
| Breed | Average claim |
|---|---|
| Maine Coon | $727 |
| French Bulldog | $575 |
| Siamese | $553 |
| Golden Retriever | $530 |
| Ragdoll | $532 |
| Labrador Retriever | $527 |
Sources: Embrace, 2025 recap and Q2 2026 report.
Reading These Numbers Carefully
- These are claims from insured pets, which can differ from the general pet population and from uninsured pricing.
- The bill for the same diagnosis varies widely, as Embrace’s own range for cruciate ligament claims shows (an average of $1,436 but cases near $15,000).
- Your clinic’s estimate is the number that matters. Ask for a written, itemized estimate; see questions to ask before agreeing to a treatment estimate.
General information, not veterinary or financial advice.
