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How much does hip dysplasia surgery for dogs cost?
Hip dysplasia surgery is not one operation but three very different ones, and MetLife Pet Insurance (2026) publishes a separate average range for each, per hip: femoral head osteotomy (FHO) at $1,200–$2,500, double/triple pelvic osteotomy (DPO/TPO) at $3,000–$6,000, and total hip replacement (THR) at $3,500–$7,000+. Once diagnostics, anesthesia and aftercare are added, MetLife puts the total cost of treating hip dysplasia at up to $14,500.
| Hip dysplasia surgery by procedure (MetLife Pet Insurance, 2026) | Published range (per hip) | Recovery (MetLife) |
|---|---|---|
| Femoral head osteotomy (FHO) | $1,200–$2,500 | 6 weeks |
| Double / triple pelvic osteotomy (DPO/TPO) | $3,000–$6,000 | 4–6 weeks |
| Total hip replacement (THR) | $3,500–$7,000+ | 3 months |
| Juvenile pubic symphysiodesis (JPS, puppies) | $800–$1,000 | — |
Published add-ons around the surgery
| On top of the surgery figure (MetLife, 2026) | Figure |
|---|---|
| Initial consultation | roughly $50–$80 |
| Diagnostic X-rays | from $150 |
| MRI (where used) | from $2,500 |
| Pre-surgical blood work | up to $200 |
| Post-operative care | $400–$1,000 or more |
What drives the price
The procedure itself is the biggest lever: an FHO removes the ball of the hip joint and lets scar tissue form a false joint, while a THR replaces the whole joint with prosthetic implants — MetLife notes the FHO is generally recommended for smaller dogs under 70 lb, and THR is reserved for dogs at least a year old. DPO/TPO is a young-dog operation, usually for dogs under 8–10 months. After that come severity, the dog’s size and age, whether one hip or both need surgery, the type of facility (an emergency or specialty hospital charges more than a regular practice), the length of the hospital stay, and the follow-up imaging and rehabilitation after surgery. The site’s imaging cost guide prices the X-ray and MRI workups these surgeries start from.
Which of the three operations — if any — fits a particular dog is a veterinary decision based on age, size, and how far the joint has deteriorated. MetLife notes many dogs are managed without surgery at all (weight control, low-impact exercise, anti-inflammatory medication, physical therapy). This page prices the operations; it does not recommend one.
Cruciate (knee) surgery is the other big orthopedic bill — published technique by technique.
Read the TPLO & cruciate cost guideSources: MetLife Pet Insurance — Dog Hip Dysplasia Surgery Cost (published October 2026). Researched October 2026 — prices change; confirm with your clinic.