How much does it cost to repair a broken leg in a dog or cat?
Expect roughly £2,900 to £6,000 for surgery in the UK. Simple breaks come in at the lower end; complicated ones cost more. That covers the operation, implants, X-rays and usually a check-up afterwards. The emergency visit and pain relief on the day of the injury are often billed separately.
Published UK prices
Fixed-fee packages from practices and referral hospitals that list their prices online, checked October 2026. Most include the consultation, anaesthetic, implants, X-rays and one follow-up.
| Type of repair | Price | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Simple pin and wire repair | £2,900 | Moorview Referrals (North East) |
| Long-bone fracture, plate or external fixator | £3,850 | Moorview Referrals (North East) |
| Standard fracture repair | Dog £3,500 · Cat £3,250 | Severn Vets (Gloucestershire) |
| Complex fracture repair | Dog £4,500 · Cat £4,250 | Severn Vets (Gloucestershire) |
| Simple shaft fracture (femur, tibia, radius) | £4,725 – £6,090 | Langford Vets (Bristol) |
| Multiple plates or pelvic fractures | £5,500 | Moorview Referrals (North East) |
Why the price varies so much
The break itself. A clean break across the bone can often be held with a pin or a single plate. A bone broken into several pieces, a break into a joint, or a fractured pelvis takes longer in theatre and needs more implants.
Where it's done. Referral hospitals have specialist surgeons, CT scanners and overnight nursing, and they charge for it. Some first-opinion practices have a vet with advanced orthopaedic training who can do many repairs in-house for less.
Size of the animal. Bigger dogs need bigger plates and more anaesthetic, and some price lists step up above 40–50kg.
What's in the package. Check whether the quote covers follow-up X-rays, medication to take home, and any complications in the weeks after surgery. Some hospitals include a few months' cover for complications; others don't.
If you think your pet has broken a leg
Signs are usually obvious: not putting the leg down at all, swelling, a limb at an odd angle, or crying when it's touched. Keep your pet as still as you can, carry smaller animals in a box or basket, and phone your vet straight away. Don't try to splint it yourself, and don't give human painkillers. Several are toxic to dogs and cats.
Your vet will give pain relief, then take X-rays to see the break. Only then can anyone give you a proper quote, so ask for a written estimate before surgery.
Recovery
Plan for six to eight weeks of strict rest: lead-only toilet trips for dogs, a crate or small room for cats, and repeat X-rays to check the bone is healing. Young animals tend to heal faster. Most pets walk normally again once the bone has knitted.
Vets offering fracture repair
Practices that have told us they carry out fracture surgery on site.
Run a practice that repairs fractures? Claim your listing and add it from your dashboard.
Common questions
How much does it cost to fix a dog's broken leg in the UK?
Published fixed prices for surgical repair mostly sit between about £2,900 and £6,000. Simple fractures repaired with pins and wire are at the lower end; long-bone fractures needing a plate cost more, and complex or multiple fractures can go well beyond £6,000 at referral hospitals.
Is it cheaper to have a fracture repaired at my own vet?
Often, yes. Referral hospitals usually charge more than a first-opinion practice with an experienced surgeon. Not every practice repairs fractures in-house, though, so ask whether a vet with orthopaedic training will do the operation.
Can a broken leg heal without surgery?
Some can. Certain stable fractures, especially in young animals or below the elbow or knee, can be managed with a splint or cast and cage rest. Many shaft fractures need surgery to heal straight. Your vet will decide after X-rays.
Does pet insurance cover a broken leg?
Accident cover is part of most lifetime and time-limited policies, but check your vet fee limit. A £2,000 limit won't cover most surgical repairs. Excesses still apply, and some policies cap the cost per condition.