Typical 2026 prices for 27 procedures, from the annual check-up to emergency surgery, in NZD. Crowd-checked with real owner bills.
Nelson price index 0.97×Typical range = what a general-practice clinic quotes. Real bills = median of verified owner submissions (published once we have three).
| Procedure | Typical range | Real bills | Insurance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Routine care | |||
| Vet Exam Fee | NZ$60–NZ$120 | none yet | routine |
| Emergency Exam | NZ$120–NZ$240 | none yet | routine |
| Kitten Vaccine Series | NZ$120–NZ$240 | none yet | routine |
| Annual Vaccines & Wellness | NZ$80–NZ$145 | none yet | routine |
| Dental Cleaning | NZ$320–NZ$755 | none yet | routine |
| Bloodwork Panel | NZ$85–NZ$240 | none yet | covered |
| X-rays | NZ$120–NZ$320 | none yet | covered |
| Ultrasound | NZ$280–NZ$555 | none yet | covered |
| Euthanasia & Aftercare | NZ$120–NZ$360 | none yet | routine |
| Microchip | NZ$40–NZ$80 | none yet | routine |
| Common illnesses | |||
| Urinary Tract Disease (non-blocked) | NZ$240–NZ$715 | none yet | covered |
| Kidney Disease, first year | NZ$475–NZ$1,910 | none yet | covered |
| Hyperthyroidism, medication per year | NZ$320–NZ$715 | none yet | covered |
| Ear Infection | NZ$120–NZ$320 | none yet | covered |
| Urinary Infection | NZ$160–NZ$400 | none yet | covered |
| Skin Allergy Work-up | NZ$200–NZ$635 | none yet | covered |
| Vomiting & Diarrhea Work-up | NZ$200–NZ$715 | none yet | covered |
| Diabetes, first year | NZ$955–NZ$2,385 | none yet | covered |
| Surgery | |||
| Spay (female) | NZ$140–NZ$360 | none yet | routine |
| Neuter (male) | NZ$120–NZ$280 | none yet | routine |
| Dental Extractions | NZ$280–NZ$955 | none yet | covered |
| Lump Removal & Biopsy | NZ$400–NZ$1,195 | none yet | covered |
| Emergency & major | |||
| Urinary Blockage (male cat) | NZ$715–NZ$3,260 | none yet | covered |
| Hyperthyroidism, radioiodine (I-131) | NZ$1,275–NZ$2,785 | none yet | covered |
| Foreign Body Surgery | NZ$1,590–NZ$3,975 | none yet | covered |
| Fracture Repair | NZ$1,430–NZ$3,975 | none yet | covered |
| Cancer Treatment | NZ$2,385–NZ$7,955 | none yet | covered |
Estimated annual routine care. Nelson highlighted.
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For a young cat, plans in Nelson run about NZ$36–NZ$75 a month. One surgery on the table above would repay years of premiums.
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A standard exam runs NZ$60–NZ$120. Emergency exams start around NZ$120.
Nelson sits at 0.97× the New Zealand average, at or below most cities in our index.
At local prices a single ACL surgery can reach NZ$3,260. If you could not absorb that, insurance usually pays off. Run the calculator with your breed.