Typical 2026 prices for 24 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 (after hours) | NZ$120–NZ$280 | none yet | covered |
| Puppy Vaccine Series | NZ$200–NZ$360 | none yet | routine |
| Annual Booster Vaccines | NZ$70–NZ$160 | none yet | routine |
| Spay (female) | NZ$400–NZ$875 | none yet | routine |
| Neuter (male) | NZ$320–NZ$635 | none yet | routine |
| Dental Cleaning (under anaesthesia) | NZ$515–NZ$1,035 | none yet | covered |
| Euthanasia + Cremation | NZ$200–NZ$555 | none yet | covered |
| Microchip | NZ$40–NZ$70 | none yet | routine |
| Common illnesses | |||
| Dental Cleaning with Extractions | NZ$1,195–NZ$2,785 | none yet | covered |
| Bloodwork Panel (CBC + chemistry) | NZ$120–NZ$280 | none yet | covered |
| X-rays (2 views) | NZ$160–NZ$400 | none yet | covered |
| Abdominal Ultrasound | NZ$320–NZ$635 | none yet | covered |
| Ear Infection Treatment | NZ$120–NZ$280 | none yet | covered |
| Urinary Tract Infection | NZ$160–NZ$360 | none yet | covered |
| Skin Allergy Workup | NZ$240–NZ$715 | none yet | covered |
| Vomiting / Diarrhea Visit | NZ$160–NZ$555 | none yet | covered |
| Surgery | |||
| Foreign Body Surgery (swallowed object) | NZ$1,990–NZ$4,770 | none yet | covered |
| ACL / Cruciate Repair (TPLO) | NZ$3,580–NZ$6,365 | none yet | covered |
| Bloat (GDV) Emergency Surgery | NZ$3,975–NZ$7,955 | none yet | covered |
| Lump / Mass Removal | NZ$475–NZ$1,590 | none yet | covered |
| Fracture Repair | NZ$2,385–NZ$5,570 | none yet | covered |
| Emergency & major | |||
| Cancer Treatment (chemo course) | NZ$3,975–NZ$11,930 | none yet | covered |
| Diabetes (first year) | NZ$1,590–NZ$3,180 | none yet | covered |
Estimated annual routine care. Nelson highlighted.
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For a young dog, 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$6,365. If you could not absorb that, insurance usually pays off. Run the calculator with your breed.