How Much Does Dog Eye Removal Surgery Cost?

The cost of dog eye removal surgery (also known as enucleation) can range from a few hundred to well over a thousand dollars.¹ A vet will only recommend enucleation for dogs if the eye is diseased or irreversibly damaged. The procedure may prevent cancers from spreading and provide relief from painful conditions.

Enucleation can be a highly successful surgery that can improve your dog’s quality of life. Let’s jump into what you need to know about enucleation for dogs, including the costs, recovery time, and how dog insurance could help you cover related expenses. 

What Factors Affect Dog Eye Removal Surgery Costs?

Typically, eye removal surgery for dogs costs around $600 – $1,400. This generally covers the cost of the surgery, anesthesia, IV fluids, and an overnight stay, but may not include pre-operative testing, additional medications, or a prosthetic dog eye.¹

Overall costs can depend on a variety of other factors, including:^1,2

• Dog size: Vets may charge slightly higher prices for enucleation on larger dog breeds.
• Type of surgery: Higher-complexity surgery, complications, and pre- or post-operative care can impact enucleation costs.
• Number of eyes needing removal: If your dog needs both eyes removed, you can expect higher costs than removing a single eye.
• Geographic location: Vets may charge more in areas with higher cost of living.

Depending on how urgently your pup needs surgery, you may be able to call several providers in your area to get an estimate for surgery costs to help you plan for the expense.

Why Would a Dog Need an Enucleation?

Your vet may recommend enucleation if therapy, medications, or other treatments aren’t enough to heal an eye disease or injury. It can stop the spread of diseases — especially cancer — eliminate pain, and protect your dog’s overall health and well-being.^2,3

Some conditions that may warrant dog eye removal surgery include:

• Eye cancer: If the cancer is in or around the eye, removing the eye completely can help stop the disease from spreading to other parts of the body.
• Irreversible eye injuries: If the eye was severely damaged in an accident, it may need to be removed.
• Severe eye infections: If an eye infection doesn’t respond to treatment, removing the eye may be the best option to reduce pain and prevent the infection from spreading.
• Glaucoma: If a dog has significant eye pressure and pain, eye removal may be an advisable way to help provide relief.

Consult with your vet if your pup is experiencing any of these conditions.

What Is the Enucleation Procedure Like?

Before a vet begins an enucleation, they’ll conduct a pre-operative exam and advise you to withhold food the night before the operation.³

On the day of the procedure, the vet will administer intravenous fluids and anesthesia to keep the dog safe and ensure they don’t feel any pain. Once the dog is prepped for surgery, the veterinary staff will trim any hair away from the eye and sterilize the skin. They’ll then carefully remove the eyeball and surrounding tissue from the eye socket before stitching it closed.³

The surgery is straightforward, but some dogs may need to stay overnight for monitoring.³

Does enucleation hurt my dog?

Since enucleation is performed under anesthesia, your dog shouldn’t feel any pain during the procedure.⁴

While the surgery can cause temporary discomfort for your dog after it’s complete, enucleation can help reduce pain from an eye disease or injury in the longer term.³

How Long Is Enucleation Recovery Time?

Most dogs can make a full recovery from enucleation after about 2 – 3 weeks.⁴

Following surgery, dogs may be groggy for 24 – 48 hours as the anesthesia wears off.⁵ To help ensure a smooth recovery, use an Elizabethan collar to prevent your dog from scratching the incision site, and follow your vet’s post-operative instructions.⁵

During the recovery, limit your dog’s activity and avoid stairs or potential hazards.

How Can I Help My Dog Adapt to Enucleation?

Your pup may need some help adapting after eye removal surgery. Here are some ways you can help them get used to their new lifestyle:

• Follow all post-operative recommendations from your vet to minimize pain and help them recover quickly.
• Reintroduce them to any family pets under supervision.
• Be mindful of their new blind spot and avoid startling them.
• Avoid rearranging your furniture until they’re used to navigating your home with one eye.
• Pay close attention to your dog as they relearn to do simple things, like taking stairs, eating, and moving around.
• Watch out for any potential hazards, especially when they’re on walks or outside.
• Keep them away from roads and other potential dangers, since they may not be able to judge distance.

In addition to the above, give your pup lots of snuggle time and treats. It’s hard work adjusting to life with one eye, so they may need some extra love and encouragement.

Are There Enucleation Alternatives?

Unfortunately, there are no alternatives for eye removal surgery, which is typically only recommended when your dog’s eye doesn’t respond to other treatments.

If you’re concerned about your dog’s appearance, you can opt to replace your dog’s eyeball with a silicone prosthesis that looks like a real eye. It’s important to note that use of a prosthetic eye may result in a longer recovery time.⁶

MetLife Pet Can Help You Cover Dog Eye Removal Surgery Costs

Fortunately, a dog insurance policy through MetLife Pet could help you cover costs related to enucleation, depending on the reason for eye removal. MetLife Pet offers up to 90% reimbursement on covered dog eye removal costs, like diagnostics, surgery, and follow-up vet exams.⁷

Ready to take the next step? See if dog insurance is worth it for you and your furry friend and get started with a free quote today.