Explore dog TPLO and ACL surgery costs, financing options, and monthly payment plans to help cover your dog’s knee surgery.
Last updated October 2026
Tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) is a commonly performed surgery for dogs with a torn cranial cruciate ligament (CCL). The procedure typically costs $3,500 to $5,000 per knee, and total treatment costs may reach $4,500 to $7,000 once diagnostic testing, medication, follow-up visits, and rehabilitation are included. Because most dogs do not have pet insurance, owners may need to pay out of pocket or use a payment option such as a veterinary payment plan, a healthcare credit card, or a personal loan.
In dogs, the ligament equivalent to the human anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is the cranial cruciate ligament (CCL). Although the terminology differs, “dog ACL surgery” is commonly used to describe procedures that treat CCL injuries. Below, we compare the costs of common CCL procedures, the additional expenses to consider, the possibility of surgery on the opposite knee, and the available ways to pay.
Surgical costs can start at approximately $750 for a lateral suture repair in a small dog and reach about $8,000 for a TPLO at a specialty hospital. The surgical technique is one of the main factors affecting cost, and the appropriate procedure depends on your dog’s size, activity level, knee anatomy, and overall condition.
Procedures that involve repositioning bone, such as TPLO and TTA, generally cost more and may be recommended for larger or more active dogs. Suture-based repairs cost less and may suit smaller, lighter dogs. The table below compares estimated costs per knee for four surgical techniques.
| Technique | Estimated Cost Per Knee | May Be Recommended For |
|---|---|---|
| TPLO (bone cut and plate) | $3,000 to $8,000 | Larger or active dogs; commonly recommended |
| TTA (bone cut, forward advance) | $3,000 to $5,000 | Larger dogs, similar to TPLO |
| TightRope (bone-tunnel suture) | $1,000 to $2,000 | Small-to-medium dogs |
| Lateral suture (extracapsular) | $750 to $2,500 | Smaller, less active dogs |
Estimated 2026 ranges from GoodRx Pet Health and Pawlicy Advisor. Costs vary substantially between techniques, so compare estimates for the specific procedure your veterinarian recommends. Actual costs vary by veterinary provider, location, and treatment requirements.
The total cost of TPLO surgery and related care may range from $4,500 to $7,000 per knee, depending on the veterinary provider and services required. At specialty hospitals in major cities it can reach $8,000 to $10,000.
The initial surgical estimate may not include every expense associated with treatment and recovery, and additional services may increase the final cost beyond the estimate. Ask your clinic which of these it already covers:
Veterinary rehabilitation may be recommended as part of your dog’s recovery plan, and the number of sessions and type of therapy can meaningfully affect the total. Estimated costs are based on published veterinary pricing from TopDogHealth and Pawlicy Advisor.
Dogs that tear the CCL in one knee may later develop a tear in the opposite knee. The American College of Veterinary Surgeons reports that approximately 40% to 60% of affected dogs experience this.
Because CCL disease often develops through gradual ligament degeneration rather than a single injury, both knees may be affected over time. A second surgery is not inevitable, but owners may want to consider the potential expense when planning for long-term veterinary care. If surgery is eventually required on both knees, total treatment expenses could reach approximately $9,000 to $14,000, based on the estimated cost per procedure. Understanding this possibility can help you plan ahead for future veterinary costs.
Pet insurance that includes accident and illness coverage may cover CCL surgery, subject to waiting periods, pre-existing condition exclusions, and other policy terms. Reimbursement is typically 70 to 90% after your deductible, and you pay the veterinary provider first.
When reviewing coverage for CCL surgery, pay particular attention to reimbursement requirements and bilateral condition exclusions. Most plans reimburse eligible expenses after the owner pays the provider, though some insurers offer direct payment at participating clinics, so you may still need the full amount at checkout. Some insurers also apply bilateral condition exclusions, which can limit coverage for a future CCL injury in the opposite knee if a problem was already diagnosed in the first; review your policy to understand how these apply. With relatively few dogs covered by pet insurance, about 5.5% of US dogs, many owners pay for CCL surgery without insurance reimbursement.
Begin by reviewing available financial assistance and payment arrangements. The most suitable payment method depends on the treatment cost, your available credit, and your budget.
Ask for an itemized estimate and whether the practice offers a payment plan. Some university veterinary teaching hospitals may offer alternative pricing or treatment options, although costs are not necessarily lower than a private specialty hospital. Nonprofits such as RedRover and the Brown Dog Foundation also help with veterinary bills, though grants are limited.
Lenders such as Scratchpay offer fixed installment plans for veterinary care, commonly from about $200 to $10,000, with a soft credit check to prequalify that does not affect your score. Terms and rates depend on the lender and your credit.
Cards such as CareCredit are widely accepted at veterinary clinics and often advertise promotional financing. Review the promotional terms carefully: a true 0% APR promotion charges no interest during the promotional period, while a deferred-interest offer waives interest only if you pay the full balance by the deadline, then charges it back to the original purchase date at the card’s standard rate.
Personal loans generally provide funds that can be used to pay veterinary expenses, including at clinics that do not offer financing, and typically carry fixed monthly payments over a defined repayment term. A personal loan may be worth considering when surgery costs exceed available savings and you prefer a fixed repayment schedule. Comparing offers through a marketplace involves a soft credit inquiry, so you can review estimated rates and terms before submitting a formal application.
You can compare prequalified loan offers from lenders in our partner network below. Checking prequalified offers generally involves a soft credit inquiry that does not affect your credit score; a formal loan application may require a hard credit inquiry.
For example, financing $6,000 at a fixed 13% APR would result in estimated monthly payments of approximately $285 over 24 months or $202 over 36 months, assuming no origination fee or other charges.
The table compares estimated monthly payments and total repayment costs for loans of $3,500, $6,000, and $12,000. A longer term lowers the monthly payment but increases the total interest paid.
| Amount Financed | Monthly Payment (24 Months) | Total Repaid (24 Months) | Monthly Payment (36 Months) | Total Repaid (36 Months) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $3,500 | About $166 | About $3,994 | About $118 | About $4,245 |
| $6,000 | About $285 | About $6,846 | About $202 | About $7,278 |
| $12,000 | About $571 | About $13,692 | About $404 | About $14,556 |
These examples are for illustrative purposes only, assume a fixed 13% APR with no origination fee or other charges, and do not represent actual loan offers. Your actual rate, payment, and total depend on the lender and your credit.
TPLO surgery may cost approximately $3,500 to $5,000 per knee, with additional expenses for diagnostics, medications, follow-up visits, and rehabilitation.
Lateral suture repair is generally less expensive than TPLO and may be recommended for certain smaller or less active dogs, roughly $750 to $2,500 per knee.
Diagnostic X-rays, recheck visits, follow-up X-rays to assess bone healing, and physical rehabilitation are often billed separately, so ask what your estimate covers.
Pet insurance with accident and illness coverage may cover it, subject to waiting periods and pre-existing condition exclusions. You pay the provider first and are reimbursed a portion after your deductible.
Coverage depends on the insurer and policy terms. Some plans have bilateral condition exclusions that may affect coverage for a future injury in the opposite knee.
Options include a veterinary payment plan, a teaching hospital, a pet-specific plan such as Scratchpay, a healthcare card, nonprofit aid, and a fixed-rate personal loan for a larger bill.
It may be possible. Some pet-specific plans use a soft credit check. Applicants with lower credit scores may qualify for fewer financing options or face higher interest rates.
TPLO surgery can be a significant veterinary expense, particularly once diagnostic testing, follow-up care, and rehabilitation are included. Request a detailed estimate from your veterinarian so you understand the full expected cost before scheduling treatment. If you need help covering it, compare payment plans, healthcare credit cards, and personal loans on their APRs, fees, and repayment terms, so you choose an option that fits your budget without unnecessary borrowing costs.
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Disclosure: FigCare Pay is not a lender, broker, or credit decision-maker. When you select “View My Offers,” you are redirected to an independent third-party loan marketplace where lenders determine all rates, terms, and approvals; FigCare Pay may receive referral compensation. Prequalification uses a soft credit check with no credit impact, though completing an official loan application may require a hard inquiry. Cost figures shown are estimated examples that vary by clinic, dog, and region and are not a quote. This page is general information only and is not veterinary, financial, or legal advice. Talk with your veterinarian about the right treatment for your dog.
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