Affordable Tucson Vet
Low cost spay & neuter in Tucson.
Spay and neuter performed in our own surgical suite by Dr. Nelson's veterinary team — never outsourced to a mobile partner. Every pet has a $35 wellness exam first (its own visit, priced separately) so we can confirm they're a good candidate for anesthesia. The surgery price on this page covers the day-of admit check, anesthesia, monitoring, and the procedure itself. Take-home pain meds and an e-collar are optional add-ons.
What's promised
Transparent pricing
Weight-based prices are posted on this page. No surprise line items at pickup.
Wellness exam first
Every spay/neuter starts with a $35 wellness exam at a separate visit. We confirm your pet is a good anesthesia candidate, talk through any recommended bloodwork, and quote everything before surgery day.
Locally owned
Independent Tucson clinic. Surgery performed in-house by our team — never outsourced to a mobile partner.
Overview
How we keep spay/neuter genuinely affordable.
Most Tucson clinics charge well above what we do for a routine spay or neuter. We can offer lower prices because we run lean — low overhead, no franchise fees, and a small in-house surgical team that knows our patients well.
Every surgery is performed in our own surgical suite, by our own veterinarians. We don't hand off your pet to a traveling mobile-clinic partner the way many "low cost" providers do. That means consistent technique, the same anesthesia protocol every time, and a familiar team you can call directly if anything looks off during recovery.
Spay and neuter is a two-visit service. The first is a wellness exam — booked separately for $35 — where we make sure your pet is a good candidate for anesthesia and talk through any pre-anesthetic bloodwork. The second is surgery day. The surgery price on this page covers the day-of admit check, anesthesia, monitoring, and the procedure itself. Pain medication and an e-collar are optional add-ons, both listed below.
Pricing
Weight-based pricing, add-ons priced separately.
Prices below cover the surgery itself — anesthesia, monitoring, day-of admit check, and the procedure. The $35 wellness exam (a separate visit) and any pre-anesthetic bloodwork your vet recommends are priced separately.
Dog Spay
For a lb pet
Other clinics
$175
Pet Care
Save 29%
$125
$125 base · + $2 per lb over 30 lb
Save 29%
Dog Neuter
For a lb pet
Other clinics
$165
Pet Care
Save 24%
$125
$125 base · + $2 per lb over 30 lb
Save 24%
Conditional charges
In heat, lactating, or pregnant
Cryptorchid (dog neuter)
Cryptorchid (cat neuter)
Optional add-ons
Take-home pain medication
E-collar (recovery cone)
Scrotal Ablation
Other clinics $250
Pets over 100 lb, brachycephalic breeds, and pets with known health conditions may need a custom quote — call us and we'll talk it through.
What's included
What the surgery price actually covers.
These are part of the surgery price. The wellness exam (a separate $35 visit) and any recommended bloodwork are priced separately.
Day-of admit check
A short check the morning of surgery to confirm your pet is still cleared for anesthesia that day.
Anesthesia & monitoring
General anesthesia with continuous monitoring of heart rate, oxygen, blood pressure, and temperature during the procedure.
The surgery itself
Spay (ovariohysterectomy) or neuter (castration) performed by Dr. Nelson in our own surgical suite.
In-house surgical team
Performed by our vets, never outsourced to a mobile partner.
Same-day discharge
Recovery in a warm, monitored kennel and home with you the same afternoon in almost every case.
Direct line to our team
Recovery questions reach our clinic, not a call center or answering service.
How it works
One day, start to finish.
Most pets are home and napping by dinner. Here's the rhythm of the day.
1–2 weeks before
Wellness exam (separate visit)
A $35 wellness exam is required before we schedule surgery. We confirm your pet is healthy for anesthesia, talk through any recommended pre-anesthetic bloodwork, and quote everything before surgery day.
7:30 – 9:00 AM
Drop off the morning of surgery
A short admit check and we walk you through the day. Pets fast from midnight (water is fine until you leave the house).
10:00 AM – Noon
Surgery by Dr. Nelson's team
Performed in our suite with continuous anesthesia monitoring. We call you with an update once your pet is safely in recovery.
3:00 – 5:30 PM
Same-day pickup after recovery
A tech walks you through home care, hands you any add-ons you opted into (pain meds, e-collar), and answers every question.
10–14 days later
Recheck if needed
If the incision looks normal at home, no follow-up visit is needed. If something looks off — redness, swelling, discharge, or your pet bothering the site — call us and we'll see them.
Recovery
The first two weeks home.
A short, honest breakdown of what to expect — most pets feel almost normal by day two.
Day 1
Quiet & sleepy
Pet may be groggy from anesthesia. Offer small amounts of water, a light meal in the evening, and a calm space.
Days 2–7
Mostly normal
Appetite and energy back. Keep an e-collar on, leash walks only, no baths, no zoomies, no jumping on furniture.
Days 10–14
Back to normal life
If the incision looks healed and your pet has been comfortable, you're clear to return to normal activity, dog parks, and baths. If anything has looked off along the way, call and we'll check it.
FAQ
Common questions, straight answers.
If something isn't covered here, give us a call before booking.
Why is there a separate wellness exam? Can we do everything on one day?
Anesthesia carries real risk, and we want to know your pet before we anesthetize them. The wellness exam is when we listen to their heart, check their weight, talk through their health history, and decide together whether bloodwork makes sense. Surgery day then runs cleanly because we've already done the thinking. The exam is a $35 visit on its own; most clients tell us they appreciate not feeling rushed on surgery morning.
What's in the price on this page, and what costs extra?
The price on this page covers the day-of admit check, anesthesia, continuous monitoring, and the surgery itself. The wellness exam — required before scheduling — is a separate $35 visit. Pre-anesthetic bloodwork is recommended for some pets (especially seniors); your vet will discuss it at the wellness exam and quote it before surgery day. Take-home pain medication and an e-collar are optional add-ons on the pricing card.
What if my pet needs additional care during surgery?
If we discover something during surgery — for example, retained baby teeth, an undescended testicle, or pyometra — we pause, call you with our exact recommendation and the exact dollar cost, and only proceed with your verbal okay. You always know what you're paying before we do it.
How old does my pet need to be?
For cats and small dogs, 4–6 months is typical. For larger and giant breeds, current evidence supports waiting until growth plates close — usually 12–18 months, sometimes longer. We'll talk through the right timing for your specific pet at the wellness exam; there's no rush, and there's no judgment for waiting.
Do you offer financing options?
Yes, we partner with Cherry to offer simple monthly payment plans. Learn more about our financing options.
Ready when you are
Let's book your visit.
We're excited to meet your furry family. We'll walk you through what's recommended and what it costs before doing anything.