Your cat is severely wounded or swallowed something foreign.
You want to rush them to the vets to get a scan done.
But then you wonder, how much is an X-ray for a cat?
For large areas like the chest and abdomen, expect to pay between $100 and $250. The cat x-ray cost for smaller areas, like the paw, dental structure or rear end can cost around $70 to $150.
You are not alone.
Most pet owners don’t know how much a cat x-ray costs because they never imagine their feline friends going through one.
But if you take your cat in for annual checkups, you might have an idea of how much a cat x-ray would cost.
If you don’t, there is nothing to worry about as we got you covered here.
You are going to learn how much a cat X-ray costs depending on a few factors;
- Area being X rayed
- Location of X-ray Services
- Frequency of X-ray services
- Size of the cat
- Miscellaneous services
But first, we answer one important question.
Why should you get an X-ray of your cat?
Our feline friends live very active lifestyles filled with plenty of daredevil stunts.
Or your cat’s curiosity got the best of him and decided to nibble on this strange object in the house.
Or maybe your cat has been ill for a while and you want to get to the root of it so you can find the best cure for them.
An X-ray is a specialized diagnostic imaging tool used for creating an image of your cat’s bones and other structures inside the body. X-rays can be taken if the vet suspects your cat has broken bones or malfunctioning internal organs.
-Kyoko, Ourfitpets.com
All these are valid reasons why your cat should go for an X-ray.
There are various types of X-rays a professional vet can perform on your cat.
They include;
- Chest X rays
- Abdominal x rays
- Dental x rays
- Bone x rays
Types of X rays for cats
Chest X rays
A chest X-ray helps discover any issues around the chest area of your cat.
A professional vet will request this type of scan to examine for tracheal blockages or obstructions in the lungs.
Chest x rays may also be used to detect ailments like:
- Bronchitis,
- Lung cancer
- Bacterial and viral infections
- Asthma symptoms
- Broken ribs
- Feline lower respiratory tract disease.
Abdominal X rays
This type of x-ray helps discover any problems in a cat’s digestive system.
Abdominal X-rays also help diagnose internal organs such as kidneys, liver, and bladder.
Vets can use this type of x-ray to detect bladder stones or abnormal abdominal fluids in the gut.
Dental X rays
A vet may request a dental x-ray when checking for teeth and gum problems.
Also, an oral x-ray may help discover any foreign objects lodged inside between teeth or inside the gums.
For instance, a splinter that pierced into the gums when your cat was playing and biting on a wooden surface.
Bone X Rays
This type of x-ray is common in aging cats when testing for rheumatoid arthritis and other bone issues.
Bone x rays also help detect fractures and dislocation on cats of all ages.
It is possible to detect if your cat has a broken limb even before the x-ray.
Your cat will be meowing or yowling in pain when you touch a certain part of their limb.
They will also refuse to walk on that leg or limp when doing so.
Other signs of fractures or dislocation may include;
- Not grooming with the paw as usual
- Not grabbing with the paws while eating or not eating at all
- Cat does not move the tail much or yelps when the tail is touched.
- Bruising and swelling around the fractured area
If you see any of these symptoms in your cat, you can confirm it’s a bone fracture by getting a bone x-ray.
How much is an x-ray for a cat?
As mentioned before, how much you pay for an x-ray will depend on the following things.
1. Area being examined
A cat x-ray costs more if it is a large area like the chest and abdomen.
Expect to pay between $100 and $250 for a session.
Charges may also vary according to the intensity of x-ray radiation used.
If the problem area is deep in the chest or abdomen area, advanced x-ray services will be required which can cost a lot more.
Small areas like the tail and head will cost less.
Expect to pay between $70 to $150 for x-raying the paws, neck, or head.
2. Location of the vet clinic
Vet clinics located in urban towns or high-end neighborhoods will cost more.
Vet clinics in small towns should be cheaper.
3. Frequency of x-ray service
If your cat requires multiple x-ray scans to identify what is ailing them, it can break your bank.
Photographing the abdomen may cost $100 on the minimum but if it requires frequent sessions, the bill can pile up to $400.
4. Size of the cat
An x-ray image of a kitten will be cheaper to produce compared to a full-grown cat.
Similarly, it will cost more to X-ray a Maine Coon compared to a Siamese.
5. Miscellaneous services
Some extra services may be necessary before or after the x-ray service.
A cat that refuses to sit still while being x-rayed may have to be sedated.
The vet may also need to run an additional blood work test to confirm the results of the x-ray.
These hidden costs will slightly inflate the resulting x-ray bill.
Does pet insurance cover cat x-ray cost?
You just never know when your feline will need an emergency x-ray scan.
If it is not the annual checkup requirements, then cat insurance can help weather the cost of sudden medical emergencies.
The most common diagnostic imaging test for sick pets is an X-ray. Because they allow vets to investigate injuries and illnesses in a non-invasive manner.
-Aliya McCullough, Gogetplan.com
It is advisable to get pet insurance to cover cat x-ray costs.
It eases the burden of recurring x-ray scans or the financial obligation of sudden emergencies.
Final thoughts
If you have always wondered how much is an x-ray for a cat, it all depends on the size of the cat, the area being examined, and the frequency of the x-ray scans.
Also, the location of a vet clinic will determine how much they charge for their services.
Getting cat insurance can help waiver a huge chunk of the cat x-ray costs.
See Also
Frequently Asked Questions
Cat insurance may not cover microchipping, pest control, dental cleaning, warm medication, or vaccinations. Also, some policies do not cover annual checkups or spaying/neutering.
It should cost between $75 to $150 for a cat or dog x-ray. But you may have to pay between $20 to $75 extra for additional x-rays, sedatives, or anesthesia.
Most pets live normal healthy lives and x rays are only required once during annual checkups. Pet insurance may not be necessary for such animals. But for pets that are constantly sick and need frequent scans to monitor their health, pet insurance may help cater for the increasing cat x ray cost.
Most x-ray sessions are non-invasive so cats do not need sedation. But cats that appear stressed or anxious may need a sedative to calm them before the sessions.