Comparison of Veterinary Fees (Primary, Secondary, and 24-Hour Hospitals)

ImmunityComparisonsMeongsiljang Veterinary Advisory Board

Compare the differences in veterinary fees between first-tier, second-tier, and 24-hour animal hospitals at a glance. We’ve also outlined which type of hospital to visit depending on the situation.

Why Do Veterinary Clinic Fees Vary So Much?

A puppy receiving treatment at a veterinary clinic

When comparing veterinary clinic fees, it’s important to consider both the cost and scope of care across primary (local neighborhood clinics), secondary (specialty and advanced care hospitals), and 24-hour emergency (after-hours urgent care) facilities. What truly matters isn’t finding the cheapest option, but choosing the right fit for your pet’s specific condition. Even for the same procedure, prices can vary two to fivefold depending on the clinic’s tier, equipment, and the veterinarian’s expertise. Today, we’ll outline how to set the right benchmarks for your decision.

What’s the Difference Between Primary, Secondary, and 24-Hour Hospitals?

Veterinary clinics are generally categorized into three main tiers. - Primary Care Clinics: These are the general practice clinics commonly found in local neighborhoods. They handle routine vaccinations, wellness exams, and mild illnesses. - Secondary Care Hospitals: These facilities employ veterinarians specializing in specific fields (such as orthopedics, ophthalmology, or internal medicine) and are equipped with advanced diagnostic tools like MRI and CT scanners. - 24-Hour Emergency Hospitals: These centers provide emergency care during nights and weekends and offer inpatient monitoring. Because their roles differ significantly, it is difficult to make direct comparisons between them.

Average Fee Comparison by Item

Item	Primary clinic	Secondary hospital	24-hour emergency
Initial consultation fee	10K–30K KRW	30K–80K KRW	50K–150K KRW
Blood test (basic)	50K–100K KRW	80K–150K KRW	100K–200K KRW
X-ray (1 image)	30K–50K KRW	50K–80K KRW	70K–120K KRW
Ultrasound exam	70K–120K KRW	150K–250K KRW	200K–300K KRW
Hospitalization (1 day)	50K–100K KRW	150K–300K KRW	200K–400K KRW
Emergency night consultation fee	Not available	Partially available	Included by default

Reference averages for the metropolitan area as of 2024; varies by hospital

Problems with Choosing Based on Price Alone

Choosing the cheapest clinic can end up costing you more in the long run. For instance, if you visit a primary care clinic multiple times for tests without finding the cause, and eventually need to go to a secondary care clinic, you’ll end up paying for duplicate tests. When symptoms are severe or the cause is unclear, it may be more efficient in terms of both cost and time to visit a secondary care clinic from the start.

How to Use Primary Care Clinics (Local Neighborhood Clinics)

Primary care clinics are ideal for the following situations: - Routine health maintenance: Vaccinations, heartworm prevention, and annual wellness exams. - Mild symptoms: Everyday care needs such as mild skin itching, transient diarrhea, and ear cleaning. - Initial consultation: It is standard practice to start at a primary care clinic for basic diagnostics when symptoms first appear, then obtain a referral to a secondary care facility if necessary. Think of your primary care vet as your pet’s “medical home,” where their ongoing health records are maintained.

A cat receiving treatment at a local veterinary clinic

How to Use Secondary Care Hospitals (Specialty and Advanced Care)

A second-opinion veterinary hospital is necessary in the following situations: - When surgery is required: This includes orthopedic and soft tissue procedures such as patellar luxation repair, cruciate ligament rupture repair, and laparoscopic surgery. - For advanced imaging diagnostics: When specialized equipment like CT or MRI scans is needed, which may not be available at primary care clinics. - For refractory or complex conditions: Diseases requiring specialist evaluation, such as recurrent skin disorders, seizures of unknown origin, or chronic kidney disease. Although costs are higher, the increased diagnostic accuracy makes this approach more efficient in the long run.

When Should You Visit a 24-Hour Emergency Hospital?

24-hour emergency hospitals are designed for situations that require immediate attention. Criteria for immediate visit: difficulty breathing, persistent seizures, severe vomiting or diarrhea, bleeding, decreased consciousness, traffic accidents, ingestion of foreign objects, etc. They offer overnight and weekend inpatient monitoring and can handle emergency surgeries. However, consultation fees are typically 1.5 to 3 times higher than those at regular clinics, and since tests and treatments are concentrated within a short period, even a single day of hospitalization can cost between $400 to $1,000.

A puppy being monitored at an emergency animal hospital during the night.

How to Reduce Veterinary Expenses Wisely

Adopting just a few simple habits can significantly reduce your veterinary expenses. - Check posted fee schedules: Since 2023, clinics are required to publicly display prices for major services. You can review these at the clinic entrance or on their website. - Purchase pet insurance: For a monthly premium of $10 to $40, you can ease the financial burden of surgeries and hospitalization. - Schedule regular check-ups: An annual health screening helps detect serious illnesses at an early stage. - Use referral records: Bringing test results from your primary care vet to a specialist can help avoid duplicate testing.

How to Prevent Disputes Over Veterinary Fees

For treatments with potentially high costs, always request a detailed cost estimate in advance. It’s best to get an itemized breakdown separating consultation, diagnostics, hospitalization, and surgery. After treatment, obtain and keep a detailed receipt. This documentation will be useful for pet insurance claims or when seeking a second opinion at another clinic. Relying on written records rather than verbal explanations alone helps prevent disputes.

Reviewed by a veterinarian

Dr. Tony — Punnawat Phongkittirak

Veterinarian

A veterinarian who majored in veterinary medicine at Khon Kaen University, Thailand, and completed the IVSA program at North Carolina State University in the United States. Drawing on clinical experience at animal hospitals, he works in the pet healthcare field and is dedicated to building a digital care environment that connects pet parents with veterinarians.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do veterinary clinic fees vary from one clinic to another?

Unlike human healthcare, veterinary care isn’t covered by national health insurance, so each clinic sets its own fees. These prices reflect factors like the quality of equipment, the veterinarian’s expertise, and local rental costs.

In an emergency, is it okay to go to a primary care clinic first?

If your pet is experiencing a situation that requires immediate treatment, such as difficulty breathing, persistent seizures, or severe bleeding, it’s safest to go directly to a 24-hour emergency hospital. For milder symptoms, starting with a primary care clinic is perfectly fine.

Do I need a referral letter to visit a secondary care clinic?

While not strictly required, most secondary care clinics recommend bringing a referral letter from your primary vet. Having your previous test results on hand can help avoid duplicate testing, saving you both time and money.

How much can pet insurance reduce the burden of veterinary costs?

While coverage varies by plan, many policies cover 50–80% of hospitalization and surgery costs. With a monthly premium of just $10 to $40, you can significantly reduce the financial burden of surgeries that may cost several thousand dollars.

Where can I check the posted veterinary fee schedule?

You can check the information on our clinic’s bulletin board, at the reception desk, or on our website. We publicly disclose prices for key services, including consultation fees, diagnostic tests, vaccinations, and spay/neuter surgeries.

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References

[1] 한국소비자원, 반려동물 진료비 실태조사 보고서, 2022

[2] 농림축산식품부, 동물병원 진료비 게시제 시행 안내, 2023

[3] Small Animal Critical Care Medicine, 3rd Ed., Elsevier