Degenerative myelopathy in dogs: treatment cost and insurance

Progressive spinal cord disease; diagnostics, physio and mobility aids.

$500–$3,000Typical treatment cost per episode (USD)
2Breeds we list with a known risk of degenerative myelopathy
8 of 8Insurers we compare that cover hereditary conditions

What degenerative myelopathy costs to treat

Treatment for degenerative myelopathy typically runs $500 to $3,000 per episode in the US. Where your bill lands depends on how advanced it is when diagnosed, whether it needs surgery or a specialist, and local vet prices.

What will it cost for your dog?

Pick your breed, age and ZIP code to see the estimated monthly price from the insurers we compare.

Breed

Age

ZIP code

Model updated Sep 2026 · No phone calls · Independent

Does pet insurance cover degenerative myelopathy?

All 8 insurers we compare cover hereditary and congenital conditions, as long as it is not pre-existing: if your dog showed signs before the policy started, or during the waiting period, it will be excluded. The practical rule is to enroll before any symptoms appear.

Degenerative myelopathy usually needs care for the rest of the dog's life, so the cost repeats every year. Look at how the deductible works: most insurers apply it once a year, while Trupanion uses a deductible per condition, paid once for the dog's life for that condition. Some plans also cap how much they pay for a single condition, so read the limits section.

Compared by insurer: Does pet insurance cover hereditary and congenital conditions? · Pet insurance annual limits compared

What you would pay on a degenerative myelopathy bill

With an 80% reimbursement plan and a $250 deductible not yet used this year:

Out-of-pocket cost for a degenerative myelopathy bill, 80% reimbursement, $250 deductible
Vet bill	Insurer pays	You pay	You pay, uninsured
$500	$200	$300	$500
$1,800	$1,240	$560	$1,800
$3,000	$2,200	$800	$3,000

Assumes the condition is covered and the bill is within the annual limit. How deductibles and reimbursement work.

Costs updated Sep 2026 · Where these numbers come from

Check how this applies to your breed

Breeds most at risk of degenerative myelopathy

Most at risk first. Each breed page has its estimated premium and insurers.

Illness waiting periods, shortest first

A degenerative myelopathy diagnosis during the waiting period counts as pre-existing, so this is how long you are exposed after buying.

Lemonade14 days
Embrace14 days
Spot14 days
Pets Best14 days
Odie14 days
Fetch15 days
Healthy Paws15 days
Trupanion30 days

Questions about degenerative myelopathy and insurance

How much does degenerative myelopathy treatment cost?

Typically $500 to $3,000 per episode in the US, before insurance.

Can I insure a dog that already has degenerative myelopathy?

You can buy a policy, but degenerative myelopathy itself will be excluded as pre-existing. It still covers new, unrelated accidents and illnesses. How pre-existing conditions work.

Which breeds get degenerative myelopathy most?

Among the breeds we cover: Cardigan Welsh Corgi, Borzoi.

Pre-existing condition. Anything diagnosed or showing symptoms before coverage starts or during the waiting period. No insurer we list covers it. More in the glossaryWaiting period. How long after the policy starts before accidents, and then illnesses, are covered. Anything that begins during the wait is excluded. More in the glossaryReimbursement. The share of an eligible vet bill the insurer pays back after your deductible. At 80%, a $1,000 covered bill returns $800. More in the glossaryDeductible. What you pay yourself before the insurer starts paying. Most reset every policy year; some insurers charge it once per condition. More in the glossaryHereditary and congenital. Conditions a dog inherits or is born with, like hip dysplasia. Covered only if they were not diagnosed or showing signs before you enrolled. More in the glossaryOrthopedic waiting period. A longer waiting period some insurers apply specifically to joint and ligament conditions, such as cruciate ligament tears, often around six months. More in the glossaryAnnual limit. The most the policy pays in one policy year. "Unlimited" means there is no yearly cap. More in the glossary

Get an email if prices for your breed change

We update our estimates monthly. We will email you when the estimate for your dog changes, and nothing else.