A vet bill is rarely one number. It's an exam fee plus whatever your pet needs that day, and the type of visit you book sets the starting point.
Here's how the four main options compare, using the prices we actually charge across Greater Boston.
The exam fee ranges from $90 for a virtual visit to $150 for urgent care, with emergency hospitals higher. Tests, vaccines, and treatment are added on top.
A wellness exam with us is $125. Most checkups land higher because vaccines or screening tests are added during the same visit.
Common add-ons:
If you're a new patient, the first visit is always a physical wellness exam, even if you came in about something specific. You can see full vet pricing for Somerville and Cambridge before you book.
Most pet owners spend $200 to $300 per vet visit, depending on what the visit includes. In the AVMA’s 2025 pet owner survey, owners reported spending about $200 on their most recent visit, slightly more for dogs than cats.
A routine checkup with vaccines often lands in that range, so a $200 invoice is not unusual on its own. If any line item is unclear, ask for an itemized invoice.
An urgent care exam with us is $150, plus any diagnostics or treatment your pet needs. You get an estimate before anything beyond the exam goes ahead.
Urgent care fits problems that need attention today but aren't life threatening: vomiting or diarrhea, a new limp, ear or eye infections, urinary problems, or a mild allergic reaction. We offer same-day urgent vet care, so call ahead to confirm a slot.
Emergency hospitals charge the most because they run 24/7 with surgery and critical care on hand. Expect a higher exam fee than urgent care, and bloodwork, X-rays, or surgery can take the total into the thousands.
Go straight to a 24/7 emergency hospital for:
A virtual visit with us is $90, the lowest-cost way to get a vet's opinion. It's built for one question: does this need to be seen, and how soon?
It won't replace hands-on care for an injury or a pet who's clearly unwell, but it can save you an unnecessary trip or confirm that urgent care today is the right call.
What happens during the visit decides the final number more than the visit type. The biggest drivers:
To keep costs predictable, ask for an estimate before any tests start. An annual wellness plan also helps: our plans for adult dogs and cats can save you up to $1,020 a year.
At Tandem, our prices are posted before you book a vet appointment online, and we'll walk you through an estimate before any treatment.
Visit our vet clinic in Somerville, or catch one of our mobile clinics in Cambridge, East Boston, Winthrop, and Revere.
Not sure which visit you need? Start with a virtual visit and we'll point you the right way.
Join the movement to reimagine vet care— Transparent, convenient, and hassle-free.
Book now.avif)