It really depends.. it's best to ask your vet. I recently learned that Kai's hips are so bad that a total hip replacement might be needed in the future. The number $5000 came up a couple times in our conversation.. so it's definitely not a cheap surgury. But then again, Kai's hips are extremely bad.. the vet commented on how unusual it was to see hips in such bad shape, so hopefully your girls' hips won't require surgury.