Pricier vet care: Fewer visits but still many $11,000 surgeries

It’s exceedingly expensive to own a pet, prompting owners to delay veterinary visits or reconsider adopting one in the first place. Yet, animal health companies’ earnings keep growing.

That’s down to the unwavering love between owners and their pets.

While some owners might extend the time between their pets’ annual wellness visits to save money, they’ll shell out when their darling is truly sick or hurt, and that care is often the most expensive — and lucrative.

Last year...