Swallowed something they shouldn't? We can help.

Give our team a call immediately. Depending on your pet's case, we'll guide you through the next steps, whether that's coming in right away, close monitoring at home, or heading to a 24/7 ER. Because gastrointestinal obstructions have potentially fatal effects, we encourage pet parents to reach out as soon as they observe symptoms. We accept same-day appointments and walk-ins.

If the object is small and smooth, it may pass through your pet's intestines naturally. Larger, irregularly shaped, or sharp objects won't pass as easily and will likely need a veterinarian's intervention. If you suspect your pet swallowed something that could get stuck or cause internal cuts, reach out to our team immediately.

It can become one, especially if the object is likely to cause an obstruction, a puncture, or other internal damage. Left untreated, complications like perforation and obstruction can become life-threatening. Seek immediate veterinary care if you suspect your pet has ingested a foreign object.

Our veterinarians use a combination of physical exam findings, imaging, and endoscopy to confirm the presence and location of a foreign body in your pet's GI tract.

Sometimes. An endoscope can retrieve some foreign objects, depending on their size and where they're stuck in the digestive system. In some mild cases, our veterinarians may recommend medication and a special diet to help the object pass naturally instead, with monitoring to make sure it passes safely.

Endoscopies can take up to 40 minutes. Surgery to remove larger, more harmful gastrointestinal obstructions takes around 1 to 4 hours.

As with any veterinary surgery, there are risks involved, such as anesthesia complications and post-surgical wound infections. Our experienced vets work to minimize these risks and set pet parents up to give great post-surgical care at home.

Yes. A pre-op appointment, a full physical exam with bloodwork and imaging, is what ensures a safe and successful foreign body removal.

It depends on the complexity of the procedure. Some pets go home the same day, while others may need a hospital stay for further stabilization before returning home. In general, every pet recovering from surgery needs their prescribed medications on time, limited physical activity, the vet-recommended diet, and a calm environment to rest in.

The cost depends on the extent of the procedure; an endoscopy and a complex intestinal surgery are very different cases. We offer transparent pricing from the get-go, so you'll have a clear estimate before anything is scheduled. Reach out to our team to learn more.

If foreign body removal is included in your pet's insurance coverage, you may be able to claim reimbursement from your insurance provider. Because different plans cover different things, check with your provider on whether this treatment is eligible.

Sploot only accepts cashless payments. We happily accept all major credit and debit cards, along with CareCredit and ScratchPay.

Dogs may chew destructively when they're stressed or bored, and though it's less frequent, cats may too. Managing stress and boredom with enough exercise and stimulating toys helps prevent foreign body ingestion. Also keep small choking hazards out of reach: debone meat before giving it as a treat, and put a secure lid on trash bins. If you're concerned about destructive chewing, our veterinarians offer behavioral consultations to help manage it.