Effective Foreign Body Removal Surgery for Cats and Dogs
When cats and dogs ingest foreign materials, some are able to safely pass through while some may need to be remedied by an endoscopy or surgery.
At Sploot, our experienced team, aided by state-of-the-art technology, will be able to quickly locate obstructive foreign matter and restore your pet’s digestive functions.
Common Foreign Matter That Cause Intestinal Issues in Pets
Pets typically eat a foreign body either accidentally or due to curiosity. The following are the most commonly ingested items that cause intestinal blockages and other problems:
Symptoms of a Stuck Ingested Foreign Body in Pets
If you are unsure whether or not your pet has ingested anything else apart from food, look out for these symptoms:
Common Foreign Matter That Cause Intestinal Issues in Pets
Small foreign matter in the esophagus or stomach can sometimes be remedied using an endoscope. An endoscope is a camera-guided, hose-like device that is used mainly for identifying blockages or issues in the gastrointestinal tract. An endoscope can also be used to remove small foreign matter.
Surgical foreign body removal is needed when an ingested foreign body cannot be passed naturally and cannot be retrieved with an endoscope.
It is important that stuck foreign matter is removed immediately because when ingested foreign materials get stuck, this can cause:
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Reach out to our Pet Parent Concierge Team with questions, whether it’s surgery, symptoms, scheduling, or something else!
What to Expect: Foreign Body Removal for Pets
Before the Operation: Diagnosis & Pre-Operative Preparation
During the Operation
After the Operation
Got Questions?
We’re Here for You
Reach out to our Pet Parent Concierge Team with questions, whether it’s surgery, symptoms, scheduling, or something else!
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We accept scheduled appointments, same-day appointments, & walk-ins.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Dogs may engage in destructive chewing when they are stressed or bored. Though less frequent, cats may also chew on objects when they are anxious or bored. Therefore, managing stress and boredom with sufficient exercise and stimulating toys will help prevent instances of foreign body ingestion.
In addition, keep small choking hazards away from where pets can access them. This could mean deboning a piece of meat before giving it as a treat or putting a secure lid over trash bins. If you’re concerned about your pet’s destructive chewing, our veterinarians give behavioral consultations to help manage problematic behaviors in pets.
Ingested foreign bodies may cause digestive issues in dogs and cats if they cannot pass through on their own, cause obstruction, and/or have sharp parts that can cut. The common signs of foreign body ingestion in dogs and cats include vomiting, diarrhea, excessive salivating or gagging, sudden lack of appetite, lethargy, and abdominal pain.
If you suspect your pet has ingested a foreign body, give our team a call immediately. Depending on your pet’s case, our team will guide you through the next steps.
If a piece of foreign matter is small and smooth, it may be able to pass through the dog or cat’s intestines on its own. Larger, irregularly-shaped, or sharp objects will not pass through as easily and will likely require the intervention of a veterinarian. If you suspect that your pet has ingested something that could get stuck or cause internal cuts, reach out to our team immediately.
Foreign body ingestion in dogs and cats can become a medical emergency, especially if the object is likely to cause obstruction, puncture, and other types of internal damage. Seek immediate veterinary care if you suspect your pet has ingested a foreign object.
Untreated ingested foreign bodies can lead to serious complications such as perforations and obstruction if not addressed promptly. Cases like this can become life-threatening if not brought to the attention of a qualified veterinarian.
To diagnose an ingested foreign body in dogs and cats, veterinarians use a combination of physical exam findings, imaging techniques, and endoscopy.
Untreated ingested foreign bodies can lead to serious complications such as perforations and obstruction if not addressed promptly. Cases like this can become life-threatening if not brought to the attention of a qualified veterinarian.
In some mild cases of foreign body ingestion, veterinarians may be able to recommend a treatment involving the use of medication and special diets instead of endoscopy or surgery. The pet would still need to be monitored to make sure the foreign body has passed safely.
In some cases, endoscopy can be used to remove an ingested foreign body. This depends on the size of the foreign body and where it is stuck in the pet’s digestive system.
Endoscopies for pets can take up to 40 minutes to complete. Meanwhile, surgery to remove larger and more harmful gastrointestinal obstructions will take around 1 to 4 hours.
As with any type of veterinary surgery, there are risks involved, such as anesthesia complications and post-surgical wound infections. However, our experienced vets are able to minimize these risks and empower pet parents to give great post-surgical care.
Endoscopies for pets can take up to 40 minutes to complete. Meanwhile, surgery to remove larger and more harmful gastrointestinal obstructions will take around 1 to 4 hours.
As with any type of veterinary surgery, there are risks involved, such as anesthesia complications and post-surgical wound infections. However, our experienced vets are able to minimize these risks and empower pet parents to give great post-surgical care.
Yes. A pre-op appointment ensures a safe and successful surgery for foreign body removal.
Recovery after surgical removal of an ingested foreign body depends on the complexity of the procedures. In some cases, pets may be sent home, while in other cases, they may need a hospital stay for further stabilization before returning home.
In general, all pets returning home from surgery need to have their prescribed medications on time, have limited physical activity, be given the vet-recommended diet, and be allowed to rest in a calm environment.
The cost of a pet’s surgery depends on the extent of the procedure. We offer transparent pricing from the get-go. Reach out to our team today 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 insurance plans offer different scopes of coverage, you may need to clarify with your insurance provider if this treatment is eligible for reimbursement.
The cost of a pet’s surgery depends on the extent of the procedure. We offer transparent pricing from the get-go. Reach out to our team today to learn more!
Because gastrointestinal foreign matter obstructions have potentially fatal effects, we encourage pet parents to reach out as soon as they observe symptoms. We’re here for you during urgent cases like this. We accept same-day appointments and walk-ins.
To ensure the safety of our clinic and clients, Sploot only accepts cashless payments. We happily accept all major credit and debit cards, along with CareCredit and ScratchPay.
