Intestinal Blockage Surgery Cost for Dogs and Cats

If you’ve ever had a dog that chews on socks or a cat that plays with strings and ribbons, you may have had an “oh no” situation in which they swallowed something they shouldn’t. And it’s not really their fault — young animals explore the world with their mouths. Hopefully, you found the swallowed item days later when it came out the other end naturally; but in more extreme cases, your pet could suffer an intestinal blockage.

Intestinal blockages occur most commonly after your pet eats objects that are too large to pass through their intestinal tract. Dogs will eat toys, bones, rocks and even clothing — especially socks. Cats like to eat strings, plastic items and hair bands. If any of these objects don't pass through all the way, they can cause a serious obstruction and sometimes damage the intestines.

What Is an Intestinal Blockage?

An intestinal blockage is a complete or partial obstruction of the small or large intestine, blocking the passage of food, fluid and gas along the digestive tract. It can decrease blood flow, increase the absorption of toxins and cause sections of your pet’s bowels to deteriorate.

Also known as a bowel obstruction, this is an unfortunately common emergency condition in dogs and cats and can be a scary diagnosis. Left untreated, a blockage could result in death, so it’s important to take your pet to the veterinarian as soon as you suspect they may have swallowed something they shouldn't have. In the case of a blockage, surgery may be recommended.

Causes

The most common cause of an intestinal blockage is when your pet ingests a foreign object, like a toy, rock, bone, socks or other articles of clothing and strings or ropes. When the object is too big to pass through your pet’s digestive tract, it gets stuck, causing an obstruction and sometimes perforations (holes) in the intestine.

Other potential, less common causes of intestinal blockage include:

• Hernias
• Internal parasites
• Masses or tumors
• Pyloric stenosis (abnormal thickening of the opening from the stomach to the small intestine)
• Twisting of the intestines that separates them from the abdominal wall

Here, we focus on intestinal blockages caused by the ingestion of foreign bodies, such as cloth, plastic or other objects.

Symptoms

There will often be evidence that your pet chewed up or destroyed something, so it’s important to monitor them carefully for the following symptoms:

• Abdominal pain
• Bloating
• Diarrhea
• Hunching
• Loss of appetite
• Vomiting
• Weakness
• Whining or visible discomfort

If you notice any of these symptoms in your pet, whether you saw them swallow anything or not, it's recommended that you call your veterinarian.

Treating an Intestinal Blockage in Dogs and Cats

To confirm a foreign object in your pet's intestinal tract, your veterinarian will likely need to do diagnostics like an X-ray or ultrasound to see where the obstruction or object seems to be and how large it is. Not all obstructions are visible (like socks or strings), so other tests or procedures may be recommended.

Endoscopy

An endoscope is a long, flexible tube with a light and camera on one end. In this procedure, your dog or cat is placed under general anesthesia, and the endoscope is passed through their mouth and down their digestive tract.

Endoscopy can be used to identify and retrieve objects in the stomach and the first part of the small intestine. It is the preferred procedure in these cases because it is less invasive than exploratory surgery.

Exploratory laparotomy

For an exploratory laparotomy, your pet is placed under general anesthesia and the abdomen is opened, allowing the entire digestive tract to be examined. When the site of blockage is identified, your veterinarian will carefully open this area of the digestive tract to remove the source of the blockage. They may also remove any damaged areas of the digestive tract.

This procedure is more invasive and has a longer recovery time but allows the whole digestive tract to be evaluated.

Intestinal Blockage Surgery Cost for Dogs and Cats

The national average cost* of surgery to treat an intestinal blockage for a dog is $4,383.1 That can vary significantly — ranging from $3,471 to $7,976 — depending on where you live.1 Similarly, the average cost* of emergency surgery to remove a foreign body from a cat is $2,367 and also varies from $1,873 to $4,303.1

Factors that will impact the final price you pay include:1

• Type of surgery performed
• Size of the pet
• Severity of the blockage and whether surrounding tissue has been damaged
• Time your pet needs to be hospitalized before and after the surgery

To help you plan for this expense, ask your veterinary team for a cost estimate before the procedure.

Average cost of intestinal blockage surgery for dogs by state/district

Here's a breakdown of the average costs* for stomach blockage procedures in dogs across all 50 states and the District of Columbia:1

Average cost of intestinal blockage surgery for cats by state/district

Here's a similar breakdown of the average cost* for emergency foreign body removal surgery in cats, depending on location:1

Does Pet Insurance Cover Intestinal Blockage Surgery?

Depending on your plan, pet insurance may cover some of the cost of intestinal blockage surgery for your cat or dog. Be sure to check your policy or contact your insurance provider to find out if this type of emergency surgery is covered. Most insurance companies will require you to pay for the surgery out of pocket first and then reimburse you at a later date.

Possible Side Effects of Dog or Cat Intestinal Blockage Surgery

The possible side effects of surgery include:

• Irregular bowel movements
• Not eating on the day of the surgery
• Signs of pain (crying, whining, restlessness)
• Sleepiness from the anesthesia
• Swelling, discharge, opening or discoloration of the incision (if there is one)

Your pet’s fatigue and loss of appetite should resolve by the next day, but it may take more time for their digestive tract and pain to subside. If your pet seems to be in extreme pain or you notice any irritation or swelling around the incision, call your veterinarian.

Recovery from Dog or Cat Intestinal Blockage Surgery

After surgery, your veterinarian will provide specific instructions on caring for your pet. You’ll likely have to keep your pet’s activity level to a minimum for a few days; feed them a bland, easily digestible diet; and ensure they have access to plenty of fresh water.

The biggest factor in how quickly your pet recovers depends on the severity of the blockage and procedure (i.e., endoscopy vs. laparotomy).

CareCredit Credit Card Financing for Pets

Taking good care of your pet's well-being from nose to tail is essential. Make sure to stay up to date on their regular checkups at the vet to help keep your pet happy and healthy for a lifetime of love. You can use your CareCredit credit card for pet care throughout the year for routine veterinary services as well as emergencies and surgeries.** Use our Acceptance Locator to find a veterinarian near you that accepts CareCredit.

CareCredit is there for you and your pet every step of the way; continue your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your account, find a provider on the go and easily access the Well U blog for more great articles, podcasts and videos.

In addition to pet care, you can also use your CareCredit credit card for dentistry, cosmetic, vision, hearing, health systems, dermatology, pharmacy purchases, spa treatments and so much more within the CareCredit network. How will you invest in your health and wellness next?

Author Bio

Dr. Kathy Wiederkehr (Wentworth) has been practicing veterinary medicine at pet care facilities in California since 2001. Most recently, she served as medical director of the VCA PetPoint Medical Center and Resort in Irvine. She is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine and became board-certified as a diplomate in Canine and Feline Practice by the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners in 2010.