How Much Does Dog Intestinal Blockage Surgery Cost? The cost to treat intestinal obstruction ranges anywhere from $800 to $7,000. The price depends on how extensive the damage is, the length of the hospital stay, the types of medications required, and other factors (like where you live).
Emergency surgery is often required to remove the obstruction and any dead tissue. Intestinal obstructions are very painful for dogs and can be fatal if left untreated. During obstruction, blood supply can become compromised, and perforation can lead to septic peritonitis.
A veterinarian may be able to remove the foreign object using an endoscope in some instances. If this isn't possible, your vet will usually consult ultrasound or X-rays to learn the location (and nature) of the obstruction. Certain foreign objects can pass on their own with enough time.
Blockages cause a number of complications, including preventing food and water from passing through theirGI tract and decreasing blood flow. Your dog can even die from an intestinal blockage within 3-7 days. Blockages can occur anywhere along the digestive tract.
Diarrhea/difficulty defecating (pooping)/Straining to defecate: A dog with a partial blockage may have diarrhea as liquid squeezes around the obstruction. If there is a complete blockage, the dog may try to defecate but won't be able to.
Dogs' Recovery After Intestinal Blockage Surgery
The first 72 hours after surgery are the most critical. If the patient is doing well this point, they typically recover well, but there are still some potential complications: Sepsis (blood poisoning) Hypoalbuminemia (low protein count)
On average, you should expect to spend anywhere from $2,000 to $10,000 on intestinal blockage surgery. Learn about the different types of surgery and how the costs add up. Intestinal blockage is a common emergency condition in dogs and cats, and it can be scary to get this diagnosis for your pet.
Symptoms of Bowel Obstructions in Dogs
Straining or unable to poop. Weakness. Loss of appetite. Diarrhea.
Your veterinarian will likely perform a physical exam and probably perform either a radiograph or ultrasound to try to positively confirm the presence of a foreign object or mass. Sometimes, if the object is the right size and may still be in the stomach, an endoscopy may be performed.
X-rays of the abdomen often show a dilated segment of bowel, suggesting blockage. Veterinarians are trained to recognize this dilation, and this is critical, since many objects - soft fabric or rubber toys, tumors, thin plastic - are not discernable from normal anatomy on x-rays.
The real concern involves the potential damage these stones can cause to your pet's urinary organs and vessels. A total urinary blockage represents a genuine emergency that requires immediate care. X-rays and other diagnostic imaging techniques can reveal the exact location of the stone creating problems for your pet.
The symptoms of an intestinal blockage generally occur within 24 hours after swallowing the problematic item. However, depending on where the item lodges, the time frame may vary—the earlier in the system the item is lodged, the sooner symptoms will emerge.
The cost of foreign body removal in dogs depends largely on the type of anesthesia and procedure needed to provide effective treatment. Endoscopic procedures commonly cost between $800 and $2,800, while open surgery, such as laparotomy, may range from $2,000 to $3,500.
However, there are some instances where giving your dog a small amount of coconut oil may be able to help them pass the obstruction before you're able to get to the vet. Coconut oil works to help an obstruction in two ways. First, it lubricates the digestive tract which can help the item pass through more easily.
Most of the time, complete blockages require a stay in the hospital and possibly surgery. But if your bowel is only partly blocked, your doctor may tell you to wait until it clears on its own and you are able to pass gas and stool.
Untreated, intestinal obstruction can cause serious, life-threatening complications, including: Tissue death. Intestinal obstruction can cut off the blood supply to part of your intestine. Lack of blood causes the intestinal wall to die.
A bowel obstruction can begin suddenly or may progress gradually over several weeks or days.
Basic diagnostic x-rays cost an average of $75–$250, while more complex x-rays can cost $400 or more. Keep in mind there are other factors that might affect the cost of your pup's x-ray procedure.
The procedure typically takes between 1 and 4 hours. For less severe cases, dogs will typically need to be hospitalized for between 3 and 7 days.
The symptoms of an intestinal blockage generally occur within 24 hours after swallowing the problematic item. However, depending on where the item lodges, the time frame may vary—the earlier in the system the item is lodged, the sooner symptoms will emerge.
Bowel Obstruction Surgery for Dogs
During the intestinal surgery, your vet will make an incision into your dog's abdomen near the blockage site and carefully extract the object. The length of surgery can vary because they may need to repair any damage to the stomach or intestinal wall resulting from the obstruction.
Within three to six weeks, your dog should be back to normal.
If the patient is doing well after 72 hours then they typically recover well, but there are still some potential complications: Sepsis (blood poisoning) Hypoalbuminemia (low protein count) Dehiscence (Wound separation or opening)