Foreign Body Emergencies: Signs, Imaging, Surgery, And Aftercare

Planning a spay or neuter for the new year is a loving, practical step for your pet. If you recently adopted a holiday puppy or kitten, you are already juggling vaccines, training, and routines. This guide explains when to schedule surgery, what really happens on the day, how recovery feels for your pet, and how to plan financially with clear expectations. Our goal is to give you a supportive, straightforward roadmap so you can book with confidence. Beyond population control, why spay or neuter? Spaying and neutering lower the risk of several health issues and can improve behavior. Benefits include: Lower risk of mammary tumors in females when spayed before the first or second heat Prevention of life‐threatening pyometra in females Elimination of testicular cancer risk in males and reduction in certain prostate issues Fewer roaming, marking, and hormone‐driven behaviors Your pet’s lifestyle, breed, and age matter. We will help you personalize the timing to balance orthopedic health, behavior, and cancer risk. Is spaying a same day procedure? Yes. Spay and neuter are typically outpatient procedures. Your pet arrives in the morning and returns home the same afternoon once awake and stable. Plan for fasting as directed, drop‐off in the morning, and pick‐up later that day after a recovery check and discharge instructions. Rarely, we may recommend an overnight stay for extra monitoring, such as for very young, senior, or medically complex pets. Note, our vaccine clinics are separate from surgery days. If you are looking for a low‐cost vaccination option before surgery, our monthly clinics are by appointment and provide vaccines only, not surgery. What happens on surgery day? Check‐in and exam: We review history, confirm fasting, and perform a pre‐op evaluation. Pre‐anesthetic bloodwork: This screens organ function, blood sugar, and other values to tailor anesthesia and reduce risk. We strongly recommend it for all pets and require it for seniors or those with health concerns. Anesthesia and monitoring: Your pet receives individualized anesthetic protocols. We monitor heart rate, rhythm, oxygen levels, breathing, temperature, and blood pressure throughout. Warming support helps maintain body temperature. Pain control: Multimodal pain management starts before the first incision. Most pets go home with oral pain medication. Home care review: We send you home with written instructions, an e‐collar, and a plan for rest, rechecks, and suture care if applicable. What age is best to spay or neuter a dog or cat? There is no one right answer for every pet. General guidance: Cats: Commonly 4 to 6 months, ideally before the first heat. Small to medium dogs: Often 6 to 9 months. Large and giant breed dogs: Frequently closer to 12 to 18 months to support joint development, depending on breed, size, and behavior. Special cases: Early spay/neuter for shelter adoptions, medical considerations, or behavior needs. We will help you weigh orthopedic growth, heat cycles, cancer risk, and household goals. If you adopted a holiday pet, plan a wellness exam and vaccines first, then schedule surgery at the age that best fits your pet’s size and lifestyle. How much does a spay or neuter typically cost? Costs vary by species, sex, size, age, and any add‐on services like pre‐anesthetic bloodwork, IV fluids, and pain control. We provide transparent written estimates before scheduling. Payment is due at the time of service, and we accept credit cards and CareCredit. Truly free clinics are rare. If you are price‐comparing, ask what is included, such as exams, monitoring, bloodwork, e‐collars, and pain medication. These details matter to safety and comfort. If you are nearby and want to talk through options, request an appointment for a personalized estimate. We also run low‐cost vaccine clinics by appointment, which can help you complete puppy or kitten vaccine series before surgery. Does insurance cover spay/neuter? Most accident and illness plans do not cover elective spay or neuter. Some wellness add‐ons offer a stipend for preventive care, which may include a portion of the cost. We support direct Trupanion reimbursement at checkout for enrolled clients, but Trupanion typically does not cover elective sterilization unless specified by a wellness rider. Check your policy documents or bring them to your consult and we will help you review benefits and submit claims when eligible. How long should you stay home with your dog after spaying? Plan to be home the first 24 hours to monitor eating, drinking, urination, and comfort. The typical downtime is: First 24 hours: Rest, restricted activity, e‐collar on, small meals, and pain meds as directed. Days 2 to 3: Short leash walks for bathroom breaks only. No running, stairs, or jumping on furniture. Days 4 to 10: Continue activity restriction until your recheck or suture removal. Keep the incision clean and dry, and leave the e‐collar on anytime you cannot supervise. Cats follow a similar rest plan in a contained, quiet space. Call us if you see lethargy that does not improve, vomiting, diarrhea, not eating by the next morning, swelling that rapidly increases, bleeding, heat or redness at the incision, discharge, open edges, or signs of pain despite medication. E‐collars, pain control, and keeping your pet comfortable An e‐collar is non‐negotiable until cleared at your recheck. Licking the incision is the fastest way to create complications. We use preventive and at‐home pain medications based on your pet’s size and health. Many pets also benefit from a cold compress near, but not directly on, the incision for brief periods and a soft, clean bed in a quiet room. Avoid baths and swimming until your veterinarian clears the incision. Is spay or neuter affordable, and what if you cannot afford it now? We understand budgets. Options include: Written estimates with good, better, best pain and monitoring packages when appropriate CareCredit to split costs into predictable payments Planning ahead, finishing vaccines now and scheduling surgery when funds are ready Asking about seasonal availability and timing If you cannot proceed immediately, keep your pet safely indoors or supervised outdoors, and use secure leashing to prevent roaming. Female dogs in heat require strict management until surgery timing is appropriate. Contact us for guidance tailored to your situation. Our team will help you map out a stepwise plan that protects your pet’s health and your budget. When to call us Reach out if your pet seems painful, is not eating by the next morning, vomits more than once, has diarrhea that persists, shows incision redness, heat, swelling, discharge, odor, or if you see your pet lick the incision despite the e‐collar. Sudden lethargy or pale gums are emergencies. If it is after hours, use a local emergency hospital listed on our site. Planning ahead for holiday adoptions New puppy or kitten at home? Schedule a wellness visit and vaccines now, then plan spay or neuter at the recommended age. If you are near Burbank and looking to update vaccines first, our burbank pet vaccination clinic is available by appointment and is focused on vaccines only. Why choose Premier Paws for spay and neuter Personalized surgical plans and pre‐anesthetic bloodwork to reduce risk Modern monitoring throughout anesthesia and recovery Clear, written home care instructions with follow‐up Transparent estimates and payment options, including CareCredit and direct Trupanion reimbursement for eligible services Low‐stress handling and a supportive team Ready to plan your pet’s surgery? Request Appointment for a spay/neuter consult and a personalized plan. We will review timing by breed and lifestyle, outline costs clearly, and set you up for a smooth surgery day and a comfortable recovery. If you are comparing locations, our lockport animal hospital and our veterinary clinic joliet teams are happy to help you choose the most convenient option.

If your dog or cat has been recommended for “soft tissue surgery,” you might feel a mix of worry and questions. You want to do the right thing, avoid unnecessary stress, and understand how your pet will be kept safe and comfortable every step of the way. At Premier Paws in Lockport and Joliet, our team focuses on clear communication, modern medicine, and gentle handling so you can move forward with confidence. What “soft tissue surgery” means in everyday terms Soft tissue surgery includes procedures that do not involve bones or joints. Think skin, muscles, internal organs, and the tissues that support them. Common surgeries we perform for dogs and cats include: Spay and neuter Mass and tumor removal Foreign body removal from the stomach or intestines Wound and laceration repair Hernia repair Ear and eye procedures Some bladder, liver, or spleen surgeries If a procedure can help relieve pain, resolve infection, remove a risk, or restore normal function, it likely falls under soft tissue surgery. We will explain why surgery is recommended, discuss options, and answer your questions so the plan feels right for you and your pet. How we keep your pet safe and comfortable Safety and comfort start before the day of surgery. Here is our approach. Pre anesthetic evaluation: We review your pet’s history and perform a full exam. We often recommend pre anesthetic bloodwork to check organ function and tailor anesthesia to your pet. This helps us choose the safest medications and fluid support. Individualized anesthesia: There is no one size fits all plan. We select premedication, induction, and maintenance drugs based on age, breed, medical history, and the specific procedure. Pets receive IV fluids as indicated to maintain blood pressure and hydration. Continuous monitoring: A trained team member stays with your pet from induction to recovery. We monitor heart rate, ECG, oxygen level, carbon dioxide, temperature, and blood pressure to guide adjustments in real time. Multimodal pain management: We combine local blocks, anti inflammatory medications, and opioids or other analgesics as appropriate. This layered approach reduces discomfort during surgery and provides smoother recovery at home. Gentle handling and low stress care: Calm handling, warm blankets, quiet recovery spaces, and e collars as needed help reduce anxiety and protect incisions. Recovery support with Class 4 laser therapy: Many patients benefit from cold laser therapy after surgery. It helps reduce swelling, supports circulation, and may speed healing so your pet feels better sooner. Thanksgiving week tips, and when to call Holidays are great for family time and tempting kitchen smells, but they come with a few hazards for pets. Bones from turkey or ham can splinter and cause painful blockages or tears. String used for turkey trussing, pop up timers, roasting twine, corn cobs, and skewers can be swallowed and get stuck. Fatty scraps can trigger pancreatitis. Call us right away if you see vomiting, repeated retching, loss of appetite, a painful belly, lethargy, or if you know or strongly suspect your pet swallowed something. Early assessment can be the difference between a simple monitoring plan or endoscopy and a more complex surgery. If this happens after hours, use the emergency hospital list on our site. Prompt care matters most when your pet may have a foreign body, since delays can lead to dehydration, perforation, and a longer recovery. What to expect before, during, and after surgery Before: We will discuss your pet’s diagnosis, surgical plan, and goals. You will receive an estimate and a review of payment options, including CareCredit, major credit cards, and direct Trupanion reimbursement at checkout for enrolled clients. We will let you know when to withhold food and water, which medications to give or pause, and how to prepare your pet and your home for a smooth return. During: Your pet is admitted by our nursing team and examined by the veterinarian. We place an IV catheter, administer premedications, and start monitoring. The surgeon performs the planned procedure, and we call you with an update once your pet is awake and stable. After: You receive clear home care instructions, pain medications, and an e collar if needed. We schedule or confirm the follow up visit and explain what healing should look like, what is normal, and when to call. We often recommend Class 4 laser sessions for added comfort. How much do vets charge for surgery? Costs vary based on the procedure type and length, your pet’s size, diagnostic needs, and whether the case is planned or urgent. A small mass removal is different from a foreign body surgery that requires abdominal exploration and hospitalization. We provide written estimates before moving forward. If additional findings change the plan, we will call you to review options and costs before proceeding whenever it is safe to pause. Can you negotiate vet surgery costs? We understand budgets and believe in transparency. While medical costs reflect surgical time, anesthesia, monitoring, supplies, medications, and trained staff, we do our best to help you plan. We can: Provide a detailed estimate with good, better, best options when appropriate Review what your pet’s insurance may cover Accept CareCredit and major credit cards Support direct Trupanion reimbursement at checkout for enrolled clients If you have cost concerns, tell us early. We will talk through options like staging procedures when safe, timing diagnostics, and pre authorizations with your insurer. When should I call if I suspect my pet swallowed something? Call right away, especially if your pet is vomiting, not eating, gagging, drooling, retching, acting painful, or you saw them swallow string, bones, toys, hair ties, or holiday trussing materials. Some objects, like string, can cause particularly serious intestinal damage. Quick evaluation with an exam and imaging helps us decide if we can monitor, induce vomiting when appropriate and safe, use endoscopy, or schedule surgery. The earlier we see your pet, the more options we typically have. How long does recovery take after foreign object removal? Recovery time depends on the location of the object and whether the stomach or intestines were involved. Many dogs and cats that have an object removed from the stomach recover comfortably within 10 to 14 days with restricted activity and pain control. Intestinal surgery can take longer because sutured intestines need time to seal. We usually recommend: 10 to 14 days of rest with no running or jumping E collar use to protect the incision A bland diet for several days, then gradual return to the regular diet Medications as prescribed, plus rechecks to confirm healing If anything seems off, such as vomiting, lethargy, swelling, discharge, or loss of appetite, call us immediately. Your partners in safe, low stress surgery From pre anesthetic bloodwork to individualized anesthesia and continuous monitoring, we treat your pet like our own. Our Class 4 laser therapy and careful home care guidance support a comfortable recovery. You will never be left guessing about the plan, the costs, or the next step. If you live in the area and are planning a procedure or need timely care, we are here to help. You can schedule through the Request Appointment form, call the location nearest you, or ask if an at home pre op consult is appropriate for your pet. We look forward to caring for your pet with compassion, modern medicine, and clear communication.