Soft Tissue Surgery For Pets: What It Includes And How We Keep Them Comfortable

If your dog or cat might have swallowed a toy, sock, bone, string, or a bite of holiday leftovers, you are not alone. Foreign body emergencies are common, time sensitive, and stressful. The good news, with quick action and the right diagnostics, many pets make a full recovery. This guide explains what to watch for, what not to do at home, how we diagnose and treat foreign bodies, recovery timelines, costs, and how to reach help after hours. Red flag signs your pet may have a foreign body Call right away if you notice any of the following, especially if you saw your pet chewing something risky. Vomiting, dry heaving, or gagging Loss of appetite or refusing treats Abdominal pain, restlessness, or prayer position Lethargy or weakness Diarrhea, constipation, or straining without results Drooling, lip smacking, bad breath, or pawing at the mouth Bloating or a tight, painful belly String and ribbon are particularly dangerous for cats. A linear foreign body can saw through the intestines and becomes life threatening quickly. What not to do at home Do not induce vomiting unless a veterinarian instructs you to do so. Some objects can damage the esophagus on the way back up, and string can worsen injury. Do not give bread, oil, or hydrogen peroxide without guidance. Do not wait to see if it passes if your pet is vomiting, seems painful, or stops eating. Do collect packaging or an identical toy for size reference and note the time you first noticed the issue. When in doubt, call us or use the Request Appointment form. If it is after hours, visit our Emergency page for nearby 24 hour hospitals. How we diagnose a suspected foreign body A fast, stepwise approach helps us find the problem and reduce risk. Physical exam. We assess hydration, pain, abdominal feel, oral cavity, and temperature. In house laboratory testing. Bloodwork checks electrolytes, kidney values, and infection markers. It guides anesthesia safety and fluid therapy. Digital x rays. Useful for bones, metal, stones, and patterns of gas that suggest obstruction. Ultrasound. Excellent for fabric, rubber, or string that may not show on x rays, and for assessing intestinal movement and free fluid. Endoscopy. In select cases, a camera can retrieve objects from the stomach or esophagus without an abdominal incision. We will review findings with you and outline options including monitoring, endoscopic retrieval, or surgery. Endoscopy versus abdominal surgery Endoscopy. Best for smooth items in the esophagus or stomach, within hours to a day of ingestion. Benefits include no abdominal incision, shorter anesthesia time, and faster recovery. Not appropriate if perforation, obstruction beyond the stomach, or sharp objects are suspected. Abdominal surgery. Required for intestinal obstructions, perforations, or when endoscopy cannot reach or safely grip the item. Surgery allows inspection of the entire gastrointestinal tract, removal of the object, and repair of damaged sections if needed. We choose the least invasive effective option based on imaging, timing, and your pet’s condition. Recovery timelines and feeding plans After endoscopy. Many pets go home the same day. Expect mild throat irritation and drowsiness. Most resume small meals within 12 to 24 hours, starting with bland food your veterinarian recommends. Normal activity often returns in 24 to 48 hours. After abdominal surgery. Hospitalization is commonly 1 to 3 days for fluids, pain control, and reintroduction of food. Expect 10 to 14 days of restricted activity at home to protect the incision. Feeding usually begins with small, frequent bland meals for several days, then transitions to regular food over 5 to 7 days as tolerated. An e collar prevents licking. Class 4 laser therapy can reduce inflammation and support tissue healing around the incision. Many pets are more comfortable, and swelling often resolves faster when we add laser sessions during recovery. Costs and what affects the estimate We believe in cost transparency. Final costs vary by size of pet, object type and location, imaging needs, hospitalization length, and complications. Diagnostics only, exam with x rays and in house lab work, is typically a few hundred dollars with added cost if ultrasound or repeat imaging is needed. Endoscopic removal is generally lower than full surgery, but still includes anesthesia, equipment, and monitoring. Abdominal surgery includes anesthesia, surgical time, supplies, hospitalization, medications, and rechecks. Costs increase if bowel repair or removal is required, if overnight intensive care is needed, or if complications arise. We will provide a written estimate before treatment and update you if the plan changes. Payment is due at the time services are rendered. We accept cash, major credit cards, and CareCredit. For enrolled clients, we support direct Trupanion reimbursement at checkout. Answers to common questions How long can a foreign object stay in a dog? Some items can sit in the stomach for hours to a few days, but the risk rises with time. If obstruction occurs, damage can develop in 6 to 24 hours. Call as soon as you suspect ingestion. Early care gives you more options and better outcomes. Can a cat pass a linear foreign body? It is risky to wait. String can anchor under the tongue or in the stomach while the intestines accordion along it. This can cut the bowel, which is life threatening. Seek veterinary care immediately for any suspected string ingestion. How long does it take a dog to poop after surgery? After intestinal surgery, it can take a few days for bowel movements to resume. Small, frequent meals, pain control, and hydration help. Call us if there is no stool by day three, if vomiting returns, or if your dog seems painful. What helps dogs heal faster after surgery? Rest, a protected incision, pain control, good nutrition, and follow up checks. Use the e collar, give medications exactly as directed, and keep activity restricted for the full period. Class 4 laser therapy can support comfort and healing. How much does it cost to remove a foreign body from a dog or cat? Costs range based on diagnostics, endoscopy versus surgery, size of pet, and hospital stay. We will review a tailored estimate with you at the visit. What if I can’t afford surgery right now? Talk to us. We accept CareCredit and major credit cards and can help you prioritize lifesaving steps. We can also discuss referral options and, when appropriate, stabilization while you arrange financing. Aftercare at home, what to expect Give all medications on schedule. Offer small, bland meals then gradually increase quantity. Keep the e collar on until cleared. Check the incision twice daily for redness, swelling, discharge, or missing sutures. Limit activity to leash walks for potty breaks until your recheck. Call immediately for vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, lethargy, bloating, or any incision concern. When to call and where to go after hours If you suspect your pet swallowed something, call us now or use the Request Appointment form. If it is evening or the weekend, our Emergency page lists local emergency hospitals that can see your pet right away. If you are near Joliet and need same day imaging for a concern, explore our joliet digital radiography for pets page to see how we can help. If you are closer to Burbank, our team provides emergency pet surgery Burbank when urgent surgical care is needed. For Lockport area clients, we offer lockport veterinary diagnostics imaging to move quickly from concern to answers. The Premier Paws approach Your pet’s comfort and safety come first. We use modern diagnostics, a calm and efficient triage process, and individualized treatment plans. From exam to imaging, from endoscopy to surgery, and through recovery, we keep you informed at every step and follow up after you go home. Summary and next steps Foreign body emergencies move fast, and so should care. Watch for vomiting, pain, and appetite changes, do not induce vomiting without guidance, and call as soon as you are concerned. We will examine your pet, run in house labwork and imaging, and recommend the least invasive effective option, endoscopy when possible and surgery when needed. Recovery is usually smooth with a structured feeding plan, activity restriction, and, when appropriate, Class 4 laser therapy to support healing. For costs and payment options, we will provide a clear estimate and accept cash, major credit cards, CareCredit, and direct Trupanion reimbursement for enrolled clients. If it is after hours, visit our Emergency page for immediate care.

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.