Spay And Neuter: Timing, Costs, And What Recovery Really Looks Like

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.

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.