Does Pet Insurance Cover Foreign Body Surgery?

Pets have a way of getting into and eating things they shouldn't, whether it's tissues, clothing, bones, sticks, or other small household items. When these items get lodged in your pet's digestive tract, they can cause serious issues, leading to intestinal blockage that often requires emergency surgery.

In some situations, surgery may be unavoidable. But if your pet needs it, it can be quite expensive.

You may be wondering: Does pet insurance cover foreign body surgery?

The answer is often yes; pet insurance may cover the cost of foreign body surgery. But it depends on the type of policy you have and the situation at hand. Let's review when surgery for a foreign body in dogs or cats is likely to be covered, when it isn't, and what costs can be expected.

What Is a Foreign Body in Pets?

A foreign body refers to any object your pet swallows. The problem with a foreign body is that it can sit in the stomach, block the intestines, and prevent food and fluids from passing through the body normally. Without treatment, a blockage can become life-threatening.

Signs Your Pet May Have Swallowed a Foreign Object

If your pet swallows a foreign body, they may not show symptoms right away. Or symptoms may appear quickly and be severe. It depends on the object they swallowed and where it lands.

Some signs of a foreign body include:

• Repeated vomiting or retching
• Loss of appetite
• Excessive drooling
• Abdominal pain
• Restlessness
• Diarrhea
• Straining
• Weakness
• A hunched position
• Bloating

Seek care immediately if you suspect a foreign body in your dog or cat.

How Veterinarians Diagnose Intestinal Blockage

It's important to get your pet to the vet right away if you think they've swallowed a foreign object. In some cases, your vet may be given medication that induces vomiting, which could prevent intestinal blockage.

To check for intestinal blockage, your vet will generally do the following:

• A physical exam, which includes touching the abdomen to check for pain or evidence of a foreign body
• An abdominal X-ray
• An ultrasound
• Blood work

In some cases, additional imaging may be needed to determine the exact location of the obstruction.

Treatment Options for Foreign Body Ingestion

Treatment for a foreign body depends on its size and location. If the object was recently swallowed, your vet may be able to safely induce vomiting to remove it. If the object is not causing full obstruction, your vet may opt for conservative treatment, such as hospitalization with fluids and monitoring.

Some objects in the stomach may be removed by endoscopy. If that's not successful, then surgery may be required. Common procedures to remove a foreign body include gastrotomy (opening the stomach) or enterotomy (opening the intestine).

Cost of Foreign Body Surgery for Pets

The cost of foreign body surgery for pets depends on the nature of the situation. Here's a basic overview of expenses:

The total cost, however, may be higher, depending on how many nights your pet needs to stay in a hospital and whether there are complications, like intestinal damage or infection.

When Pet Insurance Typically Covers Foreign Body Surgery

If you have an accident and illness pet insurance policy, you may covered for a portion of the cost of diagnosing a foreign body as well as the surgery to treat it. Your coverage may include:

• Imaging like X-rays and ultrasounds
• Emergency surgery
• Hospitalization and monitoring
• Follow-up visits

You should know that some pet insurance plans set limits for reimbursement. Your policy may, for example, have an annual limit as to what it will pay for foreign body surgery.

Or, your policy may only reimburse a certain percentage of your costs, like 70%, 80%, or 90%, leaving you to pay the difference. You may also be subject to a deductible you need to pay before your insurer reimburses you for care.

Situations Where Pet Insurance Coverage May Not Apply

In some cases, you may not be eligible for reimbursement for foreign body surgery. Here are some situations where pet insurance may not pick up the tab:

• Your pet was showing signs of having ingested a foreign body before you got your insurance policy.
• You're in your pet insurance policy's waiting period.
• You've already maxed out your policy's annual limit.
• You have a wellness-only package, which won’t cover emergency care.

Preventing Foreign Body Ingestion

In some cases, preventing your dog or cat from ingesting a foreign body may be unavoidable. If your dog is the type to eat random things while out on a walk, and you walk your dog at night when it's very dark, it may not be possible to see every single object on the ground.

That said, there are some steps you can take to prevent foreign body ingestion:

• Be mindful of small objects at home and keep them out of reach.
• Supervise your pets when they're outdoors.
• Choose quality pet toys from reputable brands.
• If you have small children at home, educate them on what is and is not safe for your pets.
• Secure trash cans so your pets don't explore.

Certain dog breeds, as well as young dogs, tend to be especially mischievous when it comes to getting into items they shouldn't. Be careful if your pet has a tendency to eat everything in sight.

Watch for the Signs

It's not unusual for a pet to eat something they shouldn't. Sometimes, those items will pass through their digestive system without an issue. But if your pet shows signs of foreign body ingestion, it's important to get them looked at immediately.

Though the cost of foreign body surgery could be several thousand dollars, many pet insurance policies may cover a portion of the expense. But it's important to review your policy's rules so you know what to expect.

And if you don't have a pet insurance policy, don't let that be a reason you don't seek immediate care for your pet. Many facilities will work with you on a payment plan if you can't pay your entire bill up front. And acting quickly could mean the difference between saving your pet's life or having a very different outcome.