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How much does foreign body removal surgery cost?
For an intestinal blockage, PetMD publishes surgery at $2,000 to more than $10,000: a simple enterotomy (one incision into the intestine) at the low end, multiple enterotomies or a resection and anastomosis at the high end. Embrace publishes a wider $1,600 to over $12,000 with surgery — and $300–$1,200 when the object passes or is retrieved without surgery.
| Foreign body removal — published figures | Figure |
|---|---|
| Intestinal blockage surgery — PetMD | $2,000 to more than $10,000 |
| Swallowed-object surgery — Embrace | $1,600 to over $12,000 |
| Care without surgery — Embrace | $300–$1,200 |
| Gastrotomy (stomach) — Holly Vet published list | $3,500 (procedure + anesthesia; imaging/diagnostics separate) |
| Enterotomy (intestine) — Holly Vet published list | $4,000 (procedure + anesthesia; imaging/diagnostics separate) |
| Foreign body removal — Shore Pet Surgery list | canine $1,200 · feline $755–$955 (incl. IV fluids, meds; may incl. one night) |
| Foreign body removal — Clayton (GA) list | $800–$1,200 |
What drives the price
Three published factors explain the spread. Where the object is — one surgical center's list prices stomach surgery (gastrotomy) $500 below intestinal surgery (enterotomy). How much intestine is involved — PetMD's range is explicitly complexity-driven: one incision vs several, or removing a damaged section entirely. Where you are — Embrace's worked example (a Labrador's blanket removal in Cleveland, $3,829.80 including the hospital stay) notes the same case would have cost at least $1,000 more in New York City or Los Angeles; specialist and emergency clinics charge more than private practice (PetMD).
Compare inclusions before comparing totals: Holly Vet's figures cover the procedure and anesthesia with imaging quoted separately, while Shore's list includes IV fluids, medications, and possibly one overnight stay.
The emergency exam and imaging come first — see their published prices before the surgery quote lands.
Read the emergency visit guideSources: PetMD — Dog Intestinal Blockage Surgery (2024, updated 2026) · Embrace Pet Insurance — Swallowed Object Surgery: Costs for Pets (2021, updated 2025) · Holly Vet Clinic — Advanced Dog & Cat Surgery costs · Shore Pet Surgery — Pricing. Researched October 2026 — prices change; confirm with your clinic.