Does Pet Insurance Cover Intestinal Blockage?

Unexpected vet bills are a reality for pet parents, and intestinal blockages can be particularly expensive. Pet insurance can help, but understanding the specifics of your coverage is essential. We'll explore how these blockages occur, what treatments are involved, and how your policy can provide financial protection.

What is an intestinal blockage in dogs and cats?

An intestinal blockage, also called a gastrointestinal obstruction, is a block in the intestines that prevents food or water from passing through. Intestinal blockages can be very serious, even life-threatening in some cases.

Both partial and complete blockages can cause severe nutritional deficiencies in the body. The affected pet can become dehydrated and have imbalanced electrolytes, both of which are very important for the body to function.

What causes intestinal blockages in dogs and cats?

The most common cause of an intestinal blockage in both dogs and cats is the ingestion of a foreign object. Dogs are infamous for putting almost anything in their mouths - bones, balls, toys, rocks, yarn, etc. When swallowed, these items can cause a blockage. ⁽¹⁾

Apart from swallowing foreign objects, other conditions like tumors or abnormal growth of tissues can also cause intestinal blockages. This is more common in senior dogs.

Some other causes include ⁽¹⁾

Cats are usually less likely to swallow objects like toys or clothing, but sometimes end up ingesting objects like thread, tinsel, string, rubber bands, balls, etc. by mistake.

Signs of an Intestinal Blockage in Dogs and Cats

It won’t be very difficult to point out that there is something wrong with your pet’s stomach. Here are some signs that will indicate it: ⁽²⁾

If they have swallowed something like a string, you may even see a string hanging from their mouth. You may be tempted to pull it, but it is recommended not to.

Treatment of an Intestinal Blockage in Dogs and Cats

If the item swallowed is small, there is a chance of the pet passing it naturally. However, if it becomes stuck in the intestines, causing a blockage, it will either have to be removed by inducing vomiting or a bowel obstruction surgery. ⁽¹⁾

Your veterinarian might induce vomiting with medication, but this is only safe when the foreign object remains in the stomach. Attempting this at home is strongly discouraged. Improperly induced vomiting can cause complications, especially if the object is sharp or has already moved into the intestines.

Surgical treatment for intestinal blockages varies. Initially, IV fluids and pain management are provided. Following anesthesia, the surgical procedure can range from a minimally invasive incision for object removal to a more extensive resection, where sections of the intestine are removed to resolve the obstruction⁽¹⁾.

How Much Does Intestinal Blockage Surgery Cost in Dogs and Cats?

The surgery can be simple or extremely complicated, depending on the object and where it becomes stuck. Treatment costs can range between $2,000 and $10,000. The vet’s experience, the technique used for the surgery, and the clinic’s location will also affect the cost.⁽³⁾

The costs don’t end there, though. After surgery, the pet may need to be hospitalized for 1-2 days for recovery. IV fluids and pain medications will be administered. The pet may also need a prescription diet to be followed for the following weeks to ensure a complete recovery. These steps may increase costs by another few hundred dollars.

Which Intestinal Blockage Costs does Pet Insurance Cover?

Most illness plans can help cover the eligible costs of the vet visit, surgery, and medications required to treat intestinal blockage. With Spot Pet Insurance, you can get reimbursed up to 90% of the costs related to prescription diets, alternative therapies, follow-up vet visits, and more. It is important to note that any preexisting conditions or symptoms that occur during the policy waiting period are not covered.

More about Spot Pet Insurance

Dog Insurance can help provide financial assistance for eligible veterinary care in case of unexpected accidents, illnesses, or injuries. Our plans can help pet parents manage the eligible costs of covered veterinary care and help ensure that their pets can receive the best treatment possible. Here are some ways that Spot pet insurance plans can help:

To learn more about Spot Plans or to get a free quote, click here.