03/26/2021
Recently we had a 7 month old cat in for a spay and our veterinary team noticed she had a strange movement when she took in a breath. During her exam, Dr Hanthorn found a hardened lump in her abdomen. We suspected she had a foreign body in her stomach but the owner was unable to afford to take her to an emergency vet for x-rays so we offered to use our Good Sam Fund and perform an exploratory surgery here. We found 10 elastic hair bands knotted up in her stomach! The male owner had no idea she was eating his roommate's hair bands and if she had not already had an appointment with us she would have become very sick, very quickly. She may not have survived if this was not caught so quickly. However, thanks to a well-timed appointment, an exemplary veterinary medical team, and a recent donation to our Good Sam Fund, Loona and her owner will enjoy each other's company for many years to come!
Having companion animals, especially young dogs and cats, in the house is much like having a small child. Anything that is small enough to be swallowed can, and often will, be! It is important to pet proof your home before getting a pet and make sure everyone in the household is aware of the dangers things like this can pose. This is also an expensive surgery to perform. The average cost of foreign body surgery is anywhere between $800-$2000 according to wagwalking.com.
If you are interested in donating to our Good Sam Fund to help pets like Loona and her owner cover the cost of unexpected expenses, please click to donate. We appreciate your thoughtfulness!
