Items Surgically Removed from Pets
According to Veterinary Pet Insurance socks, underwear, and panty hose top the list
of items that must be surgically removed after being ingested by household pets .The
top 10 most common surgically removed items is based on reports from its claim adjusters.
They are:
1. Socks
2. Underwear
3. Panty Hose
4. Rocks
5. Balls
6. Chew Toys
7. Corn Cobs
8. Bones
9. Hair Ties/Ribbons
10. Sticks
While these are the 10 most common, the complete list of ingested items that have required
surgical removal is broad and seemingly limited only to what a pet can get a hold of and
has an interest in. Some of the other items adjusters have seen include rubber bands,
batteries, pagers, nails, needles, and baby-bottle nipples. The cost to the pet owner to
diagnose the problem and remove the item can run about $1000.
It's no secret that cats are curious and dogs like to chew on things. Unfortunately,
those traits can motivate pets to chew on, bite, or swallow items they shouldn't. Some of
these objects will pass naturally, but others have a tendency to become lodged in pets'
gastrointestinal tracts, resulting in pain, vomiting, or internal injury. In those cases,
surgery may be a necessity.
So how can a pet owner prevent their furry friend from ingesting something that won't
agree with them and ultimately require surgery? Insurance companies recommend keeping the floor and any
other pet-accessible areas clean and clear of any item that could be chewed or eaten. Each
pet has his/her own tastes and interests and pet owners should be aware of what their pets
are drawn to and keep those items out of reach. VPI also warns that table scraps can
contain excessive grease, bones, or other material that may not be digestible by a pet.
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