Average cost
£1500–£3000
Typical range
£1000–£4000
Species
Dog & Cat
Category
Emergency
Anaesthesia
Required
How much does stomach foreign body removal cost?
Stomach Foreign Body Removal typically costs £1500–£3000 in the UK, though prices can range from £1000 to £4000 depending on your location, the practice, and your pet's individual circumstances.
Costs are UK averages based on publicly available data. Actual prices vary by practice, location, and animal size.
What affects the price?
| Factor | Impact on cost | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Removal method | Endoscopic retrieval is less invasive and cheaper than open abdominal surgery | Endoscopy (£1,000–£2,000) vs surgical gastrotomy (£2,000–£4,000) |
| Complications | If the object has caused a bowel obstruction or perforation, surgery is more complex and costly | A sock in the stomach (£1,500–£2,500) vs a linear foreign body causing intestinal damage (£3,000–£4,000+) |
| Hospitalisation | Post-operative monitoring and IV fluids add to the bill, especially if complications arise | One night in hospital (£200–£400) vs three nights with intensive care (£600–£1,200) |
| Emergency timing | Out-of-hours emergency surgery costs significantly more than a planned procedure | Daytime surgery (£1,500–£2,500) vs overnight emergency surgery (£2,500–£4,000) |
What's included in the price?
- Pre-operative blood tests and assessment
- General anaesthesia and monitoring
- Surgical or endoscopic removal of the foreign body
- Intravenous fluid therapy
- Post-operative pain relief
- At least one night of hospitalisation and monitoring
What to expect
Foreign body removal is an emergency procedure to retrieve an object your pet has swallowed that cannot pass safely through the digestive tract. Depending on the size and location of the object, the vet may use endoscopy (a flexible camera passed down the throat) or open abdominal surgery. Early intervention significantly improves outcomes and reduces costs.
When is it needed? Your pet may need foreign body removal if they have swallowed a toy, sock, corn cob, bone, hair tie, or other non-food item and are showing signs such as repeated vomiting, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, lethargy, or straining to pass stool. If you suspect your pet has swallowed something, seek veterinary advice immediately rather than waiting for symptoms to develop.
Recovery time: After endoscopic removal, most pets recover within 24–48 hours. After open surgery, expect 7–14 days of restricted activity, a soft diet, and wound care. A follow-up appointment is usually scheduled 3–5 days post-surgery to check healing and remove any external sutures.
