Puppy bowel blockage, vet says surgery. What if I can't afford it?

Poor Gracie! If she's otherwise in good health, there's no reason at all that she would have any difficulties with surgery if she needs it. It does sound like something is wrong, so I would recommend having her examined by a vet as soon as you can - he/she can do a rectal exam and may also take x-rays if needed to help determine the problem. If she does end up needing surgery to remove a blockage, your vet can do blood work beforehand to help make sure that she doesn't have any underlying health issues that would cause problems.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Boo! I am sorry that Boo is so sick! I would assume that your Vet took Boo to surgery because they felt that she had a blockage. We always weigh the pros and cons of doing an exploratory surgery and never do it unless the evidence is strong. Sometimes we are between a rock and hard place because the animal is not improving and it is best to look and be sure that the X-rays and barium series (dye) didn't miss anything. No imaging modality is perfect. The only way to know 100% for sure there is nothing stuck is to go look. I ALWAYS warn owners, despite clear evidence, that we could go in and find nothing. It happens all the time. Personally I'd rather find nothing that have animal pass away because of an intestinal perforation from a foreign body that I could have fixed. I am very sorry that the outcome wasn't what you hoped for but I would rest assured your Vet is doing what they believe is in the best interest of Boo. I hope this helps and I wish Boo the very best!

Poor Cooper! That is quite a large bump on his bottom, and it sounds like you are in a tough spot at the moment. Without seeing him in person, I can't say for certain what is best for him but I can give my opinion. Given that he is trying to eat and drinking, and is running around, you can ask your vet if an enema and stool softener may help. The problem is that it would be a temporary fix if it did work, and the hernia will continue to get worse over time. Given his relatively young age, it may be worth speaking with another vet to get a second opinion, such as a specialized veterinary surgeon. Veterinary surgeons have extensive training in surgery, and they may be able to attempt surgery to see if that can fix his hernia and prevent you from making the decision to put him to sleep. I think that would be a worthwhile avenue to pursue for him, and it may give you the option of surgery. Best of luck, I hope this helps!

Oh no, that wasn't good that Toby ate the blanket! Unfortunately no, there is nothing you can do to help him pass it, it will either pass on it's own or cause a blockage. I am concerned that he isn't eating much, and that can be a sign of an intestinal blockage from the blanket. The best thing to do is have him seen by a vet for x-rays to see if the blanket has caused a blockage or not. If it has, he will need surgery to fix it. I would see if you can borrow money from family and friends to afford the vet, and I can give you some resources that may help you afford a vet. You can see if your vet accepts payment plans, if there is a low cost clinic in your area, or you can apply for Care Credit online. There is also an organization called Red Rover that give grants for treatment of sick animals, and you can see if you qualify for one of their grants. Best Friends also has a list of resources that offer financial assistance on their website. http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/trouble_affording_pet.html?credit=web_id91754962 https://www.redrover.org https://www.carecredit.com http://bestfriends.org/resources/financial-aid-pets http://lessonsfromaparalyzeddog.com/when-pet-owners-cant-afford-veterinary-bills/ God's Creatures Ministry helps pay for veterinarian bills for those who need help.
 The Onyx & Breezy Foundation has many programs including helping people with medical bills. They are a good resource for information.
 Brown Dog Foundation provides funding to families with a sick pet that would likely respond to treatment, but due to circumstances, there is not enough money immediately available to pay. IMOM is dedicated to insure that no companion animal has to be euthanized simply because their caretaker is financially challenged. I hope one of these resources helps you afford a vet! Good luck.

An intestinal blockage can only be resolved with surgery. Unfortunately if the blockage is not surgically removed, your cat will die a slow terrible death. Your vet is right. Your kitty needs and operation now. Do not wait.

Hello and thank you for reaching out to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I am really concerned about Pumkin head, especially since she has vomited up underwear and is continuing to act ill. One of my biggest concerns is that she could have something stuck in her intestines causing a blockage or obstruction. This is a surgical emergency, because something in the intestines has the potential to cause rupture of the intestines. The best way to diagnose this is with abdominal x-rays. If there is anyone who can help you out financially, bringing her to an emergency veterinarian right away is ideal. If you absolutely cannot, please ensure she has plenty of access to water. You may try offering her small amounts of a highly digestible diet, such as boiled chicken and boiled rice. I hope this is helpful - sorry to hear that she is so sick.

If Morty is crying in pain, unable to eat or pass feces I would be very concerned about a gastrointestinal blockage. This can occur when a dog eats something they shouldn't have, articles of clothing, rawhide, toys or even fruit cores. The foreign body then becomes lodges in the stomach or intestines and forms a blockage. With pressure building up and constructed blood vessels this becomes a life threatening emergency. For this reason I would advise taking Morty straight to the veterinarian. The vet will perform an examination to see if a blockage may be present. If they suspect one an X-ray will likely be done to identify its location and to make a treatment plan. Best of luck to you both. Again I am so sorry Morty is experiencing this.