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

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed | Female | unspayed | 3 years and 2 months old | 51 lbs

Hi! A friend of mine has a puppy (I believe she’s under 1 year of age) and she’s been diagnosed with a bowel blockage in two different areas. The vet did an X-ray, says they can’t tell what the blockage is caused & recommended surgery. She was vomiting amd refusing to eat. Was on an IV overnight to see if she’d pass the blockages but she didn’t. They took her home with meds, she pooped fine for a day, no vomiting, then vomited again tonight and is pooping less. Surgery is about $5,000

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Joy Fuhrman, DVM, MBA, CPA

Veterinarian

Published on March 21st, 2018

It sounds like tour friends dog will need to surgery to save its life. Unfortunately, if the obstruction has not passed yet it is unlikely that it will. The longer the surgery is delayed the higher the likelihood that the bowel tissue will be damaged and cannot heal. There is also a risk that the bowel can perforate causing the dog to become septic. It is important that the surgery be performed immediately in order to give the dog the best chance of survival.

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    Answered By Lisa Mausbach, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on

    Good Evening...thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I am sorry your friend's dog is going to need surgery, but it sounds like it will save the dog's life! I am unsure what your question for me is...how can we help?

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