Tag Archive for: surgery

, ,

Balancing Care and Cost for Gastrointestinal Surgeries

ultrasound diagnostics in caninesYour furbaby needs gastrointestinal surgery, and you have all kinds of questions. We’re here to discuss how you can prepare and what you need to know.

What Is Gastrointestinal Surgery?

Gastrointestinal surgery is an umbrella term for any surgery involving the stomach or intestines. There are numerous reasons a pet may need gastrointestinal surgery, ranging from blockages and biopsies to twisting stomachs or tumor removals. The exact nature of the gastrointestinal surgery depends on the animal’s individual needs and whether the surgery is planned or performed as an emergency.

How Much Does Gastrointestinal Surgery Cost?

Again, it varies. The cost of gastrointestinal surgery will depend on the following:

  • Type of surgery performed
  • Size of the pet
  • Severity of the condition
  • Time your pet needs to be hospitalized before and after surgery

On average, pet parents should expect a bill anywhere from $2,000 to $10,000. To help you balance the care and cost of gastrointestinal surgery, ask your veterinary team for a cost estimate before the procedure. 

Balancing Care and Cost for Vets and Pet Owners

A veterinary surgeon’s primary concern when a pet needs gastrointestinal surgery isn’t money. It’s helping the patient get better and live a comfortable, happy life. Be bold and ask questions or express concerns. While we must submit payment for services rendered, an excellent veterinary office is committed to:

  • Explaining any gastrointestinal procedure your pet may need
  • The process and what to expect
  • Providing a cost estimate
  • Follow-up and at-home care

Many veterinary offices will work with you to establish a payment plan if necessary. They can also often provide information about pet insurance that will likely cover some gastrointestinal surgery costs. In addition to working out the cost (and payment plan if needed), your vet should also work with you to ensure you understand aftercare instructions while your pet is recovering.

Some things your vet may tell you to do after your pet has had gastrointestinal surgery and finished its hospital stay include:

  • Monitor your pet closely and keep them calm to prevent tearing of sutures
  • Keep your pet’s cone on so they can’t lick or chew their incision as it heals
  • Feed your pet small amounts of bland food and plenty of water as they slowly transition back to their regular diet
  • Administer pain medication as instructed

Gastrointestinal surgeries are often a lifesaving intervention. As a patient, working with a vet dedicated to balancing care and cost makes a big difference in delivering as positive and stress-free of an experience as possible. As a vet, the ability to confidently deliver as positive of an experience as possible relies on your dedication to staying up-to-date on the medicine and technology available to you to help you perform your job to the best of your ability. 

For more information on gastrointestinal problems, surgery, and solutions (for both pet parents and veterinarians) we think you’d be interested in reading more here: How Regenerative Medicine Can Help with Gastrointestinal Problems and Surgery.

*Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. Please make an appointment with your vet for an accurate diagnosis, treatment plan, and cost assessment of your pet’s condition.

/by

How Regenerative Medicine Can Help with Gastrointestinal Problems and Surgery

Dog being looked at by veterinarian

An upset stomach is one of the most common symptoms vets see their clients about. Pets chew on things they shouldn’t chew on and swallow something they shouldn’t eat. They get sick and suffer gastrointestinal issues just like their owners do. While some foreign objects are small enough to pass on their own, and some illnesses are short-lived, unfortunately, that isn’t always the case. Gastrointestinal problems have many causes ranging from mild to severe health conditions.

 

It’s important to note here that if you’re a pet parent who’s found this article because your pet is exhibiting gastrointestinal problems like the ones you see on the list below, please call your vet to let them know what’s going on and assess if you need to bring your pet in for an exam:

 

Symptoms of gastrointestinal problems and other digestive issues:

 

  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Loss of appetite
  • Lethargy
  • Constipation
  • Increased gas
  • Abdominal pain/swelling
  • Bloating
  • Excessive drooling

 

When in doubt, it’s always best to call your vet or seek emergency veterinary care after hours when your pet looks pretty sick. Sometimes it’s surprisingly difficult to determine how severe a gastrointestinal problem is, and some conditions can be life-threatening. When a client presents with gastrointestinal symptoms, it’s a vet’s job to investigate them to deliver a diagnosis and treatment. 

 

How Regenerative Medicine Can Help with Gastrointestinal Problems and Surgery

During determining what’s causing an animal’s gastrointestinal problems, a veterinarian will work to understand the client’s medical history, perform a medical exam, and order some diagnostic tests based on what they suspect is the most likely culprit of the symptoms. Once the vet has determined an underlying cause, a treatment plan is implemented. Treatment is variable depending on what’s causing the problem, but some cases, like a pet with a mass, hernia, or intestinal blockage, will likely require gastrointestinal surgery.

 

Veterinarians who conclude that gastrointestinal surgery is necessary for the animal’s well-being in their care want to ensure that their patient heals properly, with resistance to infection and no enhanced inflammatory response. This is where Vetrix BioSIS ECM Technology can help. BioSIS ECM provides a natural scaffold that works with and encourages a patient’s natural healing process. Our technology is an acellular biomaterial that doesn’t encapsulate when surgically implanted, and it is gradually remodeled, leaving behind organized and healthy tissue. This is excellent news for gastrointestinal surgical patients, as BioSIS allows no foreign material to be left behind once healing is complete. But don’t just take our word for it. Dr. Lois Lassiter, DVM at Budget Vet, shared a story from 2019 using Vetrix BioSIS in a complicated resection and anastomosis (RNA) procedure. Without Vetrix technology in this gastrointestinal surgery, the dog would’ve been euthanized.

At Vetrix, we take pride in partnering with veterinarians who are just as passionate about using regenerative medicine to provide the best possible care to patients as we are. Click here to learn more about BioSIS. Contact us if you have questions about how our regenerative medical technology can help you with your gastrointestinal surgeries and other procedures and care. Click here to ask a question.

/by