Swallowed something? Surgery and imaging on site
A swallowed foreign body can cause an intestinal blockage. Imaging, endoscopy and a surgical suite are all available in-house, so finding it and removing it happen in one place.
If it has just happened
Call first, do not wait for symptoms
Tell us what was swallowed, when, and roughly how big it was. Those three facts shape everything we do next.
If your pet is vomiting repeatedly, retching without producing anything, or their belly is hard and painful, this is an emergency rather than a scheduled surgery. Come straight in. Emergency care · Vomiting and diarrhea
- String, thread and tinsel, which cats often swallow and which are especially dangerous
- Corn cobs, stone fruit pits and bones
- Socks, underwear and cloth
- Toys, balls and squeakers
- Hair ties, rubber bands and fishing hooks
- Anything sharp, and anything containing more than one magnet
What we do
We find the object, then remove it the least invasive way
Not every swallowed object needs surgery on the belly. Imaging first tells us which ones do.
- Digital X-ray and ultrasound in-house; X-rays are read by our veterinarian, with a board-certified radiologist consulted when needed
- Endoscopy (a camera tube passed through the mouth) for minimally invasive retrieval, avoiding open surgery where it is appropriate to do so
- Gastrointestinal surgery: foreign body removal, intestinal obstruction surgery and exploratory abdominal surgery
- Emergency repair of a perforation (a hole in the stomach or intestine) if it has gone that far
- An ICU in the same building for recovery
What to expect
Why calling early matters
An object still in the stomach can often be removed with endoscopy. A day later, once the same object has reached the intestine, removing it means abdominal surgery. That is why we ask you to call early rather than wait to see whether it passes.
You hear what we have found, what we recommend, and what it will cost before we proceed. Surgery costs
Cats and string
Why string is dangerous for cats
A linear foreign body (string, thread or anything similar) behaves differently from a swallowed toy.
String, thread, tinsel and dental floss can anchor at one end and then saw through the intestine as it contracts, which does far more damage than the object itself. If you can see thread at your cat’s mouth or back end, do not pull it — call us and come in. We are a Gold-level Cat Friendly Practice®.
Common questions
Questions we are asked
My dog swallowed a sock and seems fine. Do we wait?
Call us first. Some objects pass and some obstruct, and the difference depends on size, shape, material and where it has reached. An X-ray is quick and it either reassures you or changes the plan while the easier options are still open.
Can it be removed without surgery?
Sometimes. Endoscopy allows minimally invasive retrieval and avoids open surgery where it is appropriate to do so — typically while the object is still in the stomach and is not sharp. That window is measured in hours.
Is this an emergency or can it be scheduled?
If your pet is already vomiting, retching without bringing anything up, or in pain, treat it as an emergency and come in. If it was witnessed and they are currently well, call (714) 274-9305 now and we will tell you which one it is.
Come in, or call us on the way
If your pet needs to be seen, call and tell us what is happening. We will tell you what to do next and get ready for you before you arrive.
- Address
- 6937 Warner Avenue
Huntington Beach, CA 92647 - Hours
- Monday – Saturday, 9 AM – 8:30 PM · Tue to 6 PMSunday: closed.
- Phone
- (714) 274-9305