Graham's Emergency Surgery Story | Pets Best Pet Insurance
Aug 28, 2026 |
No pet parent expects a simple accident to turn into a life-threatening emergency. But that's exactly what happened when Graham, a 1-year-old Bernese Mountain Dog, swallowed a sock.
What Angelo and his wife, Kasey, thought would be one emergency surgery quickly became a week filled with uncertainty, difficult decisions, and hope. Fortunately, they had Pets Best pet insurance to help them focus on what mattered most: Graham's recovery.
A Routine Puppy Mishap Became a Medical Emergency
Last summer Graham ate a sock. The foreign object caused an intestinal blockage that required emergency surgery. Initially, everything appeared to be going well.
"After the first surgery, Graham seemed to be doing great. He was eating again, came home, and we really thought we were out of the woods," said Graham’s pet parent, Angelo.
But just days later, Graham experienced a rare surgical complication.
"A couple days later, everything changed. A rare complication from the first surgery sent him right back into the operating room."
During the second procedure, surgeons removed nearly two feet of Graham's intestine.
A Week Filled with Uncertainty
After the second surgery, Graham remained hospitalized while Angelo and Kasey waited for updates.
"The next week was one of the hardest Kasey and I have had in a long time. Every phone call from the emergency vet carried the possibility of really good news or really bad news."
Recovery wasn't straightforward.
"Some days he took a step forward. Other days he took one back. We just kept hoping and praying our best boy would make it home."
Why Pet Insurance Made All the Difference
Angelo says purchasing pet insurance was one of the easiest decisions they made after bringing Graham home.
"We signed up with Pets Best the first night we brought Graham home. Of all the chances we take in life, this one seemed like a 'no brainer.'"
Like many pet parents, he hoped he'd never actually need to use it.
"Honestly, I hoped we'd spend years paying for something we'd never use."
Instead, when Graham faced an unexpected medical crisis, having coverage helped remove one major source of stress.
"When we needed them most, they were exactly what we hoped they'd be."
An Easy Pet Insurance Claims Process
"The claims process was simple. The communication was great. There weren't any hoops to jump through. They covered 90% of Graham's eligible expenses after our deductible, saving us tens of thousands of dollars."
More importantly, Angelo says pet insurance gave them something priceless during an incredibly stressful time.
"It allowed us to make every decision based on what was best for Graham, not what it was going to cost."
The Importance of Being Prepared
No one plans for their healthy puppy to need two emergency surgeries in the same week. But accidents can happen in an instant, and emergency veterinary care can become expensive very quickly.
For Angelo and Kasey, enrolling Graham in pet insurance early meant they didn't have to delay or second-guess treatment decisions when the unexpected happened.
"We're just grateful he's still here, and we're equally grateful that Pets Best made an incredibly difficult week just a little bit easier."
Protect Your Pet Before the Unexpected Happens
Puppies and young dogs are naturally curious, which means swallowing things they shouldn’t can happen quickly and unexpectedly. Fortunately, Pets Best offers coverage for emergencies, including diagnostics, surgery, and hospitalization.
If you’re thinking about getting pet insurance, now is the time. Coverage must be in place before an accident or illness occurs, and enrolling your pet while they are young and healthy can help you be prepared for life’s unexpected moments.
Ready to protect your pet? Get your free quote today.
What Does Pets Best Cover for Emergency Foreign Body Surgery?
Tips to Prevent Foreign Object Obstructions in Dogs
While accidents happen in the blink of an eye, here are some things you can do to help prevent your pet from ingesting a foreign object in your home.
- Make sure laundry hampers are closed and out of sight.
- Keep small items like socks and toys out of reach like in drawers.
- Throw away dog toys that are breaking apart, as the broken parts are easily ingestible
- Train your dog to obey commands like “drop it” to quickly handle a situation where they may be about to try and consume a harmful object.
Recognizing the Signs: What to Do If Your Dog Swallows a Sock
As we know, swallowing a sock can be life-threatening, so acting quick is important. Call your vet immediately and don’t try and induce vomiting yourself unless your vet tells you to. The signs include:
- Persistent vomiting
- Not eating or drinking
- Looking visibly in pain and hunched over
- Swollen/distended stomach
- Condition: Intestinal blockage caused by swallowing a sock, followed by a rare surgical complication
- Total Veterinary Bill: $15,204.34
- Total Reimbursed: $12,542.31
- Monthly Premium: $50.58/mo
- Deductible: $1,000
- Coverage: 90% reimbursement of eligible veterinary expenses after deductible*
Coverage varies by policy. Reimbursement is based on the selected reimbursement level, deductible, and covered eligible expenses. Individual claim results will vary.
Claim reimbursement is based on actual policyholder claims [2025]. Claim example illustrates reimbursement based on an accident and illness policy at $50.58/month with a $1000 deductible, 90% reimbursement, and unlimited annual benefit for a 1-year-old Bernese mountain dog. Individual reimbursement amounts may vary depending on the specific terms of the policy, including coverage selected, annual deductible, reimbursement rate, and annual limit. Individual experiences and outcomes may vary. Testimonial represents the individual experience and opinion of a veterinary professional based on interactions with patients and clients. The veterinarian is not a policyholder. Experiences may vary.