Gastrointestinal foreign bodies in cats

Cats will sometimes get carried away pouncing or playing and eat things that they shouldn’t, and this can cause serious problems. Foreign body means something that shouldn’t be inside the body. Some objects can pass through without causing issues, but if signs of obstruction or perforation develop emergency treatment is required.

The structure and muscles of the digestive tract are very good at moving things along, but there are many areas that are narrow or have twists and turns. Cats tend to like threads and similar objects, and can end up swallowing needles or developing a linear foreign body obstruction. Solid objects can become lodged like a cork. Pointy or sharp objects can be pushed through the gut and damage other organs, or cause food and gut bacteria to leak into their tummy. Symptoms usually develop very quickly but can also happen over days to weeks.

Overview

What are the possible consequences of an ingested foreign body?

Perforation caused by a sharp or pointy object may be very painful and will quickly cause severe disease.

Needles will often become lodged at the back of the mouth or throat, immediately causing pain and severe distress.
Objects that make it to the stomach or intestines before perforating may cause:
- Tummy pain
- Tummy swelling
- Fever
- Red gums
- Lack of energy or collapse

The consequences of a foreign body obstruction will depend on where the foreign body is stuck:

Throat and esophageal foreign bodies may cause an animal to be unable to swallow, and cause regurgitation of food. In severe cases there may also be breathing problems.
If located in the stomach, two different situations can develop:
- A foreign object loose in the stomach will cause discomfort and repeated bouts of vomiting, but the intensity may vary greatly.
- If the object becomes lodged in the narrowest part, which is the exit from the stomach, cats will suddenly be very unwell and vomit a lot.
When the object is in the small intestine, two types of obstruction may happen:
- Partial obstruction, where fluid and gas passes through but with difficulty, and more solid material builds up over time. This can still cause severe disease and damage to the gut.
- Complete obstruction, where nothing passes beyond the object. This leads to massive gas and fluid build-up and quickly becomes life-threatening.
Linear foreign body obstructions are common in cats and can happen with thread, rubber bands, rope or cloth materials. One end of a long object becomes trapped while the body continues to try to push the rest of the object along. This leads to severe and extensive damage to large parts of the gut, and it causes the gut to “bunch up” or plicate, like the opening of a bin bag when you pull the tie.
Most objects that reach the large intestine will be passed out, but some can still get stuck or cause damage.

Some objects, like small batteries, can leak dangerous substances that can cause local damage or be absorbed into the blood.

Symptoms

Symptoms of gastrointestinal foreign body

Symptoms may be slightly different for each of the situations described above.

Perforations may cause:
- Pain
- Lack of energy
- Fever
- Red or bright pink gums
- Tummy swelling
- Breathing problems
Objects stuck in the mouth may cause cats to be:
- Restless
- Unable to eat
- Distressed
- Drooling
- Pawing at the mouth
- A foul smell may develop over days if the object isn’t removed.
Throat and oesophagus:
- Dry heaving or retching
- Immediate regurgitation of food and sometimes water
- Exaggerated swallowing movements
- Drooling
- Changes in breathing
Partial obstructions or loose objects in the stomach or small intestine may cause:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Gas build up
- Loud gurgling sounds
- Pain
- Loss of appetite
- Lack of energy
Complete obstructions of the stomach or small intestine may cause:
- Severe vomiting
- Pain
- Tummy swelling
- Loss of appetite
- Lack of energy

Risk

Cats at higher risk of gastrointestinal foreign bodies

Any cat can ingest a foreign body and have problems because of it.
It’s more common in younger cats.
Purebred cats, especially Burmese, seem to do this more often.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of gastrointestinal foreign body in cats

Sometimes you may know that your cat has eaten something they shouldn’t, or that they have been playing with threads or rubber bands. Tests may still help evaluate the situation. These are definitely needed if a cat has the typical symptoms but no cause is known. Tests may include:

X-rays. These are very useful for bones and metallic or very dense objects. Many commonly ingested materials are invisible on x-ray, but the vet may still see swelling or distention to suggest something is there.
Ultrasound scans can detect most gastric and intestinal foreign bodies, and are also able to diagnose other causes of intestinal obstruction that can be confused with foreign bodies.
Endoscopy is the best way to detect objects in the oesophagus and stomach, and in some cases is able to remove them as well.

Cats that become seriously ill with a foreign body will often require blood tests to monitor complications.

Vet treatment

Vet Treatment of gastrointestinal foreign bodies

A foreign body that causes a perforation or obstruction is a surgical emergency, as the damage to the gut and the rest of the body will quickly escalate. Removing the foreign body and managing the damaged tissue is the priority, but in some cases correcting electrolyte imbalances and other complications first will improve the outcome. Other treatments may also be needed:

Intravenous fluids via a drip
Pain medication
Antibiotics

Obstructions can be successfully treated in the majority of cases, especially if detected early.

Linear foreign bodies tend to cause a lot of damage to the gut. This often requires the removal of large portions of the intestines and is also more likely to lead to complications.

Intensive care may be needed for several days. If a large portion of the gut needs to be removed, long-term precautions may be required to prevent digestive complications and improve digestive function.

Perforations around the mouth and throat from needles, if treated promptly, usually heal well. Intestinal perforations have a worse prognosis.

Home treatment

Home treatment of gastrointestinal foreign bodies.

If you think your cat ingested something dangerous or you’re unsure, it’s always best to speak to a vet for further advice. Joii vets are available 24/7.

Many objects such as short and soft pieces of fabric will pass through with no or minimal issues.

Organic material such as wood and bones may pass through without causing a problem but do carry a risk.

In these cases, feeding small and frequent meals may help keep things moving while avoiding excessive distension of the gut.

Monitor your cat closely and speak to a vet straight away if they show any signs of being unwell.

Prevention

How can I prevent my cat from ingesting a foreign body?

Ingesting foreign material can seem to happen out of the blue. A few precautions may help:

Remove any toys or materials that are small enough for your cat to swallow, or that they have torn apart.
Make sure any knitting or embroidery materials are safely stored, and avoid keeping threaded needles just in case
Safely dispose of rubber bands immediately and avoid leaving any within reach of your cat

When to worry