My Cat Has Eaten String or Something Unusual, What Should I Do?

Cats can be surprisingly inventive when it comes to swallowing things they should not.

String, ribbon, hair ties, rubber bands, plastic and other small household items can all become foreign bodies if swallowed. Some may pass through the gastrointestinal tract without causing a problem, but others can become lodged and create a serious obstruction.

In cats, long or flexible objects such as string can be particularly dangerous.

The signs can vary depending on what your cat has swallowed and where the object is located.

You may notice: 

Cats are often very good at hiding discomfort, so the first sign may simply be that they are quieter than usual or have stopped eating.  You may not have seen them swallow anything at all.

Cats commonly play with objects such as string, ribbon, thread, rubber bands and hair ties.

Unfortunately, these can sometimes be swallowed.

Long, thin objects are known as linear foreign bodies and can cause a particularly serious problem within the intestines.

Instead of simply becoming lodged in one place, part of the string may become anchored while the intestine continues to contract and move around it.

This can cause the bowel to bunch or become tethered.

In severe cases, the string can effectively cut into the intestinal wall, potentially damaging multiple sections of bowel.

This can lead to perforation and leakage of intestinal contents into the abdomen.

A perforated intestine is a veterinary emergency.

When bacteria and intestinal contents leak into the abdominal cavity, they can cause a severe infection known as septic peritonitis.

Cats affected by this can become very unwell and may require emergency surgery, intensive monitoring and hospital care.

This is why suspected string or foreign body ingestion should be taken seriously, even if your cat initially appears relatively comfortable.

At VSOS, abdominal ultrasound is commonly used to assess cats suspected of having a gastrointestinal foreign body.

Ultrasound allows our team to examine the stomach, small intestine and colon and look for signs that something is present or causing an obstruction.

X-rays may also be recommended, particularly if there is a lot of gas within the gastrointestinal tract or depending on the type of object involved.  

The important question is not only whether something has been swallowed, but whether it is becoming lodged or damaging the bowel.

No.

Some foreign objects may move naturally through the gastrointestinal tract without causing an obstruction.

If an object has progressed safely into the large intestine, supportive care and close monitoring may sometimes be all that is required while it passes.

However, if an object becomes lodged in the small intestine, or a linear foreign body is causing the bowel to bunch or become damaged, surgery may be necessary.

The decision depends on where the object is, whether it is moving and whether there are signs of obstruction or intestinal damage.

Sometimes.

If an object is still located within the oesophagus, stomach or the first part of the small intestine, it may be possible to remove it using endoscopy rather than abdominal surgery.

Your cat is placed under anaesthetic and a flexible camera is passed through the mouth. Specialised instruments can then be used to grasp and retrieve the object.

When appropriate, this can be considerably less invasive than surgery.

It is another reason why early presentation can make a difference.

If you can see string, ribbon or another long object protruding from your cat's mouth or bottom, do not assume the remainder will simply pass.

Most importantly, do not pull on it.

You cannot see what the material may be attached to or how much of it is still inside the gastrointestinal tract. Pulling on it could cause further damage to the oesophagus, stomach or intestines, particularly if the material has become anchored or is already cutting into the bowel wall.

There may be significantly more material inside than what you can see.

Yes.

Vomiting and reduced appetite can occur with many different conditions.

Gastroenteritis, pancreatitis and other gastrointestinal diseases can produce similar symptoms.

This means it is not always possible to determine the cause from symptoms alone.

Diagnostic imaging can help determine whether a foreign body or obstruction is present and guide the next step in treatment.

Seek veterinary advice if you know or suspect your cat has swallowed: 

You should also have your cat assessed if they are repeatedly vomiting, have stopped eating, are unusually quiet, appear uncomfortable or are showing other unexplained gastrointestinal symptoms.

The VSOS Emergency and Specialist teams regularly investigate cats with vomiting, loss of appetite and suspected foreign body ingestion.

With access to ultrasound, X-rays, advanced endoscopy, surgery and intensive care within the hospital, our team can determine where an object is located, whether it is causing an obstruction and the most appropriate way to treat it.

Where possible, the aim is to intervene early and use the least invasive treatment option available.