Cats love playing with tinsel, balls and rubber bands. But occasionally our feline friends also get the urge to eat these items, making intestinal blockages surprisingly common. In today's post, you'll find information on intestinal blockages in cats, and the life-saving surgery used to treat them.
What are intestinal blockages and how do they happen?
An intestinal blockage is a very serious internal condition in cats, often caused by your feline friend eating something indigestible such as the string from a roast, a ribbon or other small objects, although a blockage may also occur due to a lodged clump of fur or hairball.
Indigestible objects swallowed by pets are known as foreign bodies, and when they completely or partially obstruct your kitty's intestinal tract or bowel they are not only painful but can also be deadly.
There are 3 types of intestinal blockages that your cat could experience, complete, partial and linear.
What are the signs of a complete intestinal blockage in cats?
A complete blockage occurs when there is an obstruction causing a total blockage of your cat's GI tract. This type of blockage can occur anywhere along the GI tract but is most often seen where there are sphincters (muscles that regulate the flow of material through the GI tract) or narrow sections.
Signs of a complete intestinal blockage include:
- Uncharacteristic behavior or aggression
- Abdominal pain
- Vomiting
- Lack of energy
- Diarrhea
- Lack of appetite
- Drooling
- The appearance of partial item from the anus
Is a complete intestinal blockage an emergency?
A complete intestinal blockage is a medical emergency! If you believe your cat has eaten something they shouldn't have, or if they are showing any of the symptoms above, emergency veterinary care is essential. A complete intestinal blockage is a life-threatening condition.
What is a partial intestinal blockage?
A partial intestinal blockage will allow some materials to travel through your cat's intestines and may result in similar symptoms to those of a complete blockage. That said, your cat may have a partial blockage and show no symptoms at all, however, there is a risk that damage is occurring within your cat's GI tract such as open sores and tears that could lead to pain and infection. In some severe cases, sepsis can occur which is a serious medical condition that can quickly be fatal.
What is a linear intestinal blockage?
Linear blockages can occur if your cat eats long thin objects such as string, tinsel or fishing line. These blockages can occur without any symptoms in the early stages. However, as your cat's GI tract struggles to move the object along over the coming days and weeks a bunching of the intestine or bowels can result. When this happens the intestines can lose oxygen causing permanent, serious damage. There is also a risk of the foreign item slicing through the wall of the intestine causing leakage into the abdomen.
When is intestinal blockage surgery necessary?
If your cat swallows an item they shouldn't take them to the vet immediately. Your vet will be able to do an ultrasound to determine whether the object has not passed through to the intestines yet. Getting to the vet quickly after your cat has eaten something they shouldn't have may make it possible for your vet to remove the object by inducing vomiting or using endoscopy, which is less invasive (and less expensive) than intestinal blockage surgery.
Never try to induce vomiting yourself without veterinary supervision.
Intestinal blockages can be fatal for your cat. If your vet confirms that your cat has an intestinal blockage emergency surgery will be necessary to remove the blockage. In some cases, tissue that has been damaged due to the blockage may also need to be surgically removed.
What should I expect from my cat's intestinal blockage surgery recovery?
Your cat's recovery after intestinal blockage surgery will depend upon the severity of the damage caused by the block. There is a relatively high risk of abdominal infection (peritonitis) following this surgery, so your vet may wish to keep your cat in hospital until the risk of infection is reduced and your cat is eating normally again.
In the days following your cat's surgery, your vet will monitor your cat's recovery closely for signs of infection and provide treatment right away. Peritonitis is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate treatment.
How much does cat intestinal blockage surgery cost?
The cost of cat surgery for intestinal blockages can be expensive, however, if you have pet insurance a portion or all of the cost may be covered.
Surgery costs vary widely based on your location, the size and overall health of your cat and the severity of your pet's condition. To get an accurate estimate for your cat's surgery, speak to your vet or veterinary surgeon. Most animal hospitals are happy to provide clients with a detailed estimate including a breakdown of costs.
How can I prevent my cat from developing an intestinal blockage?
It can be difficult to predict what will look appetizing to your cat, so it's essential to keep tempting items such as elastic bands, small hair ties, and especially the strings off of cuts of meat and chicken, well out of your cat's reach. Avoid the use of tinsel at Christmas time. Those thin strands of sparkling plastic can easily cause serious issues for your cat's health if swallowed.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.