string-toy CAT-astrophe

Two days ago, a previously frisky 1 year old cat came into the hospital acting very depressed and looking like it was on the brink of death. While taking the history, I discover that the indoor-only cat recently escaped and spent a day or three outside. Upon his return, the owner realized the cat was very ill, as evidenced by the every-hour-for-48-hours vomiting pattern. The owner readily consented to admit the cat to the hospital for further work-up, but it only took a quick look at the radiographs to show us that we were dealing with the dreaded linear foreign body. The owner was able to tell us exactly which toy she believed to be the problem. Surgery was the only option.

Once in the abdomen, a large portion of the toy could be felt in the stomach. The long string-y portion was traceable throughout all loops of bowl with a portion even felt in the colon. A gastrotomy incision was made, which revealed a large (2cm) rubber square with a string attached. An incision was also made in the distal jejunum so that the string could be grasped and cut at that site. With careful milking of the string, and gentle traction on the rubber part, a large part of the toy was removed via the gastrotomy incision. Considering that we were taught in school to "Never Cut The Colon," and because the rest of the toy appeared to be in the colon, it was decided the cat would likely expel the rest of the contents during defecation. The incision sites were then closed up and just as we were closing the abdominal wall, I asked my colleague to attempt to retrieve the string from the rectum. I milked the string and feces further into the colon while she reached through the rectum. Success!! The rest of the toy was out!

Two days later, the cat is acting a little depressed. He is still not eating, but he's not vomiting either. A close eye is being kept on this guy. Stay tuned for recovery updates!

Waiting and Watching

iCat