Hi,
5 days ago my kitty (7 months) ate a hair tie; the kind with no metal in it. She threw one up yesterday, but it was a different one. Today she has had 3 bouts of diarrhea already. Since we've had her, it has not been unusual for her to have diarrhea; she seems to have a sensitive stomach and we've had to change her food twice. However, it's usually one to two episodes in a day then she's back to normal stool. Do you think she could possibly have an obstruction? She's acting pretty normal. If she did, when I took her to the vet do you know generally what would be done? Thanks!
Does kitty have a bowel obstruction??
If you think she might have an obstruction, why would you waste time on a internet message forum? If you know she ate a hair band, then yes, it is IMPERATIVE you get her to your vet, IMMEDIATELY for an exam. Only your vet can determine if she has an obstruction.
Xrays, or, a barium xray series would be the most common method of determining an obstruction like this, after physical exam and palpation.
Barium is a medium (liquid form) that is given orally, allowed time to enter the stomach and intestinal tract, xrays are taken at intervals of anywhere from 15 minutes to 45 minutes, to "watch" the progress of the barium entering the stomach and intestines. The flow should be normal, and if it does not flow in a designated time frame, the xray will show where it has stopped, indicating an obstruction, and the area of suspicion.
Hair bands, ties, strings, etc can all be FATAL if ingested by any cat! They can obstruct the esophagus, stomach, intestine and colon, they can perforate any tissue in these organs and be fatal. If perforated intestines, the intestine will leak toxic substances into the bloodstream and can be fatal. Surgery to remove these obstructions are expensive and there is a risk for infection, even post-op. Never take chances, see your vet immediately! Keep all of these things completely out of reach to your cats!
GO NOW. Even if the vet determines kitty already expelled another or suspect hair tie, it's best to play it safe than wait around to find out and be too late!!
Btw, when you're there, discuss kitten's nutrition, she's much too young to be having digestive issues, discuss a proper diet with her, your vet will recommend deworming her (let him give the medication, do NOT use over-the-counter products as they are not safe or effective), and will recommend a suitable diet for her age, and barring any serious medical condition.
Xrays, or, a barium xray series would be the most common method of determining an obstruction like this, after physical exam and palpation.
Barium is a medium (liquid form) that is given orally, allowed time to enter the stomach and intestinal tract, xrays are taken at intervals of anywhere from 15 minutes to 45 minutes, to "watch" the progress of the barium entering the stomach and intestines. The flow should be normal, and if it does not flow in a designated time frame, the xray will show where it has stopped, indicating an obstruction, and the area of suspicion.
Hair bands, ties, strings, etc can all be FATAL if ingested by any cat! They can obstruct the esophagus, stomach, intestine and colon, they can perforate any tissue in these organs and be fatal. If perforated intestines, the intestine will leak toxic substances into the bloodstream and can be fatal. Surgery to remove these obstructions are expensive and there is a risk for infection, even post-op. Never take chances, see your vet immediately! Keep all of these things completely out of reach to your cats!
GO NOW. Even if the vet determines kitty already expelled another or suspect hair tie, it's best to play it safe than wait around to find out and be too late!!
Btw, when you're there, discuss kitten's nutrition, she's much too young to be having digestive issues, discuss a proper diet with her, your vet will recommend deworming her (let him give the medication, do NOT use over-the-counter products as they are not safe or effective), and will recommend a suitable diet for her age, and barring any serious medical condition.
..........Traci
Re: Does kitty have a bowel obstruction??
I was waiting to see if she would pass it; I am a nursing student, and with bowel obstructions the procedure is to watch it closely and see if it fixes itself; I knew that since the hair band has no metal and is completely cloth, it has very little chance of perforating the bowel. She has had plenty of healthy bowel movements since she ate the tie; but today all of a sudden the diarrhea. I am assuming the hairtie is close to coming out and is now causing a partial obstruction, and I came on here to ask people their opinions; I know quite a lot about human physiology, and much of this can be applied to animals, but I do know that there are big differences as well: the cats digestive system is much faster than the humans, so she should have passed this awhile ago.
Thanks for your help. We finally found a food that works for her; we found that anything with animal by-products in it made her poo stink horribly and gave her loose bowels.
Thanks for taking the time to answer my question
Thanks for your help. We finally found a food that works for her; we found that anything with animal by-products in it made her poo stink horribly and gave her loose bowels.
Thanks for taking the time to answer my question
You may be a nursing student, but you are NOT an animal medical student.
Despite what you think you know, you are wrong. ANY foreign body can obstruct, perforate, twist and suffocate a vital organ in cats (as well as dogs). And no, the physiology is NOT the same for pets as humans. You should never assume just because it's cloth, it will pass on it' own, that is FOOLISH! Cat's digestive tracts are rather short, transit time is slow, and if an obstruction occurs, it could be anywhere! Combined food both in the stomach and intestine, combined hairballs, can all IMPACT with a foreign body and cause obstruction!
You're taking chances by "assuming", but you're taking chances with your kitty's health and her life. Get her to your vet NOW!!
And, your description of her frequent episodes with diarrhea, is not indicative of a proper diet, she's only 7 months old, this is NOT normal for a kitten who is 7 months old!
Despite what you think you know, you are wrong. ANY foreign body can obstruct, perforate, twist and suffocate a vital organ in cats (as well as dogs). And no, the physiology is NOT the same for pets as humans. You should never assume just because it's cloth, it will pass on it' own, that is FOOLISH! Cat's digestive tracts are rather short, transit time is slow, and if an obstruction occurs, it could be anywhere! Combined food both in the stomach and intestine, combined hairballs, can all IMPACT with a foreign body and cause obstruction!
You're taking chances by "assuming", but you're taking chances with your kitty's health and her life. Get her to your vet NOW!!
And, your description of her frequent episodes with diarrhea, is not indicative of a proper diet, she's only 7 months old, this is NOT normal for a kitten who is 7 months old!
..........Traci
Re: Does kitty have a bowel obstruction??
It's the same basic physiology. I said since it was cloth it was LESS LIKELY to perforate; I know that this can still happen. And she is being fed a very healthy diet! I am feeding her blue buffalo kitten food; she was on iams kitten when I got her, and she had bowel movements that would stink up the whole apartment; we switched her to brennens farms naturals kitten food, and that helped, but it wasn't enough, so we switched her to Blue Buffalo; this is a very healthy food for dogs and cats, and her poo no longer stinks to high heavens! She has been dewormed twice, fixed, and treated for a respiratory infection. This little kitten has been through so much - she was found cold and freezing on the streets with a respiratory infection and only 2/3rds of a tail. I take excellent care of her. Her coat is silky, silky smooth and shiny like a rabbits. Her teeth are white and strong, her ears are clean, and she is active and playful.
I just came on here to ask peoples opinions on a concern I have for my kitten. I did not come on here to be painted as a bad pet owner. I am taking her to the vet tomorrow. She is showing NO signs of infection at all, is not lethargic, and is still eating and drinking.
Thank you for your information on the procedures she might be facing and for your concern.
I just came on here to ask peoples opinions on a concern I have for my kitten. I did not come on here to be painted as a bad pet owner. I am taking her to the vet tomorrow. She is showing NO signs of infection at all, is not lethargic, and is still eating and drinking.
Thank you for your information on the procedures she might be facing and for your concern.
Re: Does kitty have a bowel obstruction??
hi melmel.....I am just getting here to catch up on the posts for the day....hopefully the vet can figure out what is going on with your kitty and the bowel habits and if there is an obstruction...and what to do if there is...
Cats are very good at hiding their pain from us...it is an instinctive trait necessary for survival, so by the time we see that they are in pain...they are seriously probably near death...so it is a good thing you are getting her in and checked....better safe anyways....and since she is still irrgeular, you want to find out why...
Is she getting into anything when you are not home?...plants?...snacks?....little insects?...do you notice that she has chewed on anything else around the house?....
Get down to her level and look around....play detective for a while and see what you see from her level....it might surprise you and you might find all sorts of clues as to what might be bugging her that you are not aware of from a human point of view
Just a few more suggestions that might help....
I have a multi-cats/dogs household...all rescues...and the cats were either feral or newborns that I hand raised...all sickly or injured when they came into the house...so I know how much work it is to get them healthy and how hard we fall in love with them!!
Let us know what the vet says!
Cats are very good at hiding their pain from us...it is an instinctive trait necessary for survival, so by the time we see that they are in pain...they are seriously probably near death...so it is a good thing you are getting her in and checked....better safe anyways....and since she is still irrgeular, you want to find out why...
Is she getting into anything when you are not home?...plants?...snacks?....little insects?...do you notice that she has chewed on anything else around the house?....
Get down to her level and look around....play detective for a while and see what you see from her level....it might surprise you and you might find all sorts of clues as to what might be bugging her that you are not aware of from a human point of view
Just a few more suggestions that might help....
I have a multi-cats/dogs household...all rescues...and the cats were either feral or newborns that I hand raised...all sickly or injured when they came into the house...so I know how much work it is to get them healthy and how hard we fall in love with them!!
Let us know what the vet says!
Re: Does kitty have a bowel obstruction??
melmel465,
Sorry to come across as so blunt, but the fact is, you are wrong in your assumptions.
You seem to be fixated on the fact that just because the hairband was cloth means it will pass naturally on it's own and cannot perforate. This is simply NOT TRUE. You are also extrapolating from humans, which is NOT the same for cats. The size, length and transit time of the stomach and intestinal tract in cats is far different than that of humans and they are much more likely to obstruct from a foreign body (just as human children are as well). Foreign bodies move, they twist and turn and they accumulate fur, food and other things along the way. They can obstruct anywhere from the esophagus to the colon. They can strangulate a vital organ, and the twisting motion can indeed perforate. It doesn't matter if obstruction or perforation, they are both serious matters. When one has clear evidence a cat has ingested something, one does not assume it's going to naturally pass on it's own.
Whether all of the foods you are feeding are good foods is a matter of opinion only. I do hope you inform your vet of every food you've fed, but more importantly, that you shouldn't be switching foods on a constant basis, this is a sure way to cause GI upset and upset the balance. Please, ask his opinion on a better food, your kitten is only 7 months old, she is STILL growing and developing and requires certain vitamins/minerals/nutrients to ensure proper growth and health. Whether the diet had anything to do with the frequent diarrhea or not, the fact is this is not normal for a healthy young kitten. The longer it goes unaddressed by your vet, the more problems she is going to have. I hope you understand that diarrhea causes a host of problems in pets, including serious dehydration and kidney and liver problems. In a young kitten, this is something that needs to be properly addressed immediately.
Again, kitten-prooof your home, and keep all hairbands, strings, and small objects completely locked away and out of her reach.
Sorry to come across as so blunt, but the fact is, you are wrong in your assumptions.
You seem to be fixated on the fact that just because the hairband was cloth means it will pass naturally on it's own and cannot perforate. This is simply NOT TRUE. You are also extrapolating from humans, which is NOT the same for cats. The size, length and transit time of the stomach and intestinal tract in cats is far different than that of humans and they are much more likely to obstruct from a foreign body (just as human children are as well). Foreign bodies move, they twist and turn and they accumulate fur, food and other things along the way. They can obstruct anywhere from the esophagus to the colon. They can strangulate a vital organ, and the twisting motion can indeed perforate. It doesn't matter if obstruction or perforation, they are both serious matters. When one has clear evidence a cat has ingested something, one does not assume it's going to naturally pass on it's own.
Whether all of the foods you are feeding are good foods is a matter of opinion only. I do hope you inform your vet of every food you've fed, but more importantly, that you shouldn't be switching foods on a constant basis, this is a sure way to cause GI upset and upset the balance. Please, ask his opinion on a better food, your kitten is only 7 months old, she is STILL growing and developing and requires certain vitamins/minerals/nutrients to ensure proper growth and health. Whether the diet had anything to do with the frequent diarrhea or not, the fact is this is not normal for a healthy young kitten. The longer it goes unaddressed by your vet, the more problems she is going to have. I hope you understand that diarrhea causes a host of problems in pets, including serious dehydration and kidney and liver problems. In a young kitten, this is something that needs to be properly addressed immediately.
Again, kitten-prooof your home, and keep all hairbands, strings, and small objects completely locked away and out of her reach.
..........Traci
Re: Does kitty have a bowel obstruction??
Took Munchkin to the vet today, and everything is a-ok!!! The vet says that there are no signs of obstruction; if she was obstructed, she would be vomiting up everything including water, and she would be lethargic and not eating. She's exactly the opposite! The vet said that if she had ingested more hair ties, we would wait to see if they would pass on their own; at any sign of obstruction, I would need to take her back immediately.
I know how obstruction and perforation works and I know how serious it is. The reason why I came on here first was because I did not see serious signs, and was just worried because I know how dangerous and lethal a perforation or obstruction can be.
Now I know that I need to keep those hair ties up!!! My cat at my moms home plays with them all the time; she throws them up in the air and catches them and bats them around; I guess I never expected this cat to eat them!!!!
Thanks to you both!
I know how obstruction and perforation works and I know how serious it is. The reason why I came on here first was because I did not see serious signs, and was just worried because I know how dangerous and lethal a perforation or obstruction can be.
Now I know that I need to keep those hair ties up!!! My cat at my moms home plays with them all the time; she throws them up in the air and catches them and bats them around; I guess I never expected this cat to eat them!!!!
Thanks to you both!
Re: Does kitty have a bowel obstruction??
melmel465,
Thanks for posting an update, I couldn't be more thrilled to hear Munchkin is ok.
You touched on something that many pet owners don't often take into consideration. Hair ties, even milk jug rings which cats LOVE to play with, can be eaten in mere seconds, leaving no time for the owner to grab away or out of the mouth. Supervision is critical for cats with any small toys, then the toys should be placed out of reach in a secured place when not in use. I hope you can mention that to your mom.
One of my mild-natured cats did this just recently, despite my careful observation, he grabbed a tiny fur mouse and promptly decided to eat it (despite his never doing this before and he always chases, not eats, his toys). I got it out of his mouth in time, but believe me, my heart was racing.
I hope you don't think I came at you too hard, my concern was it really is different for cats with potential obstructions, no matter what the foreign body. Having assisted in numerous surgeries, I can tell you it is not pretty, nor easy for the cat.
We have extensive knowledge/experience here with kittens and cats, so feel free to ask questions any time if you have them.
Thanks for posting an update, I couldn't be more thrilled to hear Munchkin is ok.
You touched on something that many pet owners don't often take into consideration. Hair ties, even milk jug rings which cats LOVE to play with, can be eaten in mere seconds, leaving no time for the owner to grab away or out of the mouth. Supervision is critical for cats with any small toys, then the toys should be placed out of reach in a secured place when not in use. I hope you can mention that to your mom.
One of my mild-natured cats did this just recently, despite my careful observation, he grabbed a tiny fur mouse and promptly decided to eat it (despite his never doing this before and he always chases, not eats, his toys). I got it out of his mouth in time, but believe me, my heart was racing.
I hope you don't think I came at you too hard, my concern was it really is different for cats with potential obstructions, no matter what the foreign body. Having assisted in numerous surgeries, I can tell you it is not pretty, nor easy for the cat.
We have extensive knowledge/experience here with kittens and cats, so feel free to ask questions any time if you have them.
..........Traci
Re: Does kitty have a bowel obstruction??
I understand Thank you for being so concerned about animals!!! My whole life, I have been provided with cats/kittens in some shape or form. I was allergic, but I always had a special bond with a stray cat or so. That's how I got the kitty at my mom's; she was feral and had 7 kittens in our backyard. I remain the only person that can scratch her belly without getting their arms taken off!!
I had planned on getting a kitten sometime in April, but I always looked online for 'kitten therapy' breaks from studying, and one day in February I came across her and fell in love. It's amazing how certain animals just steal your whole heart and soul.
I understand how different cat's digestive systems are than humans, which is why I came on here asking for advice from people who know these things and care, like you! Thank you so much for your advice. I'll be sure to come back here for more when I need it!!!!
Thank you for being so concerned about animals!!! My whole life, I have been provided with cats/kittens in some shape or form. I was allergic, but I always had a special bond with a stray cat or so. That's how I got the kitty at my mom's; she was feral and had 7 kittens in our backyard. I remain the only person that can scratch her belly without getting their arms taken off!! I had planned on getting a kitten sometime in April, but I always looked online for 'kitten therapy' breaks from studying, and one day in February I came across her and fell in love. It's amazing how certain animals just steal your whole heart and soul.
I understand how different cat's digestive systems are than humans, which is why I came on here asking for advice from people who know these things and care, like you! Thank you so much for your advice. I'll be sure to come back here for more when I need it!!!!