Gastrointestinal linear foreign bodies in cats: A retrospective study of 12 cases

Abstract

Gastrointestinal foreign bodies are common in animals and may present with various clinical manifestations depending on the location, severity, and duration of the obstruction. Linear foreign body (LFB) obstructions are more common in cats compared to dogs, and the foreign body causing the obstruction is usually thread or threaded needle. In this study, it was aimed to determine the radiography and the localization of the obstruction in the diagnosis of LFB in cats, to investigate the operative treatment options and their effects on the prognosis. The study material consisted of 12 cats of different breeds, ages, and genders, which were referred with the suspicion of foreign body with acute/chronic vomiting and anorexia. After the identification of obstruction due to foreign body, the treatment was planned considering its localization, severity and duration of pathology. All foreign bodies were removed through surgical procedures. The most common finding was the plication in the intestines. Four cats died in the postoperative period. As a result, an early and rapid diagnosis of LFB positively affects the prognosis. Intestinal perforations caused by LFB and infection due to bacterial translocation are inevitable in delayed cases. Another issue to be considered is that extremely important to carry out a detailed examination of the mouth in cats, which show symptoms of gastrointestinal system origin illness. In addition, it is thought that to pull out the LFBs that protrude from the anus increase the perforation risk of intestine.