Intestinal Obstruction in Felines
Alteration of the Feline Gastrointestinal Apocalypse
Ever seen your tabby pal batting around a hair tie or a tiny toy? For many paw parents, this playful scene can bring on a pang of dread. Imagine if that trinket was ingested, and the kitty ends up with a blockage in its intestines - a potentially lethal complication.
But fret not, intestinal blockages are somewhat rare in our furry friends. According to a Banfield Pet Hospital study, approximately 0.16 percent of cats will be diagnosed with a gastrointestinal foreign body in a given year (1). However, a low risk doesn't equal zero risk, and an intestinal blockage can be a serious health predicament.
Read on to discover more about this intestinal calamity, including causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention methods for our feline buddies.
Understanding the Intestinal Blockage
An intestinal blockage, also known as an intestinal obstruction or bowel obstruction, occurs when the intestinal contents cannot move through the intestine like they normally would. This obstruction halts digestion, leading to signs of illness and, if left untreated, can be fatal.
The Root Causes
Bowel obstructions in cats can be due to several factors:
- Foreign Objects: Kitties have a knack for munching on items they shouldn't, like string, toys, or hair ties. Ingesting these objects can lead to a blockage as they may get lodged in the intestinal tract.
- Cancer: Intestinal cancer, specifically lymphoma, can cause swelling and thickening of the intestines, narrowing the opening and leading to an obstruction. Other less common forms of cancer, like adenocarcinoma, fibrosarcoma, and mast cell tumors, can also trigger blockages.
- Less common culprits: Other potential causes include hairballs, severe intestinal worm infections, intussusception (a condition where a part of the intestine telescopes into another part), hernias, and abscesses.
Intestinal blockages can afflict felines of any age. Younger cats are more likely to experience blockages due to foreign bodies or parasites, while middle-aged and older cats are more prone to cancer-related obstructions.
Spotting the Signs
An intestinal blockage quickly makes itself known through the following indicators:
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting undigested food
- Gagging
- Increased salivation
- Pawing at the mouth
- Abdominal pain
- Straining to defecate
- Diarrhea or lack of bowel movements
- Blood in the stool
- Dehydration
- Lethargy
- Hiding from family
- Loss of consciousness (in severe cases)
The timeline for intestinal blockage varies from cat to cat. There's no set cat intestinal blockage timeline, and it's impossible to determine exactly how long a cat can live with a blockage. A partial blockage often presents with a more gradual onset of symptoms, while a complete obstruction can swiftly lead to grave consequences.
Detecting the Blockage
Your veterinarian will begin by performing a thorough physical examination, looking for signs of dehydration, weight loss, and examining the cat's mouth for any foreign objects. They will also palpate the abdomen for signs of a mass or a foreign body obstruction.
Next, your vet will likely recommend radiographs (X-rays) to evaluate the intestinal tract. If needed, ultrasound or other tests may follow. They may also conduct bloodwork to check for potential organ dysfunction, particularly if your pet is undergoing anesthesia for surgical treatment.
Treatment and Recovery
A bowel blockage in cats typically necessitates surgery, where the vet makes an incision through the cat's body wall to inspect the intestinal tract. Upon locating the obstruction, the vet makes an incision into the intestines to remove the foreign object or mass, and then sutures the intestines closed before sewing up the body wall.
In cases where the obstruction is present in the stomach, the vet may attempt to induce vomiting before proceeding to surgery or remove the object using endoscopy, a less invasive procedure.
There's no DIY treatment for a cat with an intestinal blockage. These furballs require urgent veterinary care.
Post-Treatment Care
Supportive care is vital during the pre-surgery, surgical, and recovery stages. While hospitalized, your cat may receive intravenous fluids, pain medication, antibiotics, and nutritional support. Most cats begin eating normally within a few days of surgery. Post-surgery, you may need to feed a prescription diet in small amounts, and you may have to administer pain medication at home. Follow your veterinarian's instructions for post-surgical care.
Surgery Success Rate
Surgical removal of an intestinal blockage requires making incisions in the intestines, the riskiest part being that the incisions could potentially fail, allowing intestinal contents to leak into the abdomen, leading to septic peritonitis, a life-threatening infection.
A 2023 study by the University of Georgia looked at the records of 56 cats undergoing foreign body removal surgery at their hospital (2). No serious complications or deaths occurred among these patients, suggesting that the likelihood of septic peritonitis or death following the surgical removal of a foreign body is less than 5 percent in cats.
How to Avoid Intestinal Blockages
The majority of intestinal blockages in cats are caused by the ingestion of foreign objects. To prevent these blockages, keep these items out of reach of your cat. Although it can be adorable to watch your cat play fetch with small items, it's risky business.
Regular veterinary check-ups, maintaining a healthy weight for your cat, and monitoring their diet to avoid stringy or difficult-to-digest foods can also help prevent intestinal blockages.
References:
- Holt, David E. Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Foreign Bodies in Dogs and Cats. Today's Veterinary Practice. Oct 2015. Retrieved from https://todaysveterinarypractice.com/gastroenterology/pet-health-numbersprevalence-gastrointestinal-foreign-bodies/
- Gollnick, Hailey R et al. "Retrospective evaluation of surgical treatment of linear and discrete gastrointestinal foreign bodies in cats: 2009-2021." Journal of feline medicine and surgery vol. 25,6 (2023): 1098612X231178140. Doi:10.1177/1098612X231178140
Enrichment Data:
Intestinal blockage in cats is a severe condition that can lead to life-threatening consequences if ignored. Although specific prevalence rates for this issue in cats are not readily available, it remains a notable health concern requiring immediate veterinary attention.
Causes of intestinal blockages in cats can be categorized into foreign objects, hairballs, cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, and other less common factors like intussusception, hernias, and abscesses. Common symptoms include vomiting, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, and constipation.
The diagnosis involves a physical examination, imaging tests, and blood tests. Treatment may involve surgery, fluid therapy, pain management, and bowel rest. Prevention methods include monitoring diet, preventing the ingestion of foreign objects, regular veterinary check-ups, and maintaining a healthy weight for the cat.
- "The mental health implications of pet ownership, especially in the context of an intestinal blockage affecting a cat, could be significant for pet owners who may experience stress or anxiety while facing such a potentially life-threatening situation."
- "Research in the field of health-and-wellness and science could potentially lead to advancements in the diagnosis and treatment of intestinal blockages in cats, reducing the risks and complications associated with this condition."
