Foreign body blockages in cats and dogs

Our four-legged friends are curious creatures, which can lead them to gulp down a wide variety of items on their daily adventures.

Below, expert vet Dr Scott Miller teaches you all you need to know about foreign body ingestions. Learn about the symptoms and what to do if your cat or dog swallows something they shouldn’t have.

• Why do cats and dogs swallow things they shouldn’t?
  > What is a foreign body?
• Cat and dog foreign body symptoms
• Pet intestinal blockage treatment options
  > What is foreign body surgery recovery time?
• How to stop your cat or dog from swallowing a foreign body
• Other questions about foreign body blockages
  > How much does pet foreign body surgery cost?
  > Are there any complications to foreign body surgery?

Why do cats and dogs swallow things they shouldn’t?

Dogs love to explore the world with their mouths. So it’s natural for them to want pick up different tastes and textures, carry pieces of your clothing, or play with ribbon and thread.

While cats don’t use their mouths in the same way for exploration, they have a fondness for shiny and dangly items. Needles, thread, and small toys often entice cats and can get eaten in the excitement of playtime.

> What is a foreign body?

A foreign body is something your pet has swallowed that can’t be digested through their stomach and intestines.

Some of the strange items on Petsure pet insurance foreign body claims include:

• Socks
• Balloons
• Fish hooks
• Baby wipes
• Bottle caps
• Tea towels
• Batteries

Cat and dog foreign body symptoms

So, how can you tell if your pet has swallowed something they shouldn’t have?

Common signs and symptoms of a gut blockage include:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Abdominal pain
• Lethargy
• Not eating
• A sudden change in behaviour

Some foreign bodies may pass through and cause little more than an upset stomach. But if the object is an awkward shape or too large, it can lodge in the intestines. This can then get into the abdominal cavity and cause severe pain, infection, or even death.

Pet intestinal blockage treatment options

Get your pet straight to the vet if you think they’ve eaten something unsafe or harmful.

To see if and where there’s an obstruction, your vet may:

• Feel your pet’s abdomen
• Take an ultrasound or x-ray
• Take blood samples

How your cat or dog is treated depends on what they’ve swallowed and how recently it happened. Your vet will either:

• Give your pet an injection to make them vomit
• Perform an endoscopy to potentially remove a foreign body using a camera and forceps
• Perform surgery – this may also include repairing any damage to the stomach or intestines

> What is foreign body surgery recovery time?

Your pet will need a few days to recover from their surgery, either at home or at a vet hospital.

You’ll know your pet is on the mend as they will able to eat, drink, and pass faeces normally without vomiting.

Medication may be given if your pet’s surgery included repairing internal damage from the object. This helps to ease pain and fight off infection.

How to stop your cat or dog from swallowing a foreign body

While you don’t want to stop your pet from having fun and enjoying their adventures, you also don’t want them put at risk.

So here’s a few things you can do to stop your cat or dog swallowing harmful items:

• Keep your house clean and tidy and put away anything that could be poisonous or cause a gut blockage.
• Teach your dog essential cues like ‘leave it’ if something unwanted does find its way into their mouth.
• Give them a healthy, balanced diet so they’re satisfied and less likely to try and snap up foods they shouldn’t be eating.
• Don’t leave dangerous clutter around the garden that may intrigue and tempt your cat.
• Keep the bin well secured to avoid scavenging.
• Understand your pet’s normal behaviour so you can more easily recognise when they’re not acting like their usual selves.

Other questions about foreign body blockages

> How much does pet foreign body surgery cost?

The cost of intestinal foreign body surgery varies depending on:

• Where you live
• How long the foreign body has been ingested
• How unwell your pet is

Prices can start from upwards of £900, so speak to your local vet clinic for their price list.

> Are there any complications to foreign body surgery?

Although uncommon, there is a small risk of complications from foreign body surgery.

These could be:

• Infection or leakage at incisions
• Internal internal injuries from the object itself, or its surgical removal
• Complications from anaesthesia
• Post-operative pain and digestive disorders