Cat ate grass, lots of it, in hospital

She was taken to the ER vet because she was vomitting, lethargic and dehydrated. They said she had a large amount of grass blocking her intestines. So they are keeping her overnight and (charging my poor friend a fortune no doubt) but they said that is trying to flush it out doesn't work they will have to do surgery to remove it (for $3000). I told her if it comes down to that, call around for a better price!

Anyone ever have an experience like this? Is surgery really necessary or is there another option?

Originally Posted by Jen

She was taken to the ER vet because she was vomitting, lethargic and dehydrated. They said she had a large amount of grass blocking her intestines. So they are keeping her overnight and (charging my poor friend a fortune no doubt) but they said that is trying to flush it out doesn't work they will have to do surgery to remove it (for $3000). I told her if it comes down to that, call around for a better price!

Anyone ever have an experience like this? Is surgery really necessary or is there another option?

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I've never experienced that. How long ago did kitty eat the grass? Are they pretty sure it's just grass? I'm no doctor, but I think it's sometimes reasonable to give the cat fluids, etc and give it a little time to pass...along with other efforts like enemas, etc. I don't know. $3000 sounds crazy.

Yes they said grass, she eats grass like she is starving, always has though which is the weird thing. She finally overate and it backed up? I would think if that is all it is,it would dissolve or whatever the word is after awhile esp with fluids and enemas and all that.

Pippin (and his brother Merry, who died when waking up after surgery) had an intestinal blockage of thread and had to have surgery. The cost was less than $1000. I think around $750 and my vet even helped me out with that.

I'd call around too. With it being grass, I'd think that he should be able to flush it out fairly easily since it will break down from the digestive process.
Obviously, if the vet thinks it's an emergency, get it removed, but I'd think an enema might help loosen things up. Sub Q fluids might help too.

Poor kitty! I hope he is able to poop it all out without help. The surgical scar is scary!

Devlyn

Keep kitty indoors away from grass. This time of year people are spraying grasses with all sorts of fertilizers, weed control sprays etc. The stuff carries, it might not have been a blockage but a toxic reaction. Poor kitty- Tell your friend to let the cat eat organic catnip, small pinches at a time, it will go through the system much easier.

She really doesn't go out too much, my friend knows she loves the grass so she picks a pile and brings it in to let her chew. in the winter. Now that it is warm, she sits on the back patio and eats teh grass right at the bottom of the steps. No chemicals sprayed there. But I did tell her to keep Merlot inside from now on.

Mine don't have access to grass to eat. All live plants are outside But I've given my cats (others) grass from outside and brought in for them to eat - not a lot at a time tho.

Hope your kitty is well soon and they don't have to do surgery.