Help, cat ate plastic

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kitty89

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Hi,

One of my cats has eaten one of those LiveStrong bracelets. I think I know which cat it is. He threw up a little bit on Sat., but seemed fine and the vomit was just food, but this morning there's vomit with pieces of bracelet in it. He's still playing and stuff, and I'm calling the vet right away when they open in an hour, but just wondering what the usual course of action is? Is surgery always required, and what if I'm wrong on which cat it is? Do they both maybe need x-rays? Thanks,

Trish
 
chichismom

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Please get your cat to the vet ASAP! He might be throwing up because he has a blockage or the plastic may be toxic
please get hi to the vet.
 
miss mew

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Originally Posted by chichismom

Please get your cat to the vet ASAP! He might be throwing up because he has a blockage or the plastic may be toxic
please get hi to the vet.
Click to expand...
For sure..please keep us posted on what happens...but please get the kitty to the vet quickly!
 
slitty_kittay

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Originally Posted by chichismom

Please get your cat to the vet ASAP! He might be throwing up because he has a blockage or the plastic may be toxic
please get hi to the vet.
Click to expand...
Yes, this is an emergency!
cats are very stoic animals - they can appear quite normal even when they have a big problem in the inside. He needs to be seen ASAP - only your vet can really say what will need to be done. If you are not completely certain who ingested the bracelet, or if the other cat may have ingested part too, then take both in to the vet!
goodluck, I hope they are ok!!
 
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kitty89

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hmm, vet just said watch them carefully for more vomiting, lethargy, lack of eating drinking or any other abnormal behaviour for now, because it can't be x-rayed, or shown how much was ingested in the first place. I don't really like this approach because it feels like I'm not doing enough, but I guess it's just waiting and praying that surgery is not needed. I also phoned the ER and they said the same advice, but I still would like some more reassurance that nothing can be done right now,
 
chichismom

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Call or go see another vet, a second opinion never hurts regardless of what he says they should be able to do something that would clean the kitty out? Right? I mean ya know like a laxative for us they should have someyhing to make him go potty so you could be sure it is all out,BTW has he pooped since all this happened?????!!!!!
 
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I would get some mineral oil and syringe a little bit of it into his mouth. I would also get some organic catnip it is a good source of fiber and will help push the plastic through the system. Look for signs of fever- third eyelid showing, going off his food, becoming dehydrated-

Plastic items are a big no-no for cats. Sometimes in the manufacturing of these items, animal renderings are used, making the plastic highly desirable to cats and kittens. Just keep monitoring this kitty and hopefully everything will pass okay-
 
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Cats seem ok tonight. They're both pooping, eating, drinking, and playing. I've been watching them like a hawk. Hopefully, the throwing up got rid of it all. I just wish there was something like an x-ray that you could see inside with, but I guess it's not possible. I got a third opinion, and that was wait and see too, so I guess that's the plan for now. Crossing my fingers they're ok
 
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The vet may be right about waiting and seeing as long as he is able to breath and is still passing feces. Although, I don't think it is true that he could have not been x-rayed. I am not sure but I think is more that he or she doesn't think it is necessary based on the information you gave him. There is a soft tissue technique used in radiography. Conventional plain films, especially lateral techniques of the larynx that provide preliminary or definitive information about foreign bodies, trauma, and other types of acute and chronic airway obstruction. These radiographs can demonstrate soft-tissue swelling, alterations of the cartilaginous framework (if sufficiently calcified), and the position of the air column. This is done by lowering the kVp thus the pentration of the usable x-ray beam. Now, you can still see plastic in an x-ray depending on its size. I have seen something as small as a asprin in a radiograph before.
Sorry, I just don't like for people to be given the wrong information....I feel that instead of telling the patient it can't be done ....and assume he or she doesn't know better....they should tell the truth and say that it is not necessary because of ect. ect.....and ect. I would assume the vet knew that it would be possible if he felt it was necessary. Sorry, for my soap box..
 
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If the cat's appetite is good and there is no vomiting or diarrhea, you can relax for the time being.

By "vomit" I mean fully digested food or green bile. Regurgitating recently eaten food is not necessarily anything to be concerned about.

If you catch your cat in the act of eating something he shouldn't and can't get to him in time to stop him from eating it, you need to rush him to the emergency vet right away. If it is caught soon enough, they can induce vomiting and prevent the need for surgery. Needless to say, this will save you at least $1000 plus your kitty won't have to go through surgery. Much better for everyone!
 
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Exiled at the time in NC..I don't do HEAT well.The

Trish

Trish,

Generally if the cat is acting fine they will either...or generally both...vomit parts and the rest pass thru the good ole gi tract.You may want to give him some Laxatone(kitty hairball paste)..it will coat the tummy and bowel some and 'speed' things alone a little.
The signs you woluld want to see a vet for,would be those associated with obstruction within the small or lesser so,large bowel.These would warrant vet care asap and xrays should be limited to when your kitty acts/looks sick.
If he chewed AND swallowed...and the plastic went to his gut...I am assuming this is the case as he has vomited some up.............Any chance of the plastic being in his airway,or aspirated into the bronchus or lung,would be noted very soon after incident and would include breathing,coughing,air hunger....respiratory symptons.
Clearly this does not seem to be as he is acting fine.
As far as symptoms of gut obstruction,they may go from lethargy(lying around and just acting sick),,drooling(as when nauseaous...but this too is a later symptom.
A sick cat will generally first start lying around or hiding,he may act like he wants to eat and drink but rather just sits by the bowls.His tummy would begin being sore to touch,later becoming board like and bloated.Vomiting may occur,or retching without bringing anything up.This depends on just where the obstruction is.Sometimes they may have very runny stools or none at all if obstruction complete.Should he show signs as such...or just seem "off' to you,take him in asap.You are the best judge of your furbaby,so rely on those 'maternal' instincts as well!
You may want to touch base with you vet ,more so for your own relief.
I dont see your boy, as you have described him now, as being even the slighest bit ill.
As long as he is eating and playful,tummy soft and nondistended just go about as business as usual.
Save the xray for the extremely small possibility that the plastic is 'clogging up his pipes'.
I am not familiar..or dont think I am...of the exact type of object he consumed ,but plastic being pliable, and generally without sharp points that could perf(put a hole in) his gut.The food he is eating should make that possibility little to none.
Best of Health to you both and...since he seems to be a bit of a sneak..make sure string.ribbon,cords etc are out of his domain accessibility.Those are the things that bunch up and plug up the gut more often.
Esp with Turky Day not far off..a big reminder/hit/tip to everyone....the rope some meats come wrapped up with is an entancing find for cats and dogs alike...remember to place in trash outside where there is no possibility the furry ones can get hold of...they smell sooooo good and have such appealing flavor to them it is almost impossible,if anywhere in their reach, NOT
to dine upon.
They can also easily choke on these as well.
Hope I could ease your mind a bit and all goes well!

From our Home to Yours,
Headbutts and kitty nose licks...and Blessings ao All,
Skye and the kitty kommitty



comic sans
Originally Posted by Kitty89

Hi,

One of my cats has eaten one of those LiveStrong bracelets. I think I know which cat it is. He threw up a little bit on Sat., but seemed fine and the vomit was just food, but this morning there's vomit with pieces of bracelet in it. He's still playing and stuff, and I'm calling the vet right away when they open in an hour, but just wondering what the usual course of action is? Is surgery always required, and what if I'm wrong on which cat it is? Do they both maybe need x-rays? Thanks,

Trish
Click to expand...
 
moepett00

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this is actually a good approach, you don't want unnecessary surgery, tests can be stressing on them. I would suggest if you use anything use the hairball pastes they sell, that is a natural lubricant and will coat his insides to help things pass easier. I had to do this when my kitty swallowed easter tinsel and i use it for hairballs. Hairballs can become a blockage too. I know someone whos cat swallowed string, it got wrapped around its tongue and was there a month. Kitty survived but only bc owner was giving him dog antibiotics, those strong pills were keeping him from going septic as his intestines got sliced apart. Emergency surgery was 2200 dollars. My cat has swallowed plastic etc before and w/ lubricant passed it fine. If you keep a VERY good eye on him you will know if he is having issues. His breathing, he is vomiting or gagging, not eating not drinking, lethargic, trouble in the cat box. those are signs to watch for
 
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