Foreign Body

Sometimes, cats ingest things that are not meant for eating. The ingested object may pass through the stomach unnoticed until it becomes lodged in the GI tract where the lumen narrows down. Obstruction by a foreign body can be a painful and life-threatening condition. Cats that have ingested a foreign body may show the following symptoms

• vomiting
• diarrhea
• lethargy
• loss of appetite
• abdominal pain

Physical examination, medical history, and radiographs are required to make a diagnosis. In some cases, a foreign body may pass on its own but if it contains toxins, surgical removal is necessary. Prognosis depends upon the location of the foreign body, size, and shape of the obstruction.