Colosso’s Case Study: Diagnosing and Treating Foreign Body Ingestion in Cats

Colosso, a 5-year-old white and ginger male cat, is depicted post-surgery, wearing a protective Elizabethan collar to aid his recovery. He's resting on a soft grey blanket in a veterinary clinic, showing signs of alertness yet calmness in his eyes. The image captures the tender moments of Colosso’s recuperation following a surgical procedure to remove ingested foreign objects.
Oct 3, 2024

Meet Colosso

Colosso is a charming and inquisitive five year old male cat. He found himself in a precarious situation due to his adventurous spirit and habit of ingesting non-food items.

The Incident

After Colosso began vomiting, his concerned owner quickly brought him to The Village Vet. An immediate examination through radiographs revealed various foreign objects lodged in his gastrointestinal tract. These included a balloon, plastic pieces, hair ties, elastic bands and cotton.

A diagnostic radiograph of Colosso, a five-year-old male cat, showing his side profile. The X-ray image reveals multiple foreign objects within his gastrointestinal tract, including swirls resembling hair ties and other indistinct shapes indicating non-food items. The details highlight the urgent need for surgical intervention to remove these obstructions.
X-ray of Colosso showing multiple foreign objects in the gastrointestinal tract, necessitating emergency surgical intervention.

Surgical Intervention

 Dr. Jess at The Village Vet performed an exploratory laparotomy on Colosso, carefully removing all the foreign materials from his stomach and intestines. This prompt action by Dr. Jess was crucial in preventing further health complications.

A post-surgical image displaying a collection of foreign objects removed from Colosso, a cat. The objects are arranged in a green kidney-shaped surgical tray and include a yellow rubber glove, multiple hair ties, elastic bands, and other small indigestible items. Some surgical tools and a blood-stained gauze are also visible in the tray, illustrating the aftermath of the procedure to extract these items from Colosso’s gastrointestinal tract.
Collection of foreign objects removed from Colosso’s stomach, displayed in a surgical tray.
Veterinarian in blue scrubs performing surgery on a cat, covered by green sterile drapes, in a brightly lit surgical room with advanced medical equipment and a surgical light overhead. An assistant adjusts the equipment in the background, and a clock shows the time on the wall, indicating the meticulous timing of the procedure.
Dr. Jess performing an exploratory laparotomy on Colosso to remove ingested foreign objects.

Outcome

Post-surgery, Colosso was transferred to Northside Emergency Veterinary Service for overnight care. There, he received IV fluids and pain relief, along with constant monitoring to ensure a comfortable recovery.

Thanks to the skilled surgical intervention by Dr. Jess and the attentive care provided by both The Village Vet and Northside Emergency Veterinary Service, Colosso was back on his feet and ready to go home the next day. His return was a joyful moment for his owner, who was relieved to see him healthy again.

Final Note

Colosso’s experience serves as an important reminder of the dangers that household items can pose to pets. It also highlights the critical role of timely veterinary intervention in managing such emergencies. Pet owners are encouraged to keep a vigilant eye on their furry companions and ensure their environment is safe from potential hazards.

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