Linear Foreign Body Ingestion

by
Dorene Olson, BA
Tri-City Animal & Bird Clinic
(314)-227-4041

Think cat and the vision of kittens playing with string springs to mind. Many commercially sold cat toys are either string toys or toys attached to string for cats to chase. Being imaginative creatures, cats also invent toys out of shoe laces, sewing and craft items, yarns, ties on clothing, dental floss, curtain pulls, rubber bands and twines used to wrap up packaging. Holidays post their own sets of temptations with tinsels, ribbons, Easter basket "string," Halloween spider webs and party balloon strings. If a cat swallows a string, medically termed "linear foreign body ingestion," the consequences can be very serious. Signs can include gagging, vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, lethargy, a painful abdomen, and perhaps an increase in temperature. Sometimes the string can be seen wrapped around the underside of the tongue. DO NOT attempt to pull it out if it is lodged there because the string may be tangled throughout the intestines making removal of it impossible.

If the string is not seen in the mouth, bloodwork is indicated to rule out diseases of the kidneys, pancreas, or liver which may cause similar symptoms. An increased white blood cell count and a history of ingestion of foreign bodies are helpful for a diagnosis of foreign body ingestion. X-rays may or may not be diagnostic as sometimes the swallowed item does not show up on film, or the intestines are not yet in the "loopy" shape that is characteristic of this problem. Surgical correction is usually necessary and can be complicated due to devitalization of the intestinal tissue and the number of incision sites needed to remove the object.

Because domestic cats are often weaned earlier than feral cats, it has been proposed that inappropriate consumptive behaviors may contribute to foreign body ingestion and in face may be a more common problem than many people realize. (Overall, K., Clinical Behavioral Medicine for Small Animals, Mosby, 1997) Early weaned kittens may suck and then chew not only on their owners but also a variety of non-food items. Cats on poor diets or generic food may often try to eat or chew on non-food items looking for better nutrition. Siamese cats are prone to a condition called wool sucking, and are in danger if the item that they are sucking on becomes unraveled and they swallow it.

Owners are advised to remove the dangerous articles from the environment, although sometimes it is easier to confine the cat instead. If the chewing is on one primary object, and objectionable taste smeared on it might helpful (bitter apple, deep heating rub, Listerine, Chinese hot oil). Owners can also provide more appropriate chew items, such as Kong toys or sterilized bones stuffed with food treats such as cream cheese, tuna or canned cat food. Cats can also be taught to enjoy vegetables, rawhides or catnip or cat grasses fastened in bundles.

Despite the dangers posed by string, cats can live long and healthy lives playing with these types of toys. Strings allow owners to safely construct games of chase, providing physical and mental stimulation essential to a cat’s well being. Use proper supervision and attention in the creation of a pet safe household, and let your cats have fun.

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