Endoscopic administration of Coca-Cola for medical management of a wedged intestinal trichobezoar in a cat.

Abstract

A 16-year-old, neutered male domestic longhair feline with gastroduodenal and jejunal trichobezoars was treated with administration of Coca-Cola through endoscopic injection catheter. Examination with a Karl Storz endoscope identified a trichobezoar causing suspected partial or early complete obstruction of the jejunum; however, the length of the scope was inadequate to retrieve the trichobezoar. Consequently, 55 mL of Coca-Cola and 5 mL of iohexol were instilled into an injection catheter to disrupt the trichobezoar. No peri- or postoperative complications were reported, and the cat recovered uneventfully. Key clinical message: This case report demonstrates a minimally invasive approach to treatment of a small intestinal trichobezoar in a cat with no intra- or postoperative complications. Coca-Cola infusion through an endoscopic injection catheter may be a viable treatment in cats when a surgical approach is not an option, although further cases are needed to determine whether these results can be generalized to the larger patient population.