Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cat intestinal blockages from linear and discrete foreign objects
By Miller, Annellie Kaitlin et al.·Published in Veterinary surgery : VS·2024·Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Linear and discrete foreign body small intestinal obstruction outcomes, complication risk factors, and single incision red rubber catheter technique success in cats.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A group of cats with intestinal blockages caused by foreign objects underwent surgery to remove the obstructions. The study found that cats with linear foreign body obstructions (LFBO) and discrete foreign body obstructions (DFBO) had similar chances of surviving the surgery and experiencing complications afterward. A special technique using a red rubber catheter was successful in most cases for removing LFBOs. Overall, the risk of serious complications like intestinal tearing was low, which is reassuring for pet owners considering surgery for their cats.
People also search for: cat intestinal blockage surgery · cat foreign body obstruction treatment · cat surgery recovery time
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To compare survival and report perioperative complications in cats undergoing surgery for small intestinal (SI) linear (LFBO) and discrete (DFBO) foreign body obstructions (FBO). To report success of a red rubber catheter technique (RRCT) to remove LFBOs. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: Client-owned cats (n = 169). METHODS: Medical records of cats undergoing surgery for SI FBO from a veterinary teaching hospital between February 2012 and January 2023 were classified as LFBO, DFBO, or both linear and discrete FBO (BFBO). Signalment and perioperative data were collected. RESULTS: Preoperative hypoalbuminemia (LFBO: n = 1/6; DFBO: n = 5/6) and septic peritonitis (LFBO: n = 2/4; DFBO: n = 0/4; BFBO: n = 2/4) were rare. Intraoperative hypotension did not differ between LFBOs and DFBOs (p = .4756). RRCT was successful in 20/24 attempts of LFBO removal. Three cats were euthanized intraoperatively (LFBO: 1; DFBO: 1; BFBO: 1). Postoperatively, two cats (DFBO) experienced intestinal dehiscence and two cats (DFBO) died or were euthanized. Survival to discharge (p = 1.0000) and postoperative complications (p = .1386) did not differ between LFBOs and DFBOs. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative complications and survival did not differ between cats with LFBOs and DFBOs. Intestinal dehiscence secondary to FBO in cats is rare. A RRCT can be successful in many cats with LFBOs. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Cats with LFBOs and DFBOs have similar postoperative complication rates and survival to discharge when preoperative septic peritonitis is not present. Intestinal dehiscence is rare, which is important when discussing surgical prognosis with owners. A RRCT can be considered to remove LFBOs when there is concern for multiple enterotomies.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38969492/