Removing foreign bodies from cats. Full or partial. Recovery after surgery

Most of foreign bodies from the stomach enters the small intestine, which consists of three sections: duodenum, jejunum and ileum. Ileum passes into the large intestine, which begins with the cecum, where there is a well-defined wide base appendix(appendix). Unlike humans, it never becomes inflamed. Most likely obstruction in small intestine or at the ileocecal junction.

Foreign body obstruction of the small intestine is most common in dogs following the ingestion of indigestible (rocks) or only partially digestible objects such as bones, and is the most frequent form obstruction, most cases observed in young dogs.

Large objects such as stones cause complete blockage, ring-shaped, flat like a button, or thread-like objects or objects with protrusions cause incomplete blockage.

In cats, linear foreign bodies, such as threads, ribbons, and tinsel, are most likely to be retained in the intestines, causing partial intestinal obstruction. Foreign bodies of this type often lead to rupture of the intestinal wall and bacterial peritonitis.

Clinical signs depend on the location of the obstruction, whether it is complete or partial, linear or nonlinear foreign body, and whether there is perforation of the intestinal wall. When a foreign body is localized in upper sections small intestine ( duodenum, proximal part jejunum) animals refuse food, the offered liquid or food is immediately regurgitated. Appear acute attacks indomitable vomiting that cannot be stopped even with antiemetics (antiemetics). Diarrhea may develop followed by cessation of bowel movements.

In the case of complete or incomplete blockage of the distal parts of the intestine, symptoms usually do not appear immediately and also cause vomiting, but not as acute as proximal blockage. Some animals drink water and try to eat. Sometimes fluid is retained, and food is often regurgitated after a few hours. In case of complete blockage of the intestines, the act of defecation is delayed, and in case of partial blockage, defecation is delayed only when complete absence appetite; if animals still get a small amount of feed, sometimes mild diarrhea with tarry stools develops.

Some animals experience abdominal pain when trying to palpate (feel) abdominal cavity, especially if perforation (formation of a hole in the intestinal wall) of the intestine has occurred, and peritonitis (inflammation of the peritoneum) has developed.

Some linear foreign bodies, such as sewing thread, can be detected on examination by lifting the animal's tongue. They are often wrapped around the base of the tongue.

Intestinal obstruction entails a number of local and systemic complications:

• accumulation of fluid and gases above the site of intestinal obstruction;
• decreased blood supply to the intestines, which leads to stagnation venous blood and lymph;
• necrosis and possible perforation of the intestinal wall, peritonitis, increased permeability of the intestinal barrier to bacteria;
• increasing the severity of existing lesions of the intestinal wall, peritonitis, increasing the release of cytokines (molecules that ensure the mobilization of the inflammatory response);
• sepsis, probability of death.

An increase in the animal's temperature is a symptom of the onset of complications.

Laboratory research blood and urine are important for recognizing changes caused by vomiting and dehydration and for assessing the severity inflammatory process in case of complications, as well as to exclude secondary obstruction caused by diseases of other organs and to obtain objective data on the general condition of the animal.

As additional methods Research uses ultrasound and x-ray examination. These methods have great importance during diagnosis and differential diagnosis.

Reading accuracy ultrasound examination largely depend on the quality of the equipment used and experience veterinarian. When performing a survey x-ray of the abdominal cavity, the following goals are pursued:

• confirm symptoms of intestinal obstruction and impenetrable x-ray and semi-permeable foreign bodies;
• recognize changes in the location, shape and levels of the intestines, as well as unusual accumulation of gas in the intestines;
• exclude symptoms of complications such as peritonitis or free gas in the abdominal cavity;
• confirm the absence of changes that indicate secondary obstruction associated with extraintestinal disease.

To confirm intestinal blockage by a foreign body in cases where a plain X-ray of the abdominal cavity does not allow diagnosis accurate diagnosis, and to confirm or exclude differential diagnoses, a study using a contrast agent may be indicated.

For this study The animal is injected with a radiopaque contrast agent into the gastrointestinal tract directly through the mouth or through an orogastric (nasogastric) tube, or, when performing gastroscopy, through an endoscope, after which a series of X-ray images are taken.

If received questionable results ultrasound and x-ray examination in the presence of characteristic clinical picture and data from the owner about the animal eating foreign objects, a diagnostic laparotomy is performed. Laparotomy (chromectomy) is an operation of opening the abdominal cavity. Diagnostic laparotomy is performed to definitively establish the diagnosis and the possibility surgical removal foreign body.

In most cases surgery is the definitive way to eliminate obstruction thin section intestines. Drug treatment, most likely, will not bring effect, and the longer the foreign body is in the intestine, the more likely perforation with the ensuing consequences in the form of peritonitis and death.

If the presence of a foreign body in the small intestine is confirmed, all animals undergo preoperative preparation, the purpose of which is to stabilize the animal’s condition before surgery.

During the preparation, all fluid, acid-base and electrolyte imbalances detected in the animal are corrected, effective pain relief is provided, antibiotic therapy is started, and, if necessary, oxygen therapy and blood transfusions are used.

Surgical intervention is performed under general anesthesia. The animal is first given premedication, the purpose of which is to reduce the risk of possible complications during the operation. Then drugs are administered intravenously to make the patient fall asleep (induction of anesthesia), after which an endotracheal tube is installed and the animal is connected to gas anesthesia. During surgery, vital signs are monitored important functions body: heart rate, heartbeat, frequency breathing movements, blood oxygen saturation, blood pressure.

Laparotomy is performed along the white line of the abdomen. After opening the abdominal cavity, the intestine is removed from the surgical wound and carefully examined for the presence of foreign bodies, inflammation, changes in the intestinal wall, the presence of perforation, and the condition of other organs is also assessed. Once a foreign body is detected, the intestine is opened and the object is removed from the intestinal lumen. The complexity of the operation depends on the shape and size of the foreign body. Linear foreign bodies require incisions in several places in the intestine, and may also require gastrotomy (opening the lumen of the stomach).

With irreversible changes in the intestinal wall, resection (removal) of part of the intestine is often necessary.

After the operation, the patient is transferred to the department intensive care(hospital) where the animal stays for at least three days. At this time, constant infusion therapy, contributing to the maintenance of water and electrolyte balance body, and painkillers are administered. In the hospital, the animal is under constant supervision of a veterinarian.

The animal is not given water for two days and not fed for three days. Then feeding begins in small portions dietary wet food several times a day, after which they gradually switch to a normal diet using special diet, used for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Timing of animal feeding specialized feeds determined by the attending physician.

The course of antibiotic therapy is also determined by the attending physician. On average it ranges from 7 to 14 days, but can be extended if necessary.

The prognosis is usually favorable with timely surgical intervention. If there are complications such as bacterial peritonitis, intestinal perforation, necrosis of the mucous membrane, as well as with linear foreign bodies, the prognosis is cautious.

Foreign body in the cat's stomach and intestines may lead to gastrointestinal obstruction.

Cats swallow various objects (needles, bones, etc.) that enter the gastrointestinal tract. Objects that are not eliminated from the body, entering the stomach and intestines, often injure the mucous membrane, even to the point of perforation of the walls. As a result, obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract occurs and, as a consequence, necrosis of some of its areas.

Symptoms The general condition of the cat deteriorates sharply, there is no appetite, thirst, vomiting, cessation of bowel movements, and intestinal motility weakens. From the 2-3rd day of illness, signs of general anxiety appear, followed by periods of severe depression. There is usually no bloating.

Diagnosis put on the basis clinical signs and fluoroscopy. With deep palpation, pain and dense formations are detected, which are easily displaced. Main feature intestinal obstruction on x-ray- the presence of an air bubble above the stomach contents.

Treatment. First, emetics are prescribed, which are injected subcutaneously into the cat, but only for smooth foreign bodies. If the X-ray shows an object with sharp edges, then surgery to remove the foreign body from the cat's stomach or intestines is indicated.

Stomach surgery. The cat is fixed in a dorsal position and given general anesthesia. The abdominal cavity is opened in the preumbilical region for 5-6 cm, either along the white line, or with a paramedian incision, bypassing the rectus muscle. By inserting a finger into the abdominal cavity, the stomach is removed to the level of the surgical wound, grasping the foreign body palpable through the wall with the fingers. The stomach wall is cut, focusing on the size of the foreign body. Sometimes the foreign body cannot be palpated, in which case the stomach is removed as much as possible into the surgical wound, carefully isolated with napkins and an incision is made accordingly greater curvature, choosing a site without large vessels. The foreign body is removed with a forceps or fingers. The leaking stomach contents are removed with gauze swabs. The stomach wound is sutured with a two-layer suture - first according to Schmiden, and then according to Plakhotin - Sadovsky (the first - to all layers, the second - to the seromuscular layer). The abdominal wall wound is connected by two layers of knotted suture: continuous, including the peritoneum and white line, and nodular, applied to the skin, subcutaneous tissue and superficial fascia.

Intestinal surgery. The abdominal cavity of the cat is opened and the corresponding section of intestine is removed and also carefully isolated from the edges of the surgical wound and the abdominal cavity with napkins. Having pushed away the contents of the intestine with your fingers, intestinal sponges are applied on both sides of the foreign body. An incision is made transversely and slightly caudal to the foreign body in a healthy area of ​​the intestine on the side opposite the mesentery. After removing the foreign body, the mucous membrane is carefully examined and, if there are necrotic areas in it, they are excised. Then a suture is applied according to Schmiden, and the second floor (serous-muscular) - according to Plakhotin. Abdominal wall connected according to the method described above. If there are tears, necrosis, etc. in the intestine over a large area, it is necessary to perform a resection of the intestine to healthy areas.

After surgery, the cat needs a diet. To prevent complications, antibiotic therapy is carried out. Sutures are removed on the 10-12th day after surgery.

It's no secret that the relatives of domestic cats in the wild are predators. hunting instinct explains why cats love to play with toys and even various items, unsuitable for games. Any small objects, threads with or without needles, Christmas tree decorations can be used. If an animal is in front of your eyes, or it seems to you that it has eaten some inedible item, this is a reason to immediately seek emergency care. veterinary care. Availability foreign object in the gastrointestinal tract can lead to blockage, which in turn over the next 24 hours can lead to necrosis, intussusception, peritonitis and death pet. Even such harmless-looking objects as an ordinary thread, even without a needle, are almost the most dangerous foreign body in the gastrointestinal tract. Moving through the intestines, the thread can collect the entire intestine like an accordion and, cutting through the intestinal wall, cause peritonitis. Often the end of the thread sticks out, either from the animal’s mouth, or from the anus, or both; in all cases, in no case should the thread be pulled out, this can only accelerate damage to the wall of the gastrointestinal tract. And the seriousness of swallowing a sewing needle needs no explanation. There are known cases when the needle came out of the stomach into the abdominal cavity or even got stuck in the animal’s skull, damaging the eye.

If this does happen, your predator has swallowed the “prey”, you must immediately seek help from a veterinary clinic. You cannot do anything to help your pet at home on your own; even Vaseline oil will not make it better, but rather will only make it worse - it will increase the risk of intussusception. IN veterinary clinic A number of studies are carried out - ultrasound of the abdominal cavity, x-ray examination of the skull, chest and abdominal cavity in several projections. In some cases, when foreign bodies small size are only in the stomach, or it is known that the animal ate it less than half an hour ago, it is reasonable to conduct a gastroscopy in order to diagnose damage to the gastrointestinal tract and remove it. In other cases, visualization of foreign bodies by ultrasound and x-ray examination is difficult and the foreign body does not pose a direct threat to the integrity of the wall of the gastrointestinal tract and emergency surgery not necessary, an X-ray contrast study is performed to confirm or exclude intestinal obstruction. If obstruction is confirmed, this is an indication for exploratory laparotomy. This happens when a cat eats a lot of foreign bodies or a long thread, and access has to be made to both the stomach and intestines, often not even in one place. This is a serious operation for an animal. After this surgical intervention a fasting diet for up to 24 hours and observation in a hospital for 2 to 7 days is required, depending on the extent of the surgical intervention and the condition of the animal. In a hospital setting, all necessary infusion, analgesic and antibiotic therapy is carried out, as well as control ultrasound and blood tests. When the animal already feels satisfactory and there is no concern for its condition, it is discharged from the hospital home. But unfortunately, as practice shows, cats do not draw any conclusions for themselves, and there are cases when the same cat was admitted to the clinic due to eating foreign bodies more than 5 times. Therefore, it is necessary to carefully monitor your pet and remove all objects potentially dangerous to the cat, thereby reducing the risk of the cat eating a foreign body to a minimum.

With intestinal obstruction in cats, symptoms and methods of treatment are closely related, and the latter depends on the intensity of the former. This is a rather severe pathology caused by blockage of the digestive organs by some foreign body, tumor, intussusception, or complete intestinal paralysis. Without timely treatment Absolutely all animals with intestinal obstruction die within a few days. Insidiousness of this disease is what will happen this pathology can at any time with any cat or cat. That's why timely diagnosis capable of sufficiently alleviate your pet's suffering and even save his life.

In the stomach of any animal there is a continuous production large quantity digestive juices. This process is absolutely independent of food intake and occurs even during prolonged fasting. Main function intestines - pushing the contents of the stomach towards anus. As they move through the organ, these digestive juices are absorbed back through the intestinal walls, but along with nutrients, carrying out a constant circulation of large amounts of vital fluid.

At intestinal pathology, namely, obstruction of the organ, regardless of the reasons that caused it, this circulation is disrupted: gastric juice is produced in the same volume, but it can no longer be absorbed along with the promoted food.

Causes of the phenomenon

A sufficiently large volume of fluid accumulates in the stomach and small intestine, associated with blockage of the passages, which causes nausea and vomiting in the cat. In this case, dehydration of the animal’s entire body occurs and loss of vital elements: potassium and sodium. Even drinking water during an exacerbation of pathology has the opposite effect - it increases vomiting and accelerates the process of dehydration. It is from the loss of fluid and necessary elements and the vast majority of animals die.

Intestinal obstruction can be caused by:

Symptomatic manifestations

Serious pathology - intestinal obstruction - is expressed quite vivid symptoms, which allow you to quickly diagnose the disease and begin treatment in a timely manner. Symptoms of pathology depend on the character and habits of the animal:

1. Some cats begin to actively run and meow loudly and forcefully, trying to attract the owner’s attention to their problem. Others, on the contrary, become lethargic and apathetic, and experience excessive sleepiness.
2. In all cases, the animal loses its appetite, up to complete failure from eating, even despite the growing feeling of hunger. Any piece of food swallowed by a pet cannot be completely digested and causes unbearable pain.
3. The animal begins to vomit, which is of an increasing nature.
4. The pet's belly is greatly and quite noticeably enlarged, which he does not allow to touch, since the slightest touch causes him severe pain. When palpating such a belly, tension and hardness are clearly felt; sometimes you can even feel foreign objects.
5. The animal has increased gas formation, which further inflates the abdominal area. At the same time, some individuals constantly lick their belly and roll on the floor, thus trying to relieve attacks of pain.
6. When constipated, the animal suffers from the inability to relieve the intestines, it has insignificant stool. With intestinal obstruction, feces cannot leave the animal’s body at all, no matter how hard it tries.

All these symptoms indicate the development of pet intestinal obstruction, and it is quite difficult not to notice them. As soon as an animal exhibits abnormal behavior that is not characteristic of it, it is necessary to immediately contact a veterinary clinic, where, with the help of necessary methods Doctors will be able to diagnose correct diagnosis and prescribe the necessary treatment.

Methods of treatment and prevention

When contacting the clinic, treatment begins immediately, even before the final diagnosis: infusion therapy (droppers) is carried out, with the help of which the fluid balance is restored and nutrients in the animal's body. Treatment is carried out with anti-inflammatory, painkillers and antibiotics. In more difficult cases When intestinal obstruction threatens the life of the animal, emergency surgery is performed to remove the affected part of the intestine.

The period after surgery consists of following a strict, “starvation” diet for several days and long-term treatment drug therapy. Over the course of several weeks, the animal is gradually transferred to liquid and semi-liquid food, carefully monitored general condition and, especially, behind the seams.

Like any other disease, intestinal obstruction is much easier to prevent than to treat. For this there are a number preventive measures, following which, you can avoid the occurrence of many pathological conditions and avoid unpleasant consequences. The most important thing is to try to make some of them inaccessible enough dangerous items that the animal can swallow.

Of particular interest to cats are bird feathers, sausage casings, pieces of foil and even plain paper, elastic bands, threads and small ropes. Threads with a needle are very dangerous: if they are swallowed, quite serious damage to the gastrointestinal tract can occur. A separate danger is posed by Christmas tree decorations: tinsel and rain, which can also cause the development of pathological processes in the animal's body when ingested.

You should not limit your pet’s diet only to dry food, which leads to constant constipation and bloating. The animal should be provided with a sufficient amount of fluid, and for long-haired breeds, special supplements and food should be purchased that help remove hairballs from the intestines of cats. Pets of such breeds should be constantly and thoroughly combed, especially during the molting period, which reduces the risk of developing pathology after hair gets into their body.

Intestinal obstruction in cats is scientifically called ileus. To say that coprostasis is obstruction is not entirely true. After all, in fact, coprostasis is rather constipation. But with constipation, feces form and come out, albeit with difficulty (dry, compressed, small). But if a cat has ileus, then feces will not happen at all, they simply cannot leave the intestines, since its lumen is closed (gases, by the way, also do not leave the gastrointestinal tract). So what should you do if your cat is diagnosed with intestinal obstruction? Let's figure it out.

The causes of intestinal obstruction in cats may be the following.

Coprostasis

Sometimes constipation causes intestinal blockage. But this various diseases. When feces become too dry, they “join” into a lump, and their “exit” becomes difficult. They accumulate and “clog” the intestines. They do not pass out on their own, and new feces are not allowed to leave the digestive tract.

This condition is dangerous because the body is “poisoned”. The animal develops severe intoxication (it’s not for nothing that the digestive tract is cleared of feces, because this is waste that is no longer needed). If this "garbage" long time remain in the body, then toxins are absorbed into the blood through the intestinal mucosa and spread throughout circulatory system to all cells.

Foreign body in the intestine

Yes, sometimes a cat swallows something that cannot be digested. For example, threads, New Year's rain. They will not dissolve in the stomach, they will end up in the intestines, they will get tangled there, and the chance that foreign objects will come out on their own is very small. Giving laxatives can lead to intestinal rupture. Therefore, the only right decision would be to immediately seek help from a veterinarian, who will operate on the pet and remove what should not have entered the animal’s gastrointestinal tract.

Volvulus

Or intussusception (when one loop of intestine gets into another and gets pinched). IN in this case Not only the obstruction itself is dangerous, but also the fact that the enclosed area does not receive enough blood (the vessels are pinched). The longer the animal does not receive help, the the consequences are worse. Invagination can occur due to increased motility and non-rhythmic peristalsis.

Pylobezoar

This “scary” name literally means “ball of hair.” This ball can form due to the fact that the cat licks its fur coat and swallows the hairs that fall out. Wool accumulates in the intestines (if there is a lot of it and it was not regurgitated by the mustache), because it is not digested. Gastrointestinal tract she's getting clogged. And that’s it, feces cannot come out. The contents of the intestine can only move as far as the “plug” of wool, cannot move the bezoar, as a result, severe intoxication, stretching of the intestinal walls, up to their rupture. Most often this reason recorded in long-haired cats. An important role is played by age (old people and small kittens lose more fur), and health status (sick mustaches shed more than healthy ones), and the time of year (no one has canceled annual molts), and nutrition (if it is not balanced, then hair problems cannot be avoided).

Neoplasms in the intestines

Sometimes tumors grow very large and completely cover the intestinal lumen. If the owner gives the animal a laxative, this will not only not help, but may also worsen the animal’s condition. It will not be possible to save your pet without surgery.

Kinds

As surprising as it may sound, there are several types of intestinal obstruction in cats.

1. Mechanical. With this type, the intestines are blocked or pinched by something. For example, intestinal volvulus, a foreign object or hair clogged the gastrointestinal tract,
2. Functional. He's paralytic. It is registered due to peritonitis, atony of the intestinal walls (when they are weak, there is no tone and peristalsis), disturbances nervous activity or during the period when the animal “recovers” from anesthesia. This is why you should not feed the animal after surgery. Even if the cat asks, you cannot feed it in the first hours after “recovering” from anesthesia.

Symptoms

The photo shows an x-ray of intestinal obstruction in a cat.

How to determine intestinal obstruction in a cat? Signs and symptoms of this disease may vary from pet to pet. For example, some are depressed and extremely lethargic, while others, on the contrary, are very active, the cat rushes around the house, meows loudly, and tries in every possible way to attract the attention of its owners. Let's look at the main ones.

Attention! The diagnosis can be confirmed using an x-ray. As you understand, you cannot do this at home, even if you have discovered symptoms of intestinal obstruction in your cat. To help your pet, you need to immediately contact a veterinary clinic. You should not delay contacting a specialist, otherwise the mustache may die. Self-medication is not only ineffective, but can also be dangerous.

Treatment

A cat with intestinal obstruction should only be treated at a veterinary clinic. No home self-medication, herbs, massages, etc. It’s one thing when a cat has coprostasis (constipation) or flatulence (a lot of gas accumulates in the intestines). But if a cat has an obstruction, then you need to figure out the cause first.

1. If the ileus is mechanical, then surgical intervention will be required. This is the fastest and safe way save the animal. The use of a laxative can lead to intestinal rupture, peritonitis and, as a result, the death of a beloved four-legged family member.
2. If coprostasis has led to the fact that the cat cannot poop (although the first day may be loose stool, the body seems to be trying to “wash” the foreign body from the intestines), then the veterinarian will do an enema, first put in a drip with saline or inject it subcutaneously (to avoid dehydration). But before this, the doctor must make sure that the enema will not harm the animal and will not lead to intestinal rupture! To do this, you need to carry out several additional examinations(ultrasound, x-ray)

The dacha is effective Vaseline oil. The animal's diet is left wet food, more fiber(vegetables). But this can only happen if the patency is impaired due to dry feces. But for other reasons of obstruction it is contraindicated!

After removing the foreign object from digestive tract, the animal can be prescribed anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and even painkillers.

Don't delay treatment! Without it, the animal can die within a week! Sometimes death is registered already on the second day after the appearance of the first symptoms!

Prevention

Prevention of intestinal obstruction in cats is extremely important. Let's look at the 3 main components of effective prevention.

If you feed dry food, do not forget that the animal should always have access to clean and fresh water. And pay attention to those that have a “function” - to help remove hair from the digestive tract. This food is especially good for long-haired cats or old cats (or those that shed heavily).

Brush your mustache

Don't neglect this. Buy special combs, combs, mittens. The more carefully you care for your pet, the better its fur will look and the cat will feel. Agree, if you comb a cat’s skin, then when licking the purr, it will swallow a minimum of hairs.

No small or inedible items

Do not let your purring pet play with small and inedible objects (plastic bags, tinsel or New Year's rain, threads, pieces of paper, candy wrappers, etc.). During play, the animal may swallow them, they will not be digested, and the lumen of the digestive tract will be “closed.” Keep your pet away from your laces, buttons, and locks. Also remove toys with small parts; after all, the cat can chew them while playing and choke on the small parts. Hide the trash can too! Skins, bones, sausage casings - all this can be easily pulled out of the trash. The cat will eat this poison and clog its gastrointestinal tract.

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