What Should I Do If My Senior Cat Swallowed A Piece Of Plastic? (Vet Answered)
This question has been answered by a vet
Small Animal Veterinarian
Dr. Karyn is a small animal veterinarian originally from Australia, now based in the UK. She holds degrees in Veterinary Science (2010) and Zoology. When not helping pets, she tends to her 5 cats and garden!
The Question
My cat ate a strip of flexible plastic - like from a package or something not tape. He appears to have swallowed it
Quick Info about Chester
Hi Chrisinda,
I would always recommend phoning your vet for advice if your cat swallows something they shouldn’t. Sometimes, the advice is to ‘wait-and-see’, but sometimes a more urgent response is needed, so it’s best to get an immediate answer.
Depending on the size of the plastic strip, there is a good chance that it may simply pass through without causing any problems, BUT there is also a possibility that it could become stuck, leading to an intestinal blockage that needs surgery.
If caught quickly, vets can often remove problematic items from the stomach endoscopically, but once a foreign object has moved into the intestines, abdominal surgery may be required if it starts causing a problem, so early action is key.
If Chester is showing any signs of gastrointestinal discomfort, such as reduced appetite, drooling, vomiting, hunched posture, or difficulty passing feces, you need to contact your vet ASAP.
All the best,
Dr Karyn