Cat intestinal blockages are medical emergencies that require prompt veterinary care for the best outcome.
In many cases, surgery is necessary to remove a foreign body or mass causing the blockage.
Cat intestinal blockage surgery can be performed by a primary care veterinarian or veterinary surgeon, and the cost can range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars.
Key takeaways
- Cat intestinal blockages are medical emergencies that often require surgery to remove a foreign body, mass, or other obstruction preventing food from passing through the intestines.
- Symptoms may include vomiting, abdominal pain and decreased appetite. Prompt veterinary treatment is essential because untreated blockages can be life-threatening.
- The surgery is generally effective and many cats recover well with proper postoperative care, although the outcome depends on the cause of the blockage and the cat's overall health.
What is cat intestinal blockage surgery?
When cats eat something they shouldn't, like a piece of string or a piece of their favorite toy, it can get stuck in their intestines and prevent food from passing through.
Likewise, a mass developing inside the intestine can cause an obstruction. This leads to symptoms such as vomiting, abdominal pain and decreased appetite.
Surgery is necessary to relieve the obstruction. Without prompt treatment, intestinal blockages in cats are life-threatening.
Cat intestinal blockage surgery is a common procedure performed by primary care veterinarians and veterinary surgeons.
The long-term outcome depends on the underlying reason for the blockage and the cat's overall health.
What happens during intestinal blockage surgery in cats?
Before surgery, the veterinarian will perform a physical exam and blood tests to assess the cat's overall health.
Next, a sedative is often given to reduce anxiety, and an intravenous (IV) catheter is placed for administration of fluids and medications.
Anesthetic drugs are then administered to induce unconsciousness: your cat is given a breathing tube and oxygen and gas anesthesia is administered.
Monitoring equipment, such as a blood pressure cuff and electrocardiogram (ECG) probes, is also placed on the cat.
Once the cat is unconscious, its abdomen is shaved and scrubbed to reduce bacteria on the skin.
An incision is made in the skin, fat and muscle, and the blockage is localized.
An incision is made in the intestinal wall and the object causing the blockage is removed. Once the intestinal incision is closed, the abdomen is thoroughly rinsed with saline to remove any bacteria. The abdominal incision is then closed.
Finally, the anesthesia is stopped and the cat slowly wakes up.
Why Do Cats Need Intestinal Blockage Surgery?
Cats may require surgery for intestinal obstruction for several reasons, including:
Risks of intestinal blockage surgery in cats
As with any other surgical procedure, removing a bowel obstruction has potential risks that pet parents should be aware of. These risks may include:
Because cats with intestinal obstructions often arrive at the veterinary hospital very sick and sometimes with an intestinal perforation (tear), complications are common.
One study found that life-threatening complications occurred in 21% of cats undergoing surgery for intestinal obstruction.
Before this surgical procedure, you should discuss all your concerns with your veterinarian, who can provide you with a detailed explanation of your cat's individual risk.
Benefits of Cat Intestinal Blockage Surgery
The main benefit of bowel obstruction surgery is the removal of the obstruction, allowing the cat's intestines to return to normal function.
This reduces the cat's pain, improves its appetite and restores its quality of life. Without surgery, intestinal obstructions are often fatal.
Effectiveness of cat intestinal blockage surgery
Intestinal blockage surgery in cats has a high success rate, with one study citing 100% survival after removal of a foreign body.
However, linear foreign bodies, such as string or wire, are more likely to perforate the bowel wall, leading to preoperative infection. Therefore, the surgical success rate in cats with linear foreign bodies is lower, at approximately 63%.
Cost of Cat Intestinal Blockage Surgery
The cost of cat surgery for intestinal obstruction can vary depending on geographic location and whether the procedure is performed by a primary care veterinarian or veterinary surgeon.
According to CareCredit, the average cost of this procedure is $2,367.
However, costs can range from $500 to $4,000. To help cover these costs, pet parents can explore payment options, such as pet insurance or CareCredit.
Preparing for Cat Intestinal Blockage Surgery
Often, intestinal blockage surgeries in cats, especially those involving foreign bodies, are performed on an emergency basis. A pet owner usually doesn't know that their cat needs surgery until they notice something is wrong and take their cat to the veterinarian. Therefore, in many cases, preparation at home is simply not possible.
However, in cases where only partial intestinal obstruction is present and surgery is planned, the preparation can be done at home. This would involve withholding food and water for 12 hours before surgery to ensure your cat's digestive tract is empty. If your cat is on long-term medication, ask your veterinarian if they should give it the morning of surgery. Arrive at the veterinary hospital at your scheduled return time to ensure any pre-operative blood work or surgical preparation can begin promptly.
Postoperative Care and Recovery for Intestinal Blockage Surgery in Cats
While recovering from intestinal blockage surgery, provide your cat with a private, quiet space to rest, with access to fresh, clean water.
Limit your cat's activity, meaning no running, jumping, or climbing for seven to ten days to prevent the incision from opening.
Your cat will probably need to wear a cone to prevent her from licking her incision.
Be sure to give all medications prescribed by your veterinarian.
It is normal to see a small amount of clear, thin discharge coming from the incision for the first day or two after surgery.
Cats usually recover within 10 to 14 days, at which point your veterinarian will want to check the incision to make sure it has healed properly.
However, if you notice thick, yellow discharge, bleeding, or excessive redness or swelling, contact your veterinarian immediately for another check-up.
Alternatives to Cat Intestinal Blockage Surgery
In cases of complete intestinal obstruction, surgery is necessary to remove the obstruction.
If a small object is only partially blocking the intestine, your veterinarian may recommend fluid therapy and a laxative, such as lactulose, to help it pass.
An endoscope can also be used to retrieve a foreign object. The cause of the blockage and your cat's condition will determine whether alternative treatment is appropriate or whether surgery is necessary.
Cat Intestinal Blockage Surgery FAQs
What is the survival rate of cats operated on for intestinal obstruction?
Survival rates range from 63% to 100%, depending on the type of obstruction and the cat's overall health.
How much does intestinal obstruction surgery in cats cost?
Costs vary widely, but the average cost of bowel obstruction surgery is around $2,700.
How do veterinarians remove intestinal blockage in cats?
Veterinarians usually perform surgery to clear an intestinal obstruction. However, alternative treatment, such as endoscopy or fluid therapy, may be used to clear a partial blockage, depending on the underlying cause and the cat's condition.
Is bowel obstruction surgery serious?
Intestinal blockage surgery is considered major abdominal surgery. However, the procedure has a good survival rate when intestinal obstruction is detected early.
