Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK

Cat Health & Behaviour => Health & Behaviour General => Topic started by: Kittybabe (Ruth) on June 28, 2007, 19:52:09 PM

Title: Swallowed a piece of string!
Post by: Kittybabe (Ruth) on June 28, 2007, 19:52:09 PM
Lexy was playing with the fishing rod string and suddenly I see her yanking. She must have worn a bit away at the end because the little moo has not only pulled a little bit of the end of the string off the rest, about an inch, she's only gone and swallowed it too.

I kept trying to get to her to get the bit away and she kept swatting my hand and practically laughed at me!

Please tell me that I will get a bit of blue string in the litter tray in a day or so..please.  Should I be worried about this? She's fine, not choking, just staring at me like I'm stupid...

Title: Re: Swallowed a piece of string!
Post by: blackcat on June 28, 2007, 19:54:39 PM
with any luck you will, but keep an eye on her and if she starts to slow down or look a little peaky ... you know the drill...
Title: Re: Swallowed a piece of string!
Post by: Sam (Fussy_Furball) on June 28, 2007, 19:55:52 PM
As it was only a small piece I wouldn't worry too much ... but if she shows any signs of illness you know what to do ... off to the vet.
Title: Re: Swallowed a piece of string!
Post by: Kittybabe (Ruth) on June 28, 2007, 19:57:00 PM
Sadly I do! Its string! It can't taste that good, why'd she go eat it! 

 >:(
Title: Re: Swallowed a piece of string!
Post by: blackcat on June 28, 2007, 20:01:00 PM
mouse tails probably don't taste all the good either. It wriggles, and is therefore alive and food. Simple. Cats eat all sorts of weird stuff - plastic bags, cardboard, you name it. Frustrating but true. Little  :censored: - It adds to the fun of having them  :Crazy:.
Title: Re: Swallowed a piece of string!
Post by: Kittybabe (Ruth) on June 28, 2007, 20:07:56 PM
It was small, cant be more than an inch, but still. Cheeky mare. Lexy used to like Dr Caroline until Dr Caroline put a needle in her. Now she smells her and its like she becomes the devil.  Arg! Thank god for home visit vets.
Title: Re: Swallowed a piece of string!
Post by: Gill (sneakiefeline) on June 28, 2007, 20:58:45 PM
The birmans ate lametta off the christmas tree and yes it appeared in litter tray, infact thats how i know they did it..........sigh.

I am sure a tiny bit of string like that will either be eaten by stomach acids be expelled at other end  ;D
Title: Re: Swallowed a piece of string!
Post by: Ellie on June 28, 2007, 20:59:38 PM
Im sure it'll pass through honey  :hug:

A couple of weeks ago Mupps did a poo and I was horrified to find a piece of ribbon in it  :sick:

He must have chewed it off one of Susan's furry toys. Needless to say all toys have now been de-ribboned  :evillaugh:
Title: Re: Swallowed a piece of string!
Post by: blackcat on June 28, 2007, 21:04:29 PM
The birmans ate lametta off the christmas tree

What is lametta? New word for me :)
Title: Re: Swallowed a piece of string!
Post by: Kittybabe (Ruth) on June 28, 2007, 21:07:05 PM
tinsel for the trees
Title: Re: Swallowed a piece of string!
Post by: Sam (Fussy_Furball) on June 28, 2007, 21:07:40 PM
lametta = long thing strands of silver foil type stuff
Title: Re: Swallowed a piece of string!
Post by: Millys Mum on June 28, 2007, 21:11:14 PM
Glittery poos  :evillaugh: my local zoo fed glitter to one of their rhinos so they knew which poo belonged to who!

I read that cats cant spit things like cotton out because of the direction of the hairs on their tongue, they have to swallow it.

Poor Ruth, back on poo watch  :hug:
Title: Re: Swallowed a piece of string!
Post by: blackcat on June 28, 2007, 21:11:49 PM
oooooooooo   :innocent: thanks
Title: Re: Swallowed a piece of string!
Post by: Kittybabe (Ruth) on June 28, 2007, 21:12:47 PM
Cheers Sonya. Was trying to forget that  :-[

Hate poo watch. Makes me feel like I'm a freak  :evillaugh:
Title: Re: Swallowed a piece of string!
Post by: Ellie on June 28, 2007, 21:15:17 PM
Cheers Sonya. Was trying to forget that  :-[

Hate poo watch. Makes me feel like I'm a freak  :evillaugh:

I am saying nothing  :ooops:  :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

Title: Re: Swallowed a piece of string!
Post by: Kittybabe (Ruth) on June 28, 2007, 21:16:46 PM
I know who my mates are that's for sure  :rofl:
Title: Re: Swallowed a piece of string!
Post by: Millys Mum on June 28, 2007, 21:17:37 PM
Im poo watching too so we can be freaks together  :evillaugh: i had one with D+ then another started and a third has gone smelly so im kinda thinking they have a bug! 2 to vets tomorrow morning  :tired:
Title: Re: Swallowed a piece of string!
Post by: Kittybabe (Ruth) on June 28, 2007, 21:19:13 PM
Ergh I would rather have the piece of string Sonya. Hope the babies are ok.  :hug:
Title: Re: Swallowed a piece of string!
Post by: Ellie on June 28, 2007, 21:19:54 PM
I know who my mates are that's for sure  :rofl:

You I loves you R  :cuddle:
Title: Re: Swallowed a piece of string!
Post by: Kittybabe (Ruth) on June 28, 2007, 21:22:13 PM
Yeah I loves you too Ellie  :Luv:
Title: Re: Swallowed a piece of string!
Post by: Baggy on June 28, 2007, 21:52:12 PM
The birmans ate lametta off the christmas tree and yes it appeared in litter tray, infact thats how i know they did it..........sigh.
My friend once saw something poking out of her cat's bot - she gave it a tweak and quite a long bit of tinsel came out  :sick:

Am sure it will appear in poo soon.  :shify:

Oh no. Just thought - I hope that the string comes out in one go instead of attaching itself at either end - sometimes Dinah does poos held together by bits of hair and she transports them to all sorts of exciting places around the house.

I apologise for the grim nature of this post. :-[

Title: Re: Swallowed a piece of string!
Post by: Kittybabe (Ruth) on June 28, 2007, 21:56:34 PM
It's ok Baggy. Lexy does that too...and then skids on my bed to let me know she has a dangler  :rofl:
Title: Re: Swallowed a piece of string!
Post by: Baggy on June 28, 2007, 21:58:09 PM
Ain't cats just luvverly?  :evillaugh:
Title: Re: Swallowed a piece of string!
Post by: Kittybabe (Ruth) on June 28, 2007, 22:17:03 PM
Well she's licking her bum right now.

Why I am so fascinated with my cat's hygiene habits I have no idea but the thought of another vet visit is just horrifying!
Title: Re: Swallowed a piece of string!
Post by: Ellie on June 28, 2007, 22:23:08 PM
It's ok Baggy. Lexy does that too...and then skids on my bed to let me know she has a dangler  :rofl:

 :sick:  :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
Title: Re: Swallowed a piece of string!
Post by: Kittybabe (Ruth) on June 28, 2007, 22:29:12 PM
You laugh Baker but its true... wait til you experience that one.. so pleasant  :sick:
Title: Re: Swallowed a piece of string!
Post by: Gill (sneakiefeline) on June 28, 2007, 22:31:24 PM
I dont think you Lexy will need a vet visit, shes kust being a cat and doing catty things  ;D
Title: Re: Swallowed a piece of string!
Post by: Gill (sneakiefeline) on June 28, 2007, 22:31:58 PM
Grr ticked a box that i dont want LOl
Title: Re: Swallowed a piece of string!
Post by: alisonandarchie on July 04, 2007, 18:30:27 PM
Archie has a real thing about elastic bands and will eat them given half the chance. They usually make him sick ,when he manages to grab one, but he does not suffer any other ill effects. :sick:
Title: Re: Swallowed a piece of string!
Post by: Nick (Peanut & Boo) on July 04, 2007, 19:04:56 PM
Don't worry string is very flexible and will pass within 12-18 hours
Peanut once walked past me when I was on the phone with 12" of string dangling from his behind. I grabbed the string and it just came out 4'0" long ! :Crazy: :Crazy:

he didn't even notice. :-:
Title: Re: Swallowed a piece of string!
Post by: Rosella moggy on July 04, 2007, 19:36:10 PM
What? Nick surely you jest?
Title: Re: Swallowed a piece of string!
Post by: Nick (Peanut & Boo) on July 04, 2007, 19:47:50 PM
nope perfectly serious.  Peanut has eaten just about everything in his time and has been opened up twice.
The string was like the kind you used tie beef joints with . He must have started to swallow it then couldn't stop. :doh:

Title: Re: Swallowed a piece of string!
Post by: CurlyCatz on July 04, 2007, 19:49:57 PM
stretchy or flexible string/elastic/cotton as with long pieces are very dangerous...they can concertina up the intestines and be life threaten and non too uncommonly fatal.

very small pieces are much less sinister but please everyone be very careful and i always cut the dangly elastic bits off the cat toys aswell if they are going to be left out for cat to get hold off.

Nick you were extremely LUCKY.
Title: Re: Swallowed a piece of string!
Post by: Nick (Peanut & Boo) on July 04, 2007, 19:59:45 PM


Nick you were extremely LUCKY.

ahem don't you mean that Peanut was extremly lucky lol  :rofl:

I think that is very unlikely actually Lynn. The intestines contract and expand considerably . Soft string is likely to act like a perfect bit of roughage and pass through quite easily. There is nothing to snag or catch anywhere. Objects that are dangerous are non flexible pieces of plastic ,plant stems and elastic bands They stick in places and don't digest. I always pick up elastic bands I find the postman has dropped.  ;)
of course it goes without saying that we must all be very vigilant about the innocent things we leave around out house and gardens
Title: Re: Swallowed a piece of string!
Post by: Kittybabe (Ruth) on July 04, 2007, 20:51:05 PM
Oo yuck.


Have to say Nick with Lynn being a VN and no doubt having seen loads in her time I'm inclined to heed her advice. Peanut is a monkey tho. Fancy eating a 4' piece of string!

As for Lexy never saw the string but expect it passed through one of her stinky poos :sick:
Title: Re: Swallowed a piece of string!
Post by: Nick (Peanut & Boo) on July 04, 2007, 21:02:55 PM
my Ex was a practise manager and a VN of 25 years and I studied medicine but lets not get into a peeing  contest lol :rofl:

If you do your own thorough research then you are no longer dependant on the opinions of others, you understand the subject matter yourself and have a clear insight . Buddists  have been swallowing string for hundreds of years as part of their religious fasts and enemas with no ill effects. soft String of the type I discribed will not have any adverse effects it will actually have a beneficial effect . If you study the anatomy of the alimentary canal and its physiology you'll see why

Title: Re: Swallowed a piece of string!
Post by: CurlyCatz on July 04, 2007, 21:10:48 PM
I can assure anyone without a shadow of doubt that what i mentioned before does happen..I have seen it a fair few times and my own aunts little kitten indeed died from the elastic string off of a cat toy spider in "classic text book example" The stretchy type is the most hazardous but any long lengths of material can be dangerous.

Its something i am very wary of and worry about happening as most cats seem to love eating string like bits n bobs, Ive fetched a few things out of Cody's throat before now luckily before he had finished swallowing it down.

I expect the same would / could happen in dogs although i cant say i have seen concertinaed intestines in them (many other things though)  I did nearly poop myself actually a few months ago when picking up dog poop and saw it was riddled with what looked like hundreds of red worms  :-:  On closer inspection of the specimen it turned out to be the elastic netting stuff that rolls of roast beef is wrapped in, the culprit had obviously managed to raid the bin before the cupboard door was shut.
Title: Re: Swallowed a piece of string!
Post by: Kittybabe (Ruth) on July 04, 2007, 21:30:14 PM
Yes indeed educating yourself is important however for those of us without the practical experience of these things (has anyone noticed how panicked I get if Lexy sneezes?) then I tend to err on the side of caution and go with a professional opinion but still consider everyone else who has experienced similar.

Regardless of this I think the lesson for all of us is that any foreign body cats ingest such as string or plastic etc as you mentioned Nick, should be treated as suspect.

;)
Title: Re: Swallowed a piece of string!
Post by: Rosella moggy on July 04, 2007, 22:18:31 PM
Wow Nick a four feet piece of string is pretty impressive as is the fact that you had the bottle to keep pulling it out!

I remember our old girl Dingle had a blade of grass up her nose and I almost passed out pulling it out very tentatively and I would guess it was all of about 3 or 4 inches long lol. Frightened the life out of me at the time. She had been sneezing poor lamb for weeks and vet couldn't find anything wrong till I saw a little green tip poking out of her nose one day  :sick:. Sorry, don't mean to change string subject. 
Title: Re: Swallowed a piece of string!
Post by: Michelle (furbabystar) on July 06, 2007, 15:56:36 PM
[My friend once saw something poking out of her cat's bot - she gave it a tweak and quite a long bit of tinsel came out  :sick:



I can go one better than that !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

When my Son was small he had what was called "peaka" (thats how it was pronounced), he ate strange things.
He ate the carpet on the stairs, plastic, velcro and towels .
He ate the carpet on the top stair so bad that i called the carpet company out and said i didnt know how it had happened, that is must have been a faulty carpet and got it replaced  :rofl:

Anyway,
One day while i was wiping his bum i saw something white hanging out - i pulled it and a whole lot of matted towel threads came out  :sick: :sick:

He was under the hospital for this and thank god he grew out of it
Title: Re: Swallowed a piece of string!
Post by: Michelle (furbabystar) on July 06, 2007, 16:04:50 PM



When my Son was small he had what was called "peaka" (thats how it was pronounced),

Just looked it up and its called PICA
Title: Re: Swallowed a piece of string!
Post by: Millys Mum on July 06, 2007, 16:35:53 PM
Pica, siamese are prone to it apparently.


Meat netting/string is the most dodgy stuff, i always make my mum chop it up into little bits so if the bins get raided hopefully it wont hurt its eater.
Title: Re: Swallowed a piece of string!
Post by: CurlyCatz on July 06, 2007, 17:23:59 PM
MM scroll down and read a thread of mine that involved dogs poo and red worms  :evillaugh: