Cat Intestinal Blockage: Symptoms and Treatment

Cat intestinal blockage occurs when a partial or complete obstruction of the intestines prevents solids or liquids from passing through. Intestinal obstruction in cats is an emergency condition that can lead to life-threatening complications if it isn’t treated.

Vomiting and lack of appetite are common signs. If you think your cat has an intestinal or gastrointestinal blockage, contact an emergency veterinarian immediately.

What Is Intestinal Blockage in Cats?

A cat intestinal blockage (obstruction) is a common emergency condition that occurs when a partial or complete blockage of the intestines prevents solids or liquids from passing through.

Gastrointestinal obstruction and intestinal blockage are medical terms that are often used interchangeably, but they are not exactly the same. 

A gastrointestinal (GI) obstruction can include an intestinal blockage, while an intestinal blockage applies only to the intestines. GI refers to the entire digestive tract, including the stomach and small and large intestines.

Normally, the GI tract undergoes a process called peristalsis, where food and other contents are pushed from the stomach to the small intestines, then to the large intestines, into the colon, and out through the rectum and anus.

When an obstruction occurs, contents cannot pass through and can back up into the stomach, which may cause your cat to vomit.

GI obstruction is a surgical emergency. Left untreated, it can result in the death of your cat. If you believe your cat has an intestinal or GI blockage, contact your local emergency veterinarian immediately.

What Are the Symptoms of a Cat Intestinal Blockage?

The most common symptoms of a cat intestinal blockage are vomiting and lack of appetite. Other symptoms may include:

• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea
• Failure to pass stool
• Straining to defecate
• Lethargy
• Changes in behavior, such as increased hiding
• Weight loss

Tell your veterinarian if your cat has a habit of playing with string or getting into the garbage, or if you've seen your cat chewing or swallowing something inappropriate.

What To Do If Your Cat Swallowed String

Cats can ingest string and similar items while playing with them, and these objects can become lodged under the tongue.

If you or your veterinarian notice something under your cat's tongue, or if you see material protruding from your cat's rectum, do not pull on it. The material may be tethered elsewhere and can cause more harm if you attempt to remove it.

What Causes a Cat Intestinal Blockage?

A cat intestinal blockage can be caused by swallowed foreign objects, intussusception, certain types of GI cancer, pyloric stenosis, or intestinal entrapment and hernias. An obstruction can be partial, linear, or complete.

Partial Intestinal Obstruction

A partial obstruction of the GI tract is usually seen when small foreign objects, such as small toys or pieces of cloth, make their way through the intestines.

Signs are generally less noticeable, and medical management, including hospitalization for intravenous (IV) fluids to help the item pass, may be an option in these cases.

Linear Intestinal Obstruction

A linear obstruction occurs when a cat ingests a string-like foreign body and one end becomes stuck instead of passing through the intestines. This often happens when one end becomes lodged under the tongue.

When one end becomes stuck, the intestines continue trying to move around the free end. This movement (peristalsis) causes a bunching effect (plication) of the intestines around the string.

The longer the string is present, the greater the chance that it can cut through the intestines, causing tears (perforations) that allow intestinal contents to spill into the abdominal cavity. This can lead to life-threatening inflammation and an infection called peritonitis.

Complete Intestinal Obstruction

Complete obstructions can occur when large objects or multiple small objects are swallowed, resulting in a complete lack of passage of stomach or intestinal contents through the tract.

Symptoms usually present quickly and severely.

Other Causes of Intestinal Blockage in Cats

Whether an obstruction is partial, linear, or complete, underlying causes may include:

• Ingestion of foreign objects, most commonly string, yarn, dental floss, hair ties, or rubber bands
• Intussusception (an uncommon telescoping of one intestine into itself), which can occur secondary to parasites, infection such as FIP, tumors, or foreign-body ingestion
• Certain types of GI cancer
• Pyloric stenosis, usually seen as a congenital condition where the pylorus (the part of the stomach that connects to the small intestine) is narrowed, limiting the passage of food
• Intestinal entrapment or hernias

Complications of an Intestinal Blockage

Partial, linear, or complete blockages can prevent the absorption of nutrients and water from the intestines, resulting in dehydration and electrolyte imbalances.

If not treated quickly, a foreign body causing the blockage can put pressure on the intestinal wall or cut through the wall, as can occur with linear foreign bodies. This can cause tissue death (necrosis) and bowel rupture with life-threatening consequences.

How Is a Cat Intestinal Blockage Diagnosed?

Veterinarians may diagnose a cat intestinal blockage using a physical examination, abdominal X-rays, ultrasound, and blood work.

Physical Examination

Your veterinarian will start with a physical examination to palpate your cat's abdomen for pain or evidence of masses, foreign bodies, or intussusception.

In young or thin cats, the veterinarian may be able to palpate the obstruction itself. However, the cat may be too large or the obstruction too small to palpate directly during an exam.

Abdominal X-Rays

If no blockage is detected during the physical examination but your veterinarian is still concerned that one may be present, they will likely perform an abdominal X-ray.

If the blockage is caused by a foreign object, particularly one that contains metal, it may be visible on an X-ray. However, an obstruction caused by string, yarn, a tumor, or another cause may not be directly visible.

An “obstructive” gas pattern may be seen when the intestines next to the obstruction are dilated with air or fluid that cannot pass through. Linear foreign bodies may cause the intestines to appear plicated or bunched.

Abdominal Ultrasound

If the X-ray is inconclusive or your veterinarian needs additional information before recommending surgery, they may perform an abdominal ultrasound.

Ultrasound can be used to visualize foreign bodies, including linear foreign bodies, and can provide more information if a tumor or intussusception is suspected.

Blood Work

Blood work will likely also be recommended to rule out other causes of your cat's symptoms and assess hydration and electrolytes.

How Is a Cat Intestinal Blockage Treated?

Treatment for a cat intestinal blockage depends on the type and cause of the obstruction and may include induced vomiting, endoscopy, surgery, or supportive care. Most commonly, an intestinal blockage will require surgery.

Induced Vomiting

Depending on the foreign body and when your cat ate it, vomiting can sometimes be immediately induced to recover the foreign object and prevent an intestinal blockage from occurring.

However, medications used to induce vomiting in cats are not always reliable, and cats can have complications such as aspiration pneumonia associated with induced vomiting.

Endoscopy

If your cat has eaten a foreign object that is still in the stomach and attempts by the veterinarian to induce vomiting are unsuccessful, endoscopy may be recommended.

Endoscopy involves passing a camera down the throat to visualize and retrieve the foreign object, potentially avoiding obstruction and surgery.

Can a Foreign Object Pass on Its Own?

If your cat eats a linear object, such as string or yarn, or another small foreign body, such as a toy or hairband, and it does not become lodged higher in the gastrointestinal tract (under the tongue or in the stomach), there is a chance it can pass in the stool.

However, if any foreign object—linear or otherwise—becomes stuck and creates an intestinal blockage, surgery will be needed to locate and remove the blockage.

Surgery

Most commonly, intestinal blockage will require surgery. The veterinarian will perform exploratory surgery (laparotomy) under general anesthesia to find the cause of the intestinal obstruction.

If the obstruction was caused by a foreign body, an incision will be made into the intestines (enterotomy) to remove the object. In the case of linear foreign bodies, several enterotomies may be needed to remove the entire length of the object.

If there is severe damage to the intestines, compromised sections may need to be removed (resection and anastomosis).

If the obstruction was caused by something other than a foreign body, the surgeon will relieve the obstruction and determine the best course of action, which may include repairing a hernia or removing a tumor.

Surgery is not without risks, but for many cases, it poses the best chance at a successful outcome. Discuss the potential risks with your veterinarian.

Supportive Care

Your cat will be given IV fluids to rehydrate them and medications for nausea and pain.

Cats recovering from major abdominal surgery may not eat even after the obstruction has been successfully removed. In some cases, they will need a temporary feeding tube to provide nutritional support while they heal.

Your veterinarian will discuss the best course of action for your cat.

Recovery and Management of Intestinal Blockage in Cats

Early diagnosis and treatment of a cat intestinal blockage are key to achieving the best outcome and minimizing complications such as intestinal damage, rupture, leakage, or peritonitis.

If your cat is diagnosed with an intestinal blockage and surgery is needed, it should be performed as soon as possible.

Prognosis for Cats With an Intestinal Blockage

Most cats make a complete recovery, but prognosis varies based on the cause of the intestinal blockage.

If sections of the intestine must be removed, the likelihood of complications increases, but your cat may still have a good prognosis overall. 

If the underlying cause of the obstruction is cancer or anything other than a foreign-body obstruction, the prognosis is lower and depends on the extent and severity of the condition.

Recovery After Intestinal Blockage Surgery

Most cats will need to remain hospitalized for one to two days after surgery on IV fluids with medications for pain and sometimes appetite stimulation.

Typical criteria for discharge include:

• The cat is eating
• There is no vomiting
• The cat is fever-free

Once at home, recovery from most abdominal surgeries includes 10–14 days of rest and restricted activity.

Monitoring Your Cat at Home

Check the incision site frequently for swelling and signs of infection, including:

• Discharge
• Odor
• Redness
• Pain

Your cat's overall behavior and willingness to eat and drink should also be monitored.

If you notice any problems, contact your veterinarian to have your cat reexamined. Follow your veterinarian's directions about diet and medications.

Preventing Another Intestinal Blockage

If your cat's obstruction was caused by swallowing a foreign object, be vigilant about preventing recurrence. Restrict access to:

• Trash
• Hair ties
• String
• Other objects your cat may ingest

If a tumor is identified as the cause of the blockage, a sample can be submitted to a laboratory to help determine the type of tumor and prognosis.