Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

Handhold please - string eaten

18 replies

OodleLoodle · 21/05/2021 13:12

My 1 year old has just (12:15) eaten a 30 cm length of string. Straight to the vets, he went in at 12:50 to be made to vomit. Am sitting in the carpark waiting, does anyone know how long it takes? Or lovely stories of cats doing this and being fine please??

OP posts:
OnceUponAThread · 21/05/2021 13:59

You caught it straight away so it will be absolutely fine. Best case vomiting it up (which will be quick, painless and no after effects). Worst case they might have to operate an whip it out. (Expensive and cones afterwards but still fundamentally fine).

Our girl cat is an eater and we've had to take her in a couple of times.

Top tip from me. Put Covid masks away somewhere they can't access or they'll have the string that loops over your ears too.

Will all be fine, and kitty will be back with you in no time.

Original poster
OodleLoodle · 21/05/2021 14:47

Thank you! We've been referred to a specialist and he's now having an endoscopy, with op to follow if they can't whip it :(
I was unwrapping a parcel and turned my back to grab scissors (am neurotic and always shred any string that comes in) and be pilfered it whilst my back was turned, cue me chasing him around the kitchen whilst he munched it all down!

OP posts:
OnceUponAThread · 21/05/2021 15:02

Honestly it happens, and it is scary but it will be absolutely fine. Girl cat had to have a similar operation and she was absolutely dandy (albeit furious about her cone of shame).

Crossing fingers for you that all goes well. And here for a handhold if needed. It's so terrifying when they are unwell!

Original poster
OodleLoodle · 21/05/2021 15:18

Thank you! Also stressed out it's the first time the two brothers have ever been separated, but thankfully second one is fast asleep and hasn't woken up!

OP posts:
OnceUponAThread · 21/05/2021 15:35

Oh one thing to be aware of. Hospital brother will smell a bit odd (not to you, but to the other cat) so they might be a bit weird / wary at first. Don't be alarmed if that happens!

Shellingbynight · 21/05/2021 15:48

My cat ate a ribbon last year. The vet tried to make him vomit it up but he wouldn't (she said they rarely do) so he had an endoscopy and she retrieved it just as it was disappearing out of his stomach. He was fine afterwards, no problems at all.

I now have to be really careful with all types of string, ribbon, elastic - I even have to remove those ribbon bookmarks which you get in cookery books.

Hope you get good news asap.

Original poster
OodleLoodle · 21/05/2021 17:42

Thank you, just had an update that he did have to have surgery, poor noodle! So he's got to stay in for the weekend.

His brother is still asleep! So hasn't noticed yet, do you know of anything I can do to alleviate the different smell issue?

OP posts:
OnceUponAThread · 21/05/2021 19:08

Don't worry about the smell issue, they'll soon get used to it such other again. It took hours maybe half an hour, and then they settled. I just didn't want you to panic if they're a bit weird around each other at first. (It really freaked me out because they're bonded and super close - but then someone explained why, which was reassuring)

OnceUponAThread · 21/05/2021 19:58

Used to each other*

OnceUponAThread · 21/05/2021 19:59

It took ours*

(Sorry for all the typos. Dashed that one off without a proof)

Original poster
OodleLoodle · 21/05/2021 20:23

Ahhh thank you!

OP posts:
Ibizafun · 21/05/2021 22:57

Thank goodness you realised what had happened.. I’m always frightened mine will find string/elastic band somewhere in the house. Fingers crossed he will be fine.

Original poster
OodleLoodle · 22/05/2021 10:57

Just a little update, he had to have surgery but the string was still in his stomach (vet asked if I want to keep it for prosperity!!) not his intestine, so less invasive than it could have been!
Refusing to eat so far, but not surprised as first time away from me and his brother (quarantine kittens!) - have just dropped off his normal food in case he's being picky as normal!

Now just wait to pick him up on monday, thank you for all your kind support yesterday :)

OP posts:
OnceUponAThread · 22/05/2021 11:26

Hurrah! That sounds like a great result - really good you caught it in time and it didn't make the intestines. Fingers crossed he picks up and starts eating again soon and is back with his bro in no time at all!

Mumdiva99 · 24/05/2021 12:34

Goof to hear the op went well OodleLoodle.

Oh gosh - one of mine ate a yoyo string recently. I didn't realise I had to rush her to the vets. I took the wait and see if any issues occur option. Now I feel terrible. There were no after effects and we did see a bit of it in her litter tray. She also steals elastic bands if they are left in reach too....should we be extra careful to put all this stuff away?

Original poster
OodleLoodle · 24/05/2021 20:04

Yes all home safe though how I'm going to keep him happy in a crate for 2 weeks is another matter!

The vet said the issue was because if it went in the intestine and got caught, it could tighten like a drawstring and snag the intestine all together and/or cause tears in the lining.

I guess if it passed through already it's ok Mumdiva? But they said I had the choice to wait over the weekend and see if it passed - as soon as I said I had insurance, they urged me down the endoscopy/ surgery route

OP posts:
sprinkleyumnut · 24/05/2021 20:11

Wishing a speedy recovery for your feline 💜

Mumdiva99 · 24/05/2021 22:06

Thanks for the warning Oodle. I'll be extra careful now.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page