ugggggh I wish you WERE my vet
July 10, 2023 10:05 PM   Subscribe

Jonathan, the huge 11-13 pound foster cat with IBD, just swallowed a 4-5" strip of feather from a white feather boa. Apparently it's not possible to induce vomiting safely in cats. The feather strip was flimsy. Self-scolding is taken care of; what next? Wait? Try a reputable online vet service? Is there a minimum length below which swallowing something vaguely string-like isn't too awful?

I saw him eating it, hanging half out of his mouth, but as soon as I started walking toward him while I was stressed (but speaking gently), he started fleeing like... someone in his past was just awful to him. Milder forms of this behavior have happened before, but this was him being extremely scared, almost terrified. I am so sad now.

I will say that, normally, this cat vomits with almost zero provocation, but usually when he hasn't been fed in a while and is stressed for _that_ reason, or he's taken feeding time into his own paws and gone under all the furniture until he's found some kind of bug or spiderweb to eat (this is the cat who was left alone in an apartment for a couple of weeks and nearly starved to death, so, I guess he learned this skill to survive).
posted by amtho to Grab Bag (24 answers total) 1 user marked this as a favorite
 
> Is there a minimum length below which swallowing something vaguely string-like isn't too awful?

4-5 inches of feather sounds like it should be safe-ish. And is very different from a longer length of cordage, which can be life-threatening. Might cause a blockage or irritation, but less likely to be the cutting action caused by string.

I'd monitor his energy level, appetite, and poops, and take action if he indicates distress. I'd guess your usual vet will probably recommend the same thing.

Find out what emergency vet your usual vet recommends, if you have to do a late-night vet run after hours.

https://www.hepper.com/can-cats-eat-feathers/
...

Another concerning factor when it comes to cats who consume artificial feathers is that these feathers are stiff and hard, whereas bird feathers are softer and less likely to injure the gastrointestinal tract.

If you suspect that your cat has swallowed a feather, you do not have to worry too much about any risks, unless they show signs of choking or abnormal bathroom behaviors.
posted by sebastienbailard at 12:20 AM on July 11, 2023


Response by poster: Thanks - the emergency vet wants us to come in for vomiting inducement. I'm going, but I'm reeeally not sure if it's the right thing to do. Googling the risks of the drug they'll use to induce vomiting..he's 13, but his issues are mainly renal (mild) and ibs.
posted by amtho at 12:22 AM on July 11, 2023 [2 favorites]


Response by poster: I drove him to the emergency vet, brought an example feather part like the one he swallowed, it was "probably too late to induce vomiting" since 2 hours had passed, they very nicely sent me home and told me to watch and wait.

They had originally suggested I take him to a different emergency vet because "they have a scope" (I think to retrieve the swallowed item in case vomiting didn't work), but that one was twice as far, and this cat barfs with little provocation, so I doubted it would be necessary. I didn't know how fast the barf window would close, though.

He'll probably be fine, but if not, argh.
posted by amtho at 2:11 AM on July 11, 2023 [2 favorites]


You are doing all the right things!! This sounds so stressful but probably will be fine, as you said. Cats are such little snickerdoodles: they love us yet do sassy and dangerous things that make us worry so much!! But then emerge totally unscathed while we’re over here panicking. There an happy end, and then the cycle starts again. I hope your kitty passes the feather soon and you can go back to being happy and chill together!
posted by smorgasbord at 3:04 AM on July 11, 2023 [1 favorite]


Response by poster: Thanks. He's been batting and chasing his blue pompom all over the house, and scolding me for not sleeping (cuddling in bed). At least somebody's having a nice time :)
posted by amtho at 3:08 AM on July 11, 2023 [10 favorites]


Normally, a dingleberry as spectacular as the one that's soon to manifest at your house would not be cause for celebration. So if you do give in to the temptation to have it framed, be warned that people will look at you funny.
posted by flabdablet at 3:43 AM on July 11, 2023 [11 favorites]


Response by poster: I was just pondering what to display in this old typesetter's drawer I have...
posted by amtho at 5:14 AM on July 11, 2023 [4 favorites]


When my cat up and decided to bite the silicone strap off my son's swim goggles and swallow multiple inches of it, the local emergency vet recommended we give her a bunch of hairball medicine to help her pass the object, which she eventually did.
posted by BlueJae at 6:31 AM on July 11, 2023 [2 favorites]


When he eventually poops it out, part of it may remain inside his butt and be trailing out. It will be gross. Cut it with scissors but DO NOT PULL IT OUT as that could poke or tear his intestine. Just wait til he poops out the rest. I would get cheap scissors, gloves and baby wipes ready for that moment. I would also pre-emptively roll up the rugs and put sheets over the furniture so any poopy mess is easier to clean. (Like he might run around with basically a shit shoelace flapping out of his bum and try to scoot it off on the carpet!)
posted by nouvelle-personne at 7:16 AM on July 11, 2023 [9 favorites]


My cat ate a 12" or longer string. I wasn't sure if he had eaten it or I had thrown it out. He acted fine for 24 full hours and almost to the minute, puked it up. I think your kitty will be ok, here's hoping they are!
posted by tiny frying pan at 8:57 AM on July 11, 2023


Response by poster: Still purring
posted by amtho at 11:21 PM on July 11, 2023 [5 favorites]


I still treasure the photo I received at work of a bootlace freshly emerged from the cat's butt.

Why are they like this?!
posted by easy, lucky, free at 4:45 AM on July 12, 2023


Response by poster: Just did grooming glove time and he was ecstatic, as usual.
posted by amtho at 8:28 PM on July 12, 2023


So we're two days in and nothing bad has happened? Seems to me that Jonathan's insides have either dissolved or pilled up his five inch flimsy feather treat and that you're unlikely to see or hear from it again.
posted by flabdablet at 5:22 AM on July 13, 2023


Response by poster: I dissected one poop so far. After the next one, or tomorrow, I'll feel safe.

He's in a sleep/intense snuggling phase which is normal but not as positive as the vigorous playing of Tuesday.
posted by amtho at 9:58 AM on July 13, 2023 [2 favorites]


Normally threadsitting in AskMe is suboptimal but this case is a notable exception. Thank you for the updates on your lil gentleman!
posted by slappy_pinchbottom at 12:36 PM on July 13, 2023 [3 favorites]


Yes more cat butt updates please, I specifically came back to check
posted by nouvelle-personne at 6:34 PM on July 13, 2023 [5 favorites]


omg... it's threadshitting
posted by nouvelle-personne at 6:02 PM on July 15, 2023 [3 favorites]


Don't believe we've had a report of that yet? And five days along, I don't think we'll see one.
posted by flabdablet at 10:35 PM on July 15, 2023


Response by poster: He seems OK. Maybe totally fine. I was worried, let hm have a whole bowl of his prescription kibbles yesterday (instead of prescription loaf). He LOVES the kibbles, but that _always_ makes him puke (food allergy? Too fast? Yes I did try a puzzle feeder.)

He brought his rainbow pompom to me several times last night to play fetch, so he's at least reasonably good. Waiting for one more litter box change to be completely relieved.

I intend to link to a photo for the final update! Thank you all so much for caring.
posted by amtho at 5:57 PM on July 16, 2023 [5 favorites]


Response by poster: OK guys, I still haven't cleaned the litterbox today, but I'm officially declaring the emergency over. The first photo here shows why.

Thank you sebastienbailard! You helped calm me down enough to keep him from having a risky, traumatizing medical procedure which may or may not have been necessary. Your perspective also gave me the idea to bring an example feather with me when we went to the emergency vet. I'm sure they're trained to assume the worst most of the time, but the vet tech seeing the actual tiny skinny feather changed the situation immediately.
posted by amtho at 9:51 PM on July 16, 2023 [3 favorites]


Very pleased to hear he's in good health. The photos are great!
posted by sebastienbailard at 10:57 PM on July 16, 2023


He is a very good boy! So happy he's feeling good. 😸
posted by tiny frying pan at 5:07 AM on July 17, 2023


Response by poster: He found the top drawer containing all the pompoms, accessible when standing on top of the dresser. There were 6-7 pompoms scattered all over the stair landing this morning.

As crimes go, it's not the worst.
posted by amtho at 6:34 AM on July 17, 2023 [2 favorites]


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