Member

Posts: 84
From:Hull, UK
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 11-25-2003 06:38 PM         

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Can anyone give me any advice.. my cat just ate a hair band (small elastic tie back) should I take him to the vet straight away tomorrow or hope that it passes through?

Any advice welcome

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From:CA
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posted 11-25-2003 06:47 PM         

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Hello. My cat did the same thing about a year ago and he just pooped it out. I think it depends on if the hair-band was totally swallowed or if it's lodged in his throat. Is your cat swallowing a lot or is it acting perfectly normal? If he seems like he's breathing fine and is acting like him/herself then I would give it a couple of days to pass. Does anyone here think she needs to take her cat to the vet? It certainly wouldn't hurt to take your cat there if you feel better about it. I'd like to know what others on this site think would be the best thing to do.

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From:Hull, UK
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posted 11-25-2003 06:53 PM         

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Thanks he's isn't coughing and seems fine. do you have any idea what warning signs i should look out for?

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posted 11-25-2003 07:00 PM         

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If the hair-band is lodged in his throat he will keep trying to swallow (to try and get it down). If he stops eating it means the hair-band in his stomache or intestinal tract is possibly to blame. Just keep an eye on him. Also, check the site here to see if anyone else has some advice. i.e. their cat ate a hair-band or rubber band and it caused problems. My cat was fine, but he's just one cat. Hopefully, he's fine. Cats eat the weirdest things sometimes! Lol.

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posted 11-25-2003 07:04 PM         

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p.s. although this may not sound like fun...you may want to look at his poops to see if the hair-band did pass. That's what I did and it was a big relief to see it in his litter box.

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From:Hull, UK
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posted 11-25-2003 07:48 PM         

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he is an outdoor/indoor cat so i dont see his poops, will there be any signs if it doesnt pass?
He isnt coughing and I have looked down his throat and it is well and truly gone!

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From:NY, USA
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posted 11-25-2003 07:57 PM         

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If it does'nt pass he may become lethargic, have a decreased appetite, vomiting and/or diahhrea.

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posted 11-25-2003 07:59 PM         

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He should be fine. Just keep an eye on his eating habits and his over all character. If he's acting fine he probably is. If it makes you feel any better I know a lot of cats that have eaten lizard tails (way bigger and harder to digest than a hair-band) and although, they were not in the mood to eat very much for a few days..... once the lizard tail passed they were fine and back to their normal eating habits.

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From:sheridan, wy
Registered: Aug 2003

posted 11-25-2003 08:56 PM         

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If it becomes a blockage he will probably start throwing up and having mucousy poop maybe with blood in it. It should be obvious that he is sick.

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From:Ottawa, Ontario
Registered: Oct 2003

posted 11-25-2003 10:53 PM         

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My cat eats EVERYTHING.
Toilet paper, regular paper, anything she can find.

------------------
Visit me at www.daplayazclub.com

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From:Hull, UK
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 11-26-2003 04:11 AM         

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Just a bit of an update for you all. Thor wasn't well this morning and he had blood in his poo, so he has gone to the vet. They are keeping him in for X-Rays and probably an operation to remove it.

I have to admit I am distraught while I wait for the vet to call but he thinks we caught it early enough so that he will make a full recovery. So I am just praying that he will be ok and that he won't die.

I'll keep you all posted on what happens.

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posted 11-26-2003 04:36 AM         

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The vet has phoned and the X-Rays showed he has managed to pass the hair bobble but it has done a bit of damage to his bowel and rectum, hence the blood. SO they don't need to operate but they are keeping him in for observation and to make sure he doesn't get peritonitis.

So everything will be ok thank God but I would just like to put this as a cautionary tale that its not only dogs that eat weird things and I suggest that everyone gets their pets insured. I wouldn't be able to afford the £200 its cost for the vets fees without it and for only a small amount a month £15.00 for three cats it is so worth it. It meant I could take him to the vet and not worry about how to pay.

Caitlyn

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posted 11-26-2003 07:27 AM         

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Phew! I'm glad thor is alright. Thanks for the update. I agree about the pet insurance, but before anyone gets it, ask your vet which pet insurance he/she accepts at their office. Let us know what the vet did for his bleeding (if anything). That must have been one tough hair-band to make poor Thor bleed!

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From:Hull, UK
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posted 11-26-2003 11:31 AM         

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Well I'll let you all know when he gets home tomorrow.

The hairband had a metal piece on it and thats what did the damage

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From:NY, USA
Registered: Oct 2002

posted 11-26-2003 07:07 PM         

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Im glad to hear that he is okay.

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