My Cat might have swallowed a small amount of yarn. Can this harm her??

Answer 1

Hi there...if your cats swallowed less a very short piece (e.g. less than a 1/2 inch) she will eliminate this within 24-48 hours. However, any longer it can be very dangerous as it can cause intestinal blockages or strangulation. Any string-like substances twists itself along the digestive tract which tightens and cuts through the bowel. This is extremely dangerous and requires surgery. This can also happen from eating tinsel at Christmas, or raiding rubbish and eating string used to tie up meat or other string substances. Many owners make the mistake of pulling on the string if it is visible from either end whether caused by vomiting or defecating which pulls on the intestines and causing intant death. This really needs to be urgently tended to by a vet.

Here's an article about the dangers of string/yarn:
Cats and String: Potential Danger

Cats and kittens love to play with string, but we have all been warned about leaving a cat alone with a piece of string. Muir and Rosen from the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine Department of Surgical Sciences recently reported the result of a 5 month old female Siamese who had swallowed string. The owner delivered the cat to the a veterinarian because she had been vomiting for a week and was becoming dehydrated. The veterinarian removed a 10 centimeter piece of string from around the cat's tongue. When he noted an intestinal bunching, he sent the cat to the University of Wisconsin.

Muir and Rosen found that the swallowed string had knotted and matted such that it was distending the intestine in several places. They first attempted a conservative method of removing the string, because the clinical signs did not indicate immediate surgery. However, the string was sufficiently lodged that manipulation resulted in several full-thickness perforations in the intestine. At that point, it was necessary to remove 60% of the jejunum, a section of the intestine.

The surgeons were able to repair the intestine and close the incision normally. The young cat was eager and able to eat the next day. When last seen one month after surgery, she had gained weight and was in good health.

This cat did well because she was in capable veterinary hands. however the owner erred in two ways. First, the owner left string available to the playful young cat when there was no supervision. Second, the owner responded very slowly, allowing the cat to continue vomiting or one week. Over the course of the week, the string became more deeply lodged in the intestine. An earlier intervention may have avoided the need for surgery.

Dangers of string substances: http://catclinicofnorman.com/site/view/65668_HolidayDangers.pml;jsessionid=o87bre0epnn0

Answer 2

When kitty has a bowel movement , if there is no discomfort before then, check to see if the yarn is in there. If the kitty has a bowel movement and there is yarn left hanging out DO NOT PULL IT OUT take kitty to the vet (she will prolly be raising a fuss anyway by this time) this is very painful for kitty

Answer 3

Yarn and string is harmful to cats. It can get in there gut and ties up their intestines. If it was just little bites it should be ok but if it was a long piece then take her to a vet.

Answer 4

Depends on what "a small amount" is. If it's just an inch, probably not. If it's any more than that, it can get trapped in the intestines and the intestines bunch over it, like the cloth on a hair scrunchie. If she stops eating or starts vomiting, take her to the vet ASAP. Good Luck!!

Answer 5

Well sometimes it can be harmful if the small amount actually isn't small so look for signs of diarrea or throwup or gagging... If any of these signs come up take your cat to the vet immediatley... Remember it is all about the life of your cat and to keep it safe.... GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!! :)

Answer 6

I'm sure she'll be fine... as long as it was just a little bit.

Answer 7

No.