We are unsure, but it is possible our cat has swallowed a 2 inch needle. She's a little kitten, still young, and we're a bit worried. What should/can we do to find out if she has eaten it, and if so, what do we do next? Are there any preventative measures? It's 12:15am can't take her to the vet at the moment...
Please help!
Jason
2007-03-03 16:13:59 · 15 answers · asked by JasonCrate 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
Take her to the vet right away to get an x-ray. A needle could do some real damage. You should try to keep her from moving about too much until you get her checked out! A lot of vets have emergency numbers for nights.
2007-03-03 16:17:53 · answer #1 · answered by kittymimm 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hello Jason call directory info and see if there is a 24 hr vet clinic anywhere near you. If she has eaten a needle it could perforate her stomach or intestine. At the very least try to call the vet and see if they can possibly see you tomorrow. In the meantime search the house very well for the needle and hope you find it. If you have a vacumn with a hose put a light weight cloth over the end of the hose and secure it with an elastic so it is a little loose but not loose enough to get sucked up into the cleaner. Vacumn where you think the needle was. The cloth will catch the needle so you can see. I hope you find it outside the kitten. Of course you don't use the vac on the kitten. I feel foolish saying that but some folks just might try that.
I would keep her on liquids so that solid food does not force the needle further into the stomach or intestine lining. Please watch her carefully and get her to a vet as soon as possible. Keep her as quiet as possible so that she does not twist or turn in a way that causes the needle to penetrate something. At the very very least get her to a vet as soon as you can. The vet can do an xray to see if the needle is inside her. If it is the vet will need to do surgery to get the needle out and save her life.
As far as prevention kittens will find and eat anything that is available. So be very careful to keep her away from things that are not good for her. That includes anything that can be swallowed (thread, needles, pills, buttons, small screws,nuts, etc. that is not intended as cat food or cat treats, plants that can be poisionous to cats. Cat babies like human babies put everything in their mouths. She needs a play area that is safe and clean away from heights and dangers. I hope she will be OK. Please take her to a vet ASAP.
2007-03-03 16:56:49 · answer #2 · answered by A F 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't panic. That's the last thing you will want to do. Also make sure your cat is not panic. Keep your cat calm and make sure it does not become very active (ex. running around or jumping.) If your cat vomits, particulary blood, you should try to get her to a vet as soon as possible. This could mean that the need it may have potentially swallowed could have cut up an internal organ. Take the same precaution if your cat's mouth bleeds. If these symptons do not happen, take her to a vet the next day just to be sure that if it did swallow the needle it did not damage the cat's internal organs. Hopefully your cat is allright and did not swallow the needle. Try to get your cat to go to the bathroom and search it to see if you can find the needle if it may have swallowed it.
2007-03-03 16:25:07 · answer #3 · answered by eyyjeytj 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Very common thing! Was there thread attached to the needle? If so, it is possible that the thread has caught under her tongue. If you can, take a look! It may be that the needle is still in her mouth. But, do not attempt to pull it out if you cannot really see it or reach it, as you could cause more damage. Unfortunately, the only way to really tell is to take a radiograph (x-ray).
Call your vet, they should have an answering service or a number for emergencies. If not, is there any emergency clinic in your area? Yes, it will cost you. However, the needle could perforate the kitten's esophagus, stomach, small intestine...or, if there is thread attached to it, it can cause what is called a 'linear' foreign body, and literally saw through the intestines...sorry, I know you are already worried, but I want to make it clear to everyone who reads this that this is a true emergency.
For now:
Do not allow the kitten to eat or drink. Keep her in a crate or box so she cannot move around. Keep her as quiet as you can until you can get her to the vet.
I wish you and your kitty the very best of luck.
2007-03-03 16:26:44 · answer #4 · answered by ? 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Either find an ER vet open all night or go to vet in morning.
She will need to go to a vet to have an xray done to see where the needle is. Don't let her run around alot, keep her quiet until can get her to a vet.
Did the needle have cotton attached?? If it did then it is more of a hurry to vet her to a vet then if there wasn't as the cotton can tangle and catch parts of intestines and cut off blood supply.
It will be in the stomach for at least 6 hours before it tries to move into small intestines.
2007-03-03 16:21:13 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Hi! Yes definitely take your kitty to the vet to get an X-ray. It could hurt her inside and do some damage, even though she might not have swallowed it it's better to be safe! Try to keep her from moving to much and watch to see if she's having trouble walking. I hope that helped and good luck! Also if there is no vet right now try to wait for tomorrow unless you are to worried then the vets usually have emergency numbers! Again good luck *guppylover*
2007-03-03 16:24:18 · answer #6 · answered by guppylover 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
call your vet and ask if you could come now and if it is ok to go at this time of hour get over there ASAP a needle in a kitten (or any cat) can do some SERIOUS damage. dont let her move to much and get on the phone with your vet. i wish u luck!!!!!
2007-03-03 16:24:52 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Search on yahoo yellow pages about emergency vets in your zip.
Your vet will have an emergency answering service too.
This is very serious and you want to do the right thing.
The vet is used to this type of thing because when kittens are not being watched, boy do they get into trouble!
2007-03-03 16:22:33 · answer #8 · answered by JENNIFER B 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
there is usually an after hours vet, otherwise just try to keep the kitten still and go to the vet for an x ray first thing in the morning
2007-03-03 16:22:03 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think you would know by now. Um, she would be hurting. Does she seem sick, in pain, or is she bleeding? If she is showing any signs she could be having internal bleeding which is deadly. But, I do not think she swallowed a needle. I think you would know because it would have hurt on her way down. Cats aren't dumb animals. But, I hope she is ok.
2007-03-03 16:23:14 · answer #10 · answered by Ms. H 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋