Ada ate a plastic bag

cranberry · **Joined:** Wed Aug 28, 2013 7:42 pm **Posts:** 641

So, last night Ada and Babbage opened up a cupboard and pulled out a little sandwich bag containing cat food. I was a second too late in opening up her mouth and stopping her from eating the plastic bag. :-(

The bag is made of thin plastic, just big enough to hold 60 or so grams of cat food and has a knot tied in the top.

I took her to the vet immediately and he gave her something to sedate her/make her vomit, but that didn't work. She hasn't vomited in the night either as we thought she might. So we are keeping an eye on her and hoping that nature will take its course.

Does anyone have experience of waiting for a foreign body to be pooped out ? Any idea on how long things should take ( the bag was eaten 23:30 yesterday )? Is there anything that we can do apart from keep a close eye on her and the litter tray and give her plenty of hugs ?

Sherry · **Joined:** Thu May 23, 2013 2:21 pm **Posts:** 9217

Oh no. This is not good! Plastic is the worst because the edges can perforate the colon and can cause a blockage as it cannot be digested and has to pass almost intact. If the bag has not shown up on either end within 24 hours, then it's back to the vet for an X-ray and see where the bag is. I hope and pray there is no damage to Ada's body. If she is still eating, you can add olive oil to the food which may help lubricate it along. Watch for any signs of blood. I'm sure you will not be placing the food into plastic bags like that any more -- or you will childproof your doors. Please let us know how things go with Ada. I know how much you're worried at the moment. {{{HUGS}}}

spitspot · **Joined:** Mon Jan 12, 2015 2:26 pm **Posts:** 734

oh my goodness did she eat the whole bag? Fingers crossed it's all ok and passes through quickly x

cranberry · **Joined:** Wed Aug 28, 2013 7:42 pm **Posts:** 641

I always keep the bags locked away and put them staight in a bin that they can't get access to. My mum left half a bag of food for her cat in the cupboard not realising how clever and determined a bengal can be, suffice to say that bags will not be accessible any more.

She's still active and has just eaten a bit of wet food. I just hope that the bag will work itself out of her without too much trouble.

neonyellowclover · **Joined:** Mon Apr 01, 2013 11:03 pm **Posts:** 535

Lots of wet food and lots of water. One of mine ate the fur off a mouse toy that blocked him up. Vet could see a huge lump, that thought it was an enlarged kidney. They kept him overnight, fluids, and did an enema a few times. They sent him home and said to keep him eating and monitor his food intake and output. It did pass: huge, stinky, and painful.

Don't hesitate to take her back to the vet. Make sure she is peeing and pooping. If she isn't pooping then you know she is blocked up. Some cats get really affectionate when they aren't feeling well, some hide and/or sleep a lot. Watch for any changes in behavior.

cranberry · **Joined:** Wed Aug 28, 2013 7:42 pm **Posts:** 641

A little update - this morning she has passed about half of the bag- that gives me hope, but I am still concerned about getting the other half out of her system.

She's fit and well - bouncing around like a bengal should last night and this morning. Sleeping this afternoon and giving me a good wash. There are no signs of discomfort/sickness diarrhoea.

Sherry · **Joined:** Thu May 23, 2013 2:21 pm **Posts:** 9217

She should pass the other half with the next poop. If she doesn't .... then I'd definitely take her back to the vet for an X-ray. Things can get stuck in the digestive tract. I don't think people realize how small the intestines are. Food is broken down in the stomach and then continues to break down as it goes through the small and large intestines. The waste collects in the large intestine, gets formed and is pooped out. The circumference of the poop is the circumference of the large intestinal tract. The contents pass through the small intestine first and that's where the problem can begin as the stomach acid has not been able to break down the plastic. The small intestine is about 2-1/2 times the length of the cat's body. Personally, once the cat starts to display symptoms, it could be too late. I'd want to know where that bag is INSIDE the cat NOW.

Sherry · **Joined:** Thu May 23, 2013 2:21 pm **Posts:** 9217

Please post an update, Cranberry! It's been 48 hours since she first ate the bag. Has the rest of it appeared or are we off to the vet?

cranberry · **Joined:** Wed Aug 28, 2013 7:42 pm **Posts:** 641

Sherry - I talked to an experienced vet ( 35 years with small animals ) this morning, showing him an example of the bag that she ate - he was reassuring and said that it should make its way out of her system without issue, saying that in all of his time as a vet he'd never been in the position to have to operate to remove something plastic of that size from a cat.

I am still checking poop and hoping as well as keeping a close eye on her behaviour, but it could also be that it'll get vomited up if it remains in the stomach.

Ada is her usual self - full of beans, playing, sleeping and snuggling up to her new best friend, my mum.

cranberry · **Joined:** Wed Aug 28, 2013 7:42 pm **Posts:** 641

The Eagle has landed!

The larger part of the bag, with the knot in it, has been "recovered". I am very relieved.

CMYKjill · **Joined:** Tue Sep 23, 2014 6:38 pm **Posts:** 1838

What a relief, for both of you!

Sherry · **Joined:** Thu May 23, 2013 2:21 pm **Posts:** 9217

Cranberry, so happy that Ada has finally expelled ALL of the bag. The "knot" could have been the problem! Such a bad little girl!!!!! I know you are completely relieved. Thankfully, she remained herself through the whole thing. You knew better than I how big this bag was. Raiden loves to lick the large plastic bags from the grocery stores. He doesn't eat them, thankfully! But I'd be a wreck if he started. Happy, happy dance.

Donna741 · **Joined:** Wed Feb 05, 2014 9:03 pm **Posts:** 1048

Yay! So glad the rest of the bag is out. What a relief - for both of you :wink:

spitspot · **Joined:** Mon Jan 12, 2015 2:26 pm **Posts:** 734

Brilliant news! These cats do like to worry us :sad:

Tabitha · **Joined:** Sun Feb 02, 2014 8:11 pm **Posts:** 1196

Very pleased for you both, such a worry - and the unpleasant task of recovering the bag as well!

Ada ate a plastic bag

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