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Urgent care is for pets who are unwell, in discomfort, are in urgent situation or are not acting like themselves and should be assessed within 24 hours.
Wellness, routine, or general care is for pets needing vaccines, preventive care, or ongoing monitoring who can safely wait at least 24 hours.
This page focuses on urgent assessment. Routine wellness exams, preventive care, and monitoring of stable conditions are provided through scheduled general wellness appointments.
Foreign Body Surgery - When is Surgery Needed
Gastrointestinal Foreign Body in Dogs and Cats (Linear and Non-Linear Obstruction)
Definition
Gastrointestinal foreign bodies—whether string-like or solid—can range from mild to life-threatening depending on location, duration, and severity. Some may resolve, but many require urgent surgical intervention.
Who This Page Is For
A gastrointestinal (GI) foreign body is any non-digestible object swallowed by a dog or cat that becomes lodged in the stomach or intestines. It is a clinical presentation, not a diagnosis.
Non-linear foreign bodies (e.g. toys, corn cobs, bones, rocks, clothing) cause discrete obstructions, typically in the stomach or small intestine.
Linear foreign bodies (e.g. string, yarn, tinsel, thread) anchor at one end and cause pleating of the intestines, often leading to multiple injuries and perforations.
GI obstructions are a common, time-sensitive condition in dogs and cats. Early intervention leads to better outcomes.
Who This Page Is Not For
• Pet that vomits multiple times or retches repeatedly
• Dog with known toy ingestion or missing object
• Cat seen playing with string, thread, or tinsel
• Pet straining to defecate or passing little stool
• Lethargic, bloated, or inappetent dog or cat
• String visible under a cat’s tongue or protruding from the rectum
Related Urgent Symptoms
• Pet who vomited once but is now energetic, eating, and passing stool normally
If you are unsure whether this is significant, that uncertainty itself warrants veterinary assessment.
What This Can Look Like at Home
• Vomiting and Nausea
• Abdominal Pain
• Lethargy
• Inappetence
• Straining to Defecate
• Diarrhea
• Gastrointestinal Foreign Body
• String or Thread in Mouth
Why This Can Be Hard to Judge
• Repeated vomiting or dry heaving
• Decreased appetite or refusal to eat
• Hiding, hunched posture, or belly tensing
• String or thread visible under the tongue or from anus
• Straining with no stool output
• Sudden fatigue or disinterest in food or play
• Unusual growling or snapping when touched
The Improvement Trap
GI obstruction signs can look mild early on, especially with partial blockages. Pets may still eat or vomit occasionally, and stool may still pass. X-rays may appear normal, especially with fabric, rubber, or string. Linear foreign bodies often cause subtle signs in cats, even while causing internal damage.
What Is Easy to Miss at Home
Temporary improvement does not equal resolution.
Signs may cycle. Dogs may vomit and then seem okay for a few hours. Cats may pass soft stool or show interest in food again. With linear foreign bodies, the intestine may be sawing slowly and silently toward perforation.
• Mild lethargy mistaken for resting
• String under tongue (do not pull)
• Small bits of string or plastic in stool
• Subtle dehydration
• Occasional vomiting
• Temporary “return to normal”
• A bloated abdomen in deep-chested dogs
These signs may seem minor but can indicate severe internal progression. Testing clarifies the situation before it's too lat
When This Can Be an Emergency
• Repeated vomiting or food refusal
• Known ingestion of toy, bone, corn cob, rock, or cloth
• String visible under tongue or from rectum (do not pull)
• Straining to poop with no result
• Painful or tight abdomen
• Bloated, restless, or trembling dog
• Hiding, jaw clenching, or drooling cat
• Sudden fatigue or collapse
• Signs not resolving within a few hours
How Veterinarians Assess This
Clinical signs alone cannot reliably determine severity.
Symptoms can appear similar while representing very different internal disease processes. Diagnostic testing is how veterinarians determine whether a condition is mild and self-limiting or serious and potentially life-threatening, and how they guide appropriate care.
Diagnostic testing may include:
• Abdominal radiographs – identifies gas patterns, foreign material, plication
• Abdominal ultrasound – assesses intestinal wall and foreign body detail
• CBC – checks for inflammation, infection, anemia
• Chemistry panel – assesses hydration, electrolytes, and organ function
• Lactate – evaluates tissue perfusion and intestinal viability
• Contrast study – reveals hidden obstructions when radiographs are unclear
• Peritoneal fluid analysis – detects rupture or infection in the abdomen
Additional disease-specific testing (such as surgical exploration, infectious screening, or cytology) may be considered based on the overall clinical picture.
Veterinary Differentials - Serious / Must-Rule-Out First
• Gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV)
A twisted, gas-filled stomach that can rapidly become fatal. Most common in deep-chested dogs. Tests may include abdominal radiographs, lactate, abdominal ultrasound, and ECG.
• Septic peritonitis
A life-threatening abdominal infection, often due to perforation from a foreign object. Tests may include peritoneal fluid analysis, abdominal ultrasound, CBC, and chemistry panel.
• Linear foreign body with perforation
A string-like object that saws through the intestine, causing rupture and leakage. Tests may include abdominal ultrasound, radiographs, CBC, chemistry panel, and lactate.
• Mesenteric torsion
A rare twisting of the intestines that blocks blood supply and causes sudden collapse. Tests may include abdominal radiographs, abdominal ultrasound, and exploratory surgery.
• Intestinal neoplasia
Tumors in the GI tract that may cause obstruction or ulceration. Tests may include abdominal ultrasound, biopsy, cytology, and advanced imaging.
Veterinary Differentials - Common / More Typical
• Gastroenteritis
Inflammation of the stomach or intestines due to infection, toxin, or irritation. Tests may include CBC, chemistry panel, fecal testing, and abdominal ultrasound.
• Partial obstruction (non-linear)
An incompletely blocked GI tract from a solid object that may intermittently pass material. Tests may include abdominal radiographs, contrast study, ultrasound, and lactate.
• Dietary indiscretion
Eating something inappropriate or irritating, leading to vomiting or diarrhea. Tests may include CBC, fecal testing, and radiographs if foreign body is suspected.
• Hairball impaction (cats)
Dense masses of swallowed hair causing intermittent vomiting or constipation. Tests may include abdominal radiographs, abdominal ultrasound, and fecal testing.
• Parasites
Roundworms, hookworms, or other intestinal parasites causing GI signs. Tests may include fecal flotation, fecal antigen panel, and CBC.
Safety, Psychology, & Peace of Mind
Waiting can transform a manageable situation into a surgical emergency. GI obstructions are often survivable—if caught early. Delayed care risks bowel perforation, infection, and even death. Testing brings peace of mind and can spare your pet from greater harm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it serious if my pet is still pooping or acting okay?
Yes. Partial obstructions may still allow stool to pass early on. Behavior and appetite can fluctuate. Acting okay does not mean the GI tract is safe.
Can it still be serious if they seem better after vomiting?
Yes. Vomiting may temporarily relieve pressure. In linear cases, injury can worsen silently. Testing is the only way to know if it’s improving.
Do we really need testing if I saw them eat the toy or string?
Yes. Knowing what was swallowed doesn’t confirm where it is now—or what damage it’s doing. X-rays, ultrasound, or contrast studies provide that clarity.
Can we wait overnight to see if it passes?
Delaying can be dangerous. Linear foreign bodies and full obstructions can rapidly progress. Same-day assessment is recommended.
What if I see string hanging out—should I pull it?
No. Pulling string may tear the intestines. Leave it in place and seek immediate veterinary help.