Success Story: Figgaro Pho

As we all know, cats are naturally curious. And sometimes this curiosity gets the best of them--especially when they eat weird things such as baby bottle nipples, toilet paper, thread, tinsel, random pieces of clothing, insects and even rodents, among other things. While many of these items can pass through their system without any issue, sometimes their curious appetite can put them in danger. Such is the case for Figgaro Pho.   

Figgaro Pho is a naughty 2-year-old kitty who wasn't acting like himself. When his family brought him to the vet they did x-rays and saw something in his belly that shouldn’t be there. The vet kept Figgaro overnight pumping fluids into him hoping that would help him pass whatever he ate. Unfortunately it didn't. The next day the vet did surgery on Figgaro and removed the foreign objects that he ate.

Figgaro had recently been diagnosed with asthma, and his mom had to take a lower-paying job, his family of four was strapped for cash. They reached out to Fur Kids Foundation for help, and Figgaro is now at home healing. Hopefully he’s not eating anything he shouldn’t for a while.

Figgaro’s condition is not unique to cats, many dogs are also fond of eating items that they shouldn’t. The most common problem caused by eating something weird is what a vet will refer to as a foreign body obstruction. This condition can be life-threatening if the item they eat can’t move through the intestines and end up in the litter box. It typically takes between 10-24 hours for an object to move through the digestive track. If the object is too large, it can become stuck, which can cause a lot of discomfort for your pet and may make the following symptoms occur:

1. changes in mood, such as biting or hissing when being picked up
2. diarrhea or straining when trying to go to the bathroom
3. lack of appetite
4. lack of energy
5. stomach tenderness or pain
6. vomiting

If you see any of those symptoms, be sure to take your pet to the vet immediately. The vet will likely have x-rays taken in order to locate or confirm there is a foreign object, and may even require blood or urine tests to check the pet’s overall health. It’s also very important to note that if you see an item protruding from your pet’s rectum, do not attempt to help remove it by pulling it out. It could be lodged or wrapped around something, and you could cause more damage.

Check out some other pets who also ate some things they shouldn’t have as well as some more information on pets who eat weird stuff.

1. Fur Kids Foundation: He ate what?! 
2. Pawsatively Pets: Weird stuff my cat ate
3. Petful: Foreign Body - When your pet swallows something he shouldn’t
4. Success Story: Louie Louie
5. Success Story: Onyxx 

If you would like to help Fur Kids Foundation continue to help families with animals, please consider making a tax-deductible donation. The money helps families during a time when they may not be able to afford adequate veterinary care. Check out more Success Stories.