Endoscopic retrieval of gastric and oesophageal foreign bodies in 52 cats

To assess the outcomes and major complications in cats that require oesophageal and gastric endoscopic foreign body removal.

The medical records of 52 cats with oesophageal and gastric foreign bodies that underwent endoscopic foreign body retrieval during a 13-year period (2006 to 2018) were retrospectively reviewed to characterise the clinical and radiographic signs, endoscopic findings, outcomes and major complications.

Endoscopic foreign body retrieval was successful in 49 of the 52 cats (94.2%). Radiographs confirmed the foreign material in 24 of the 50 cats (48%). Major complications occurred in eight of the 52 cats (15.4%) and included pleural effusion (n=2), aspiration pneumonia (n=2), unsuccessful removal of foreign material with endoscopy (n=3), oesophageal stricture formation (n=3) and cardiopulmonary arrest (n=1). Cats with oesophageal foreign bodies were more likely to experience major complications than those with gastric foreign bodies.

Endoscopic foreign body removal in cats was associated with good overall outcomes and a low complication rate in this study sample. These results will help veterinarians better understand the outcomes of endoscopic foreign body removal in cats.