Emesis induction is successful for recovery of gastric foreign objects in cats

To prospectively assess the efficacy of emesis induction for the recovery of gastric foreign objects in cats and to determine if any factors influenced recovery.

22 client-owned cats.

Cats for which emesis induction was deemed appropriate were administered an emetic agent by the attending clinician between October 2018 and April 2021. Data collected included whether emesis was successful in recovery in some or all of the foreign object, time from administration to emesis, number of emetic events, and type, length, width, and surface area of the material ingested.

Of the 22 cats that had emesis attempted, 11 (50%) vomited some or all of the foreign object. The time from ingestion to presentation, time from the last meal, presence of food in the vomitus, type of the object, and length, width, and surface area of the object did not influence the likelihood of successful recovery with emesis induction. The most common object cats ingested were rubber bands.

Recovery of gastric foreign objects in cats with emesis induction alone may be successful 50% of the time. The type and size of the object is unlikely to influence whether or not emesis will be successful. This information can help prepare cat-owners for expectations and outcomes following attempts at emesis induction.