Cat With Chronic Vomiting — Veterinary Endoscopy Revealed a Hidden Gastric Hairball Obstruction

Chronic vomiting is one of the most common gastrointestinal complaints in cats. While occasional hairball vomiting may seem harmless, persistent vomiting may indicate more serious digestive tract problems, including gastric obstruction.

This case demonstrates how veterinary endoscopy enabled direct visualization and minimally invasive removal of a large gastric hairball that had been causing chronic digestive symptoms.

Case Background

• Species: Cat
• Gender: Male

Chief Complaint

• Recurrent vomiting for over two weeks
• Decreased appetite
• Weight loss
• Lethargy

Routine medication provided only temporary improvement.

Clinical Challenge

Hairballs are common in cats, but large compacted trichobezoars may:

• ▪️Obstruct gastric emptying
• ▪️Cause chronic gastritis
• ▪️Lead to dehydration and malnutrition
• ▪️Mimic other gastrointestinal diseases

Traditional diagnosis can be difficult because:

• ▪️X-rays may not clearly identify soft hairball masses
• ▪️Symptoms are often nonspecific
• ▪️Exploratory surgery is invasive

▪️Direct gastrointestinal visualization was necessary.

Endoscopic Examination Procedure

The veterinary team performed upper gastrointestinal endoscopy using the JeetVet RAE-105 portable veterinary endoscope.

• ▪️General anesthesia administered
• ▪️Endoscope inserted through the oral cavity into the esophagus
• ▪️Examination of the stomach and pyloric region
• ▪️Continuous insufflation for clear visualization
• ▪️Identification of a large compacted gastric hairball

Key Findings

• Large trichobezoar (hairball) identified inside the stomach
• Gastric mucosal irritation observed
• Partial gastric outlet obstruction detected

The hairball was successfully fragmented and removed using endoscopic retrieval tools.

Why Veterinary Endoscopy Was Important

1. Minimally Invasive Treatment

The procedure avoided abdominal surgery and significantly reduced patient trauma.

2. Accurate Visualization

The endoscope provided:

• Clear identification of the obstruction
• Evaluation of gastric mucosal condition
• Precise localization of the lesion

3. Faster Recovery

Compared with surgical gastrotomy:

• Less postoperative pain
• Faster return to eating
• Shorter hospitalization

4. Diagnostic Advantage

Endoscopy also helped rule out:

• Gastric tumors
• Foreign bodies
• Severe ulceration
• Pyloric abnormalities

Veterinary Endoscopy vs Traditional Surgery

Comparison	Veterinary Endoscopy	Traditional Surgery
Trauma	Minimally invasive	Abdominal incision required
Pain Level	Mild	Higher postoperative pain
Recovery Time	Fast	Longer recovery
Hospital Stay	Short	Longer hospitalization
Diagnostic Capability	Direct visualization	Limited before surgery

How JeetVet Endoscope Helped

The JeetVet RAE-105 portable veterinary endoscope provided several clinical advantages:

• ▪️Slim insertion tube suitable for feline patients
• ▪️High-definition imaging
• ▪️Flexible maneuverability
• ▪️2.0 mm working channel for retrieval instruments
• ▪️Portable connection to mobile devices and computers

Suitable for:

• ▪️Gastrointestinal foreign body removal
• ▪️Gastric examination
• ▪️Biopsy procedures
• ▪️Minimally invasive gastrointestinal treatment

Treatment Outcome

• Vomiting significantly improved
• Appetite gradually returned
• Activity level increased
• Rapid recovery with minimal discomfort

The cat was discharged shortly after postoperative monitoring.

Clinical Value of Veterinary Endoscopy

Compared with traditional surgery, veterinary endoscopy offers:

• ▪️Earlier diagnosis
• ▪️Lower complication rates
• ▪️Reduced trauma
• ▪️Faster patient recovery
• ▪️Improved clinical efficiency

Portable endoscopy systems also improve:

• ▪️Diagnostic capability
• ▪️Treatment versatility
• ▪️Cost-effectiveness for veterinary clinics

Conclusion

Chronic vomiting in cats should never be overlooked.

Veterinary endoscopy provides a safe and highly effective solution for diagnosing and treating gastric hairball obstruction, enabling:

• ▪️Accurate visualization
• ▪️Minimally invasive removal
• ▪️Faster recovery
• ▪️Improved patient outcomes

Modern veterinary gastrointestinal endoscopy is becoming an essential tool in advanced feline medicine.