JeetVet Endoscopy · Clinical Case Record | A Race Against Time: Endoscopic Removal of a Sewing Needle Swallowed by a Cat
“Doctor, my cat has been vomiting several times today — could she have eaten something bad?”
When 11-month-old “Mǎn Mǎn” was rushed in by her anxious owner, no one expected that this lively little kitten was hiding a dangerous metallic object inside her stomach...
01 — Sudden Emergency: The Hidden Killer Behind Vomiting
“Mǎn Mǎn” is an energetic male cat who loves chasing cat wands and running around the house. However, over the past two days, his owner noticed frequent vomiting and lethargy — he even ignored his favorite canned food.
“At first, I thought it was gastritis, so I gave him probiotics, but the vomiting just got worse…” the worried owner said, holding “Mǎn Mǎn” tightly.
Upon arrival, the attending veterinarian performed an X-ray, revealing a bright, high-density shadow in the stomach — a metallic foreign body, highly likely to be a sharp object.
To confirm, further laboratory and imaging tests were conducted.
Results showed: the foreign body was a slender sewing needle. The sharp tip posed a serious threat — if it punctured the stomach wall, it could cause massive bleeding, peritonitis, or even be life-threatening.
Even more concerning, “Mǎn Mǎn” had already developed acute vomiting, and the needle might have been scraping the stomach lining as it moved. Every minute of delay increased the risk.
02 — Emergency Rescue: Precision Under the Endoscope
Considering “Mǎn Mǎn”’s young age and the need for safe anesthesia, the medical team decided on an emergency non-invasive endoscopic removal — no incision needed, retrieving the object directly through the mouth using a veterinary endoscope.
Inside the operating room, tension was high.
The endoscope gently entered the stomach, and on the monitor, the silver sewing needle came into view — still coated with semi-digested food.
With extreme precision, the veterinarian used fine alligator forceps to grasp the needle’s tail, carefully avoiding the mucosa, and slowly withdrew it.
In just 10 minutes, the foreign object was successfully removed.
The gastric lining showed only minor abrasions, with no active bleeding observed.
03 — Postoperative Recovery: The Little Warrior’s Rebirth
“Mǎn Mǎn” soon woke up from anesthesia, licked his paws, and started meowing softly, seeking his owner.
Tears welled up in the owner’s eyes as she hugged him tightly: “Promise me you’ll stay away from the sewing kit from now on!”
The veterinarian advised:
✅ No food for 4 hours after surgery, then gradually resume liquid meals.
✅ Monitor vomiting for 3 days — if blood or food refusal occurs, return immediately.
✅ Keep all dangerous household items (needles, batteries, small parts) securely stored.
04 — Vet’s Reminder: Watch Out for Hidden Killers!
Cats are naturally curious, often biting strings or shiny objects. Common hazardous items include:
- Sewing needles, fishhooks, hairpins, button batteries, small toy parts.
Typical symptoms:
- Sudden vomiting, appetite loss, lethargy, abdominal sensitivity.
Golden window for rescue: within 24–48 hours after ingestion.
“If your cat vomits abnormally — don’t wait. Seek veterinary care immediately!”
05 — Analysis and Discussion
Two key elements ensured the successful outcome of this case:
1. Accurate and Efficient Diagnostic Process
Based on the detailed clinical history provided by the owner and the imaging findings, a rapid and precise diagnosis was made, ensuring timely and targeted treatment.
2. Significant Advantages of Minimally Invasive Endoscopic Therapy
Using JeetVet veterinary endoscopes provided a clear, high-definition view while the soft and slender insertion section minimized irritation and mucosal injury risks, effectively avoiding complications such as intestinal obstruction.
