Detection of foreign bodies by using computed tomography in a cat

Abstract

A 3 year-old domestic shorthair female cat was presented with a history of, persisted vomiting, anorexia and listlessness. In the anamnesis, when the owner was persistently asked whether the cat ate a foreign body, the answer was always no. The presence of tenderness was detected on abdominal palpation. In the complete blood cell count and routine serum biochemical analyzes, no abnormality was detected except for leukocytosis, thrombocytopenia and a slight increase in glucose level. Radiographic and ultrasonographic imaging were performed, but because of suspicious areas in radiographic and ultrasonographic imaging, computed tomography (CT) was decided. A foreign body was detected in the colon as a result of CT and the foreign bodies were surgically removed. It was determined that foreign bodies were door handle protector and rubber buckle. This case is presented to show that advanced imaging techniques such as CT are more effective in detecting suspicious foreign bodies in the gastrointestinal tract and to contribute to the literature.