Vet Case Study. A cat swallows a sewing needle with thread. What
to do?
On 9th January, 2025, this 7-year-old female domestic shorthair
cat swallowed a needle and thread.The worried owner consulted Dr
Thet Hmue Kyaw in Yangon. Dr Thet’s X-ray showed the long sewing
needle was lodged across the cat’s stomach.
HOW TO RETRIEVE THE SEWING NEEDLE FROM THE CAT'S STOMACH. 1.
Endoscopy. 2. Artery Forceps with full surgical incision. 3.
Endoscope with full surgical incision - this vet case study.
ENDOSCOPY AND FULL SURGICAL INCISION METHOD --- this vet case
study.
A full surgical incision is needed. The abdomen is incised. The
stomach is then incised. The vet inserted the end of the endoscope
into the stomach and used its forceps to retrieve the needle. Near
the incision, the needle had to be positioned such that one end of
the needle could be taken out by hand. The cat recovered fully and
went home.
UPDATE:
https://2010vets.blogspot.com/2025/03/4482-needle-in-cats-stomach.html
TO VIEW OTHER EDUCATIONAL VIDEOS: GO TO: www.youtube.com/c/99pups
TO BUY X-RAY PHOTOS: GO TO: www.shutterstock.com/g/toapayohvets
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ENDOSCOPY
Endoscopy is the insertion of a long, thin tube directly into the body to observe an internal organ — such as the gastrointestinal tract — in detail.
ENDOSCOPE.
An endoscope is a medical device with a light attached. It is used to look inside a body cavity or organ. The scope is inserted through a natural opening, such as the mouth during a bronchoscopy or gastroscopy.
ENDOSCOPY
Dr Thet made a small incision in the Greater
Curvature of the stomach. He inserted the endoscope and manipulated its
forceps so as to grasp the sewing needle towards the incision site.The
forceps could not take the needle out of the stomach as it was long. Dr
Thet positioned the needle next to the incision site and took it out by
hand.
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Can endoscopy be used to take a sewing needle out of a cat's stomach?
Yes, endoscopy can sometimes be used to remove a sewing needle from a cat's stomach — but it depends on a few key factors:
When Endoscopy Is a Good Option:
-
The needle is still in the stomach (hasn't passed into the intestines).
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It hasn’t caused a perforation (puncture) or major bleeding.
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The vet has the proper equipment and experience.
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The cat is stable enough for anesthesia (endoscopy is minimally invasive, but still requires sedation).
When Surgery Might Be Necessary Instead:
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If the needle has moved beyond the stomach into the intestines.
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If it has pierced the stomach lining or another organ.
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If the endoscope can’t grasp or retrieve the needle safely.
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If the cat shows signs of internal injury (fever, lethargy, vomiting, pain).
How It Works:
Endoscopy involves inserting a thin, flexible camera (endoscope) through the mouth and into the stomach. Tools can be passed through the endoscope to retrieve objects like a needle. It avoids a full surgical incision, so recovery is quicker and less painful — when it's feasible.
If you think your cat swallowed a needle (or you're dealing with this now), it’s very important to act quickly. Time matters — the longer it stays in, the higher the risk of complications. An X-ray or ultrasound is usually done first to locate the needle.
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This is
yesterday morning.
I used Ketamine and Xylazine IV as induction,
Then placed ET tube and maintained by Isoflurane.
I made a small incision on the body of stomach and take out the needle with the help of endoscope.
Then stitched up with polydioxanone monofilament 3-0.
I just mentioned the equipment I used in the surgery.
Needle couldn't be palpated over stomach. I don't want to make large incision at the stomach if possible. So, I made only small incision and tried with endoscope to find and grab the needle and It was ok.
I will send the photo tmr.
Fasting after surgery for 48hrs. No vomiting, good Bright alert and responsive the next day.
The cat was discharged from hospital due to cost matter.
I did gastrotomy and take out the needle under GA.
The cat is currently fasting. But it's in stable condition.
Yesterday, I was busy with operations and OPD. I forgot to take photo.
It was a needle with about 6 inches thread.
I had to incise the stomach but didn't want to make a large incision. So, made a small incision at the stomach and placed endoscope's wire inside and then grab the needle with forceps from the tip of endoscope. Actually, needle couldn't be completely taken out of the stomach. I grab it just to the incision site, then take out by hand.
It has to be connected with the top of black wire where a tiny camera exists. I can't see the camera inside.
It has to be connected with black tube wire and forceps snare for full installation.
I don't remember clearly how to install it. If you want, I can ask my colleague the next day.
