Keep your eye on your cat's balls or marbles!

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Lort Smith vets warn pet owners: Keep your eye on the small balls!

There has been a sharp rise in the number of cats requiring surgery to remove marbles and other small balls at Lort Smith Animal Hospital.

“Three in ten households own a cat so it’s important that the community understands the importance of monitoring your cat’s toys,” said Dr David Cunliffe, Head of Hospital at Lort Smith.

Willow now available for adoption
from the Lort Smith Animal Hospital

Willow, a one-year-old white and tabby domestic short hair arrived at Lort Smith after not eating for several days. Upon initial examination vets could feel something hard in her abdomen.

Lort Smith proceeded with life-saving surgery to remove the metal ball from Willow’s intestine. “Willow is one lucky cat. If she had been left in this state much longer the damage could have been fatal,” said Dr Cunliffe.

Over the last month Lort Smith Animal Hospital has seen an increase in cats undergoing emergency surgery for consuming marbles, ball bearings and small hard drubber balls.

“Cats normally admitted for this type of surgery may have eaten anything from dental floss, hair ties and aluminium foil. Marbles and other small balls are not usual,” said Dr Cunliffe.

Merlin, a four-month-old black domestic short hair also underwent surgery for swallowing a small rubber ball.

“It was worrying when poor Merlin first arrived. We were not sure if he was going to make it,” said Amanda Doolan, Senior Animal Welfare Officer at the Lort Smith Adoption Centre.

After a successful surgery, this lively cat is now recovering in foster care before he heads to the adoption centre to find his forever family.

“Merlin is such a beautiful and lively cat. It’s hard to imagine that he was that same cat who came in barely able to move due to the amount of pain he was in,” added Ms Doolan.

Vets are not sure why there has been a sharp increase in these admissions, however, the message is simple: “Cats need as much supervision with toys as their canine counterparts,” said Dr Cunliffe.

“Any toy with small parts inside need to be closely monitored for signs of wear and tear. Also, toys that are small enough to swallow are not suitable,” added Dr Cunliffe.

About Lort Smith

Lort Smith is the largest not-for-profit animal hospital in Australia, delivering essential and life-saving services to sick, injured and vulnerable animals. Each year our team of more than 60 vets and 110 nurses provide quality care for around 25,000 animals. Lort Smith rehomes approximately 850 animals each year and operates a number of community outreach programs which have a significant social impact on the community. Lort Smith receives no ongoing government funding.

MEDIA RELEASE, 1st July 2019

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