At Shepton and Wells Vets, we pride ourselves on offering expert care for pets in both routine and critical situations. A recent case involving a cat named Baby, who developed severe intussusception following her queening (giving birth), is a perfect example of the high level of care and attention we provide to our patients.

Five weeks after giving birth, Baby presented concerning symptoms, including refusing to eat and becoming irritable when her kittens attempted to nurse. A physical examination revealed a hard mass in her abdomen. We suspected the possibility of a retained kitten, foreign body obstruction, or an intestinal blockage such as intussusception.

A second scan at Shepton confirmed the diagnosis of intussusception, a serious condition where part of the intestine telescopes into itself, leading to a blockage. If untreated, this condition can result in severe complications, including tissue death and life-threatening infections. This is an uncommon condition typically caused by gastrointestinal parasites or infections causing diarrhoea, which Baby had after her queening. This results in the intestines increasing their motility and telescoping into itself.

After discussing the case with Baby’s owner, we proceeded with surgery. During the exploratory procedure, we found that a section of the small intestine had telescoped into itself and become stuck, resulting in a blockage. The section on the inside was necrotic and had ruptured, spilling gastrointestinal contents into the abdomen. Overall, a 15 cm section of dead or fragile intestine was resected, and the remaining intestine was repaired with many individual sutures to prevent leakage of bacteria-laden intestinal contents.

Post-surgery, Baby was stabilised with intravenous fluids, pain relief and antibiotics. A feeding tube was placed to ensure she received adequate nutrition while recovering. This is not a risk-free procedure, with wound breakdown being a serious complication. We also started some worming liquid to treat her diarrhoea.

Baby’s recovery was steady, with her appetite returning quickly. After a few days in hospital, she was allowed to return home, still with the oesophageal feeding tube in place for additional support. Her temperature, though slightly elevated, gradually stabilised.

Over the course of her recovery, we advised her owner to feed her small, frequent meals and continue cage rest to promote healing. The feeding tube was eventually removed consciously as Baby began eating comfortably on her own. Her condition remained stable, and her owners were closely monitoring her progress.

At her final check-up, Baby was in great condition. Her owner reported no concerns at home; Baby was doing well and her diarrhoea had resolved. Her temperature had stabilised, and both her incision and the oesophageal feeding tube wound looked fine, with no signs of infection.

A 1 cm structure was still present in her abdomen, but it was non-painful, and we suspect this is scar tissue around the enterectomy site, which is a normal part of the healing process. Given Baby’s excellent progress and the absence of complications, we were happy to sign her off as fully recovered.

This case highlights the critical role veterinary practices like Shepton and Wells Vets play in providing life-saving care for pets. Post-surgical recovery requires ongoing monitoring and expert care to ensure that pets recover fully, and we are committed to providing that care every step of the way.

If your pet is recovering from surgery or shows signs of distress, don’t hesitate to contact us for guidance and support. At Shepton and Wells Vets, we are here to ensure your pets stay healthy and happy.