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Dilbert Walker is a 10 year old Domestic Longhair who came to our practice in June with a history of vomiting for 3-4 days. After a thorough clinical examination we concluded that there was something suspicious in his abdomen (tummy). We could feel a long tubular structure. Dilbert was also dehydrated and very painful to touch and so we decided to hospitalise him overnight.
 On admission, he was put on a drip and given specific pain relief. The next day we x-rayed Dilbert to see what was going on. It was obvious to us that something was causing an obstruction. We decided he needed a surgical operation under general anaesthetic, and we found that part of Dilbert’s intestine was blocked with a fur ball! And a big one at that! Unfortunately the intestine around it had been damaged and needed to be removed, which made the operation a bit more complicated.
 After the operation Dilbert made a full recovery. He was put on a specific diet that stops fur balls forming in the stomach. Problem solved, or so we thought, until July!
Dilbert started to vomit again and as the owners knew the signs, they rushed him straight down to see us. Not another fur ball? Once again we could feel a tubular structure and again he required an operation. Luckily, this time the intestine was not damaged and we just had to remove the fur ball. As before, Dilbert made a full recovery.
He is now on a specific diet, an oral lubricant, and is being clipped once every 2 months, so hopefully his appetite for fur won’t cause any more problems!
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