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"Jenny", a 5 year old female Persian cat, was found by her owner to have swallowed a long piece of gift wrap ribbon. Two feet of ribbon were protruding from her mouth. The rest was down her throat. It was not possible to pull out the ribbon, and "Jenny" was vomiting clear fluid and acting very weak and lethargic. A linear foreign body such as a ribbon, string, needle and thread, or dental floss, can be very dangerous. As the intestinal tract tries to pass the linear foreign body through, it tends to "bunch up" on the foreign body which then begins to perforate through the wall of the intestine, damaging the intestine and resulting in peritonitis. In some cases, a length of intestine may have to be removed.

The decision was made to surgically remove the ribbon. After radiographs and pre-anesthetic  bloodwork were completed, "Jenny" was anesthetized and prepared for surgery. The ribbon was found to extend down the esophagus, through the stomach and approximately 18" into the small intestine. It was possible to remove the ribbon through two incisions, one in the stomach and one in the small intestine. Following surgery, "Jenny" made an uneventful recovery and was released to go home the following day.