Comparative diagnostic evaluation of intestinal gas patterns in normal and in cases with intestinal foreign bodies in cats
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate intestinal gas patterns in healthy cats and cats with gastrointestinal foreign bodies and to assess their diagnostic value in plain abdominal radiography. Eighty cats were divided into four equal groups: cats with confirmed gastrointestinal foreign bodies, cats with gastrointestinal diseases, cats with urinary system diseases, and healthy controls. All animals underwent clinical examination and abdominal radiography in lateral and ventrodorsal projections. Ra diographic evaluation focused on intestinal gas distribution, segmental dilatation, plication, and foreign body detection. In testinal diameter measurements were recorded and compared among groups. In selected cases, ultrasonography and contrast radiography were used to confirm radiolucent foreign bodies. Hematological and blood gas analyses were also performed. Linear foreign bodies produced a characteristic radiographic appearance in all cases, consisting of intestinal plication and lin ear, bubble-shaped, and comma-shaped gas lucencies. This pattern showed high specificity for linear obstruction. In contrast, non-linear foreign bodies were associated with proximal intestinal distension, generalized gas accumulation, and uniformly dilated intestinal loops. Similar findings were frequently observed in cats with gastrointestinal and urinary diseases, indicating overlap between obstructive and non-obstructive conditions. One elongated non-linear foreign body generated a linear-like gas pattern, suggesting that object morphology may influence radiographic appearance. The combined assessment of intestinal gas patterns and vertebral morphometric measurements to improved diagnostic differentiation in equivocal cases. Intestinal gas pattern analysis is a valuable diagnostic aid in feline abdominal radiography; however, non-specific distension patterns should be interpreted cautiously, and combined radiographic-morphometric evaluation may improve diagnostic accuracy.
Authors: Yasemin Tanırlı, Mustafa Arıcan
Institution: Selçuk University
Language: English
Subfield: Small Animals
Field: Veterinary
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
Funder: Selçuk Üniversitesi
OpenAlex ID: W7215897839