Case Report

Gastroduodenal Perforation in a Cat: Clinical Findings, Diagnosis, and Treatment Management

Volume: 23 Number: 1 April 29, 2026
TR EN

Gastroduodenal Perforation in a Cat: Clinical Findings, Diagnosis, and Treatment Management

Abstract

Gastrointestinal perforations, although rarely reported in cats, are life-threatening conditions that can result in septic peritonitis and death if left untreated. Contributing factors include long-term or high-dose use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), gastrointestinal neoplasms, inflammation, and foreign bodies. This report describes the clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic management of a feline case of gastroduodenal perforation complicated by septic peritonitis. A 5-year-old male domestic shorthair cat was referred with anuria and diagnosed with urolithiasis. Following unsuccessful medical therapy, the cat underwent cystotomy. Postoperatively, meloxicam and a cephalosporin antibiotic were administered. By the third day post-surgery, the cat exhibited anorexia and systemic deterioration. Radiographs showed decreased abdominal detail and a ground-glass appearance. Ultrasonography revealed free abdominal fluid, intact urinary bladder, and fluid-filled stomach. Bilateral acute nephritis was noted. Abdominocentesis confirmed septic peritonitis cytologically. During exploratory laparotomy, brown free fluid consistent with gastric content was identified in the abdomen. Extensive peritonitis, circulatory compromise, and adhesions were present. Due to poor prognosis, intraoperative euthanasia was performed. While gastroduodenal perforation in cats is rarely documented, this case suggests a possible link between NSAID use, renal dysfunction, and gastrointestinal rupture. The cat had no prior gastrointestinal symptoms and had undergone surgery for an unrelated condition. This highlights the importance of cautious NSAID use in patients with compromised renal function and suggests the need for further studies to better understand risk factors and outcomes associated with feline gastroduodenal perforation.

Keywords

Thanks

The authors would like to acknowledge that this study was previously presented as a poster at the 18th National and 4th International Congress of Veterinary Surgery.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Veterinary Surgery

Journal Section

Case Report

Publication Date

April 29, 2026

Submission Date

August 9, 2025

Acceptance Date

April 6, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 23 Number: 1

APA
Uygur, D., Uygur, A., Yilmaz, A., & Şenel, O. O. (2026). Gastroduodenal Perforation in a Cat: Clinical Findings, Diagnosis, and Treatment Management. Erciyes Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi, 23(1), 111-118. https://doi.org/10.32707/ercivet.1761143
AMA
1.Uygur D, Uygur A, Yilmaz A, Şenel OO. Gastroduodenal Perforation in a Cat: Clinical Findings, Diagnosis, and Treatment Management. Erciyes Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi. 2026;23(1):111-118. doi:10.32707/ercivet.1761143
Chicago
Uygur, Diğdem, Aslı Uygur, Aydın Yilmaz, and Oytun Okan Şenel. 2026. “Gastroduodenal Perforation in a Cat: Clinical Findings, Diagnosis, and Treatment Management”. Erciyes Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi 23 (1): 111-18. https://doi.org/10.32707/ercivet.1761143.
EndNote
Uygur D, Uygur A, Yilmaz A, Şenel OO (April 1, 2026) Gastroduodenal Perforation in a Cat: Clinical Findings, Diagnosis, and Treatment Management. Erciyes Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi 23 1 111–118.
IEEE
[1]D. Uygur, A. Uygur, A. Yilmaz, and O. O. Şenel, “Gastroduodenal Perforation in a Cat: Clinical Findings, Diagnosis, and Treatment Management”, Erciyes Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi, vol. 23, no. 1, pp. 111–118, Apr. 2026, doi: 10.32707/ercivet.1761143.
ISNAD
Uygur, Diğdem - Uygur, Aslı - Yilmaz, Aydın - Şenel, Oytun Okan. “Gastroduodenal Perforation in a Cat: Clinical Findings, Diagnosis, and Treatment Management”. Erciyes Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi 23/1 (April 1, 2026): 111-118. https://doi.org/10.32707/ercivet.1761143.
JAMA
1.Uygur D, Uygur A, Yilmaz A, Şenel OO. Gastroduodenal Perforation in a Cat: Clinical Findings, Diagnosis, and Treatment Management. Erciyes Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi. 2026;23:111–118.
MLA
Uygur, Diğdem, et al. “Gastroduodenal Perforation in a Cat: Clinical Findings, Diagnosis, and Treatment Management”. Erciyes Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi, vol. 23, no. 1, Apr. 2026, pp. 111-8, doi:10.32707/ercivet.1761143.
Vancouver
1.Diğdem Uygur, Aslı Uygur, Aydın Yilmaz, Oytun Okan Şenel. Gastroduodenal Perforation in a Cat: Clinical Findings, Diagnosis, and Treatment Management. Erciyes Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi. 2026 Apr. 1;23(1):111-8. doi:10.32707/ercivet.1761143