'Curiosity nearly killed my cat': Mother's warning after her pet kitten swallowed a Coles Stikeez – and needed emergency surgery to save its life
- A kitten required emergency surgery after swallowing a Coles Stikeez toy
- Vets say animals swallowing small objects can require expensive treatment
- Coles said the toys are clearly labelled and are not suitable for young children
- Kittens are known to swallow sewing needles, rubber bands, string and batteries
An unfortunate kitten has been rushed into emergency surgery after it swallowed a Coles Stikeez collectable.
The cat's owner, identified only as Lisa, said she noticed the cat was vomiting and quite lethargic and subsequently rushed her pet to the vet.
'I knew straight away that something wasn't right,' the veterinary nurse told Today Tonight.
Lisa identified the warning signs and rushed the cat to emergency surgery - which saved its life but cost over $3,000
Lisa was able to save her cat but still had to pay around $3,000 in vet bills, although she said she had pet insurance.
The cat lived because the symptoms were noticed early on, a factor that vet and Sydney University lecturer Dr Anne Fawcett said is crucial to survival.
'The procedure can be very complicated and very expensive,' she said.
Dr Fawcett said incidents like this are very common in young animals and unfortunately she see's one to two cats die every year from swallowing foreign objects.
Coles said the Stickeez are clearly labelled and are not appropriate for children under three
Young animals and toddlers are naturally very curious and she said during this period it is very common them to consume potentially fatal objects.
Early intervention is critical Dr Fawcett said, with vets often able to save the animal from suffering and an expensive operation
'It is quite common for them to ingest sewing needles, we see cats that eat plastic bread ties, hair ties, rubber bands, string, the corner of a yoga mat, liquid paper, a two-dollar coin and batteries.'
The objects block the intestine and leave the kitten unable to digest food.
Dr Fawcett encourages people to take their animals to hospital as soon as they notice a change in behaviour.
'Often if people bring in the animal early we can get the animal to throw it up which can save an expensive operation and a lot of suffering for the animal,' she said.
'Kittens need supervision and if you do need to check the room and think about what they can get to.'
Coles said in a statement: 'Each pack of Stikeez is clearly labelled with appropriate warnings in accordance with safety labelling guidelines.
'In addition we have clear signage at the check outs for customers reminding them that Stikeez are not suitable for children under three years of age,' it said.
Dr Anne Fawcett said young animals swallowing potentially fatal items is very common and results in several deaths a year
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