PORTLAND, Ore. — A Portland family received a shocking surprise when an X-ray revealed that their beloved cat, Kevin, had a sewing needle lodged inside his mouth — an accident that nearly claimed his life.
Kevin, known for his playful and curious nature, had always been the kind of cat who explored every corner of his home. But one evening, that curiosity led him into serious danger.
A Routine Night Turns Dangerous
It began innocently enough. Kevin wandered into a child’s room where sewing supplies had been left out after a craft project. The shiny needles and threads must have looked like toys to him. But during his exploration, Kevin accidentally swallowed a sewing needle — an action that would soon cause him immense pain.
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What his family didn’t realize was that the needle hadn’t simply passed through his digestive tract. Instead, it had pierced through the roof of his mouth, embedding itself into his nasal cavity.
A Mystery Illness
Over the next few days, Kevin’s behavior changed dramatically. Normally energetic and affectionate, he became withdrawn and appeared to be in distress. He struggled to swallow, refused to eat, and began vomiting repeatedly.
“At first, we thought he had caught a stomach bug or eaten something bad,” Kevin’s owner recalled. “But then he started gagging and acting like something was stuck. That’s when we knew something was seriously wrong.”
The family rushed him to an urgent care veterinary clinic, hoping for answers. But even after an initial examination, the cause of Kevin’s pain remained a mystery. The vets could tell he was sick, but nothing was visibly wrong.
A Trip to DoveLewis Emergency Hospital
Realizing they needed specialized help, the urgent care team referred Kevin to DoveLewis Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Hospital in Portland, a facility known for treating complex cases.
At DoveLewis, veterinarians decided to place Kevin under anesthesia to conduct a more thorough examination. This allowed them to X-ray his mouth and nasal passages without causing additional stress or discomfort.
What they found left everyone stunned: a sewing needle lodged in his hard palate, stretching into his nasal cavity.
Even for experienced veterinarians, it was an alarming discovery. “It was incredible that he was still able to breathe and eat at all,” one DoveLewis staff member said.
A Delicate and Life-Saving Procedure
The veterinary surgical team acted swiftly. Using specialized tools and imaging guidance, they carefully extracted the needle, ensuring no further damage occurred to Kevin’s mouth or nasal passages.
The procedure was delicate, but successful. After the surgery, Kevin was monitored closely as he recovered from anesthesia.
A Remarkable Recovery
Within a few days, the improvement was clear. Kevin began eating again, his energy returned, and his usual playful personality resurfaced. The family was overjoyed — and deeply relieved.
“It’s amazing how resilient he is,” his owner said. “One moment, we were terrified he might not make it, and now he’s back to chasing his toys like nothing happened.”
A Lesson for Pet Owners
While Kevin may not understand exactly what happened, his family says they’ve learned an important lesson about pet safety.
They now keep all sewing supplies, craft tools, and other small objects securely stored away — anything that might tempt a curious cat to explore.
Veterinarians at DoveLewis emphasize that incidents like this are more common than many pet owners realize. Everyday household items — such as sewing needles, rubber bands, thread, string, and hair ties — can pose serious risks if swallowed or chewed on by pets.
“Cats are naturally curious, and that curiosity can sometimes put them in danger,” the clinic explained in a statement. “Pet owners should always be mindful of small or sharp objects around the house, as even a tiny item can cause life-threatening injuries.”
A Happy Ending — and a Reminder
Today, Kevin is healthy and back to his mischievous self. His story, shared widely on social media, has resonated with pet owners everywhere as both a warning and a reminder of how quickly accidents can happen.
The family says they hope others learn from their experience. “We were lucky — incredibly lucky,” they said. “We never thought something as small as a sewing needle could nearly take his life.”
Kevin’s ordeal serves as a powerful reminder that while our homes may seem safe, they can hide unexpected dangers for pets. A little extra care and vigilance can make all the difference — ensuring that curious cats like Kevin live long, healthy, and happy lives.
